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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles City Council celebrated Councilman Joe Buscaino's career Tuesday, with the 15th District representative leaving office next week.
Buscaino has been on the council since 2012. He opted not to run for a third term, instead running unsuccessfully for mayor this year. Prior to his time on the council, Buscaino was an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department for 15 years.
"This city has been so good to me and my family," Buscaino said in the Council Chamber Tuesday. "A city who allowed me to serve at my local park, where I was recruited to join the LAPD and over the course of these last nearly 11 years as a council member has been a true honor and blessing."
Buscaino thanked his staff members for their dedication and praised his successor, Tim McOsker,
"There no better person to carry on our accomplishments," Buscaino said. "We are in good hands moving forward with your knowledge and skills."
Buscaino's colleagues each addressed him and offered their farewells.
Councilman John Lee, who has often sided with Buscaino as the two more moderate members of the council, joked: "Joe, the one vote I can count on, leaving."
"I've enjoyed being in our caucus of two," Lee said. "I won't tell them what we call our caucus."
Councilman Mike Bonin, a progressive member of the council, praised Buscaino for the councilman's willingness to work together on issues where they found common ground such as items regarding LAX and the Port of Los Angeles.
"Because you and I were able to look past our disagreements, we worked together on a lot of stuff," Bonin said.
Buscaino noted that five new council members will enter the chamber "at a time when our city is fractured."
He left his colleagues with a line from the show "Ted Lasso" for when things aren't going their way: "Do you know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It's a goldfish. Do you know why? It's got a 10 second memory. So be a goldfish."