If the word author comes from authority, then Greig Smith can certainly be called that.

The Los Angeles city councilman can now add author to his list of accomplishments. Councilman Smith, representing the 12th District, which includes Encino, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Northridge and other parts of the western San Fernando Valley, has written a book entitled If City Hall's Walls Could Talk.

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If City Hall's Walls Could Talk
Greig Smith
Xlibris, Corp., 116 pages, $9.99 ebook

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The anecdotal book is subtitled Strange And Funny Stories From Inside Los Angeles City Hall. Smith says it is an effort to commemorate some of the truly intriguing, funny and downright goofy stories that have helped the City of Angels gain its reputation as an eclectic city often called "La-La Land." He tells stories from recent years as well as some wild, and fascinating tales from its deeper past. 

"As an inhabitant of Los Angeles and participant in Los Angeles city government for 32 years, I have seen a lot of interesting and funny things happen," Smith explains in the book's foreward. "A lot of characters have come and gone through the building."

Smith said it was his desire to compile a collection of short stories that make for an enjoyable read.

For example:

"One of the regular functions of a mayor is to present awards to deserving citizens. One on occasion Mayor Riordan was asked to present awards to four outstanding women, "business women of the year." ... There were three white women and one African-American, all of whom he had never met. The mayor would then say a few nice words about woman number one,  have her come forward to present a resolution to her, and shake hands.  He did this for woman 2 and 3 as well. When he made his comments about woman number 4, the African-American, she came forward, but instead of shaking her hand, he suddenly raised his arm above her to give her a high five. Instead,  the poor woman saw his hand rapidly raise above her and dropped to her knees, lost balance and fell off the stage. Assistants rushed to her aid, and all she could say was she thought the man was going to hit her."

In 2003, Smith was elected to the City Council, defeating L.A. School Board Member Julie Kornstein in the race to succeed Hal Bernson. Smith's work on waste management issues led to his appointment to the Los Angeles County Solid Waste Task Force. The councilman made waste management his main issue and was successful, he feels, in lobbying his colleagues to unanimously pass his comprehensive blueprint for the city, "RENEW L.A.," which stands for Recovering Energy, Natural Resources, and Economic Benefit from Waste for Los Angeles.

Also a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, he is one of two Republican Party members of the City Council.

Prior to serving on the council, Smith owned a family clothing business, and was the chief of staff to former Councilman Hal Bernson. Smith was a community activist and was, and is, a staunch advocate of lifelong learning. He holds degrees from the University of Southern California and a certificate from UCLA.

Retiring from the council at the end of this term in mid 2011, Smith plans to teach at USC, and continue his work as an LAPD Reserve officer.

The book is available as an ebook, in hardcover and softcover at Amazon.com and other booksellers.

Click here to read the foreword.