Herb Wesson may have to quit smoking

The long-awaited ascension to power of Councilman Herb Wesson could be verified this week when the City Council votes whether to make him the next president, effective Jan. 2.

And it will mean big changes, at least for Wesson.

Wesson often slips out of council meetings for a smoking break. But, with smoking banned in city buildings he said the new job -- which requires him to be present to run the meetings -- could force a radical change.

"I might have to make it my New Year's resolution to stop smoking," Wesson said. "I think I'm going to have to consider giving it up."

But getting to sit in the center chair above the council horseshoe will not necessarily be a smooth ride with council members Jan Perry and Bernard Parks providing potential bumps in the road.

In stepping down recently as president pro tem of the council, Perry said she was concerned the council has "drifted away from the kind of openness and frank discussion" and has become more like Sacramento with decisions being made away from public scrutiny.

The Garcetti decision was prompted by the demands he will face in running for mayor in 2013, with the need to raise millions of dollars and get out among voters.

Last week also saw the first forum among mayoral contenders at UCLA in an event sponsored by the Los Angeles Business Council.

Garcetti, Controller Wendy Greuel and Perry were asked to talk about their views of

building a better Los Angeles.

And they were reminded that a number of such events will be held over the course of the next 15 months leading up to the March 2013 election.

"Yes," Garcetti told the panel, saying the event would stand out. "But you always remember your first."

In next year's election, most attention is being focused on the race between Rep. Howard Berman and Rep. Brad Sherman in the new 30th Congressional Distract.

Berman held his annual Beverly Hilton fundraiser recently, where his campaign said he raised more than $1.5 million.

But, there is more coming in.

The Jewish Journal reported that state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Van Nuys, is creating an independent expenditure committee on behalf of Berman, calling it the Rebuilding America committee.

"I'll do whatever needs to be be done to ensure (Berman's) re-election next year," Padilla told the newspaper.

When he was in the state Assembly, Councilman Paul Krekorian launched a program for aspiring filmmakers in high school with a festival showcasing their work.

He has brought it to City Hall and announced he is now accepting submissions for the second annual Los Angeles Student Media Festival to be held next March at the El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District.

Information on submissions is available at his office, by calling 311 or going to lasmf.lacity.org .

Rick Orlov is a Daily News staff writer and columnist. His column, Tipoff, appears on Mondays. For a daily political fix, go to the Sausage Factory at insidesocal.com/politics .