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View Winners → Curtain Falls on Mayor Bogaard’s Final Official Speech
Featured Jan 16, 2015
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Photographs by Terry Miller
Mayor Bogaard received a standing ovation at his final State of City address at Pasadena Playhouse Thursday night.
The mayor described his departure from office as “bittersweet” at one point and was visibly moved by warm reception of the 700 plus people in the audience.
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Curtain Falls on Mayor Bogaard’s Final Official Speech
By Terry Miller
It was more than fitting that Pasadena’s popular Mayor Bogaard’s final state of the city speech be held on the stage at Pasadena Playhouse. Bogaard has been an avid supporter of the state Theatre even before he was elected Mayor near 16 years ago.
After numerous speeches and accolades plus a performance by Theatre 360, Mr. Bogaard took the stage and immediately addressed the alleged $6.4 million embezzlement that has rocked the foundation of citizens’ trust in local government.
When Mr Bogaard was introduced he said… he’d like to discuss “a subject that’s on everyone’s mind” Two city employees and one additional suspect have been charged in a 60-count felony complaint.
“I and all the council members feel extreme regret that this breach of trust has occurred, as the city manager does as well,” Mr. Bogaard said. And as city officials move forward, they will act “aggressively, thoughtfully and thoroughly.”
“We will do everything reasonable possible to assure that nothing like this will happen again,” Bogaard said.
Bogaard thanked his colleagues, the public and especially his wife, Claire who he said is the only person he knows of who has attended all 16 state of the city speeches he has given.
Mr. Bogaard’s final state of the city was complete; he received another standing ovation and proceeded to meet VIPs, city staffers and residents in the Playhouse Courtyard. In a rather ironic, Hunter S. Thompson comical twist, at one point a couple of fully made-up clowns roamed among the guests, albeit briefly – the clowns were doing a performance at the adjacent Red White and Blues.
