Pasadena Council Approves 2017 Election Results; Unanimously Elects Vice-Mayor Kennedy

Election winners call for cooperation and unity

By Gus Herrera

On Monday, the Pasadena City Council suspended regular business in order to hold its annual organizational meeting.

Council approved the certificate of canvass from the March 7 primary elections, the subsequent April 18 runoff for District 7, and also elected a new vice-mayor.

This year’s voters were clearly satisfied with the current council, as all three seats that were up for grabs were retained by the incumbents.

In District 3, Council Member John Kennedy ran unopposed, receiving 100 percent of the votes.

After recognizing his family, Kennedy said that he was very grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the city in which he was born and raised and looks forward to providing a voice for all those he represents.

He proudly shouted out his district, “it’s no secret that the crown jewels of our city are located in District 3,” referencing city hall and the central library, but he quickly put all playful jokes aside and championed the dire need for cooperation in the years to come.

“It is about neighbor helping neighbor in a quest to build that one shining city that we call ‘One Pasadena,’” he said, “we must work together, eliminate divisiveness … [and] continue not from a perch of fear, but a perch of understanding … ”

Kennedy focused on his “desire to see clean, affordable housing” and the creation of an environment where residents can “walk anywhere without fear.”

“In the City of Pasadena there is no problem that we, not just as a council, but as a community, cannot solve,” he concluded.

Council Member Margaret McAustin nominated Kennedy to succeed Council Member Gene Masuda in the role of vice-mayor. McAustin described Kennedy as passionate, focused, and found him to be particularly suited for the role due to his message of inclusion.

The nomination was approved unanimously and Kennedy will serve as vice-mayor for one year.

In District 5, Council Member Victor Gordo was re-elected, receiving 63.5 percent of the total vote.

Gordo thanked the voters, as well as his family, for allowing him the “tremendous, tremendous honor to sit around [the] Dias and represent District 5.”

Despite being on the council since March 2001, Gordo revealed that his service to the city still keeps him on his toes, “it never ceases to amaze me how much we learn,” he said.

Although he cited several positive actions taken over the past years, particularly the renewed success of the Rose Bowl and the new music/arts festival, Gordo made it clear that difficult challenges lay ahead – challenges that will require the council to step up their game and “rise to the occasion.”

He was especially concerned with the upcoming task of addressing the city’s budget and doing so in a way that will avoid cutting services, emphasize public safety, and protect the city workforce that “does a tremendous job of making [council] look good.”

With respect to public safety, Gordo was assertive in his desire to be a part of a proactive council, “we can’t wait for another crisis to occur before we continue discussions on public safety,” he said.

Gordo also challenged his colleagues to take a step back and revisit the “idea of Pasadena.” He argued the existence of a feeling that the city is “losing [it’s] sense of place,” and that council and the residents of the city must decide what they want the city to look like in 10 or 15 years from now.

“We must look at how development occurs in our city and type of activity we allow to occur in Pasadena … I look forward to working with all of you to make sure the city looks better tomorrow than it is today,” said Gordo.

The race for District 7 took an extra month to decide – Council Member Andy Wilson edged out newcomer Phil Hosp by the thin margin of 36 votes (1,793 votes/50.5 percent of total).

Wilson, who was appointed to council 22 months ago, revealed the grind of his campaign, “the election became most dominant thing in my life … running a campaign is very different from being councilperson. It takes a village, I had no idea.”

He said that his opponent’s decision to “sling mud” caught him off guard and evolved the District 7 race from a journey, into a battle – a battle “between integrity and ambition” and “action vs. rhetoric.”

Despite the grueling nature of running a political campaign, it wasn’t all negative – aside from achieving his victory, Wilson revealed that the fruit of the process came from ringing thousands of doorbells and getting to know the people he represents.

“Talking at doorsteps is an incredible way to get to know your neighbors, an opportunity I cherished,” he said.

Similar to Kennedy, Wilson concluded his statements with a call for collaboration and optimism, “hope is the most important glue … [it’s] optimism that drives us forward. Fear is not the right mindset to drive progress … building bridges is much more important than building walls … collaborating with people with respect is the secret sauce.”

He urged all Pasadena residents to reach out whether they voted for him or not, “your opinion counts, don’t let this be a fleeting moment, let this be a moment where you continue

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