A different direction this election
03/01/2007
In the race for mayor, four City Council contests and three school board elections, a total of 24 candidates — four of them incumbents — tossed their hats into the political ring in hopes of having a crack at improving their communities.
Before getting into the people we hope to be talking to on a regular basis for the next four years, the Weekly extends its congratulations to all those who dove in and campaigned for a better future for their city, neighborhoods and schools.
But, with that said, let's remember what is at stake here and what is needed from these elections: not just better but passionate representation for some of the neediest neighborhoods in the city, steady hands overseeing such critical issues as residential development and overall city and school spending, and straight talk and responsible management from a school district Board of Education that has provided neither over much of the past four years.
Over that time, we've watched political plans come together and sometimes unravel week in and week out. We've also watched those already in power make often good and sometimes terrible decisions regarding the growth and overall character of Pasadena.
That probably isn't going to change all that much, given the existing makeup of both boards and the fact that most challengers offered nothing new to what the incumbents in these various races have already been doing during much of their time in office.
So we offer a mix of recommendations. We'll embrace, to some extent, the status quo. Only with these picks we hope to add new voices of not only alternative concerns but actual dissent when necessary.
Mayor — Bill Bogaard
Bogaard has proven to be one of the most honorable and effective mayors in the city's history. Running for a third term against newcomer Aaron Proctor probably won't be too much trouble. However, after getting re-elected, fulfilling the city's affordable housing needs while accommodating our virtually runaway residential development will be a major challenge in the immediate future.
District 1 — Jacque Robinson
With a marquee name like that, it strikes us Robinson could have that job as long as she likes. Unlike her predecessor, Joyce Streator, who usually voted lockstep on most issues with fellow Councilman Chris Holden, it's unlikely Robinson will do the same. Why? Mainly because Holden is supporting one of her five opponents.
District 2 — Jim Lomako
OK, so Lomako has managed to tick off everyone from his opposition to the guy we hope he'll be replacing, Paul Little. It appears Lomako is a little too outspoken in his views about slowing down growth, which rubs people the wrong way sometimes. To that we say, “It's about time.” What good is a council that always agrees (as ours does much of the time)? With Lomako and Robinson on board, we're hoping for Monday nights to start heating up a little bit.
District 4 — Steve Haderlein
Haderlein has been as steady as they come in representing the people of his eastern Pasadena district. We see no reason to change that now.
District 6 — Steve Madison
Madison is a master at finding politically stable middle ground, and he usually does what his West Pasadena constituents expect.
PUSD
Seat 2 — Renatta Cooper
Cooper is a child development expert and the only African-American candidate running for the board. She will provide representation that is needed desperately with Board member Prentice Deadrick not running for re-election.
Seat 4 — Bill Bibbiani
Bibbiani is an incumbent, but he was a 30-year administrator before that and has long been a lone voice for managerial changes within the district and providing more autonomy to local school sites. Maybe in this term, Bib can get a majority to go along with some of his ideas.
Seat 6 — Roberta Martinez
A member of the Pasadena Arts Commission, Martinez will provide another much-needed voice for our growing Latino student base, as well as loosen control of the board by the Pasadena Education Foundation, to which her opponent as well as two other board members currently belong.DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT