District 2 Candidate Rick Cole to Hold Campaign Kickoff on July 15

District 2 Candidate Rick Cole will hold a campaign kickoff on July 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at McDonald Park, 1000 E. Mountain St., Pasadena.

Food and beverages will be served at the event.

“Parks are the cornerstone of public space and we are looking for a fun way to bring people together around the theme of ‘One Pasadena’ to kick off one Pasadena,” Cole told Pasadena Now.

After months of local speculation, Cole announced last month he will be running for City Council to succeed Felicia Williams who is seeking a seat in the State Assembly in next year’s March election.

Cole is running a vigorous, issues-based campaign in the neighborhoods of north central Pasadena.

He currently sits on the Planning Commission.

Cole served 12 years on the Pasadena City Council, and served as mayor before the charter was rewritten allowing local residents to elect the City’s mayor.
During that time council members rotated into the mayoral position.

Cole, who works as Chief Deputy Controller for the City of Los Angeles, has a long history of public service.

After his three terms as a Pasadena Councilmember, he served six years as City Manager of Azusa, nine years as City Manager of Ventura and five years as City Manager of Santa Monica.

Known for his leadership in fiscal management, urban planning and citizen engagement, Cole was honored as one of Governing Magazine’s “Public Officials of the Year” and has been recognized for his achievements by the American Society for Public Administration, the Municipal Management Association of Southern California and Government Technology Magazine.

Last year Mayor Gordo appointed Cole as special housing advisor to the Mayor.

Cole previously served as the City Manager of Azusa, Ventura and most recently in Santa Monica.

Earlier this year he penned a series of columns outlining 10 Grand Challenges to Transform Pasadena’s Future.

A father of three adult children, Cole lives in the Bungalow Heaven neighborhood.

Cole attended Pasadena public schools, graduating from Blair High and received his bachelor’s degree from Occidental College and masters from Columbia University. He is an active member of the International City/County Managers Association, the Government Finance Officers Association and the American Planning Association.

Cole previously served as the chair of the Leadership Council of the National League of Cities.

Cole’s campaign website is www.rickcoleforcouncil.com.