Gordo Calls State of the City Speech Important Moment to Come Together

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo de;ivers his 2024 State of the City address. Feb. 29, 2024. [KPAS screenshot]

Mayor Victor Gordo’s State of the City Speech will include remarks about the catastrophic Eaton Fire, which comes as no surprise.

The theme for this year’s speech is, “Pasadena: A Resilient Community.”

“According to the City Charter, as Mayor I am required to present a thematic budget message for the upcoming fiscal year no later than February,” Gordo said in a statement. “This is an important moment for us to come together as a community, reflect on where we’ve been, and chart the course ahead.

“This year, we do so in the shadow of the Eaton Fire—a disaster that has brought unprecedented devastation and heartbreak to our greater community. Our neighbors in Altadena bore the vast brunt of this fire’s destruction, losing homes, businesses, and cherished spaces. But in this time of great challenge, we have also seen the very best of who we are.”

Gordo said that Pasadena and Altadena are communities bound by history, by shared values, and most importantly, by people who care deeply for one another.

“We have stood together in moments of triumph, and we stand together now in the face of adversity. Our City staff, first responders, and countless volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide relief, to rebuild, and to restore hope.”

“This road ahead will not be easy, but we will walk it together. We will rebuild, we will recover, and we will emerge stronger—because that is who we are. That is Pasadena. That is Altadena. That is our community.”

Gordo will deliver the speech at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Pasadena Elks Lodge, 400 W. Colorado Blvd.

The speech marks the beginning of the City’s budgetary process and begins the run-up towards the submission of the budget by the City Council in May.

The address will be livestreamed on the City of Pasadena Government TV Channel KPAS, with Spanish translation available. Free on-site parking will be available at the Caltech parking garage south of the building.

For accessibility information and requests, individuals can contact (626) 744-7311 or CSC@cityofpasadena.net. Providing at least 72 hours advance notice will help ensure availability.