Gordo Sworn in as Mayor, Talks Optimism Amid COVID Challenges

Victor Gordo came to Pasadena from Zacatecas, Mexico, as a 4-year-old, speaking no English and living with his immigrant parents and five siblings in a garage. Monday, he became the city’s new mayor, succeeding Terry Tornek, whom Gordo defeated for re-election in the Nov. 3 runoff.

“I feel so fortunate to have landed here in the center of the universe,’’ Gordo said on the steps of City Hall just after 2 p.m., during a socially distant “drive-in” inauguration made necessary by COVID-19 safety protocols – with supporters’ car horns honking in the distance instead of the usual cheers from a large crowd.

“My parents … brought me to Pasadena when I was almost 5 years old,’’ Gordo went on. “We worked hard to make ends meet. I played Little League in our parks, I attended our public schools as a monolingual Spanish-speaking student, and we lived in a garage.

“Starting at age 9, I delivered the Pasadena Star-News and then worked my way in Pasadena restaurants, eventually working my way through law school.’’

Monday, as Gordo stood in front of the city’s Christmas tree on an overcast day, his inaugural speech melded that message of hope and optimism with repeated acknowledgements that the city faces immense challenges — with the coronavirus raging to new and scary levels, taking lives and devastating the economy.

“As we think about COVID and the challenges before us … I commit to you that, together with the city staff and my colleagues on the City Council, we are going to do everything that we can to keep the people of this city safe,’’ Gordo pledged.

“As we think about the economic impacts of COVID to businesses, to many Pasadenans who are unemployed or underemployed, I commit to you that together with … my colleagues on the City Council … we will do everything that we can to support our businesses.’’

Gordo, a 19-year councilmember from District 5, was sworn in by former Pasadena Vice Mayor Bill Crowfoot, for whom Gordo served as a field representative from 1993 to 2001, when Crowfoot was councilmember for District 5. Crowfoot is now a Pasadena attorney and L.A. County Superior Court judge.

Gordo was elected to the council himself in 2001 and has served ever since. He beat Tornek with 54.8 percent of the vote in the Nov. 3 mayoral runoff. His District 5 council seat is now vacant, and will be filled eventually by the new council.

Monday, Gordo shared the city spotlight with Felicia Williams, who was sworn in as the new councilmember from District 2, succeeding Margaret McAustin, who did not seek re-election.

Gordo also shared some spotlight with Councilmembers Tyron Hampton (District 1), Gene Masuda (District 4) and Steve Madison (District 6), who each began their new terms after winning re-election in March without the need of a November runoff. Williams also won her District 2 seat without the need for a runoff.

Hampton and Williams, wearing protective face masks, took their oaths together on the City Hall steps, with City Clerk Mark Jomsky swearing them in. Masuda and Madison were later sworn in remotely by Jomsky, after the new council convened shortly following the swearing-in ceremonies outside City Hall.

Meanwhile, Councilmember Andy Wilson of District 7 was unanimously appointed by his new council colleagues as the city’s vice mayor, succeeding Hampton. The vice mayor performs mayoral duties in the absence of the mayor. Wilson’s term as vice mayor ends on Dec. 12, 2022.

But in the end, Gordo was the headliner on this day, telling his immigrant’s tale and being an unabashed booster of the city despite the dire and uncertain current circumstances.

“I’m humbled by the trust and confidence that you, the voters, have placed in me,’’ Gordo said as members of his family – including wife Kelly; son Michael; daughter Emma; and his father and step-mother – watched from nearby.

“I’ve said often that Pasadena is in fact the center of the universe. You should get used to hearing that, and if you haven’t said it, say it out loud, because our city is the center of the universe. How many cities our size can you go to and visit, and if you want to explore or learn about the universe, you go to Caltech? If you want to explore the universe, you go to JPL.

“We don’t have A football game, we have the granddaddy of them all,’’ he added. “We don’t have a stadium, we’ve got America’s stadium, the Rose Bowl. You want a parade? We’ve got THE parade.’’

He went on to say, “My vision for Pasadena – and I believe it to be a shared vision among the City Council – is that all our residents deserve the best city possible. Every child should have the opportunity to be a successful and contributing member of our community. And in my view, this means safe and thriving neighborhoods, clean and safe streets, strong schools, good housing, parks and parks that welcome families.’’

Gordo also found significance in Monday’s date – Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day – as a metaphor for the city’s current situation.

“This has been a difficult year, as Pearl Harbor Day was a difficult time for the entire country,’’ Gordo said.

“2020 has been a very difficult year for the entire world. And so I ask everyone, wherever you are, to bow your head and reflect in honor of those victims of COVID and reflect on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day.

“And now, as we gather ourselves and return to this moment, let our first thoughts be of gratitude to all those of our neighbors, friends, who have labored during the pandemic. Not just first responders (but also) medical personnel, teachers, grocery-store workers, restaurant workers, civil servants, all the many who can proudly say that they did report to duty.

“During the pandemic, I’ll say that we were reminded of many things that are great about Pasadena,’’ he added. “A dedicated city staff here at City Hall, the Water and Power Department, our Health Department, our Fire Department – every single department in the City of Pasadena has served us well.

“We are fortunate that Pasadena enjoys first-rate city services, and it is our job as members of the City Council to ensure that that continues.’’

Gordo ended his remarks on a note of optimism, looking beyond the current darkness.

“Like it or not, ladies and gentleman, we are the pandemic generation,’’ he said. “We’re bonded together by this difficult struggle, and unfortunately it may get darker and more difficult. Some experts are predicting that.

“But here’s something we all know and here’s something we should all keep in mind – spring will come. The days will get longer. The sun will shine brighter and warmer than it has before. And our lives will be renewed. And our spirits will once again soar, and they’ll soar together.’’

“Now is the time for hard work,’’ he added, in a call to his new council colleagues.

“Now is the time to stand up for seniors, for young people, to manage development, to build affordable housing, to house the homeless, to support public safety, to do all the things that we know need to be done,’’ he said.

“I am confident, Pasadena, about our future, and I hope you, Pasadena, are confident about our future.

“I know our capacity for success far exceeds the challenges that we face even today.’’