Mayor Victor Gordo said on Monday that it was important to vote, but the community must unite and work together after the election.
“We have a right and a responsibility to go out to vote as citizens of this great country and residents of Pasadena,” Gordo told Pasadena Now. “We win or lose elections, we accept the results then we work together. Let’s keep that in mind as we participate in the greatest democratic process.”
In the Pasadena Unified School District, four seats are up for grabs, including seats in districts 1, 3, 5 and 7.
There are several weighty issues on the ballot this year, including rent control, a library tax and a bond measure at Pasadena City College.
The rent control initiative, Measure H, has turned contentious over the past several weeks with local renters, teachers groups and some others supporting the measure.
Elected officials, realtors and others oppose the measure.
The measure would create a rental board composed mostly of tenants.
Measure L would extend an existing tax for Pasadena property owners for another 15 years.
The revenue from the tax provides approximately 20% of the revenue to support Pasadena’s library system.
The Measure L property tax originally passed in 1993, and was overwhelmingly renewed in 1997 and again in 2007.
The tax costs residential property owners approximately 10 cents/day and goes directly to support library services including salaries, resources, books, and materials, proponents said.
In the PUSD, Incumbents Kim Kenne and Michelle Richardson Bailey are running for re-election.
Kenne is facing Billy Malone in District 1, Richardson Bailey is facing Pat Amsbry in District 3.
In District 5, Patrice Marshall McKenzie and Xilian Stammer are competing for the seat currently occupied by Elizabeth Pomeroy. Pomeroy is not seeking reelection.
The District 7 seat is currently occupied by Scott Phelps, who has decided not to run for reelection. Juan Pablo Alban and Yarma Velázquez are vying to capture the seat.
“We believe in the democratic process, whether your candidate or measure wins or loses, we come back as American citizens to improve our community,” Gordo said.
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