Pasadena District 7 Councilmember Jason Lyon Greets Constituents With ‘Excitement and Anticipation’ in New Year Message

 District 7 Councilmember Jason Lyon greeted his constituents with a message of excitement and anticipation for the year 2024. 

In his New Year’s message, Lyon expressed pride in Pasadena’s annual tradition of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, and gratitude towards the city staff and volunteers for their efficiency.

Lyon said he is looking forward to the opportunities that 2024 will bring for the city, including the potential use of the reclaimed 710 corridor, funding the restoration of the Central Library, and considering improvements to local government through City Charter amendments. 

The City Council’s agenda will also include adopting the next phase of their action plan to achieve carbon-free energy at Pasadena Water and Power, making streets safer for all users, serving and housing the unhoused, supporting economic and planning work for vibrant sectors, and maintaining a balanced budget, Lyon said.

The Council’s Legislative Policy Committee, of which Lyon is a member, will continue to advocate in the California legislature for state policies that will help make housing more affordable at every income level without overriding the city’s ability to plan development thoughtfully.

Lyon also highlighted the importance of the upcoming federal, state, and local elections. He urged constituents to support candidates who are committed to service in the public interest, and who will deliberate with pragmatism, reason, kindness, empathy, and inclusion. 

He ended his message with a hopeful note, stating, “May it still be true that what unites us is greater than that which seeks to divide us.”

Here is the full text of his message:

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy New Year! I hope that, whatever holiday traditions you observe, December offered opportunities for rest, reflection, and renewal. As I write this, I am still basking in the excitement of yesterday’s festivities. Our annual tradition of inviting the world to visit Pasadena through the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game always makes me feel so proud and fortunate to live in our city. Congratulations to Tournament members on another perfect January First. And a huge shout-out of gratitude to the city staff and volunteers who manage each year to clean up and dismantle the parade route with amazing speed and efficiency.

I am looking ahead to 2024 with excitement and anticipation. We, as a city, will have an opportunity to imagine together how best to make use of the reclaimed 710 corridor, decide on funding the restoration of our beloved Central Library, and consider improvements to our local government through City Charter amendments. On the City Council, our agenda will include adopting the next phase of our action plan to achieve carbon-free energy at Pasadena Water and Power; directing additional work to make our streets safer and more welcoming for cars, bikes, pedestrians, and those with mobility challenges alike, including pedestrian improvements on South Lake Avenue; deepening our commitment to serving and housing our unhoused neighbors; supporting the economic and planning work needed to support vibrant retail, restaurant, and service sectors; and continuing to do all this with a balanced budget. Through the council’s Legislative Policy Committee (of which I am fortunate to be a member), the City will also continue to advocate in the California legislature for state policies that will help make housing more affordable at every income level without overriding our ability to thoughtfully plan development in our city. 

This year will also feature federal, state, and local elections. It has become something of a cliché to say that an upcoming election is the “most important of our lifetimes,” but this year it may well be true. The nation will select a president against a backdrop of criminal indictments and impeachment hearings. California voters will decide on an individual to take the seat held by Dianne Feinstein for more than 30 years. Pasadena voters will select both a new state Senator and Assemblymember for the first time in more than a decade. As you consider the candidates, I hope you will support those who are committed to service in the public interest above all else, and those who will deliberate not only with pragmatism and reason, but also with a spirit of kindness, empathy, and inclusion. May it still be true that what unites us is greater than that which seeks to divide us.