Political Gumbo: Community Meeting is Critical

I hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving. I’m not a turkey guy – still had some good food.

Nobody makes a pecan pie like my sister. 

That woman can get down on some pies.

Yes, they’re gone already and I’m trying to talk her into making another one. 

One thing grabbed my attention, the turkey wasn’t even gone yet before the first showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Yes, I’m aware there is no separation between Thanksgiving and Christmas – but damn I need some time before I see George Bailey wishing he had never been born.

That was my favorite movie for decades by the way. 

Nowadays, “A Place in The Sun,” with Montgomery Cliff and Elizabeth Taylor holds the top spot.

On to the meat in the pot.   

Respect to the police, City Hall and the elected officials that prioritized the incidents at Washington Park.

Here’s what’s been released.

Aaron Miguel Conell, 24, of Pasadena, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Nov. 27 in a Pasadena courtroom on a murder count stemming from the killing of Mickey Cooper, 64, on Nov. 18.

Conell was taken into custody late last Saturday by Pasadena police. He remains jailed in lieu of $4.25 million bail.

Conell also faces an attempted murder charge for an October meeting in the park and pointing his gun at a vehicle earlier this month.

Multiple families and extended families were severely impacted by two shootings in the park that left one person dead and another critically wounded, and yes that includes the shooter’s family.

While most of us enjoyed the holiday with loved ones, one family was just beginning the grieving process, another was figuring out how to care for an injured family member and still a third could be struggling with a family member’s decision to injure others. 

Hopefully holiday gatherings will provide some comfort to all.  

Locals will begin to get a better picture on what happened and what will be done to better serve residents on Tuesday at the community meeting at Santa Catalina Library.

It is incumbent on the City to hold these types of meetings to not only talk about plans to keep people safe, but also to allow locals to ask questions and express themselves.

If you live in the area, it’s your community. It’s your right to be informed, but you have to show up to get the information.

According to the flyer for the event, representatives from the Pasadena Police Department, Parks, Recreation & Community Services, Public Works, and Housing will be in attendance. As well as Mayor Victor Gordo, District 5 Councilmember Jess Rivas, and District 3 Councilmember Justin Jones.

Rivas represents the area, and has been responsive to our questions on these matters. 

That’s what elected officials are supposed to do.

That’s a good thing.

In a past column I spoke about people being in the park early in the morning. A few people contacted me to remind me of our unhoused neighbors.

Appreciate the reminders.

Truth to tell, I never forgot them.

The point is if you have a place to lay your head, be there not the park. 

Still as always, I appreciate the responses and reminders.