Political Gumbo: Take A Stance, Vote

Recently two of the most renowned newspapers in the country announced they would not endorse a presidential candidate.

To call that unfortunate is an understatement.

Yes, it is the primary responsibility of newspapers to present the truth through a collection of irrefutable facts.

But also, newspapers should be fearless and unafraid to endorse candidates, especially in times when our freedoms are challenged.

The LA Times and the Washington Post have long endorsed candidates. Their reasons for not endorsing in the current election has led to questions at those publications. At least one editor has quit over the decision.

USA Today also is not endorsing. There, the Editorial Board feels that elections should be decided locally “one race at a time.”

That’s long been the feeling at Pasadena Now.

Years before I got here, the decision was made not to endorse candidates.

The reason being, that it’s important your voices are the ones that count.

“Our goal is to inform our readers of accurate information while allowing them to make their own final decision,” said Publisher James Macpherson. “We are not so full of ourselves that we think our endorsement will affect the outcome of an election. What endorsements create is the appearance of bias and favoritism, which we do our utmost to avoid.”

Putting aside the important presidential election and the state and County issues, there are local important matters on the ballot that impact Pasadena.

Let me say this before I get started on the local measures, this is not to be interpreted as support or opposition on any of the matters.

Instead it should be taken as observations on issues that I have covered over months and years.

First and foremost is the Central Library.

Measure PL, a $195 million bond measure, would allow for an earthquake retrofit, which would lead to the reopening of the Central Library.

The library closed in May 2021 after the building was discovered to be seismically unsafe.

According to the city’s website, when the Central Library opened, it housed a collection of over 300,000 items.

It also serves as a destination for those who needed access to a computer, Wi-Fi, or high-speed internet. Central Library also houses the iLab — an innovative space that provided the community with access to equipment such as 3-D printers, Carvey machines, sewing machines, and more.

The opponents say we’re taxed too much already.

The election also includes three important City Charter reform measures.

Measure PA would establish special elections to fill Council District vacancies if more than two years remain on the unexpired term and establish a 30-day residency requirement in the City for those seeking appointment to the City Council.

Efforts to attach a six-month residency requirement failed after it was deemed illegal.

The call for City Charter reform on the matter began after Justin Jones was appointed to the City Council in District 3 following the untimely death of John Kennedy.

Opponents claimed residents in the District should get to choose their representative.

That makes sense, because they should have their say. After Jones was appointed twice, residents in District 3 finally had their say last March and elected Jones.

Finally, Measure PC would establish term limits.

Stay with me on this one.

Starting in 2026, Councilmembers and the Mayor would be limited to three consecutive four-year terms, 12 years, with a four-year hiatus required before serving additional terms.

Term limits would not be retroactive so current Councilmembers could serve an additional three terms before the mandated pause takes effect.

Although it would take effect in 2026, it couldn’t be enforced for another 12 years until 2038.

However, a Councilmember could do 12 years and then run for Mayor without taking a break and, you guessed it, serve another 12 years.

There were attempts to put other items on the ballot that failed including campaign finance limits.

By now all the arguments have been made in op/eds, at City Council meetings and online.

Put those agenda-driven arguments aside.

It’s time for you to make up your mind about the library, the appointment process and term limits.

I have said it every year since I started here, and I say it again.

We endorse the most important person in the election, the only one that can truly force change.

We endorse you.