We Get Letters: Do the Work

Dear Editor,

I noticed that in the Oct. 6 story, “Some Residents Allege Petition Gatherers Misrepresented Rent Control Charter Measure,” (no byline), that you picked up Simon Gibbons’ quote from his public comment. “This is not about taking away protections. Rent control will still exist. Eviction protections will still exist,” Gibbons said. He said the measure is “purely about getting a balanced, fair board.”

What you failed to point out is that in a conversation with the City Council, on the official public record, about alleged signature gatherers lying about the ballot measure, Gibbons himself lied about the measure while claiming to be “working very hard with the city to do the right thing.”

The City Attorney’s official Title & Summary says very plainly that, “Other changes include removing certain existing protections, such as tenant protections beyond those that will still be provided in the California Civil Code, including anti-harassment, anti-retaliation, and security deposit interest. The proposed Measure would not require creation of a rental registry, and establishes a January 1,2039 sunset date, after which Article XVIII would become inoperative unless extended by voters.”

This is quite clearly, “taking away protections.” It is not “purely about getting a balanced, fair board.”

Additionally, the Rent Stabilization Department would be eliminated and the Rental Registry would be eliminated. These are enforcement tools that would certainly weaken tenant protections.

When reporting on this issue it would be great if Pasadena Now could do some background research and share with readers the whole story, including fact checking statements made by all parties, especially those with a financial interest in the issue.

Ryan Bell

Pasadena resident

Council District 6