We Get More Letters: Gumbo Nothing More Than Contempt for the Community

Dear Editor,

In regards to “Political Gumbo: Where Were You?” on 1/11/23 you specifically and callously referred to tenants who have “paid the May 2021 rate, which the measure rolled back rent to.” In response to the fact that these tenants have received eviction notices, you stated, “that’s sad.” As one of the individuals who received one of these illegal 3-day notices, I don’t need your pity. I would instead appreciate you stating things factually, which you and your news outlet have repeatedly failed to do.

I was not able to attend the City Council meeting because I was busy. Being served with frivolous, illegal, harassing paperwork by your landlord takes up your time and money. I have to repeatedly go to the post office to send documents to my landlord via certified mail. I have to be in repeated contact with my lawyer to obtain a letter and then again send it to my landlord via certified mail. My landlord sent back my legal rent payment as a petty gesture, so I need to go to the post office again today.

As for some of the claims in your free-associated column: you state that the lawsuit still looms, yet have you done any research about the track record of the California Apartment Association in challenging laws such as ours? Or will you continue to take the word of their spokespeople unquestioned and print their press releases as fact?

As for the city, yes they do have a place in this. It is to inform the public of their rights under this measure, as they inform the public of many things, from electronic waste to traffic around the Rose Bowl. Why is this so different? As for the implementation of the law, yes the city is also involved in it. If you had bothered to take the time to read it rather than just summaries, you would know that there are strict timelines for the City to follow in implementing the law.

And finally, you state “the Measure H proponents … [cannot] stand up for you in court.” This is your most egregious and laughable statement. When my husband showed me our 3-day notice, my first text was to a group of my fellow Measure H proponents who immediately connected me to my lawyer. We are all Pasadena Tenants Union members and I am currently a solidarity team member. I answer questions on our tenant hotline, We connect tenants with lawyers for their eviction defenses and assist with questions.

Unsure of what you provide with this Gumbo except for contempt for your fellow community members.

Sincerely,

Liberty McCoy

Got something to say, email Managing Editor André Coleman, at andrec@pasadenanowmagazine.com