McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From: Jane Panangaden
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2022 4:17 PM
To: PublicComment-AutoResponse
Subject: appointment to district 3 vacancy
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Dear City Council Members,
While I am not a resident of District 3, I live quite close to its border with District 1, and am anxiously following the appointment process for the late Councilman Kennedy's seat.
Though about 60% of the households in our city rent their housing, none of the current city council are tenants.
A vast swathe of the city is currently unrepresented in its governance. Therefore, I would urge the council to appoint someone who is both a tenant, and who has shown consistent and material support for tenant issues. In my view, that person is Brandon Lamar.
I met Brandon for the first time when I knocked on his door, as I have been doing every weekend for the last year while working on the rent control citizen's initiative. I noticed immediately that he was a kind, engaged, and thoughtful person. I have been happy to work with him on tenant issues in the past few months. Brandon has been on the ground, having conversations with district 3 residents throughout (and before) his election campaign, and I believe he has the pulse of the community and the ability to represent everyone in the district.
I am also concerned about Pastor Lucious Smith's ability to adequately represent the LGBT community in District 3, after learning recently of his support for Prop 8 and banning same-sex marriage in California. It would certainly make me feel unwelcome in Pasadena to know that one of the council members publicly opposed the legality of my own marriage, which was in fact performed in the City of Pasadena! I hope that these issues will be appropriately explored during the interview process.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Panangaden
09/12/2022
Item 19
RECEIVED
DEMOCRATS
OF PASADENA FOOTHILLS 2022 SEP 12 PM 6: 06
CITY CLENK
CITY OF PASADENA
September 9, 2022
Dear Mayor Gordo and members of the Pasadena City Council:
The Democrats of the Pasadena Foothills would like to reiterate our heartfelt sorrow at the unexpected death of Councilmember John Kennedy, a man who has contributed so much to the citizens of District 3 and to all of Pasadena. We are still in shock at his loss.
Given the need, however, for a councilmember to represent the district for the balance of Councilmember Kennedy's term, we respectfully urge you to appoint Brandon Lamar to fill the position. Our club previously endorsed Mr. Lamar on the basis of his close connection to the District 3 community and particularly his work with youth. His active dedication to Pasadena and its underserved residents includes a position as chair of the city's Human Relations Commission, his work with Pasadena NAACP as an executive board member, co-chair of the board of Pasadenans Organizing for Progress (POP), Leadership Pasadena, and Black Los Angeles Young Democrats.
Mr. Lamar would bring an important set of perspectives and range of experience to the Council. In addition, he has strong support within the community, gaining 41% of the vote in the recent election as a first-time candidate running against a very popular, well- known, and well-financed incumbent. Having run a strong campaign which included knocking on every door in District 3 and talking to hundreds of residents we believe Mr.
Lamar would be the best choice to fill this sudden and tragic vacancy.
Please respect the will of the voters in District 3 and appoint Brandon Lamar to the City Council District 3 vacancy.
Sincerely,
Members of the Democrats of Pasadena Foothills
www.pasadenafoothillsdemocrats.com
09/12/2022
Item 19