Jomsky, Mark
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Podway Ellen
Monday, August 31, 2026 2:52 PM
Jomsky, Mark
Comments/Council Meeting
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Hi Mark,
I don't know the rules of getting comments in for City Council Meetings but sending you this in the case it does qualify.
ThankYou.
Ellie
Begin forwarded message:
From: Podway Ellen
Subject: Sunday's Email Re Commission Appointments
Date: August 31, 2026 at 2:48:55 PM PDT
To: [email protected]
Dear Councilman Cole,
First I appreciate your trying to keep the Pasadena community informed as to City Council meetings and agendas with your emails . And I write this email respectfully, But your Sunday email I was very disappointed to read.
You mentioned your objective is to have "new and younger" voices on the City Commissions.
First, I speak as a graduate of USC Gerontology School with a sensitivity to ageist remarks.
Second, I have been active in Pasadena in a hands on capacity many years. Thus. eventually invitations to help or appointments to Commissions/ Committees appeared because "I show up". I have found that on many occasions there are not a " younger "demographic helping out whether it be plantings at a library, planting trees in our neighborhood, fitting cyclists running from store to store asking for donations for raffles or setting up humane society events and having my husband be a crossing guard ( not Pasadena but we"show up" and do the work)
08/31/2026
Item 14
1 Mr. Cole you advocate those appointments need to be based on youthfulness in addition to their inexperience at having their voices heard. But there needs to be a willingness to participate . In those events I mentioned they were open to all and yet most were over 50 or 60 years old.
As an appointed Commissioner, I am appreciative of my appointment as I hope I can make a difference and make a contribution to the city - not just by having a persona as someone who writes checks and has a known business profile .
And third, as someone that is considered a "senior", my stamina, thought processes, power of reasoning and work ethic are as sharp as a 40 year old . Are all seniors this way ? Maybe not. Are all 40 year olds this way ? Maybe not. Does age determine integrity, a strong work ethic, passion to do a non paying job as though it is? Absolutely not.
So it is definitely disappointing to read that a potential qualification for a Commissioner is age . It's irrelevant.
Again, proclaiming Commissions need an infusion of "younger" voices is incredibly ageist. Younger does not mean competent nor passionate nor even a willingness to participate. Your assumption is that those who are younger want to participate. Commissioners are often appointed because the Councilmember or Liason knows them from attending meetings and speaking up even if contrary to what a Councilman believes. Again ,"they 'show up".
It's truly disappointing that you have put "age" out there as a qualifying requirement.
Maybe we should have age as a qualification for elected positions? There's a thought..., A lot does need to be changed with Commission and Committee appointments, and the relevance of many Commissions , as well as the system but let's start with appointments that are not just a networking appointment. And please let's not advocate age is factor in determining appointments.
Aegist remark not cool.
Respectfully,
Ellie Podway
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