Will Pasadena’s New Mayor be Terry Tornek or Jacque Robinson?
Election for Mayor of Pasadena
- The Primary Municipal Election was held on March 10, 2015. Six Candidates competed, Jason Hardin, Don Morgan, Jacque Robinson, Allen Shay, Bill Thomson, and Terry Tornek.
- Jacque Robinson and Terry Tornek won the primary, at 30.7% for Robinson and 36.3% for Tornek.
- Now, they face off in a Run-Off Election: April 21, 2015.
Candidate Jacque Robinson chats with attendees and exhibitors during the DPNA’s “Downtown Expo” that preceded the forum.
Can’t decide who to vote for? We “interviewed” the candidates on January 14, 2015. Watch the videos for a clear understanding of each candidate.
Our Candidate Forum
began with a
“Downtown Expo”
David Wolf explains the “Pasadena Passages”/”My City” exhibit to attendees
Candidate and attendees explored a series of exhibits in the Gamble Lounge that showcased several projects that the DPNA cares about:
Parklets and Placemaking
“My City” Planning Exhibit and Pasadena Passages
Candidate Terry Tornek greets DPNA board member Wesley Reutimann, who explained the “Complete Streets” exhibit.
We’re Making a Difference!
VIDEO: The Candidates Respond to Questions
Excerpts of the responses by the two candidates who will face off in the run-off election, Jacque Robinson and Terry Tornek.
5:07: Opening: How do you respond to our Vision of Pasadena’s Future?
You’ve just had the past hour to explore that vision from multiple perspectives. Citing the conversations you had over this past hour:
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Tell us who you talked with and what you learned
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As Mayor, what would your top 3 priorities be for Downtown Pasadena? Why?
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What about your background makes you well-suited to achieve those goals?
28:44: We hear a lot from the candidates about “protecting the neighborhoods from development.” In reality, there are very few projects planned directly in any of the purely residential neighborhoods. Rather, they are in the Central District, where we are now. We in the DPNA see development as an opportunity–if it’s done well–to repair the urban fabric and to create economies of scale for transit and commerce. Good development is something to be encouraged, not something to be protected from. How do you explain this apparent disconnect?
36:33: From the perspective of Downtown specifically, how do you see the proposed 710 tunnel? In short, are you for it, against it, or still undecided? And if you are against it, tell us specifically what you’re going to do to prevent it from happening.
44:16: Pasadena is known for its sense of place and being special among LA County cities. In real estate, it is called having “location, location, location” chops. In your view, how can this sense of place be protected while fostering economic development?
51:37: As a follow-up: Many in Pasadena believe that we are losing our cultural and architectural heritage to an invasion of poorly designed, bland developments not suitable to Pasadena’s sense of place. City Council is considering changes to the design commission and to the design review process in order to expedite it. If you become mayor, what leadership position will you take on this issue? And to that, what three things should developers and architects of downtown buildings pay more attention to?
![The “Land Use Advocacy” Exhibit. The DPNA monitors major development projects planned for downtown and advocates for: architectural excellence, Pasadena style, authentic “vibe”, pedestrian orientation, active streets, and respect for the plans that Pasadena citizens worked towards and already approved! [click to view a larger, more legible image]](https://downtownpasadena.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/screen-shot-2015-03-22-at-12-24-02-am.jpg)
The “Land Use Advocacy” Exhibit. The DPNA monitors major development projects planned for downtown and advocates for: architectural excellence, Pasadena style, authentic “vibe”, pedestrian orientation, active streets, and respect for the plans that Pasadena citizens worked towards and already approved! [click to view a larger, more legible image]
1:00:06: What role does a higher density neighborhood like Downtown Pasadena play in furthering the city’s environmental goals? And how do you feel Downtown Pasadena can further help reduce the carbon footprint of the city?
1:08:38: What have you done personally in the past three years to reduce your carbon footprint, and how have you reduced your water consumption since the drought was officially declared last year?
1:16:35: What, in your opinion, are the economic opportunities and challenges in the Central District? Please address each district separately: Old Pasadena (not Old Town), the Playhouse District, and South Lake?
1:25:15: What do you see as the most effective tools that the city could use to cultivate and environment of vibrant businesses in the downtown?
1:33:24: What street in your district is in greatest need of a Complete Streets overhaul?
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Complete Streets are streets for everyone. They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work.
1:37:32: When was the last time you took public transit and rode a bicycle? Let us know where you went and what was your experience.
1:41:10: No one expects you to know everything already about being mayor of Pasadena, but I’d like to learn more about your ability to grow on the job. Tell us something new that you’ve learned in the last few months, and tell us why you learned it and how you like to learn new things.
1:48:47: What value can citizen participation and involvement bring to decision making at City Hall? And how can more participation by citizens be encouraged?
“Making a Difference” exhibit. A summary of achievements that the DPNA has gained over the course of the last 2-3 years, as a result of our advocacy. [click to view a larger, more legible image]
ABOUT THE DPNA:
The Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association (DPNA) is the voice of the residents of the Central District of Pasadena, California.
The DPNA promotes a walkable urban lifestyle in a city that is vibrant with thriving businesses, excellent arts, good government, and active public spaces.
The DPNA advocates for urban parks, wider sidewalks, pedestrian-biased street design, bike lanes, trees & shrubbery, mixed-use & transit-oriented development, enduring architecture, a streetcar, and other amenities that improve life for residents of an urban city center.
Downtown Pasadena is defined roughly as the 210 freeway (north), Catalina Ave (east), California Blvd (south), and Pasadena Ave (west).
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