Pasadena City Council District A Candidate

 

What inspired me to seek this position is my passion for serving others. Throughout my life, I have dedicated myself to service in various capacities, and City Council provides another opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I believe that leadership is about listening, understanding community needs, and taking action to improve the lives of those I represent. This role allows me to continue that mission, ensuring that our city thrives and that every resident’s voice is heard.

 

I am well-prepared for this role due to my extensive leadership and management experience. I hold two master’s degrees, including an MBA, which has equipped me with strong organizational and financial skills. As the pastor of one of the largest churches in Pasadena, I oversee more than 40 employees and hundreds of volunteers, demonstrating my ability to lead, delegate, and build strong teams. Additionally, this would be my second term on City Council, where I have already gained valuable experience in governance. Serving as Mayor Pro Tem this past year, I played a key role in leading the City Council through the hiring process of a new city controller, ensuring a smooth and effective transition.

 

I believe the mayor and City Council have been moving at a fast pace, passing many of the mayor’s agenda items that have been beneficial for District A and all the other districts. I hope we can continue this momentum, working together to serve and improve the lives of Pasadena residents. There is much more to accomplish, and I am committed to contributing to the ongoing success of our community.

 

I believe I have demonstrated over the past two years that I play a role in uniting City Council. I work well with everyone, and my colleagues know that I have no ulterior agenda—my only goal is to do what is best for Pasadena. As Mayor Pro Tem this past year, I helped bring the council together to successfully hire a highly effective city controller, ensuring strong financial leadership for our city.

 

I hope to work with the new mayor to ensure that these opportunities are accessible to capable local businesses, strengthening our local economy. If necessary, I will encourage the passage of initiatives that support small business participation in city projects. By fostering strong partnerships between the city and local entrepreneurs, we can ensure Pasadena’s businesses thrive while delivering quality projects for our community.

 

I plan to meet with the new mayor to discuss his vision for the convention center, city-owned lands, and infrastructure. I hope to encourage him to engage with key stakeholders, such as the Chamber of Commerce, to ensure that decisions align with the needs of businesses and residents. If I can provide any useful insight, I will gladly do so to support thoughtful and strategic development in Pasadena.

 

One of the key reasons for the urgency in hiring a new city controller was to implement software that will streamline the permitting process, making it more efficient and user-friendly for residents and businesses. I believe we are making significant progress in advancing this long-overdue initiative. By modernizing this system, we are taking important steps to improve city services, reduce delays, and create a smoother experience for those navigating the permitting process.

 

I believe that under Mayor Wagner’s leadership, Pasadena made significant advancements in infrastructure. I am confident that the next mayor will continue to prioritize these improvements, and I look forward to supporting the new administration in any way I can to ensure continued progress for our city.

 

Once we successfully implement the Tyler software, I am open to exploring other systems or software that could further benefit our city. However, at this time, I believe getting Tyler up and running is the main priority. Ensuring its successful implementation will streamline operations and improve services for residents and businesses.

 

I recently received the endorsement of the Pasadena Police Union for the second time in a row, which I believe reflects my commitment to public safety. I have consistently prioritized supporting our officers and will continue to seek  quality training, continuing education, and competitive compensation for our police force. I remain dedicated to ensuring our police department has the resources needed to serve and protect our community while also balancing the needs of other city departments. My goal is to create a safer Pasadena for all residents.

 

We need to continue fostering an environment that attracts top healthcare providers to Pasadena. Strong infrastructure, a supportive city administration and council, quality schools, parks, restaurants, and safe neighborhoods all contribute to making our city an appealing place for healthcare professionals. By prioritizing these factors, we can encourage more health practitioners to establish their practices here, ultimately improving access to quality care for our residents.

 

We have a great junior college in Pasadena that is actively training the future workforce of our city. I am open to exploring opportunities for collaboration between the city and local schools to enhance educational programs and workforce development. By working together, we can ensure that students receive top-quality education and training, helping them build successful careers while strengthening Pasadena’s economy.