SEE PAGE 4 FOR police warn of ‘grandparents scam’
Pasadena Press
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 - SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
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Mayor Bill Bogaard will not run for re-election; Popular Mayor has served Pasadena for 16 years City of Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard has announced his decision not to seek re-election after serving nearly 16 years as the City’s first, and (until now) only directly elected mayor in the City’s history. Bogaard is sending a twopage letter to many of his longtime friends and supporters in which he shares with them “a reluctant decision” not to seek re-election for a fifth term as Mayor. A copy of the letter is attached with this news release. “There is never a good time for a decision like this and so, after lots of thinking and often conferring with many of you, I have reached a reluctant decision not to run for re-election,” Mayor Bogaard wrote. “I don’t want to look back and find I stayed too long and I want to go on to other activities which will include much more time spent with Claire (Mrs. Bogaard) and the other members of our family.” Mayor Bogaard shared that the ongoing economic challenges means this is not the perfect time for him to step away, but he encouraged City officials to continue maintain-
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By SHEL SEGAL South El Monte High---is any indication, Reyna just might have his prediction come true. Reyna said it is his leadership that will make a difference in this team. He added, however, it is a building process. “The team’s coming together,” Reyna said. “We’re learning different schemes.
Peace and Solidarity Rally brings out hundreds to Pasadena streets
We’re learning to play as one, as a family. It’s a great experience.” He added his experience on the field – and in the locker room – will be invaluable for this young team. “I’ve been in this situa-
able energy sources, water conservation; and planning and zoning guidelines “that protect and strengthen the character of
Jorge Reyna knows something about CIF championships Pasadena High quarterback Jorge Reyna knows something about CIF championships. The starting QB for Downey High two seasons ago as a sophomore, Reyna is hoping to do make CIF again as a member of the Bulldogs. And if Friday night’s season opener---a 50-7 thrashing of
VOLUME 1, NO. 19
It was an unusually hot and muggy evening Thursday when approximately 100 people gathered in Pasadena’s Central Park, making signs, chanting and forming a small drum circle…all in the name of solidarity for the young black men who have been shot by police, with particular attention to the recent events where an unarmed Michael Brown, 18, was shot and killed in Ferguson, MO. The students who helped organize the event, Clarke McRae and Ife Sangode, spoke to local media and eventually marched in Pasadena late Thursday to calling for peace, solidarity and better police and community relations . The “Every Life Matters Peace and Solidarity Rally” and march began at Central Park. From there marchers chanted, “Hands up, don’t shoot,” and played drums as they marched north on Fair Oaks to Colorado. They then proceeded east on Colorado and finally to City Hall. At the conclusion of the rally, the stalwart KGEM journalist Ralph Walker said that he was deeply moved when one speaker said “this is nothing but a pep rally…” on the steps of city hall. Walker also pointed out the irony of the bright illumination on hallowed halls of the city when the Bronze portrait sculptures commemorating the lives of brothers, Jackie and Mack
-Photo by Terry Miller
ing a strong fiscal condition and “pursue a strong local economy” plus youth development programs; strong public education; affordable housing and homeless services; renew-
SEE PAGE 3 for final ruling on tenure in california schools
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Police warn of ‘Grandparents Scam’ So-called “Grandparents Scam” or the “Emergency scam” a rising trend in Pasadena and surrounding communities In the typical scenario, a grandparent receives a phone call from a scammer claiming to be one of his or her grandchildren. Callers go on to say that they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately. They claim to have been in a car accident, are having trouble returning from a foreign country or they need bail money. The grandparent may get a call from two people, one pretending to be their grandchild and the other pretending to be either a police officer or a lawyer. They will ask questions prompting for personal information. The grandparent will then be asked to wire money through a money transfer company or to buy some pre-paid debit cards and are asked to give up the card numbers so they can
be funded by the scammer. Often, victims don’t verify the story until after the money has been sent. In some cases, scammers pretend to be your old neighbor or a friend of the family. Generally, the emergency scam is directed at the elderly in our community. If you or someone you know is being scammed please have them contact the Pasadena Police Department, Financial Crime Unit at 626-744-4576. If the money has not yet been wired or funded, cease all communications with the scammers and do not send the money, then contact the police. Contact: The Financial Crime Unit at (626) 744-4576 for further information or contact the Federal Trade Commission at: http://www. consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts
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Beheading of second American journalist by ISIL condemned by lawmakers Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement in response to reports of the killing of American journalist Steven Sotloff by ISIL: “Reports of ISIL beheading a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, are another gruesome reminder of the evil that now controls a large swath of Iraq
and Syria. All of America sends its heartfelt condolences to the Sotloff family, who have been living with this nightmare for a year and only wished for their son to be returned home unharmed. ISIL must be confronted and destroyed. And I am confident that no matter how long it takes, those who murdered Steven Sotloff and James Foley, and so many others, will be made to face justice.”
Peace and Solidarity Rally Continued from page 1
Robinson, across the street from City Hall were completely dark. No illumination whatsoever. The irony wasn’t lost on Walker and the crowd that had gathered in solidarity for black men everywhere. Walker asked Councilwoman Robinson to look into that oversight which she promised to do. The two imposing heads of the famous brothers symbolize Jackie who broke the color barrier in 1947 when he joined the then Brooklyn Dodgers and Mack who won the silver medal in the 1936 Olympics 200 meter race. The bronze statues were dedicated in 1997 and completed in 2002 with granite
tiles etched with donors’ names. Demonstrators held signs condemning police brutality and showing support for unarmed black men recently killed in happenstances with police. One woman carried a sign listing 10 unarmed black men who were killed by police officers in the last decade: Timothy Stansbury, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Aaron Campbell, Alonzo Asley, Wendall Allen, Jonathan Farrell, Kendric McDade, Ervin Jefferson and Michael Brown. Chief Sanchez was also on hand with a handful of officers who helped keep the marchers safe.
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Get Involved Today ocie.wish.org | 714-573-9474 -Photo by Terry Miller
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Vergara v. California ruling; state officials appeal Judge Treu’s final ruling on tenure in California schools By terry miller Last week, California Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown appealed a recent state judge’s ruling that ends tenure and other union protections for public school teachers. The appeal, filed Friday, contends that Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Rulf Treu’s final decree lacks detail and fails to provide the legal basis for his verdict. Treu issued the final ruling Thursday, after directing in June that tenure protections for California teachers violate the state constitution, depriving some of the state’s 6.2 million students of a quality education, specifically minorities and those from low-income families. The lawsuit, Vergara v. California, was brought by Beatriz Vergara and eight other students claimed incompetent teachers let classrooms get out of control, came to school unprepared and demeaned and humiliated students. State Superintendent of schools Tom Torlakson issued a press release last week on Vergara Lawsuit and said… ‘’No teacher is perfect. A very few are not worthy of the job.” He added, “The people who dedicate their lives to the teaching profession deserve our admiration and support. Instead, this ruling lays the failings of our education system at their feet. “We do not fault doctors when the emergency room is full. We do not criticize the firefighter whose supply of water runs dry. Yet while we crowd our classrooms and fail to properly equip them with adequate resources, those who filed and support this case shamelessly seek to blame teachers who step forward every day to make a difference
for our children. “No teacher is perfect. A very few are not worthy of the job. School districts have always had the power to dismiss those who do not measure up, and this year I helped pass a new law that streamlined the dismissal process, while protecting the rights of both teachers and students. It is disappointing that the Court refused to even consider this important reform. “In a cruel irony, this final ruling comes as many California teachers spend count-
less unpaid hours preparing to start the new school year in hopes of better serving the very students this case purportedly seeks to help. “While the statutes in this case are not under my jurisdiction as state Superintendent, it is clear that the Court’s ruling is not supported by the facts or the law. Its vagueness provides no guidance about how the Legislature could successfully alter the challenged statutes to satisfy the Court. Accordingly, I will ask the Attorney General to seek appellate review.”
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Chase names new branch manager in Pasadena Pasadena’s Isabella Papakhian to lead E. Colorado Boulevard Branch Police Officers’ Chase has named Isabel- gage origination services, auto manager role, managing both Association la Papakhian vice president loans and credit cards. large and small branches. and manager of its Pasadena Papakhian, a California Chase, which five years branch, located at 860 E. Colo- native, began her career with ago had no presence in Califor- fights release rado Blvd. In this role, Papakh- Chase as a teller at the North nia, continues to grow steadily ian will be responsible for the Hollywood branch in 1994. and now has more than 1,000 of Independent daily operation of the branch She later served as an assis- branches throughout the Goldand lead a team of 23. Togeth- tant branch manager in Sher- en State. Chase employs more er, they offer a wide range of man Oaks before earning her than 15,000 California residents Report on financial services and products promotion to lead the Saticoy and serves more than 10 milfor area residents, including branch in 2002. Isabella is in lion consumer customers and shooting death financial planning tools, mort- her 11th year in the branch 692,000 small business clients. In Los Angeles County, it has of Kendrec more than 300 branches and almost 5,000 employees. Reyna and championships “Many banks are cut- McDade Continued from page 1
tion,” he said. “In crunch time they need someone to look up to hold the reins and take control of the game. You need to manage it, on and off the field, do your homework, on the field, off the field, keep everyone in line and win a game.” Growing up Reyna said football was sort of a family affair. “My father got me into football,” he said. “From what my family says he was a great football player – a defensive end – and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.” Reyna said he transferred to Pasadena as his family moved here from Downey. He added last year he passed for more than 2,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards. So, what will it be like tak-
ing over a team that was 1-9 last year and has fallen on tough times? “They’ve had some issues, from what I’ve heard about, but this is a new team, driven by ambition and it’s looking really good,” Reyna said. And what about playing in the uber-competitive, eightteam Pacific League? “It will be real interesting,” he said. “I love a challenge.” In addition, he said his expectations are quite simple. “I want to be undefeated. I believe we can do it. And I want to win a league championship. And win CIF.” And if someone pays attention to him along the way, well that’s OK, too. “I love the glory,” he said. “I love the spotlight. I’ve always been like that.”
ting their branch network, but Chase continues to grow across Los Angeles County,” said Papakhian. “We are determined to provide the most convenient banking experience for our customers. Our branches are guidance centers -- destinations where local residents can have comprehensive conversations about their financial life, whether that’s financing their first home or preparing for retirement.”
The Pasadena Police Officers’ Association plans to fight the public release of an independent report probing the officer-involved shooting death of 19-year-old Kendrec McDade, according to city records. The PPOA filed a temporary restraining order to block the release of the report on the shooting from the Office of Independent Review (OIR) Group in a Los Angeles court Wednesday.
No re-election for Mayor Bogaard Continued from page 1
our city.” City Manager Michael J. Beck praised Mayor Bogaard for his leadership as the City’s top elected official, providing a positive and inclusive influence for the City during challenging economic times and tough budget choices; high-profile projects including the Rose Bowl Pavilion renovation, the Convention Center and Gold Line expansion projects and the long-term revitalization of Old Pasadena and the Playhouse District. “You cannot overstate the profound impact that Mayor Bogaard has had in virtually every major accomplishment in Pasadena over the past 15 years. Pasadena would not be recognized as a national role model city without Mayor Bo-
gaard’s leadership,” Beck said. “Mayor Bogaard embodies the best qualities that people want in an elected official.” Mayor Bogaard began his first four-year term as Pasadena’s first directly elected mayor in 1999. He is currently completing his fourth fouryear term. He serves as chair of Pasadena Bioscience Collaborative, a technology enterprise incubator and workforce development program, and the City’s Emergency Services Council. He is a member of the Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority and serves on the boards for the Pasadena Educational Foundation and the Pasadena YMCA. In 1997, the City of Pasadena granted him its highest civic recognition, the Arthur Noble Award.