COMPLIMENTARY COPY
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, 2019
Since 1996
VOL. 22, NO. 9
RECALL EFFORT AGAINST PASADENA COUNCILMAN VICTOR GORDO FAILS ON TECHNICALITY Terry MILLER tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
T
he recall effort against Pasadena Councilmember Victor Gordo has failed initally because proponents did not submit a blank recall petition for the Pasadena city clerk’s approval by the required 5:30 p.m. Monday deadline. "This recall was organized by an illegal pot dispensary owner who was unhappy that he did not qualify under a new measure that was approved by the majority of voters and allows legal cannabis businesses in Pasadena,” said Gordo. “He did not want to admit that breaking the law in Pasadena has consequences. I think I can speak for a majority of my colleagues by saying Mr. Szameit has significantly harmed his own cause with his behavior." Shaun Szameit, the illegal pot operator who emerged as spokesman for the recall, faces five criminal charges, 21 zoning violations and $25,800 in fines. He and other illegal operators have unsuccessfully sued the city to overturn Measure CC, which Pasadena voters overwhelmingly approved in June to allow legal mari“I look forward to putting this unfortunate controversy behind us,” Gordo said Monday. - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
SEE RECALL PAGE 13
Pasadena Requires Retrofits to 500 Earthquake-Vulnerable Buildings John ORONA john.orona@gmail.com
For decades engineers have known the danger soft-story buildings pose to life and property when the next catastrophic earthquake strikes. Now, Pasadena has a plan to minimize the destruction. On Monday, the Pasadena City Council presented a draft ordinance to require retrofit-
ting for nearly 500 wooden soft-story buildings throughout the city. The ordinance would apply to multi-story buildings with more than five units that have open space ground floors, such as apartments with parking garages or retail business. These structures are particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage because the upper SEE VULNERABLE BUILDINGS PAGE 13
Pasadena Residents: ‘We Were Tricked Into Signing Recall Petition Against Councilman Victor Gordo’ Terry MILLER tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
In the ongoing matter of illegal pot dispensary owner Szameit’s attempt to recall Pasadena Councilmember Victor Gordo, new revelations have now emerged. According to a statement send to Pasadena
Independent by Ralph Frammolino, PivotHound Communications, LLC: “At least two proponents named in the effort to recall Councilman Victor Gordo have signed statements saying they were deceived into putting their names on qualifying papers for the recall
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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SPORTSThe 41st Annual
Fantasy Frostings
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Finds Its Sweet Spot in Pasadena
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SEE TRICKED PAGE 13
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