Pasadena Independent - 01/23/2020 by Beacon Media News

2 JANUARY 23 - JANUARY 29, 2020

30-Year PUSD Employee’s Future Remains Uncertain Amid Wilson Middle School Shutdown Alex CORDERO corderoalex82@yahoo.com

arvin Hatchett has been an employee for the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) at Wilson Middle School for over 30 years. In addition to his formal role as a security guard, Hatchett has been volunteering to teach music and other arts to students at Wilson Middle School. As PUSD consolidates schools, the future of students and staff members at Wilson will be altered by where they continue later this year. Although there are plenty of enrichment programs in the performing arts offered at schools all across PUSD, Hatchett’s musical program is a unique one because he has been directing the program as a volunteer for as long as he has been employed at PUSD. Marvin’s after school program has been successful because it has gained the support of the community and the PUSD.

Most of the instruments, equipment and resources that make Hatchett’s extra-curricular activities after school successful have been independent donations from the local community and from PUSD. “I’m very thankful for all of the support everyone has expressed over the years, to the local community, the superintendent, and the District, it really means a lot to me.” expressed Marvin. Hatchett is a Pasadena native. He credits both of his parents for his love for music but especially acknowledges his mother for teaching him the act of serving the community. “My mother did everything; she danced, she sang and directed choirs, and served her community. Giving back is how I follow her footsteps.” Hatchett’s after school program at Wilson offers a variety of musical and performing arts classes. He teaches drumline, jazz band, drum corps, horns, brass, strings, drum set, choir, drama, production lighting,

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audio power amplifier technology and set design. “We certainly appreciate Mr. Marvin’s years of dedication to teach music to our students at Wilson Middle School. The district is working toward finding Mr. Marvin’s after school program a home. However, that will be after gathering several factors and we will be able to confirm further details this spring.” said Hilda Ramirez-Horvath, communications manager for PUSD. Ramirez-Horvath was not able to officially give exact details about the type of impact the closing of Wilson will have on Hatchett’s employment or his volunteer work because she said the district is still working towards presenting him with an opportunity to continue to teach music to students through his after school program. Read More at, PasadenaIndependent.com under Feature

Arcadia Kicks Off 2020 City Council Election Final candidates and what to watch out for in the 2020 city council election cycle

Galen PATTERSON galen.patterson303@gmail.com

rcadia’s City Council elections are just months away and the final nominations are in. District 1 has two candidates, with Mayor April Verlato running for reelection and newcomer Yuli J. Sira. Mayor Verlato has completed her first term on the council and was elected Mayor of Arcadia on her final year of the term. She is an attorney with Verlato and Roberts law firm in Arcadia. Verlato is an Arcadia native and has an expansive list of endorsements including former mayors of Arcadia. Newcomer Yuli J. Sira is a long-time resident of the greater San Gabriel Valley and real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. District 4 has two candidates: longstanding councilmember and former Mayor Peter Amundson and

Mayor April Verlto. – File photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News

newcomer Paul P. Cheng. Amundson has completed three terms on City Council and served twice as mayor. He is an Arcadia native and, like Verlato, has a long list of endorsements. Paul P. Cheng is running for the District 4 seat. Cheng is a highly publicized attorney specializing in business operations and commercial realty transactions. Cheng previously ran for Arcadia’s City Council in 2010.

Also up for reelection is City Clerk Gene Glasco. Glasco is a long-standing incumbent candidate with a background in real estate and prior military service. He is running unopposed. What to watch out for Recent elections have seen various smear campaigns launched against several candidates from undisclosed sources. Arcadian’s Rights Protection Association allegedly distributed mailers with false claims against certain candidates. In fact, the last election saw more than its usual campaign interference and often fodder from anonymous postings on social media sites which ultimately caused confusion and allegations of racism in both camps.