Guest Opinion | Phil Hosp: Thank You

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Now that the election for District 7 has concluded, I would like to take the opportunity to thank my supporters, friends and neighbors for your time and encouragement over the past eight months.

When I announced my candidacy in August 2016, I promised to be the candidate who would focus on listening to the concerns of residents in District 7, many of whom felt that they were consulted too little and too late on decisions directly affecting their quality of life in Pasadena. In speaking with countless residents of diverse backgrounds, I learned much and channeled their feedback into my campaign to ensure maximum alignment of interests between residents and City Hall.

I am honored to have received 1,757 votes (49.4%) from my fellow residents on election day. Although we came up 36 votes short, the campaign successfully elevated critical issues facing our city – issues that have either been ignored or avoided for too long.

During the campaign, we highlighted concerns about development threatening the unique identity and character of the City and the ever increasing amount of traffic that impedes our movement from one end of the City to the other. We exposed low income housing units that were sitting empty despite the fact they should have been sold to low-income families. We supported neighborhood groups in their fight against the massive hotel development that will threaten greenspace in the Civic Center. We supported residents fighting to stop the City from removing 80-year-old trees on South Lake. And we proposed creative solutions to improve public schools.

Fundamentally, the campaign demonstrated that voters in District 7 want common sense, resident-focused leadership. I am hopeful that your call to action will cause our elected representatives to actively listen to citizen input and incorporate their concerns and ideas in the decision-making process.

I am looking forward to continuing the dialogue with my fellow neighbors, regardless who they supported in this most recent election, and am excited at the opportunity to work constructively to ensure all residents receive the transparency and accountability they deserve while living in Pasadena. We are all very fortunate to live in a world-class city and it is incumbent upon each resident to ensure that the Pasadena we all know and love will continue to be a special place.

Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Vivian, our two daughters, my parents, Maureen and Phil, my mother-in-law, Gloria, my colleagues at Locke Lord LLP, and all my friends—new and old—who lent their support to me over the past eight months. I am humbled and grateful for your support.

Sincerely yours,

Phil Hosp