ANCA- Pasadena Chapter Announces its Endorsements in Pasadena’s City Council Elections

The Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter announced on Monday its dual endorsement of John J. Kennedy and Ishmael Trone for Pasadena City Council District 3, a seat formerly occupied by Chris Holden, as well as incumbent councilmembers Victor Gordo and Terry Tornek in the City’s Districts 5 and 7 respectively.

Born and raised in Pasadena, an attorney by trade, and currently serving as Senior Vice President of the Los Angeles Urban League, John J. Kennedy emphasizes solutions for local economic growth. His plan focuses on creating new businesses by promoting the City of Pasadena to outside companies and providing incentives for training and hiring locally. Kennedy states that businesses that provide funding, mentoring, training and job recruitment for the youth will foster a highly skilled workforce for tomorrow. Having served as Deputy Chief of Police in Richmond, Virginia, Kennedy’s dedication to improve the quality of life for Pasadena citizens and ensure government accountability is a testament to his leadership qualities.

Ishmael Trone, a candidate with decades of service to the Pasadena community, has been a true civic leader in his entire civic career. He has applied himself to improve the quality of life in the city of Pasadena. Trone has served as Chair of the Fair Oaks Project Area Committee and Vice-Chair of the Community Development Commission. He currently serves as a board member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Trustee of the Pasadena Museum of History. His involvement in multiple community and capital improvement projects helped increase the vitality of Pasadena neighborhoods. More than four decades of commitment to the Pasadena Unified School District demonstrates his desire to reach out to the needs of the youth, displayed strongly in his leadership with founding the non-profit Youth Job Training Program in 2009.

Both Kennedy and Trone have stated that they are aware and informed of the importance of the Armenian-American Community in Pasadena, and are ready to help address the needs and concerns of the community. Both candidates have expressed a strong commitment to supporting the Armenian Genocide Memorial project, which will be established in District 3.
Councilmembers Terry Tornek and Victor Gordo, both longtime friends of the Armenian-American Community, garnered their endorsements after interview questions affirmed their utter understanding and support of important Armenian issues, as well as their steadfast backing of the Armenian Genocide Memorial in the City of Pasadena. They have expressed their willingness to support efforts that will ensure the Armenian Genocide Memorial will be completed in time for the centennial commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in 2015.

John J. Kennedy and Ishmael Trone are both first-time contenders for City Council elections running for District 3. Councilmembers Victor Gordo and Terry Tornek are incumbent candidates both running unopposed in their respective Districts.

The decisions came at the recommendations of the ANCA-Pasadena Chapter’s Board who met and heard the candidates’ plans for the future as it pertains to the Armenian-American Community in the City of Pasadena and the overall direction they would like to see the city take for the greater good of the entire community in Pasadena.