Mayor Gordo to Introduce New Councilmember Rivas in Virtual District 5 Meeting

Residents of District 5 will have an opportunity to meet their new City Council representative during a virtual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Mayor and former District 5 City Councilmember Victor Gordo will introduce Jessica Rivas to district residents. Rivas was chosen by the council last week to fill Gordo’s former seat on the council

The event will also include an update on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and a public safety update.

City Manager Steve Mermell, Health Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh and a member of the Pasadena Police Department will also be on hand. 

One of the top issues Rivas will be facing is the reaction to the city’s response to a triple shooting in Villa Parke that left two men dead and a third critically wounded. 

On Dec. 1, Cristino Medellin Avila, 51, and Aaron Perez Flores, 40, were shot and killed by an unknown assailant.

A third victim was left critically wounded, according to Pasadena police.

The three victims were sitting on a park bench when they came under fire, police said in a written statement. The shooter fled the scene in a dark-colored sedan.

Recently, the city removed the benches from the park and fenced off the area, angering some local residents.

No statement has been made by the city regarding the decision to block off the area and remove the benches.

The Pasadena NAACP has decried the fencing in a Facebook post.

“This is not acceptable, this is not fair, this does not create the healing and empowerment the community needs in this critical season,” the post reads. “Please write to the mayor and the new District 5 representative our voices and concerns matter. We are stronger together.”