Guest Opinion | Councilmember Margaret McAustin : Final Farewell

[Editor’s Note: At an organizational meeting on Monday, the Pasadena City Council will install newly elected Councilmembers. Felicia Williams will be sworn in to replace Margaret McAustin representing District 2. McAustin held the seat since 2007, but withdrew from the most recent re-election race to spend more time with her husband John, who is battling cancer.]

I would like to thank my constituents for taking a chance on me in 2007 and for their strong support as we have navigated the past thirteen years together. We’ve been through some difficult times but I have always tried to be as open, honest and responsive to you as I can. I would also like to thank former Mayor Bill Bogaard for his confidence in me and for his example of public service, which I have endeavored to model. I recently sent you a note about Margo, and want you to know that Margo is responsible for the high quality of response you have gotten from this office. It is her heart, her positive attitude and her hard work that makes District 2 tick, and after twenty five years in her position I look forward to continuing my relationship with her as my friend.

As I leave the council I’m pleased to be replaced by a woman, but I’m disappointed and even embarrassed to be the only woman on an eight member elected body. Pasadena will be a better place if we have more women in decision making positions, particularly on the City Council. The form of government we employ calls for a strong city manager, and a weak mayor. The system is designed for volunteer citizen participation as city councilmembers. But it was designed by men, for men. It’s time to woman up and take our place in our City government. One is not enough.

I would also like to suggest that implementation of campaign finance reform in Pasadena will allow for greater diversity in the potential pool of candidates for elected office in Pasadena. I sincerely hope the Council will pursue that as a social justice effort.

I would like to take a few minutes to talk about our City Government and staff. There has been tremendous pressure on staff this year from the impacts of COVID-19. I could not be prouder of the way not only the Health Department has responded, but every single city employee has stepped up to handle our response. I don’t think any of our residents experienced a diminution in services throughout this pandemic. For that we look to the executive staff and City Manager. We have an excellent City Manager who is respected and holds the admiration of the 2000 employees he manages. Pasadena is a well-run city, and a city where women hold many of the senior leadership positions, and we should be proud of that. Thank you to all the city staff who have supported me and my efforts on behalf of my district over the years.

There is one particular department which has been under a lot of pressure lately. Everyone may not be aware of it, but we have one of the most progressive police chiefs in the state. Chief Perez was reorganizing the department long before the calls for social justice started ringing in Pasadena. He knew we needed to align the police department to reflect the community and its needs and he began that effort with the full support of his department. I am so proud of the work he and the men and women in the PPD have done to create a model department. Full implementation of this change will take time, perhaps years, and I ask you to stay committed to the Chief while the modifications to the department take place. We need to show him we believe in him and the PPD.

Without the support of my husband and family I simply could not have become a City Councilmember. The emotional and financial support of my husband has given me the freedom to become a public servant in a truly wonderful city. With my husband now in good health, we will have more time to enjoy all Pasadena has to offer.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve in the great city of Pasadena.

Margaret McAustin
Councilmember District 2