Mayor Victor Gordo Issues Holiday Message to Pasadenans

On Christmas Eve, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo extended his holiday wishes to all Pasadenans in what has become an annual holiday statement tradition.

In his message, Gordo said he felt a sense of community pride in the accomplishments of the past year, which included some significant milestones for the city.

Among the highlights, Gordo mentioned the acquisition of the former  Kaiser Permanente Property at Lake and Villa in partnership with LA County, a step towards providing needed health and mental health services and affordable housing to the community. He also highlighted the grand opening of the Honorable John J. Kennedy Pool at Robinson Park, a state-of-the-art aquatic facility aimed at promoting equity and access to high-quality recreation facilities and resources.

The Mayor welcomed Koko Panossian, the new Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director, who brings a wealth of experience from leading Glendale’s Community Services and Parks programs. 

Gordo wrote that the opening of the Union Street Protected Bikeway and the addition of new electric vehicle charging stations were also significant achievements.

Gordo also pointed to the acceptance just last week of a $900,000 Federal grant championed by Congresswoman Judy Chu to support the work of the city’s PORT team with unhoused community members.

The Maupr closed by urging residents to remember the importance of kindness, compassion, and understanding during the holiday season. He sent out his family’s wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season filled with moments of joy, peace, and love.

Here, in full and in his own words, is Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo’s holiday message to his fellow Pasadenans, “Here’s to What We Accomplished in 2023.”

  

Dear Neighbors and Friends:

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well, healthy, and safe. 

No doubt we all are looking forward to restful and joyful holidays as 2023 winds down. At this time of year, we not only have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, we also have an opportunity to take a moment and reflect on the past year. I can’t help but feel a strong sense of community pride in all we have done together in 2023.

Let’s celebrate just a few highlights from this past year.

In partnership with LA County, we acquired the old Kaiser Property at Lake and Villa, moving us one step closer to providing needed health and mental health services and affordable housing to our community.

We celebrated the grand opening of the Honorable John J. Kennedy Pool at Robinson Park, a state-of-the-art aquatic facility that will offer our residents, particularly those in northwest Pasadena, an oasis of water-based fun and fitness. And yet, it is also much more than that, this pool is also about equity and access, and ensuring all parts of our city have high quality recreation facilities and resources.

We welcomed our new Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director, Koko Panossian, to the City. Koko brings a wealth of experience after leading Glendale’s Community Services and Parks programs for many years, and, importantly, Koko grew up in Pasadena, graduating from Muir High School.

The Union Street Protected Bikeway was opened, providing a 1.5 mile long two-way protected bike lane along Union Street and an opportunity for residents and visitors to reach Pasadena destinations such as Old Pasadena, Playhouse Village, Pasadena City College, and CalTech on bike.

New electric vehicle (“EV”) charging stations are now available at Shoppers Lane near the corner of San Pasqual St. and South Mentor Ave. This new addition brings to over 100 the number of publicly available charging stations.

Just last week we accepted a $900,000 Federal grant championed by Congresswoman Judy Chu to further the work of our PORT team with our unhoused community members. This funding will support the operations, field-based outreach, and resources that connect participants to housing, medical care, and mental health and substance abuse services.

And these are just a few highlights!  We also have supported our local small businesses, and we celebrated the diversity and strength of our community at many events throughout the year. 

While much progress was made in 2023, let’s redouble our efforts and keep the momentum moving in 2024!

As we gather with family and friends, let’s remember the importance of kindness, compassion, and understanding. Let us keep in mind the special people that our families and community have lost. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another tradition, my family and I wish you and those you love a healthy and happy holiday season filled with moments of joy, peace, and love.