Political Gumbo: Jobs, Jobs and Jobs

One of the items on Monday night’s joint PUSD/PCC agenda was a career pilot program.

This is a great move that could impact local hiring.

At some point work is going to start on the 710 stub.

Parks, housing, building, roads and a host of other things are going to have to be built.

In short, the City will be reimagined.

Locals have to work on that project – period, end of sentence.

This pilot program could be the first step towards making sure that Pasadena residents receive paychecks on one of the biggest projects in recent history.

Of course other industries could benefit too, including Huntington Hospital and the local school district.

Respect to all involved.

Here’s why this issue is so important.

We have interventionists like Ricky Pickens who do great work to prevent violence before it starts.

But what next?

Johnny doesn’t pick up a gun today, but if he doesn’t get a job or direction – the forces pulling him in that direction could soon come back into play.

Like Ismael Trone, yes I name dropped him twice in two weeks, famously says, “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.”

And housing becomes more affordable if you have a good job.

Yes, it’s all connected.

That’s why this is a win-win-win situation.

This coupled with the mental health partnership program with LA County are major wins for the mayor and the City Manager.

Here’s a few other things we need to put in place.

We need an active list of local contractors and workers that can work today on construction projects.

Yes, there was a list some years ago – but not much came of it.

After we establish a list, somebody has to ask developers how many people they have hired from said registry.

That’s where Finance Director Matthew Hawkesworth’s office comes into play as they meet with groups like Bridge Housing.

Put the list on the table.

A local hiring task force and an assistant city manager working in part as a local hiring liaison doesn’t hurt either.

We can put people to work.

It just takes some common sense and desire.