Tornek, McAustin Exit Stage To Much Praise … and Swag

There was a parade of plaudits, an avalanche of accolades, on Monday as a pair of Pasadena political veterans exited the stage — Terry Tornek as mayor following his November election defeat by Victor Gordo, and Margaret McAustin as District 2 councilmember after she chose not to seek re-election.

Tornek served five years as mayor and six on the council before that, while McAustin was concluding a 13-year council stint.

They each emerged from Monday’s virtual council meeting with the sound of kudos from a wide array of local politicos and prominent citizens ringing in their ears. They also emerged with a fair amount of swag.

Besides the usual proclamations suitable for framing, Tornek and McAustin received a pair of personalized football jerseys, gifted by Darryl Dunn, general manager of the Rose Bowl Operating Company. McAustin’s bore the No. 2, for her council district. Tornek’s was a No. 7 – his district when he was a councilmember.

Meanwhile, City Manager Steve Mermell, City Attorney Michele Bagneris and City Clerk Mark Jomsky teamed up to give the departing pols a pair of official city blankets – as well as certificates denoting that trees will be planted in their names at city parks. They’ll each get to choose what type of tree.

New Mayor Victor Gordo, before taking the oath of office, presented Tornek with a gavel on behalf of the council, to mark his predecessor’s “tremendous sacrifice and tremendous service you’ve given.”

McAustin got a framed picture of City Hall from her now-former council colleagues, denoting what Gordo called her “distinguished” time in office.

Rep. Judy Chu’s office sent an aide, remotely, to present certificates, and an assistant to Rep. Adam Schiff also checked in remotely to do the same.

State Sen. Anthony Portantino was up in Sacramento for his own swearing-in ceremony, but he provided a video, in which he said of Tornek and McAustin, “You both served this wonderful community with everything you had in your toolbox … your service was long, it was hard, it was dedicated and it was for all the right reasons. We are all better for your efforts.’’

Assemblyman Chris Holden, a former Pasadena mayor, also sent a video from the state capital, lauding Tornek as having served “with great distinction,” and McAustin as serving “your constituents with a great deal of care.”

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, streaming live from her office downtown, called Tornek and McAustin “amazing Pasadena public servants,” and added, “I am truly grateful to both of you for your partnerships. Godspeed.”

But in the plaudits department, both Tornek and McAustin gave as good as they got on Monday– each thanking colleagues as well as reflecting on their time in office.

“I would just like to say what a privilege it’s been to serve this city that’s been so wonderful to my family since we moved here in 1982,’’ said Tornek.

“During my time on the City Council and as mayor, I’ve tried to listen attentively, study the issues carefully and then act in the best interests of the city. I think we’ve made real progress in many areas, but I know better than most that there’s lots more to do, and frankly I deeply regret that I won’t be able to contribute any longer as mayor.

“As for progress that we’ve made, I know that positive results are the result of collective effort. So I want to express my gratitude to all of you, all my colleagues on the City Council.’’

Tornek also offered “special thanks to the volunteers who serve on all of our city commissions and to the nonprofit organizations that do so much to serve those most in need in our city.’’

“I’d also like to acknowledge the engaged citizens, not necessarily the enraged ones, who hold us accountable and demand well-founded responses to their questions,’’ he said.

In addition, Tornek thanked city staff, “whose work day in and day out to deliver for the people of Pasadena is really exemplary and sometimes underappreciated.’’

“Whatever success we have around the dais or around this electronic dais is largely due to their efforts,’’ Tornek said of staff – singling out City Manager Steve Mermell, “who has shown, I think, extraordinary skill and patience in this time of crisis.’’

Tornek saved his biggest thanks for Maria, “my bride of 53 years, who’s sitting quietly here in our electronic council chamber (at the Torneks’ home),’’ as well as for “my family, for supplying the support, the candid critiques and the love that all of us need to do our best.’’

Tornek ended his exit speech with a warning – and a note of optimism — about the city’s upcoming challenges.

“Pasadena continues to be challenged by the COVID pandemic,’’ he said. “I’m very worried about it, and all of you should be too. The virus has spotlighted shortcomings and inequities that we already knew existed.

“But I honestly believe that as a community, we have the resources, the talent and the will to meet the challenge. Our city and our nation have faced difficult times before, as we’re reminded on this Pearl Harbor Day. But with God’s blessings, I’m confident that we shall and we will overcome. So thank you for the opportunity to serve, I will miss you all.’’

For her part, McAustin – in a pre-taped video played during Monday’s meeting — thanked “my constituents for taking the chance on me in 2007, and for their strong support as we have navigated the past 13 years together.’’

She also thanked former Mayor Bill Bogaard “for his confidence in me and for his example of public service, which I have endeavored to model.’’

In addition, McAustin praised her outgoing office director, Margo Morales, saying, “her heart, her positive attitude and her hard work” made McAustin’s District 2 office serve constituents with much success. McAustin even showed a video tribute to Morales, in which she collected comments from citizens whom Morales has helped over the years.

McAustin also reiterated her opinions on an array of serious city issues.

“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,’’ she said.

“Pasadena will be a better place with more women in decision-making positions, particularly on the City Council. … It’s time to woman-up and take our place in city government. One is not enough.’’

McAustin also said, “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.’’

She further gave praise to the Pasadena Police Department, saying, “Everyone may not be aware of it, but we have one of the most progressive police chiefs in the state.’’

“Chief (John) Perez was reorganizing the department long before the call for social justice started ringing in Pasadena,’’ she said. “He knew we needed to align the Police Department to reflect the community and its needs, and we began that process with the full support of his 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 Pasadena Police Department.’’

McAustin did not seek re-election because her husband, John, was diagnosed with cancer. But he is “now in good health,” she reported – and with her newfound free time, she and her husband “will have more time to enjoy what Pasadena has to offer,’’ she said.