We Get Letters: Disconnect Continues

The disconnect between Pasadena residents and City Hall reared its ugly head during the recent elections.  Speaking from firsthand experience, I could not agree more.

In a previous election, I recall Victor Gordo running on a campaign to bring City Hall to the neighborhood.  Of all the accolades we can accredit Mayor Gordo, communication between City Hall and its residents has not shown any improvement.

Currently, my neighborhood is experiencing three major construction projects, NTMP, Underground Utility Cabling and a PWP main upgrade.  The residents know nothing about any of them primarily because we were never notified by City Hall.

Imagine waking up to a jackhammer cutting a hole at your driveway.  The traffic is forced to be redirected, parking and deliveries are virtually impossible and trash day is a nightmare.  You pray you can get out of your driveway.  They patch it, they leave, we think they are done.   Then, a few days later they are back.  This has gone on repeatedly with no notification from PWP.   Waking up to the water being shut off was the last straw.  Numerous emails to PWP went unanswered.  It wasn’t until our Council Rep’s office stepped in did we learn to expect six months of construction as we are connected to a new water main.   Would informing us be too much to ask?

Prior to that, a community meeting was scheduled to introduce the Neighborhood Transportation Management Program, NTMP.   No one showed up.  Not one of us impacted report receiving an announcement.   After the Orange Grove debacle, did the mailing even go out?  I have been told the contract with the engineering firm was terminated and DOT claims there has been no input from the community.    Despite that, an installation is scheduled for this year.  What, pray tell, is the City going to install?

Lastly after Council voted us an underground utility district in June 2006, a meeting was held last May.  Not everyone was notified of it.  According to an email from Susana Castro, Senior Executive Assistant at PWP, ”the liaisons met and  …  delivered 400 flyers to residents and businesses along Raymond Ave in the project area with a concentration between Grandview and Villa Streets.”  However, the designated district runs from Maple to the City limits.

When I talk with my neighbors, without fail I hear, “I called City Hall and they acted like they didn’t care.”    Pasadena will be a better place to live when it learns to communicate with its residents, we the taxpayers, we the voters.  

Sincerely,

Stephen Lipira