11.01.18

6 PASADENA WEEKLY | 11.01.18
PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS
•EDITORIAL•
WHY ELECTIONS MATTER
VOTE LIKE THE FUTURE OF YOUR CHILDREN DEPENDS ON IT
Before endorsing candidates, state propositions and city and county measures
appearing on Tuesday’s ballot, we decided to share some happy Pasadena Weekly
news.
First, we welcome to the world Sienna Mercy Chapman, born on Oct. 22 to longtime
PW contributors Justin Chapman and Mercedes Blackehart. It seems like only yesterday
that Justin was a student at PCC and freelancing for PW. Soon after that, he became
the youngest person elected to the Altadena Town Council before heading off to UC
Berkeley, then USC and currently working at the Pacific Council on International Policy.
Since they’ve been together, Mercedes has been an outstanding freelance photographer
for the paper. Congratulations to you both.
Many of our readers remember PW Deputy Editor Joe Piasecki, who is now editor
of one of our sister publications, The Argonaut, covering LA’s west side. Joe and Kelly
Corrigan, a digital editor for the LA Times, recently married in a grand ceremony full of
loving family members and friends at a church in Montrose. We wish both of you love,
joy and happiness in your lives together.
North of here, Rashi Kesarwani, who contributed to the paper in 2007, is a candidate
for the Berkeley City Council. Who knew? Now married and mother of a newborn son,
Austin, Rashi is a 2005 graduate of Brown University who earned her master’s degree in
public policy from UC Berkeley in 2012. That community would be well served by having
Rashi on its City Council.
Speaking of babies, Ted Uhrich, the PW editor’s son, and his wife Dorene are
expecting again. Their adorably loquacious 3-year-old, Kedt, is anxiously waiting to meet
his little sister on Dec. 1. And Amaré Thompson, who turned 2 in August, just moved to
France to be near his dad, a pro basketball player there. Grandson of PW Office Manager
Ann Turrietta, Mars stays in touch with Grandma via FaceTime.
Regarding the election, Republican and Democrat alike would acknowledge that the
country is in trouble right now, with the potential to go well beyond the chaos created
by Watergate. Moreover, housing costs are through the roof, schools are failing, not to
mention portions of our polluted planet are drying up and burning as other regions sink
further under dirty water. This is the world that our families and friends will inherit, and
this is why elections matter.
On Tuesday, California voters will choose a new governor and lieutenant governor,
and decide on the offices of secretary of state, attorney general, controller, treasurer,
insurance commissioner and superintendent of schools. There is also a full slate of
state propositions. At the county level, Sheriff Jim McDonnell is up for re-election, and
Measure W asks for a parcel tax to collect, clean and store rainwater runoff.
In the race for governor, we can’t really think of much Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s done
in the legislative and political arena. Let’s just say, Jerry Brown he’s not. Unfortunately,
however, the same could be said of his opponent. With white supremacy on the rise and
the republic teetering on the brink of calamity, now is not the time for division here in
California. Vote for Gavin Newsom. Also Vote for Jim McDonnell and Vote Yes on
Measure W.
Pasadena voters also have one US Senate race, two House contests and two ballot
initiatives to weigh.
Her opponent may be right, that it’s time for US Sen. Dianne Feinstein, now 85, to
step aside. But he is not the one to replace her. Feinstein’s done some stellar things
while in office, and she remains a powerful champion of core values. Vote for Dianne
Feinstein.
In the 28th Congressional District, Congressman Adam Schiff, a former federal
prosecutor whose district includes portions of Pasadena, has been extremely adept at
holding President Trump accountable. Vote for Adam Schiff.
Congresswoman Judy Chu of the 27th District has been a fighter for health care, gun
control, labor rights and equal rights. Vote for Judy Chu.
Measure I is a three-quarter cent sales tax hike expected to raise $21 million a year
for the city and go toward improving public safety and financing after-school programs,
among other things. Vote Yes on Measure I.
Measure J is an advisory measure connected to Measure I which asks whether the
city should give the Pasadena school district a third of Measure I funds. Don’t punish the
children for the mistakes of the adults. Instead, can the district’s leaders and find people
who can actually do the job. Vote Yes on Measure J.
Proposition 6 would repeal a state gas tax used for infrastructure improvements. Yes,
it’s a regressive tax, but we all drive and contribute to these very real problems. Vote No
on Proposition 6.
Proposition 10 would repeal a state law prohibiting local communities from enacting
their own rent control ordinances. Landlords didn’t have to raise rents so much, but
they did, mostly because they could, thus creating much of the homeless and housing
problems we are now experiencing. Vote Yes on Proposition 10.
This Tuesday, vote for public safety, better water management, affordable housing
and better education because the quality of life for you and your kids — our kids —
really does depend on it. n