Under the Dome

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Silly Joe Hopkins..when will he learn?

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 21, 2007 1:10 PM

Joe Hopkins is yesterdays news. He's a nobody that divides the community rather than unite it. Joe has tunnel vision. He seems to sensationalize everything that he disagrees with. Recent case in point is the District 1 council race between an African-American candidate, Jacqueline Robinson and a white candidate, Robin Salzer. Rather than just support Ms. Robinson, he conducted a relentless character assassination on Robin Salzer. Saying that he would bring slavery and lynching to Pasadena was ridiculous. I met Robin several times during the campaign and he struck me as smart, caring and sincerely concerned about the problems in the Northwest and the city as a whole. And he seemed to have a plan for reaching out and connecting the neighborhoods. But Joe had to do it the "Joe Hopkins" way. We need to support our Black leaders and need to sincerely support non-Black leaders and candidates in other districts that are open minded to the plight of the Northwest. The theme for this years Pasadena NAACP Ruby McKnight Williams Awards dinner is "Unity Builds a Community". Unity builds a Community. That says it all. Maybe a lesson will be learned. Rather than trash the Robin Salzer's of Pasadena we need to reach out to them, talk to them and thank them for understanding our needs and for working with us. The Pasadena elections of 2009 & 2011 will be important to uniting our community. Identify those candidates in other districts and supporting them is paramount to our preserving and improving the quality of life for our community. Wake up Northwest Pasadena and WAKE UP JOE HOPKINS.

Posted by: S.W. | August 21, 2007 3:22 PM

I have to concur with S.W.. I could not have said it any better. Wake up Northwest Pasadena and Wake up Joe Hopkins.

Posted by: mark | August 21, 2007 4:10 PM

Sometimes Joe starts to make a really good point and then he ends up checking himself into Crazytown Hotel. Also, he totally ignored me and didn't even shake my hand one time. Also doesn't respond to e-mails/phone calls.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 21, 2007 4:16 PM

Want to see an intelligent response about the Northwest? Read Jacque's letter to Pasadena Now: http://www.pasadenalivingmagazine.com/contentspages/opinionlevel1contents.html

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 21, 2007 4:17 PM

There are many things wrong in this city, but why Joe Hopkins would get worked up because a developer is not getting richer is beyond me. As for Robinson's letter and suggestions, nothing new there. But we gotta try something, even it the same old thing. It cannot hurt. So thanks to her for trying as long as it is done with heart.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 21, 2007 6:57 PM

Jacque's letter is nice but it's a letter. She hasn't done anything since the election. Margaret McAustin came in with a plan and she came in on the run. Robinson is showing her lack of experience in leadership and life. Maybe she will come around. Rafael Henderson would have been a better choice for our community. He had experience and he is a leader. It was the Joe & Jacque show in the run-off election. Joe Hopkins blasted the white guy at every corner and this is what we got. I believe that the white guy would be in our community doing something and so would Rafael Henderson. I hope that Rafael runs again in 4 years.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 21, 2007 9:35 PM

Thanks, Raphael.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 21, 2007 11:50 PM

Thanks, Aaron. I am continually impressed by Jacque. And, unfortunately I can't seem to shake the memory of the reports citing Mrs. Salzer (an attorney) threatening litigation against the Robinson family during the election. That was ugly, and I think, illegal.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 3:13 AM

Miss Havisham, I would have to believe that Mrs. Salzer was just standing by her man after he was being unfairly villifiied by Joe Hopkins and the Pasadena Journal. I have heard that Robin Salzer has done many good things for the Northwest that either he wouldn't mention or others chose not to. As I remember, according to the PSN, the conversation was between the two women. Joe Hopkins took it and may have put his spin on it. Whatever. The election is over and there will be more in the future. Elections become intense and everyone looks for that angle. I heard Robin Salzer speak at the Black Male Forum in February with the other 5 candidates and he handled the intense scrutiny from Joe Hopkins well. It seemed like Mr. Hopkins had a personal vendetta against Mr. Salzer. I liked what I heard from him and I liked the way he handled the pressure. I wouldn't count him out as a candidate for the future. I personally would like to see him take on either Steve Haderlein or Steve Madison for their seats. He seems like a fresh voice who listens before he speaks. Jacque Robinson should be fine in time. She has a tough district. I hope that Rafael Henderson doesn't run again. Not impressive at all.

Posted by: Lisa | August 22, 2007 8:27 AM

Lisa, that is a nice watered down version of what happened, and Joe Hopkins opinions are his own. It was not a conversation between two women in the baby food isle. It was an open public threat made by a representative of the Salzer campaign. Attorneys are not allowed to publically threaten lawsuits especially with the intent (or result) is to oppress an opponent running for a public office. And, what does offering free food for votes tell me? Bribery is fine as long as you get your deal in. It's nothing personal. Grace goes to the Robinson's for dropping the issue, and for not making it a big deal. Although, to me, it was a very revealing incident.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 10:51 AM

Miss Havisham, Do you agree with Joe Hopkins accusations that Robin Salzer is a racist and would bring slavery and lynchings to Pasadena if he represented district 1? I would hope that any family member of any candidate running in any race anywhere would stand up for their spouse or family member when untrue stories and garbage is thrown at them. I would expect the same for Ms. Robinson, Holden, Haderlein or any of them. Joe Hopkins was afraid that Salzer was going to win. He didn't and we need to work with our elected reps. I thought Robin handled himself well considering what Joe Hopkins was doing to him. I only met the man twice but have dined in his restaurant for years. I also have attended many fund raisers at his restaurant that were for Northwest groups. The whole thing is a smack from & at Joe Hopkins. I give kudos to any husband or wife who stands up for the truth when it gets nasty. See you Saturday at the picnic Miss H.

Posted by: Lisa | August 22, 2007 11:11 AM

Lisa vs Miss Havisham at the picnic in a vat of jello. I'm so there.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 3:31 PM

And I agree, Lisa - Salzer vs Madison would be awesome.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 3:32 PM

Just don't pull my hair, Lisa. Heh! No my dear, I take Joe's editorials for what they are, his opinion. Like assholes, everyone's got one. His style has a flair for the dramatic, to make a point. A lot of commentators do the same. What I take exception to is that his opinion, whatever it may be, represents the same opinion of all others who are African-American, or those candidates he supports. Ms. Robinson does not need to pay or answer for the opinions of a columnist. Wouldn't you agree that is unfair? If Mrs. Salzer wanted to defend her husband, defend away! She should have used a blog or an editorial or taken out a full page ad in the local paper to do it.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 4:19 PM

"What I take exception to is that his opinion, whatever it may be, represents the same opinion of all others who are African-American, or those candidates he supports. " Pardon, let me restate the obvious for clarity: His opinion (Joe H.)does NOT represent all African-Americans or of those he support supports politically. See you at the smackdown.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 4:23 PM

Robinson refused to repudiate Hopkins when he was smearing Salzer. Robinson smeared him by proxy and she did the same thing to Henderson in the primary. Robinson has unclean hands.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 6:16 PM

April 17th called - it wants its election discussion back. *yawns* Sooo yesterday's news.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 7:25 PM

Rafael Henderson should have been elected over Salzer & Robinson. He was more qualified. Tell me what qualities Salzer & Robinson had over Henderson? None. He deserved to win and is said to be running again in District 1. He graduated from USC with a business degree, is a very successful businessman and has helped the community more than both of them combined. He will make a fine councilman in 4 years. He is known to have invested time, money and sweat into Northwest Pasadena. Neither of the other two have ever been as charitable to our community.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 9:03 PM

All veddy interesting in light of the information posted under today's thread.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 22, 2007 9:36 PM

His name is spelled Raphael. http://www.raphaelhendersonforcitycouncil.org/

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 22, 2007 9:37 PM

Rafael or Raphael, I here that he's loaded. Lives in a large home on North Arroyo and has 3 Mercedes Benz. He's running again for the seat.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2007 10:04 PM

A large home and 3 Mercedes Benz don't make him an excellent candidate for City Council. If he ever decides to run again and Jacque is anywhere around he will never will win... People in this blog need to face it that Jacque is in the seat for District 1 and instead of talking bad about her, help her do a better job if she is inexperienced. I don't see Raphael, Aaron Proctor, Miss Havisham, or the Anonymous person, who has so much to say but is too scared to reveal his or her name, calling Jacque on any given day to lend a hand. I dont see any of you or anyone you are speaking of a winner in any political race...So yeah WAKE UP and HELP out since you have so much to say about what she is and what she isn't doing on a given day. Now let's see how many of you volunteer to help Jacque next week.. Put up or Shut Up...

Posted by: Da Artist | August 23, 2007 9:25 PM

Aaron Proctor and Miss Havisham sorry to have included you in my letter.....

Posted by: Da Artist | August 23, 2007 9:34 PM

Jacque should have come into office with some common sense and some life experience. City Council is not for on the job training. Margerat McAustin came into office running and hasn't stopped yet. She also was smart enough to pick Paul Little's field rep as hers. Jacque picked Tina Williams. She has less experience than even Jacque. So far she has been a big empty seat. Raphael Henderson would have hit the road running. He had a plan to improve the neighborhoods, work with the schools and to create jobs. Lena Kennedy was to be his field rep and she is experienced. Da Artist needs to go back to his canvas and paint a better picture because what he's painting now is garbage.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 23, 2007 9:37 PM

Raphael would be doing the same thing he is doing now... NOTHING..

Posted by: Da Artist | August 24, 2007 1:14 AM

Raphael Henderson will beat Jacque in a replay of the last election in 2011. He was and is the best candidate. Of all six candidates who ran, he was the most articulate, the most intelligent, the most successful, the most likable and the most giving. He lost only because there were 3 black candidates running. He had a team and a plan. BTW, Mayor Bogaard and John Van de Kamp supported him too.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 24, 2007 8:31 AM

I'll agree citizens need to help our concilmembers out, and get involved.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 24, 2007 9:34 AM

And if the councilmembers don't produce or are derelict in their performance(Steve Madison), vote them out. Help them out or vote them out. As usual, Miss Havisham is on point.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 24, 2007 10:25 AM

Apology accepted, Da Artist, `cause I was confused. Although I'm just a mere former candidate for office and a lowly blogger, I try to make a difference by writing my blog and getting the word out there to people who don't regularly follow the news in Pasadena. I support Jacque Robinson and try to help her out as much as I can - even if it's just directing people to an article she wrote. Wake up? I haven't slept in years.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 24, 2007 1:50 PM

And, yeah, Steve Madison has to go.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 24, 2007 1:51 PM

How can Margaret have more experience on City Council if she's been on City Council just the same as Jacque? Where does this "experience" you speak of even start? The way people talk these days, it's almost like you should be serving on a planning commission when you're 3 years old, sleeping under a mobile made out of a map of the districts, getting lullabies from Richard Bruckner. If we keep electing the same kind of people who are carbon copies of each others' resumes, nothing will ever change..and we need change..and everyone knows this..but not everyone wants it in this lifetime. Look at our Vice President - he has a resume longer than Ron Jeremy's male anatomy - and he's not a great Vice President.

Posted by: Aaron Proctor | August 24, 2007 1:56 PM

Correct you are Aaron. That's the problem in Pasadena. We keep electing from the same old crowd. It's the Pasadena version of the "Good Ol' Boys". Bogaard's "Buddies" so to speak. We really & truly need some fresh voices. We need candidates with values and no personal agendas. We need candidates that have the time to work in their respective districts. We need to take a leap of faith and we need to seek out and support the fresh voices of the future. I'll take compassion over a carbon copy resume anyday of the week. Maybe we have too many lawyers on the council. We need to have some sort of balance. Aaron, you seem to be in the mix of things. Maybe it's not too early to start feeling out new candidates for the council & school board. Find their core values and work to promote them. People like Da'Artist, Miss Havisham, Paul the talker and yourself probably know who's out there. Are there any possibilities that we can start talking to?

Posted by: Lisa | August 24, 2007 3:32 PM

Well said, Martin.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 24, 2007 9:02 PM

I'd like to thank A.P. & M.T. for introducing me to the world of blogging yesterday. When you come from Milwaukee I guess things come to you a little slower. I'd also like to thank all of the folks who left kind and supportive comments about my council run and myself. Without question it was the most exciting and humbling experience of my life. Meeting people, shaking hands, the door to door walking, the forums and learning more about our city in 6 months than I had learned in 25 years was absolutely incredible. I really enjoyed the process. The results came in and we all must move forward. I am saddened by the comments directed at Jacque Robinson. She has a tough job in the toughest of districts. We have serious problems in the northwest part of our city. These problems need serious solutions and they need community involvement and community commitment. Quit the sniping. None of the 6 candidates that ran for the District 1 council seat had prior council experience. If you have the time to criticize on this blog you definately have the time to pick up the phone and volunteer your help in finding the solution. One person can not alone fight this battle. Jacque needs our support as do the other members of our council. Use this blog for ideas, solutions and if you must, venting but it's wiser to be positive.

Posted by: Robin Salzer | August 25, 2007 11:53 AM

Thanks Robin.. Jacque will appreciate the kind words it really does get rough sometimes. People think they know but they have no idea...

Posted by: Da Artist | August 25, 2007 5:40 PM

Da Artist, thanks for the kind words too. I 'm ready to help and I'm ready to work.

Posted by: Robin Salzer | August 25, 2007 8:04 PM

Robin, you've always been a class act. Best wishes for future success.

Posted by: N.G. | August 25, 2007 9:07 PM

I live in district and would happily assist my council person, unfortunately my email is never answered. Perhaps Streator passed on her invisibility wand.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 25, 2007 10:29 PM

Kudos to Robin Salzer for your real and verified comments.

Posted by: Miss Havisham | August 25, 2007 11:02 PM

Umm what would your email address be?? Anonymous@yahoo.com It appears to me that you are the one with the INVISIBILITY WAND...

Posted by: Da Artist | August 26, 2007 11:25 PM

every email I send to any elective rep or gov employee includes name address email phone # and street address. If you prefer I have a handle in this forum you may call me Missgothbiker1999@narcissus.Olympus case sensitive.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 27, 2007 11:36 AM

An email address and/or number would be great.....

Posted by: Da Artist | August 27, 2007 3:30 PM

My contact info is jacquerobinson@cityofpasadena.net: My cell is 626 394 6857. If I don't answer, please leave a message and I will return your call within 72 hours.

Posted by: Jacque Robinson | August 27, 2007 4:07 PM

72 hours is a long time to respond to a constituent. Whatever happened to customer service from the city. You send a email or call in a phone message and you should get a same day response. That's why you have a field office worker.

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