Pasadena -- center of the universe: March 2010 Archives

General Secretary Michael Beck did his best Wednesday to defend the secret panel that help pick police chief finalists. But in the end, Pasadena politburo's secret committee took some heat in the northwest over the whole enchilada. Reporter Dan Abendschein was there:

PASADENA - Northwest Pasadena residents laid into City Manager Michael Beck at a Wednesday meeting on the city's police chief search, accusing him of not fairly representing their part of the city.

The main issue was a 16-member police chief search committee, which community members criticized for not having enough representatives from the black community, the Northwest, and not enough low-income members.

"You missed a chance to really unify the city," said Dr. Nicholas Benson, a member of the Fair Oaks Project Area Committee, which co-hosted the meeting. "This is another confirmation that there are truly two cities, Northwest Pasadena, and the other Pasadena."

Thanks for your votes in my little poll. Consider this a revival -- albeit a slow moving one.
A few Pasadena stories of interest:

1) As many as 500 felons could be back on Pasadena streets, if they qualify for early release. The big question Pasadena cops are grappling with is "what to do with all these men and women?"
The answer they've come up with is: "get community organizations involved in rehabilitation."
Seems like a noble effort...

2) Caltech has been monitoring developments in Chile and Haiti and officials at the brainiest institution in Pasadena believe events in both countries should serve as a reminder to us in the Southland that the big one is coming ....

3) Stand and deliver for Jaime Escalante. The famed East Los Angeles is battling cancer and needs your help. The nonprofit Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education in Pasadena, which publishes Escalante's educational materials, is taking donations. Contributions can be sent to "Friends of Jaime," C/O FASE, 236 W. Mountain St., Suite 105, Pasadena, CA 91103.

4) Expect more rain this weekend...But don't expect anyone to say the drought is over.