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Posts Tagged ‘Alhambra City Council’

Virtual Candidates’ Forums Planned for Oct 6 and Oct 8

Posted in APG Events, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 27, 2020| Leave a Comment »

In anticipation of the November 3 general election, two virtual Alhambra Candidates’ Forums will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 and Thursday, October 8, 2020.

The Community and Candidates Forum on October 6 will feature Alhambra City Council candidates and will include questions from the community. All City Council candidates were invited to participate in the forum.

In City Council District 3, incumbent Council Member Jeff Maloney and challenger Chris Olson will participate. In City Council District 4, incumbent Mayor David Mejia and challenger Sasha Renée Pérez will participate. Mr. Karsen Luthi, a candidate in the City Council District 4 race, declined the invitation to attend.

California Senator Susan Rubio representing the 22nd senate district will provide the keynote welcome with the Pasadena area chapter of the League of Women Voters moderating the forum. To register to attend this free event on October 6, please visit the Community and Candidates Forum Eventbrite page.

Two nights later, on Thursday, October 8, the Kids and Candidates Forum will focus on candidates running for Alhambra Unified School District’s (AUSD) School Board and will also include questions from community members. There are races in three of AUSD’s five school board seats. All Alhambra School Board candidates were invited to participate in the forum.

The school board candidates who will be attending include challengers Dr. Marcia Wilson (District 1), Ken Tang (District 2) and Kaysa Moreno (District 3). As of the posting of this article on September 29, Alhambra Unified School District Board incumbents Wing Ho (District 1), Jane Anderson (District 2) and Patricia Rodriguez-Macintosh (District 3) had declined the invitation to participate.

AUSD Superintendent Denise Jaramillo will provide the keynote welcome and student leaders from our AUSD high schools will moderate the forum. To register to attend this free event on October 8, please visit the Kids and Candidates Forum Eventbrite page.

Alhambrans are invited and encouraged to participate in these two free virtual town hall-style meetings to meet the candidates and learn where they stand on key issues facing Alhambra.

Both forums will include live Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese translations.

If you would like to submit potential questions for either the City Council Candidates Forum or the AUSD School Board Candidates Forum, please send your questions via e-mail to education@alhambrasource.org. You may register for the events by visiting the Alhambra Source.

A coalition of Alhambra community based organizations comprised of the Alhambra Source, Alhambra Latino Association, Alhambra Preservation Group and Alhambra Visa Boosters, is partnering with the League of Women Voters, Pasadena Area and local high school students to produce these two virtual candidates forums.

The goal of both candidates forums is to give Alhambra City Council and AUSD School Board candidates the opportunity to discuss the various issues affecting Alhambra and provide residents with an opportunity to hear their positions on issues.  Given the many issues facing our city, the coalition invites all Alhambrans to attend this event and receive the information they need to cast an informed vote.

The general election will be on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Due to COVID-19, California will send mail-in ballots to all registered voters. For information on how to register to vote or to check your current voter registration information, please visit Vote.org.

Graphic courtesy of the Alhambra Source.

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October 11 Forum Features City Council Candidates and Alhambra’s Future Voters

Posted in APG Events, Events, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Candidates-forum-3Alhambra’s future voters took their role seriously as part of the 420 residents and students who attended the Kids and Candidates – A Community Engagement Forum on October 11 at Alhambra High School.

More than 100 Alhambra High School students gained inspiration to become more civically involved as they staffed the event, asked issue-based questions and engaged in one-on-one discussions with the three attending City Council candidates.

“This is not your usual candidates’ forum,” said Alhambra Unified School District Superintendent Denise R. Jaramillo, in her opening remarks preceding the candidates’ round-table discussion. “One of the things that makes it unique is that it’s being hosted by students and sponsored by so many community groups.” Forum sponsors included the Alhambra Teachers Association, Alhambra Preservation Group, Alhambra Latino Association, Grassroots Alhambra and Alhambra Source.

The format was also unique. The free event kicked off with a Community Engagement Fair in the Alhambra High School quad, where students and residents interacted one-on-one with the three City Council candidates, enjoyed a lively performance by the Alhambra High School Jazz Band, and visited information tables staffed by school and community groups.

Then the kids and candidates got down to business. Alhambra City Council candidates Katherine Lee and Andrea Lofthouse-Quesada, both running for the First District City Council seat, and Adele Andrade-Stadler, running for the Fifth District, engaged in a robust, politically neutral roundtable discussion, moderated by Tom Hollihan, professor and director of doctoral studies at USC Annenberg School of Communications. Candidates Suzi Dunkel-Soto, Laura Tellez-Gagliano, Ross Maza and Julian Reyes were invited but declined to attend.

Alhambra High School students’ and residents’ questions included the hot-button issues of affordable housing, traffic congestion, bike lanes, need for more green space, historic preservation and a historic preservation ordinance, how to encourage civic engagement in a diverse community, and how to market Alhambra’s cultural assets to visitors. The goal of the Kids and Candidates Forum was to provide students and residents with an opportunity to hear the candidates’ positions on these issues, according to the organizing coalition members.

Mission accomplished, according to the students. “This impacts my perspective on American politics because by hearing what these candidates have to say, it gives not only me but all of us a view into political matters so that when we will be of voting age, it will help shape who we feel can make the best contribution to our world,” said Amanda Tang,  16, a junior at Alhambra High School.

According to feedback from the survey handed out at the end of the event, a majority of the attendees found the forum helpful in their voting decisions, but were disappointed not to hear from all the City Council candidates and felt it was disrespectful of the four candidates not participating.

“Through my participation in this forum I have learned that you can make your voice heard no matter if you are under the age of 18. You just have to find the right places,” said Jonathan Reynosa, 16, a junior at Alhambra High. “I believe my role in civic matters in the future will be to inspire others in my generation and in other generations to go out and make their voices heard. I want to inspire people to create change in our community. Being able to ask questions directly to the candidates has affected my view on politics. This forum has made me confident in my own opinions and encouraged me to make my voice heard not only in political affairs just in California, but all over America.”

Weren’t able to attend? No worries. Here’s your chance to watch the forum.

Photo courtesy of Oscar Amaro.

 

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Kids and Candidates Forum To Be Held October 11

Posted in Alhambra Preservation Group, APG Events, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Vote.2018.buttonsKids and Candidates, a community engagement forum, will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Alhambra High School, located at 101 South 2nd Street in Alhambra. The event is free to the public. Spanish and Mandarin translators will be available at the event. For more information, visit the event’s site.

Alhambra City Council candidates and Alhambra school board members have been invited to participate in the pre-election event. The round-table discussion will be moderated by Tom Hollihan, professor and director of doctoral studies at USC Annenberg School of Communications. The event is being co-sponsored by the Alhambra Teachers Association, Alhambra Preservation Group, Alhambra Source, Alhambra Latino Association and Grassroots Alhambra.

Highlights of the event will include an hour, starting at 6:00 p.m. in Alhambra High School’s quad area, where attendees and students can meet with City Council candidates, Alhambra School Board members and Alhambra community groups while enjoying a performance by the Alhambra High School Jazz Band. At 7 p.m., Alhambra City Council candidates will participate in an issues-based round-table discussion in the high school auditorium. Community planning, schools, environmental sustainability, public health and safety, historic preservation, transportation, development and infrastructure are just a few of the topics that may be discussed at the forum.

Students will be involved in many different aspects of the fair and forum. High school students will be involved in the development of potential forum questions, staff informational tables, entertain attendees at the community engagement fair and provide event support throughout the evening. “A vote is a voice,” stated Anthony Hu, student at Alhambra High School and Public Relations Committee Lead with Vote at 16-SGV. “A fundamental part of our democracy is that all community members can express their own opinions and be heard.”

The goal of the Kids And Candidates Forum is to give Alhambra City Council candidates the opportunity to discuss the various issues affecting Alhambra and provide residents and students with an opportunity to hear the candidates’ positions on these issues, according to organizing coalition members. Given the many issues facing our city, the coalition invites all Alhambrans to attend this event and receive the information they need to cast an informed vote on Election Day.

Photo courtesy of Douglas County.

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APG to Host Coffee with a Council Member on June 29

Posted in Alhambra Preservation Group, APG Events, tagged , , , on June 10, 2017| Leave a Comment »

coffee.cup.2Join Alhambra Preservation Group for an evening of coffee, cookies and questions with Alhambra’s two newly elected City Council Members, Jeff Maloney and David Mejia.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

901 North Bushnell Avenue, Alhambra, CA  91801

This is an opportunity for Alhambrans to get to know their two newest City Council Members and ask questions about Alhambra’s future and any community concerns. Additionally, the City of Alhambra will have just released its updated General Plan, and we will provide an update on the next steps related to this important development in our city.

This event is free and the general public is welcome to attend. Light dessert refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to info@alhambrapreservation.org by June 25, 2017. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Candidates Forum Set For October 5

Posted in Alhambra Preservation Group, APG Events, City of Alhambra, tagged , , , , , on August 22, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Vote.Button.FINALAlhambra Preservation Group, with the League of Women Voters – Pasadena Area, will sponsor a Meet the Candidates Forum on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.  The Meet the Candidates Forum will take place from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Almansor Court’s Lakeview Room, 700 South Almansor Street, Alhambra, CA  91801. The event is free to the general public and light refreshments will be served. Alhambra residents are encouraged to attend.

All Alhambra City Council candidates have been invited to participate in the pre-election event. A moderator from the League of Women Voters – Pasadena Area will ask each candidate the same opening question, followed by a series of written questions from the audience. “The purpose of the Meet the Candidates Forum is to give city council candidates the opportunity to address policy issues vital to Alhambra’s future and give residents the chance to ask questions of candidates,” stated Joyce Amaro, President of the Alhambra Preservation Group. “Given the many issues facing our city, we invite all Alhambrans to attend this event and receive the information they need to cast an informed vote on election day.”

Community planning, environmental sustainability, public health and safety, historic preservation, transportation and infrastructure are just a few of the topics that may be addressed at the forum. The November 8, 2016 election will decide two of five Alhambra City Council seats.

Photo courtesy of start2finish.org.

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APG Advocacy and Actions

Posted in Advocacy, tagged , , , , on October 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

IMG_3869Stand Up for Historic Preservation

On the night of May 11 of this year, 100 APG members and supporters “stood up” for historic preservation at the Alhambra City Council meeting. APG President Chris Olson gave a presentation advocating for Alhambra’s adoption of a preservation ordinance and delivered a packet of educational documents that included a sample historic preservation ordinance and APG’s Preservation Myths and Facts to each of the Alhambra City Councilmembers. She also challenged Alhambra’s council to hold a study session so they could learn more about the preservation of historic buildings. While the City Council has yet to schedule a study session on this issue, the update of Alhambra’s General Plan began in mid-May and the survey that was distributed to residents in June included questions about historic preservation.

Alhambra’s General Plan

IMG_5069You may be aware that our city is now engaged in the process of creating a new General Plan – one that will guide Alhambra’s growth and development for the next 20 years. During the open comment period that ended in July, APG organized three ice cream socials hosted by the owners of Heritage Award-winning historic homes. These casual events were models of citizen engagement, and they generated lively discussions about our visions for Alhambra’s future. The next step in Alhambra’s General Plan process is the release of the draft General Plan.  It looks like the City of Alhambra will host its next community meeting in January 2016. We will be sure to notify you once the draft plan has been released to the public for review.

How Can You Become an Advocate for Historic Preservation?

You can get involved by taking three actions:

  1. Learn about the benefits of historic preservation and think about what home or building is irreplaceable in your own neighborhood.
  2. Contact your Alhambra Councilmember and share your thoughts with them on preservation-related issues.
  3. Talk to your neighbors and friends about what you’ve learned and encourage them to also do Steps 1 and 2.

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Show Up For Alhambra on May 11!

Posted in Advocacy, tagged , , , , on April 26, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Alhambra.SignIt’s time to stand up for historic preservation! Alhambra needs your help on Monday, May 11, 2015. All you have to do is show up at the City Council meeting scheduled that evening to show your support for historic preservation in Alhambra.

Alhambra Preservation Group has been working hard for a very long time to move our city’s elected leadership toward a preservation ordinance that will:

• Protect the character of our neighborhoods;
• Increase and maintain the value of our homes; and
• Conserve our precious historic and architectural resources.

So far, we have been disappointed by Alhambra’s leaders’ lack of initiative in adopting a preservation ordinance. We are ready to show them that a significant number of Alhambrans believe that now is the time to move forward with adopting a preservation ordinance.

Since May is National Preservation Month, we’re using the occasion of the May 11 City Council meeting to show them—in an unmistakable, visual way—that their neighbors and constituents want to see historic preservation included in our city’s planning policy. We plan on taking advantage of the public comment period at the end of the meeting when APG’s President, Christine Olson will address the Council, offering a variety of planning materials and resources, and asking them to conduct a “study session” on how historic preservation might be incorporated into city planning here in Alhambra. Your presence in the audience will demonstrate that you stand in support of historic preservation.

Won’t you join us? Alhambra needs you! Here are the specifics regarding the City Council meeting:

Date:  Monday, May 11, 2015
Time:  7:00 p.m.
Place:  Alhambra City Hall, Council chamber, upstairs, 111 South First Street, Alhambra, CA

APG’s goal is to pack the Council chamber with supporters and to create a powerful visual display for our elected leaders. This is one of those times when numbers matter! It’s all about showing up. We don’t know how long the meeting will last, but it’s important that we all stay until the end.

This is the most important thing we’ve ever asked of you and we hope that you’ll be willing to answer this call. Can Alhambra count on you?

If you’d like more information, please feel free to contact us at info@alhambrapreservation.org.

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Alhambra Council Candidates Interviews Now Online

Posted in Alhambra Preservation Group, tagged , , , , , , , on October 15, 2012| 2 Comments »

By now, everyone is aware that November 6th is Election Day!  Here in Alhambra, we have one City Council seat in contention.  Elizabeth Salinas and Steve Placido are running against one another, each seeking to represent District 4 on the Council over the next four years.

We at Alhambra Preservation Group wanted to engage with the candidates to learn about, and to inform Alhambra voters of, their positions on historic preservation.  In this spirit, we invited Dr. Placido and Ms. Salinas to sit down with us a few weeks ago for a brief interview to share their views on issues related to our own mission.

We videotaped both interviews, which consisted of their individual responses to five questions posed by APG members and have made them available to the public on our YouTube channel.

We hope that you’ll check them out and get to know our 2012 City Council candidates just a little bit better!

APG’s goal for this project was to add to the availability of reliable and accurate information on the candidates’ positions that will help all of us to make an informed decision at the ballot box.  We believe that we have been successful in this and we’re grateful to both of our City Council candidates for taking the time to participate and to share their positions with the voters.

Most importantly, don’t forget to vote on November 6th!  Every vote matters!

Photo courtesy of creativedc.

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