A Changing of the Guard at DPNA

Playhoue District viewed from the front doors of the Pasadena Presbyterian Church (Photo – Mike Pashistoran).

On September 17th I attended the annual meeting of The Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association (DPNA) at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church of Pasadena. Here’s a recap of what went down at the meeting.

By Mike Pashistoran

The DPNA is one of several neighborhood/resident associations covering various areas of the city of Pasadena. DPNA territory represents basically the Colorado Boulevard corridor from Old Town Pasadena eastward into the Paseo Colorado & Playhouse districts then southward a few blocks to California Boulevard (see official map here).

Greg Gunther – outgoing DPNA President – chaired the meeting. Along with concerned DPNA members, the importance of what the DPNA has become to Pasadena was reflected by key members of the Pasadena press in attendance: the Editor of Colorado Boulevard – Wafic Khalil, and the Community Editor of Pasadena Now, Edward Rivera, as well as your humble scribe. The DPNA in its short life has become one of the most effective & respected neighborhood associations.

(Photo – DPNA)

The agenda included a recap of the challenges and accomplishments since the last annual meeting, a slideshow, amendments to the Mission Statement of the association, discussion to create a “Special Advisor” committee to the Board of Directors, nomination & election of new board members, and a preliminary set of new goals for the next year. In regard to goals, an important point was made that the association should try to increase the involvement of interested parties by converting some of the thousands of people who “LIKE” the DPNA Facebook page into members, preferably involved members!

Election results

After much discussion, Jonathan Edewards was elected new President, Marsha V. Rood becomes Vice-President, and Mitchell Tsai was added to the board.

And that’s about it until another new year!

> The DPNA has monthly meetings (usually the 3rd Thursdays @ 6:30pm) at The Gamble House on the church campus as well as periodic special events such as the Mayoral candidate forum earlier this year. The doors are open to all concerned residents, workers, business/property owners within the downtown Pasadena boundaries to visit and get involved.

Mike Pashistoran contributes to ColoradoBoulevard.net & other websites. He is a member of the Pasadena Museum of History and Pasadena Heritage and co-administers the popular Pasadena Politics page and group on Facebook.