Pasadena Council Chambers (Photo – City of Pasadena)
What’s in a number?
By Garrett Rowlan
That was the theme running through the Pasadena City Council’s meeting of November 13.
In particular, should the proposed number of people in the Charter Study Task Force be capped at 9, 11. 13 or 15? Or would an even number of people be better for purposes of consensus?
As these numbers were bandied about, the discussion suggested a conference that couldn’t begin until the shape of the table was agreed upon.
The number of candidates depended on inclusion versus balance, according to Jessica Rivas of District 5.
15 is not an unwieldy number, said Jason Lyons of District 7. Thirteen is a Biblical number, said Tyron Hampton of District 1.
“What about alternative members?” someone said, to which Steve Madison of District 6 objected, saying that to involve someone in something so time-consuming while remaining only an alternative was a lot to ask.
In the end the Council voted 5-3 to cap the number at 11.
After which the Council adjourned, but even then, a number appeared, as they ended the session in a moment of silence for Fred Gutierrez, who worked the sandwich counter at Roma’s Market for 43 years
Leave a Reply