Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, June 10, 2023

6


Mountain View News Saturday, June 10, 2023 

City Appoints 
Tim McDonald 
as the New 
Library Director


Artist Hit-Boy to Perform 

at Juneteenth Celebration

 The City of Pasadena Parks, 
Recreation and Community 
Services Department is proud to 
announce that Grammy award-
winning rapper and producer 
Hit-Boy will perform at the 
City’s 15th annual Juneteenth 
celebration scheduled for 
Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. - 3 
p.m., at Robinson Park, 1081 N. 
Fair Oaks Ave.

 Hit-Boy has crafted forward-
looking beats for artists like 
Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Travis 
Scott and Beyoncé. He is also 
featured on tracks by various 
artists, including will.i.am and 
Wale.

 Juneteenth commemorates the 
effective end of slavery in the 
United States. Two years after 
President Lincoln signed the 
Emancipation Proclamation, 
news reached Texas and, upon 
learning they were free, former 
slaves immediately began 
celebrating with prayer, feasting, 
song and dance. Juneteenth 
is now a day to reflect and 
celebrate African American 
history and culture.

 This year’s free, family-friendly 
Juneteenth celebration will also 
feature an art exhibit from the 
Alkebulan Cultural Center, live 
music by Luv From Abuv, a 
Juneteenth history presentation 
by Octavia’s Bookshelf, arts & 
crafts with Armory Center for 
the Arts, community resources, 
and more! Hot dogs, hot links, 
drinks and snacks will be 
available for purchase. Come 
meet new friends or reconnect 
with old ones as we celebrate 
Juneteenth.

 For accessibility information 
and requests, contact CSC@
CityOfPasadena.net or (626) 
744-7311.

 
After completing a 
nationwide recruitment 
process, City Manager 
Miguel Márquez announced 
Monday the appointment 
of Tim McDonald as the 
new Director of Pasadena’s 
Department of Libraries 
and Information Services. 
McDonald has been with the 
City of Pasadena since 2016 
and has served as Acting 
Director since February 2022.

 McDonald will oversee a 
department that includes ten 
branch locations, collectively 
circulating over 1.2 million 
library books, DVDs, and 
other resources per year to 
the community. He will lead 
99 full-time employees and 
direct an annual budget of 
about $16.5 million. With 
more than 2,300 on-site 
programs, free WiFi services 
and an extensive collection 
of printed books, periodicals, 
media and cloud-based 
eBooks, the Pasadena Public 
Library serves as a life-long 
learning center and cultural 
beacon for the greater 
Pasadena community. The 
Department also includes the 
nearly 100-year-old Central 
Library designed by Myron 
Hunt, which is currently in 
the design phase of a retrofit 
and renovation project. “The 
project will enable the library 
to continue its vital role as a 
beacon of knowledge, culture, 
and democratic engagement, 
ensuring that generations 
to come will benefit from 
the transformative power of 
education and diverse voices,” 
said McDonald.

 McDonald has held 
numerous positions prior to 
joining the City of Pasadena. 
Previously, McDonald 
worked in the National Medal 
winning Las Vegas-Clark 
County Library District. 
Various roles in Las Vegas 
included Literacy Manager, 
Children’s Department Head, 
and Branch Manager of 
the Sunrise Library with its 
service area population of 
230,000 people. 

 “I grew up visiting my local 
library and it was such a 
valuable asset that helped me 
learn, grow and discover. I 
am honored and humbled to 
have been selected by the City 
Manager to lead Pasadena’s 
Public Library. I am fortunate 
to have an amazing team in 
place to support our future 
endeavors and generations 
who have grown up in our 
libraries.”

 Márquez said “Tim is ideally 
suited to serve as Director 
given his proven leadership 
skills and the universal 
respect he’s earned as Acting 
Director.” He also noted that 
“Tim has a clear vision of 
public libraries as essential 
hubs of information and 
community activity, especially 
neighborhood libraries 
located within one mile of 
every Pasadena resident. Tim 
also has the vision, knowledge, 
and skills needed to lead the 
restoration and renovation of 
the historic Central Library 
to serve the community for 
centuries to come.”

97th AmericaFest Nixed for LA Galaxy Game

 
After hosting the AmericaFest 
fireworks show almost every 
Forth of July since 1927, the 
Rose Bowl stadium has given 
up the tradition this year in 
favor of hosting a sold-out 
soccer game. 

 Although the stadium’s 
website makes no mention 
of the 2023 AmericaFest 
cancellation, Rose Bowl 
General Manager Jens Weiden 
said, the reason is, that last 
year the 96th AmericaFest 
lost over $500,000, according 
to media reports. 

 The sold-out soccer game 
was announced tagged to the 
end of a city press statement 
Tuesday about fireworks, 
zero tolerance and police 
enforcement. 

 “Rose Bowl Stadium will 
be hosting a sold-out soccer 
game on July 4 at 7:30 p.m.,” 
the press statement reads. 
“Only ticket holders will 
be permitted to park in the 
area, and parking will be 
strictly enforced around the 
stadium,” 

 According to officials, in 
February the LA Galaxy’s 
Season Opener match against 
the Los Angeles Football 
Club (LAFC) was canceled 
due to safety considerations 
resulting from inclement 
weather. 

 The fireworks press 
statement sent Tuesday reads 
in part, “The city maintains a 
zero tolerance enforcement 
policy for fireworks, and 
Pasadena’s municipal code 
holds property owners and 
tenants responsible for 
permitting the possession, 
sale, usage or discharge of 
fireworks on their property. 
The ordinance allows for the 
prosecution of fireworks-
related offenses and for the 
demand of payment for all 
costs associated with the 
safe disposal of confiscated 
fireworks. Any person who 
violates the ordinance or any 
state law regarding fireworks 
is subject to arrest; having 
their vehicles impounded; 
serving up to one year in 
county jail; and being fined 
up to $50,000.”

 The release also states 
that, “Pasadena police and 
firefighters are teaming up for 
special fireworks enforcement 
patrols before and during the 
Fourth of July holiday, and 
officers will seize fireworks in 
an effort to protect the public. 
Parking enforcement officers 
will ensure that vehicles 
illegally parked in Pasadena’s 
hillside areas on July 4 are 
impounded.”

 Last year, the Rose Bowl held 
a week long celebration that 
stared July 4 with the 96th 
AmericaFest and ended July 
9 with the Palomino Festival, 
a country music event 
presented by Goldenvoice. 
Rose Bowl officials said that 
all those who purchased 
a Palomino Festival pass 
were given free AmericaFest 
tickets.

 Officials expect over 70,000 
fans for the LA Galaxy’s 
Season Opener. 

 Pasadena Reinforces 
All Fireworks Are 
Illegal and Ordinance 
Will Be Strictly 
Enforced

Pasadena set to Recognize 
Elder Abuse Awareness Day

 The City of Pasadena and 
WISE & Healthy Aging Long-
Term Care Ombudsman 
Program recognize that elder 
abuse can happen to anyone, 
anywhere, at any time. At the 
June 12 City Council meeting, 
Mayor Victor M. Gordo will 
proclaim June 15, Elder Abuse 
Awareness Day in Pasadena. 
Purple flags have been placed 
on the lawn of the Pasadena 
Public Health Department to 
signify the number of abuses 
reported by Pasadena residents, 
and to honor those who have 
been affected by elder abuse.

 “Elder abuse is a serious 
issue affecting one of the most 
vulnerable groups in our 
nation,” said Manuel Carmona, 
acting director of Pasadena 
Public Health Department. 
“Older adults deserve to live 
with dignity, security and 
appreciation.”

 Each year, an estimated 5 
million older adults are abused, 
neglected or exploited. Elder 
abuse can lead to serious 
physical injuries and long-term 
psychological consequences, 
and can result in significant 
financial loss. In the U.S., the 
estimated loss by victims of 
financial abuse is estimated to 
be at least $2.6 billion, according 
to the National Council on 
Aging. Unfortunately, it occurs 
in every demographic and can 
happen to anyone—a family 
member, a neighbor, even you. 
Experts believe that elder abuse 
is significantly under-reported, 
in part because so many of our 
communities lack the social 
supports that would make it 
easier for those who experience 
abuse to report it. Research 
suggests that as few as 1 in 14 
cases of elder abuse come to the 
attention of authorities.

 In 2022, Pasadena Police 
Department received 31 reports 
of elder abuse in Pasadena. Elder 
abuse comes in many forms, 
including neglect and financial, 
emotional, sexual or physical 
abuse. “We have a collective 
responsibility to protect senior 
residents by recognizing and 
reporting elder abuse when it 
occurs,” said Police Chief Eugene 
Harris. “Anyone with questions 
concerning elder abuse is urged 
to call the special victim unit 
supervisor, Sgt. Brian Bulaon, at 
(626) 744-3863.”

 Help prevent and address 
elder abuse by reporting it 
to authorities as soon as it is 
suspected. This also includes 
reporting any suspected abuse 
pertaining to nursing homes 
and residential care facilities. 
Physical injury, neglect, and/
or emotional or behavioral 
changes are all telltale signs of 
abuse that could be exhibited by 
a loved one and should compel 
you to take immediate action.


City Council 
to Hear 2023 
Homeless 
Count Results

 The City of Pasadena 
Housing Department staff will 
present the results of the 2023 
Pasadena Homeless Count 
at the regular City Council 
meeting on Monday.

 The count was conducted on 
the night of Tuesday, January 
24, with the “night” beginning 
at sunset on January 24 and 
ending on January 25. Despite 
permanently housing more 
people in 2022 than ever before, 
556 people were experiencing 
homelessness on the night 
of the Point-in-Time Count, 
marking a 9 percent increase 
over the 2022 count. This 
increase was driven by a rise 
in the number of people who 
are experiencing homelessness 
for the first time and a growing 
population of seniors (62+) 
experiencing homelessness. 
As such, these increasing 
inflows point to a need for 
even more emergency shelter 
and permanent housing, as 
well as expanded homelessness 
prevention resources.

 In 2022, 310 people who 
experienced homelessness in 
Pasadena were permanently 
housed through programs 
operated in Pasadena and other 
parts of Los Angeles County. 
This represents a 48 percent 
growth in people permanently 
housed by Pasadena programs 
since 2019.

 The Homeless Count results 
are one of many data sources 
the city uses to measure the 
prevalence of homelessness in 
Pasadena and does not reflect 
the total number of people 
who experience homelessness 
throughout the year. The 
results are useful for tracking 
trends over time and learning 
about the demographics of 
the homeless population. 
For more information visit: 
pasadenahomelesscount.org.

Pasadena E-Bike Rebate 
Pilot Program set to Launch 

 Pasadena Water and Power 
(PWP) is excited to announce a 
new e-bike rebate pilot program, 
which will launch July 1.

 The California Department of 
Motor Vehicles defines e-bikes 
as “a bicycle fully equipped with 
fully operable pedals and an 
electric motor of less than 750 
watts.” The new pilot rebates will 
apply to new Class 1, Class 2 and 
Class 3 e-bikes with a limit of 
two per PWP residential electric 
service account. Scooters, 
mopeds, segways and e-bike 
conversion kits will not qualify.

 The rebate amounts will range 
from $500 to $1,000 for e-bikes 
purchased at retailers within the 
City of Pasadena. Further details 
about the program, including 
how to apply, will be announced: 
at PWPweb.com in late June.

- $500 for the purchase of a new 
qualifying electric bicycle from a 
bike shop located in the City of 
Pasadena.

- $250 bonus for the purchase of 
a qualifying new e-cargo bike or 
adaptive e-bike from a bike shop 
located in the City of Pasadena.

- Additional $250 bonus is 
available if the customer is 
enrolled in PWP’s income-
qualified bill assistance program.

 The pilot program joins a 
robust suite of PWP rebates 
focused on sustainable energy, 
electrification and helping 
customers save on their utility 
bill. For more information on 
PWP rebates, including electric 
vehicle rebates and incentives for 
energy efficient appliances, visit 
PWPweb.com/SaveMoney.

 PWP provides electricity to more 
than 65,000 customers within 
Pasadena. PWP delivers water 
to almost 38,000 households 
and businesses in Pasadena and 
adjacent communities in the San 
Gabriel Valley. As a community-
owned utility, PWP is a not-for-
profit public service owned and 
operated by the City of Pasadena 
for the benefit of its customers 
and the community. Its priorities 
are reliability, responsiveness to 
customers, reasonable rates and 
environmental stewardship.


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