John Kennedy is the winner of the most watched city council race in Pasadena, California, last week. The District, known as District Three, may mark the first time three Black men ran for a seat to represent a constituency in Pasadena's history. The District is far from being just a Black District. It stretches throughout one of the largest and most prosperous and influential business areas of this city, known as the City of Roses.Pasadena District Three councilman elect John Kennedy, in a recent interview with The Journal, says he is proud to represent the third District. He says that it is now time to come together and start tackling the serious issues that affect the district. He lists housing, safety, economic development, jobs, governmental accountability and removal of unnecessary governmental policies as the most pressing issues to be faced.His primary concern is in lifting up the community, collectively. He looks forward to beginning to work with his fellow council representatives and the community to solve the problems and improve the quality of life in District Three and the overall city.He sees a positive future for Pasadena and says that even though there are differing views on issues in the city, "What binds us together is stronger than that which separates us."His goal is to reach out to all the voters no matter which candidate they voted for. He believes that coming together, and binding together, is the recipe for winning as a community.John is an example of a hometown boy made good. In a sense, he has come home to use his talent and give back to his community what he has gained in knowledge and experience over the past years.He has been a corporate executive for a utilities company who made sure that the corporation contributed to the growth and welfare of the community. He is a former Pasadena NAACP President and made history as the youngest president in that organization's history. He currently serves as an Executive for the Los Angeles Branch of the National Urban League, and now as council member elect for the great third district of Pasadena.Kennedy's list of endorsers, published in the February 28, 2013 of this paper was impressive. The list tells a story of his appeal to the broad diverse constituency of Pasadena movers and shakers as well as the, proverbial, common man. Businessmen and women, educators, preachers and leaders of every stripe serve as predictors of success in moving Pasadena's third district toward social and economic progress.The Journal wishes him well. The other two candidates whose love for the community led them to run to represent the third district also contributed to the growth and progress of District Three. They will, hopefully, be there to serve as advisors to Kennedy and contributors for the continued progress of the city. They are needed and still part of the village, and it will take all of us in to promote and achieve the progress Pasadena deserves.
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