2018 WISPPA MEETINGS
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November 3, 2018
WISPPA Annual Meeting
WISPPA Annual Meeting
The year in review, election of the board, Commission and City Council updates and members sharing ideas & concerns for next year.
Also, we introduced our new interim Police Chief Brian Solinsky.
Also, we introduced our new interim Police Chief Brian Solinsky.
October 6, 2018
League of Women Voters: "JUST THE FACTS - California State Proposition Pros and Cons"
League of Women Voters: "JUST THE FACTS - California State Proposition Pros and Cons"
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Our speakers, Felicia Williams and Marna Cornell presented information on the measures including background, fiscal effects and who’s spending money on both sides. WISPPA member Diana Mahmud filled us in on Measure M. The LWV has on online guide - Voter's Edge - where you can find in-depth information about what's on your ballot. Just use your address to get a personalized ballot and in-depth info on candidates, measures, and who supports them.
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Felicia Williams, Marna Cornell and Bianca Richards
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Felicia Williams has a background in municipal finance and public policy. Currently, she is an independent consultant providing finance, economic development, urban planning, and sustainability services to local cities. Ms. Williams has served as a Commissioner in the City of Pasadena since 2006 and is currently on the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. She also serves on the Pasadena Educational Foundation and Pasadena Police and Fire Foundation Boards.
Marna Cornell was Past President of Pasadena Area League of Women Voters and presently Membership Chair. She is also a Commissioner on the Pasadena Status of Women Commission. She is a retired educator having taught elementary public school for 25 years. Her last years were spent as a Literacy Coach helping teachers and doing Professional Development. |
September 8, 2018
"It's All About U, The Utility Tax Takeaways"
South Pasadena City Treasurer, Gary Pia outlined the facts of what the loss of the Utility User's Tax will mean.
"It's All About U, The Utility Tax Takeaways"
South Pasadena City Treasurer, Gary Pia outlined the facts of what the loss of the Utility User's Tax will mean.
WISPPA President Bianca Richards and City Treasurer Gary Pia
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WISPPA membership voted to support "NO on Measure N" . WISPPA determined that the loss of funds would drastically change the quality of life for the residents in South Pasadena.
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June 2nd, 2018
"The Future of WISPPA."
"The Future of WISPPA."
WISPPA President Bianca Richards with the members' invaluable input on where WISPPA needs to go in the future.
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May 5th "Cinco De Mayo"
"South Pasadena's Hispanic Heritage and
Its Influences Upon Local Architecture and Art."
Judith M. Harris, WISPPA secretary, moderated our panel:
"South Pasadena's Hispanic Heritage and
Its Influences Upon Local Architecture and Art."
Judith M. Harris, WISPPA secretary, moderated our panel:
After the meeting, Jolino and Lela Bissner brought audience members next door at the library to view Jolino's murals. Our audience was also entertained by a wonderful group of high school musicians who played Latin jazz pieces.
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John Lesak
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Kenny Schultz: Baritone Saxophone/Tenor Saxophone, Matthew Son: Trumpet, Ian Wang: Piano,
Frank Figueroa: Guitar, Max Meszaros: Bass, Ben Fogel: Drums.
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Jolino Beserra
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April 7th, 2018
“Celebrating the Arts - Lissa Reynolds - A Woman of Independent Means"
“Celebrating the Arts - Lissa Reynolds - A Woman of Independent Means"
WISPPA is very grateful to Lissa Reynolds for giving this amazing performance in which she shared Bess' letters as Bess endures life's trial and triumphs with unfailing courage and indomitable spirit: the sacrifices love sometimes requires of the heart, the flaws and rewards of marriage, the the will to defy a society that demands conformity.
New WISPPA Meeting Room at the Senior Center
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Our very own Lissa Reynolds enthralled the WISPPA audience with a concert reading/performance of A WOMAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS written by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. Actress and WISPPA member Lissa Layng Reynolds performed the play, “A Woman of Independent Means” for a 6 month run at the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena, before touring the show in the US and Canada. She also performed a shorter version at the Arts Crawl recently. A bestselling sensation when it was first published by Viking in 1978, A Woman of Independent Means has delighted millions of readers. At the turn of the century, a time when women had few choices, Bess Steed Garner inherits a legacy—not only of wealth but of determination and desire, making her truly a woman of independent means. Told in letters, the book follows the remarkable life of Bess Steed Garner from her childhood in 1899 to her death in 1977. |
March 3rd, 2018
“Addressing Homelessness in South Pasadena and Surrounding Communities."
“Addressing Homelessness in South Pasadena and Surrounding Communities."
(L to R) Judith Harris, Karen Aceves, Sgt. Robledo, Keith Hendrikson, Winnie Fong, and Marlene Moore
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Winnie Fong, Consultant, gave an excellent presentation on the City of South Pasadena Homeless Plan. The City of South Pasadena has received a $30,000 grant from Los Angeles County and United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Ms. Fong has been hired by the city with the use of grant money to analyze and develop solutions for the homelessness that persists in certain corners of the city and across its borders. Judith M. Harris, LCSW, WISPPA Secretary led a panel discussion: 1) what is being done to address homelessness in South Pasadena and surrounding communities 2) what plans to address homelessness in the community are in the works 3) what residents can do to help address homelessness in our community. The panel included Marlene Moore, Director of Community Services at Holy Family Church St. Joseph Center, Keith Hendrikson, Union Station Homeless Services Manager, and Karen Aceves, Management Analyst, City of South Pasadena. Also joining the panel was City of South Pasadena’s Sergeant Shannon Robledo, who created the Homeless Outreach Program (HOPE) that balances the needs of the homeless community with law enforcement. |
February 3rd, 2018
4th Annual Community Connections Forum
WISPPA thanks our panel for giving us an enlightening overview of the services they provide and the challenges they face.
Mayor Richard Schneider-representing the City;
Steve Fjeldsted, Director of Library, Arts, and Culture;
Sheila Pautsch, Community Services Director ;
Jon Primuth, SPUSD board member.
To read the article in the South Pasadena Review, click here.
4th Annual Community Connections Forum
WISPPA thanks our panel for giving us an enlightening overview of the services they provide and the challenges they face.
Mayor Richard Schneider-representing the City;
Steve Fjeldsted, Director of Library, Arts, and Culture;
Sheila Pautsch, Community Services Director ;
Jon Primuth, SPUSD board member.
To read the article in the South Pasadena Review, click here.
WISPPA members & Safety Commission members Ellen Daigle and Mary Urquhart gave WISPPA an update on the the Police, Fire, and safety programs in the city.
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Jon Primuth, Bianca Richards, Mayor Rick Schneider, Sheila Pautsch, Steve Fjeldsted
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Thanks to State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino who gave WISPPA a brief update on what is happening on the state level.
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January 6, 2018
Topic: State of the State Address
Speaker: State Assemblyman Chris Holden
Topic: State of the State Address
Speaker: State Assemblyman Chris Holden
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California State Assembly Member Chris Holden updated the approximately 3 dozen attendees on recent activities in the State Assembly. He said that the 710 tunnel project through South Pasadena "is dead". He also mentioned AB 533 which he introduced into the Assembly last February, which calls for the formation of an advisory committee to discuss alternatives to the tunnel option by January 1, 2019. About to return to Sacramento after the holiday break, Holden said the Assembly will be addressing health care, immigration and a Federal effort to start drilling for oil along the California coastline. He also mentioned his work towards funding the Arroyo Seco bike path. Other issues facing the state are homeless and veteran housing, climate change, and getting low cost passes for K-12 and community college students to use public transportation. Holden praised WISPPA for their activism in seeking regulations for massage parlors. |
California State Assembly Man Chris Holden - 41st District.
Photo courtesy of the South Pasadena Review.
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