Trash collection a hot top in Pasadena election

Controversy over the recent introduction of a pilot once-a-week trash collection program in Pasadena sparked some challengers' campaigns in the May 14 City Council election.

The once-a-week pilot trash pick-up program was introduced in October in some areas of Districts A, B, C, D and E as a potential cost-cutting measure. Those residents who were affected were each supplied with a 96-gallon green trash can, which would be emptied curbside once a week. All other residents of Pasadena store trash in provided large, heavy paper bags, which are picked up twice a week.

District C

Real estate broker Rick Guerrero said he is challenging the status quo and accused elected officials of being complacent.

"If we want the same result, then we will continue to do the same things," Guerrero said. "I am confident things can be done in the city if we focus on them."

Guerrero, 49, pledged to be open, honest and accessible to constituents and said he would call for improvements in safety and infrastructure.

A fiscal conservative who said he would strive to ensure city funds are spent wisely, Guerrero said he brings business experience, community involvement and common sense to the table.

A longtime resident, Guerrero has served on various boards, including for the San Jacinto YMCA, Pasadena Corps of the Salvation Army and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. He also is a past president of Kiwanas Club of Pasadena. Guerrero is married with four grown children.

Incumbent Don Harrison, 60, said a total of 16 years' service on the council gives him the experience needed to represent his district.

"I feel like I'm an independent voice," said Harrison, 71. "Every time I vote, I think about what would be best for the constituents of District C and the city of Pasadena."

Harrison, who retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, cited his recent stand against the trash pick-up pilot program, introduced as a cost-cutting measure.

The program, he said, is not popular with some of his constituents, who want to maintain twice a week pick-up and don't want the task of moving the large plastic bins.

Harrison said his people skills, education, leadership and expertise in flood-control projects prove valuable.

Harrison is married with two grown children.

District D

Incumbent Pat Van Houte said she is seeking a second term because she enjoys what she does and wants to continue to meet the needs of constituents.

Van Houte, 54, said she has brought infrastructure needs to the attention of the city's public works and planning officials, including street and sidewalk improvements for Red Bluff, Thomas, Tilden, Bearle, Pomona and Marshall streets.

Van Houte pledged to continue to promote development on vacant lots in an effort to boost property values.

She also wants to partner with the Pasadena school district to build sidewalks in the Deepwater area under the Safe to Schools program.

Van Houte said she is detail-oriented and pays attention to contracts and city codes, which she said have helped her serve constituents well.

A 30-year resident, Van Houte said that despite the city's challenges in balancing the budget, it should restore the police academy.

She said the city needs to continue working to access funds for infrastructure projects.

A community activist, Liz Bias said she is running because she wants to help improve the city.

Bias, a youth development director at San Jacinto YMCA, said the key is investing in young people.

"Kids need role models," she said. "We have gangs here, and we have to provide kids other activities. The kids are our future."

Bias started a community teen group and has them doing community projects such as picking up trash.

"It's about being proud of where they live," she said.

Bias, 40, said as an Hispanic, she wants to reach out to Hispanics and encourage civic engagement.

"I believe I can help break down ethnic and cultural barriers in Pasadena and bring Hispanics and non-Hispanics together," she said.

Bias said she has helped get sidewalks in Jenkins Village and that she started a neighborhood association to clean trash from streets.

A 15-year resident, Bias is married with one child.

District E

Erv Brannon said he is seeking a third term because he has developed the experience and knowledge to serve constituents well and preserve the integrity of City Council.

Brannon, 79, said he originally ran for office because council was not conducting itself properly and changes were needed. He said he has since helped bring in an independent auditor and has been a good steward of taxpayers' money.

"Overall, City Council has done a very, very good job," he said.

Brannon said the city balanced the budget in the face of fiscal challenges while still retaining "rainy day" funds.

Brannon, who worked in industrial implementation until retiring 18 years ago, said he is well-rounded and doesn't take things personally.

"I'm running again because so many people want people who will be honest and open-minded and don't have a personal agenda," he said.

A resident of Pasadena since 1955, Brannon is married with three grown children.

Pat Riley, the city's first female mayor pro tem is running again because she thinks she could do more for constituents of District E.

"I don't feel like the incumbent has done enough for his constituents," Riley said.

Riley, 80, served on council for eight years, as her late husband, Harry Riley, did before her.

"I understand the complexities of city government, from experience through my husband's and my own service," she said.

Riley was galvanized to run by the recent controversy over the once-a-week trash collection pilot program, which she said does not have the backing of residents.

"I have not spoken with anyone that wants the green tubs," she said.

Riley said many residents want to maintain twice a week trash pick-up.

Riley, a retired court clerk who has lived in the city since 1943, pledged to be available to constituents and fight for their needs.

Richard Serna, 31, said he would bring fresh ideas and youth to City Council.

Serna, who lives on the north side, believes little has changed in the area and has pledged to improve services there.

Serna said cutting services, such as changing trash pick-up from two days to one and laying off city employees does little to improve the city.

"Whenever we hire someone, we make a pledge to them," Serna said. "If cuts are made, they have to be done responsibly."

A post office clerk at San Jacinto College, Serna said five years of service in the U.S. Navy in logistics and his professional experience have prepared him for council service.

"I think I am more representative of my district," Serna said.

Serna returned to live in the city three years ago from Columbus, Ohio, having grown up Pasadena.

District F

David Stroder, who was on the ballot in two previous elections, said he is running again to offer a different voice on City Council.

"Right now, our administration is a freight train," he said.

With his conservative viewpoint, Stroder, 51, pledged to be attentive to citizens' needs and seek input about policies on taxation. He said also he would work to halt falling property values and address crime and the pay scale of city employees.

"For this administration to give pay raises to people already overpaid is a bad decision," Stroder said. "I would vote against it."

Stroder, a contractor and real estate agent who owns a steel salvage yard, said he brings 19 years of successful business practices and good decision-making to the table.

Stroder has lived in the city for 25 years.

Incumbent Phil Cayten said he is seeking a seventh term because he said he enjoys helping people.

"I'm in it for the people," he said.

Cayten said he stood up to the majority on council who voted to implement the controversial trash pick-up pilot program because he was representing constituents who were against the program.

An engineer with KBR, Cayten said his expertise in construction management and his ability to solve problems and listen to all sides are assets to the city.

Cayten said the city faces a number of challenges, including improving streets and drainage. If re-elected, he said he would provide the continuity in helping the city bring projects to the forefront.

Cayten, 66, is seeking a third consecutive term this time around, having previously been termed limited out after serving four terms.

Cayten is married with three grown children.

District H

If elected, David Williford pledged to work toward improving the city's image and making it a desirable place to live.

"We have to prove Pasadena is the place to live," he said.

Williford, 34, said the pilot trash pick-up program doesn't help the city's image and is unpopular, especially amongst the elderly, who have difficulty with the large bins.

He said the city has to address drainage and be sensible about growth to handle increased traffic.

"We need to be ahead of game and put more thought into growth," Williford said.

An information technology manager, Williford pledged to listen and learn from residents to find out what they want.

Williford serves on the board of directors of the Gulf Coast District Exchange Club and served on committees for the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo and Pasadena Strawberry Festival.

Married with one child, Williford has lived in the city on and off for 10 years.

Incumbent Darrell Morrison believes City Council has started to accomplish many things, and he wants to stick around to continue that progress.

Morrison, who is seeking a second term, said the widening of Fairmont Parkway has relieved traffic congestion, and he said the ongoing project to widen Genoa-Red Bluff Road will further reduce congestion.

Morrison said City Council has built up a strong relationship with the police and fire departments, resulting in improved services.

A civil engineer, Morrison said this council also has been successful in attracting business to the city, citing a new hospital and the new Nestle water bottling facility.

Morrison pledged to work toward providing residents with the same quality of service in a challenging economy.

Morrison said his background in engineering is an asset to council related to the budget process and infrastructure needs.

Born and raised in Pasadena, Morrison, 51, is married with three children.

Other seats

Running unopposed are the following incumbents: Ornaldo Ybarra, a 32-year-old police officer, in District A; Jackie Ruth Welch, a 79-year-old retiree, in District B; and Steve Cote, 40, a risk consultant, in District G.

Jennifer Halvorson withdrew as a candidate in District B.

Rick Guerrero served on the San Jacinto YMCA.