THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT, NOT JUST AT LAST NIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, BUT ALL YEAR LONG! Your inspiring words and actions are appreciated more than you know.We will work hard for all of you to earn your continued support and trust.
Last night the City Council Chamber was packed to overflowing by supporters and well wishers as the DPOA prepared to offer up to the council all the reasons it should be renewed. Turns out the audience did our work for us. When it was our turn to speak, not much could be added that had not already been said. The vote was painstakingly slow, but there's no denying it was "thorough". The final vote of property owners was 72% for and 28% against. Impressive!
I just wanted to share with you that this month's Second Saturday had a fabulous turnout, especially for West side of the Arts Colony. In the three years that I've been here, this has been one of the biggest and best turnouts - definitely the reason DPOA needs to continue it's fine work and keep doing what it does - so that we can continue to have these kinds of turnouts throughout the entire Arts Colony and the positive response from visitors to our Downtown.
Lisa Cabrera Cabrera's: An Eclectic Art Gallery 637 W. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766
At last night's special Council meeting several people spoke about the work the DPOA does for the downtown, some spoke against the DPOA, but without a doubt everyone was sending a message,and not necessarily to the City Council. If you listened you heard a chorus of people from all walks of life describing Pomona, particulalry downtown Pomona, or Metro Pomona as we like to say, as a part of their lives, a community, a home, a place to point to with pride, a place of business and livlihood for some and a social gathering place for others. It is obvious that Metro Pomona means something special to so many people. The possesiveness and pride of occupancy, residency,and ownership came through loud and clear. Even the critics of the DPOA spoke of Metro Pomona with a sense of pride.
Metro Pomona is a living, breathing work in progress to most, like a child going through its formitive years. There was no talk of her age however (over 120 years) her pot-holed streets, her drafty buildings, her parking issues, or any of her shortcomings. All talk about her was positive, like a parent boasting about their child,only the positive attributes were mentioned. There was a lot of talk about her behavior in former years and the transition she has made from then to now. As with any parent there is a desire to have your child live up to their potential, and that is what was really happening last night.
The message from the audience and City Council alike was not lost on the DPOA. There is much more to do, and some things have to be done better. Dialog and constructive, strategical goals need to be developed and implemented. The DPOA has moved from adolescence to adulthood in short order,of necessity, and not unlike any awkward, gawky teenager has experienced some of lifes realites. But having been prepared well for its role in the real world, the DPOA is now ready to leave home and become a contributing member of society.
To all of you that came out in support of the DPOA and to all of you who spoke in favor of the DPOA and to all of you who have helped to shape the DPOA, thank you! We still have some tough obstacles to overcome in terms of the re-certification. The ballots went out last night to all property owners in the PBID They now have 45 days to return them to the City Clerk. On July 20 the City Council will hold a public hearing on the matter, the sealed ballots will be counted.If the votes are there, and the City Council wishes, the DPOA will be re-certified. That is an over simplification of the process, but you get the idea. So we're halfway there at this point. The City Council has given the DPOA the opportunity to continue with the process and that in itself says that we're doing something right. As we were told last night and in weeks past there is much more to do and much that we do can be done better. We're listening.
Thursday evening at the Sheraton Fairplex friends and family of Chief Romero gathered to wish him well in his retirement from the City of Pomona. It was a sell-out crowd with over 250 in attendance. From Explorer to chief in 33 years, two medals of valor, and hundreds if not thousands of friends. Chiefs of police from many Southern California cities came to honor him, as well as many city and state officials. It was a bitter-sweet evening for the chief, but a fitting display of appreciation and affection from the community that he loves so dearly.
Now here's something you don't see every day. Taking time out from a busy schedule, Mayor Rothman took the time to play a quick round of ping pong with Sally Egan Sunday evening. Turns out he's pretty darn good at it too. While we don't know the score, the mayor won!
This afternoon at 2 PM (actually 2:25 P.M.) Councilman Stephen Atchley was sworn in as Councilman for Pomona's 6th District and Councilman Elliott Rothman was sworn is a Pomona's new Mayor.
There was standing room only in the council chambers with an overflow crowd in the vestibule and outside of council chambers. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts carried the colors into the chambers.
Mayor Elliott was given two standing ovations. One of them may have been for his comments "no meeting should last more than 30 minutes."
Norma Torres, now Assemblywoman Torres, made the trip to acknowledge Mayor Rothman and presented certificates to both Atchley and Rothman.
The front two rows of the council chamber were filled with family members of both Councilman Atchley and Mayor Rothman. Councilmembers Rodriguez and Carrizosa both pledged their support to the new mayor.
After almost 5 years the beautiful mural that is so much a part of Downtown Pomona is finally finshed. With the dogged persistence of Cheryl Bookout, and the generous financial assistance provided by the Vehicle Parking District (VPD), the artists have finished the project and even given the mural a few coats of varnish to protect it for years to come.
