Patch Blog: Running on my Convictions

Not too long ago, some friends and community leaders approached me about running for a seat on the South Pasadena City Council. I was humbled and intrigued. And since these were people I highly respected, I listened. 

I heard of their concern for the future of their beloved City under its current leadership by City Council. The symptoms they presented (lack of open and transparent decision making, possible Brown Act violations, high turnover of City staff, discussions of a 710 tunnel) along with the signs I had already seen (the Fair Oaks debacle, angry residents and merchants, stalled development projects, endless city council sessions, threat of losing the Nature Park to a Golf Course) pointed to a serious dis-ease.

I agreed to investigate the matter further and proceeded to talk with as many City leaders as I could, including ex-mayors, current councilpersons, chamber of commerce members, residents serving on commissions, and astute neighbors. 

My initial diagnosis was confirmed. The City Council had lost the public’s trust and confidence. Residents felt that the council as a leadership team was taking the City in the wrong direction—backward rather than forward—not responding to current realities and need for less polluting transportation modes, to reclaim natural habitats, open spaces, more trees to combat the inconveniences we all have to deal with as our planet’s temperature increases, as resources of water and funding for our schools diminish, and the health of people declines (obesity, diabetes, asthma and cancers as our immune systems become overwhelmed by environmental toxins, and social isolation and loneliness).

This loss of the public trust is unfortunate and dangerous. Unfortunate, because the men serving on the council sacrifice much time to try to do the right thing and with good intentions. Yet sometimes a team’s collective dynamic is unbalanced and leads to undesirable circumstances and outcomes.

Dangerous, because a City Council that has lost the public’s trust—and does not have even a single woman to represent the voices of more than 50% of our population on its decision making team—loses the credibility to navigate this City and her residents to a healthy and balanced future. 

I have to wonder why is it that so many women more qualified to serve on the council than me have not wanted to run for a seat these past 10 years? I know that there are ways to make this service on the council more appealing and palatable to these women. I intend to find out how if given the chance.

I threw my hat in the race for a seat on the council reluctantly at first, knowing the sacrifices it entailed, but with the conviction that I would be able to bring much needed diversity, vision, and perspective. I will bring the perspective of a family doctor who sees first hand the devastating effects that our sedentary and often isolating busy lifestyles have on the health of my patients. 

We, the residents of South Pasadena, are fortunate to have this livable city and community of caring and creative neighbors. We need to take these strengths and build upon them to become a model of a healthy and thriving independent small City.

We need to reclaim the quiet and safety of our residential streets and create dining, shopping, and family-friendly public spaces in our commercial zones to gather and discuss the issues facing our City. We have an opportunity to become a center for the arts and literacy and become a haven for Los Angelinos seeking respite from large cities and the urban jungle.

Some of you reading this may be thinking, "yeah, this is all well and good, like motherhood and apple pie, but how are you going to do all this."  

My answer is, "with your help, one decision at a time, and a clear vision of the destination."

Without the latter, we spin our wheels, and waste resources trying to figure out how to get to the wrong destination. With my 15-year background as a family doctor, educator, business administrator, I will contribute to City government in a meaningful way. I am grateful for the opportunity to ask for your vote on November 8.  

Thank you for your time,

Marina Khubesrian, M.D.

Candidate for South Pasadena City Council