Rocha is playing political games

[Lester]

Council Member Joe Rocha is playing political games at the expense of a Mountain Cove resident.

Our neighbor, Pat Mallon, spoke at the last city council meeting to thank the city council for making this city a better place to live. In doing so, Mr. Mallon mentioned that Azusa was previously known as a city with problems. And he said that the changes that the council has been making have made him proud to call the city of Azusa home. After Pat Mallon left the meeting, Joe Rocha felt that it was an opportune time to say that he disagreed with Pat that Azusa had problems in the past.

We have since found out that Joe Rocha is considering running for Mayor in the next election in March. He is looking for ways to get support with his campaign. And I’m assuming that he also made the comment to get support from what he thinks is his base. I think that it is wrong to pretend that Azusa’s history did not exist in order to get some kind of political support. I have spent my entire life in this valley. It is no secret in this valley that Azusa has had problems. Yes, Azusa has had a history of problems with shootings, corrupt politicians (who are thankfully not in office any more), the building of too many apartments that have not been taken care of properly, biker’s fights at bars, gang problems, a red light district, racial problems between Latin gang members and African Americans, and neighborhoods not being taken care of. The city has done a great job in dealing with each of these issues.

I was very disappointed to hear what he did. I have voted for Joe Rocha in the past but it will make me think twice before voting for him again. I think that he owes Mr. Mallon an apology.

[Lester]

I never said that there was anything wrong with Rocha running for Mayor. I don’t care if he runs for Mayor.

This is about a Council Member, that is supposed represent all citizens of this city, condemning a statement that was made by a resident when the resident was not even there to speak for himself. A resident that came to the meeting to thank the council for doing such a good job. His comment at the last meeting was inappropriate. And I still feel that he should apologize.

Mr. Mallon did not say anything about the city being crap and he never said anything about the people that live here being bad. If Mr. Mallon would have said something like that, then I would understand Mr. Rocha’s comments. But Mr. Mallon did not say that. A couple other residents of Mountain Cove (out of over 600 residents) may have made other comments previously but Mr. Mallon should not be judged by what other residents have said.

There are people in Azusa that have looked to hate us even before this development was built. When people want to hate you, they will find a reason to hate you. I don't think that anyone on the city council should support it.