Chamber Announces “Meet the Mayor” Mixer

The South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has announced the first “Meet the Mayor” Mixer for South Pasadena to be held Wednesday, January 28th in the South Pasadena Library Community Room. Mayor David Sifuentes will discuss his hopes for the year ahead and answer questions from the audience.

Mayor Sifuentes will be introduced by Gary Pia of G. E. Pia & Company and Chamber Board Chair, who will update the audience on Chamber activities. Then the Mayor is expected to comment on strategic goals for the city, the impact of the recession on the local economy, and his hopes for the year ahead regarding the community.

There will be an opportunity for members of the audience to ask questions.

“Meet the Mayor” is an outgrowth of the Chamber’s efforts to connect citizens and businesses with legislative leadership. Other events have included candidate forums in the Lunch n’ Learn series which have brought Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to the city.

“It’s time we hosted a legislator who’s closer to home,” explains Chamber CEO Scott Feldmann.

Feldmann said the Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee had hoped to launch this event for some time, and determined that 2009 was the year to start with because of the launch of a new publication: SouthPas Connections, 2009 Business Directory & Community Guide. The 36-page booklet will be distributed in early February to every household in the city. Each attendee will get an advance copy of the new “SouthPas Connections” booklet.

“Meet the Mayor” is intended to become an annual event, always in the last week in January, and featuring the newly appointed Mayor of South Pasadena.

The date is timely because the local municipal election date was changed from March to November to coincide with national elections. The City Council reorganization happens shortly afterward each year, in which one of the five Councilpersons becomes Mayor for a one-year term.

The evening will begin with a social hour and feature music & entertainment from local artist, along with wine and light appetizers. “Meet the Mayor” is open to the public. There is an admission fee to benefit the Chamber, a non-profit organization. Tickets are $10 per person. “Meet the Mayor” will be in the South Pasadena Library Community Room at 1115 El Centro Street, South Pasadena. Doors open at 7pm and the presentations will end around 9pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

“Meet the Mayor” is sponsored by Shaw, Moses, Mendenhall & Associates, Athens Services, Atlantic Communications, Chamber Trustees and the City of South Pasadena.

The South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce works to promote economic success and well-being by connecting business owners and operators with the community and the City in one of the most enduring “Small Town America” environments in Southern California. For more information about the Chamber, visit www. southpaschamber.com or call (626)441-2339.