PASADENA—The Armenian National Committee of America Pasadena Chapter announces its endorsement of Mayor Terry Tornek for a second term.
The ANCA Pasadena Chapter’s support of Mayor Tornek’s candidacy for the second term is based on his proactive leadership during the last four years as the City’s Mayor and for his strong support of the Armenian American Community.
Mayor Tornek’s key priorities include: protecting Pasadena’s neighborhoods from overdevelopment, supporting public schools, public safety, and homelessness. Mayor Tornek advocated for the passing of Measure I and J campaigns to bring additional funds to city services and to public schools. During his tenure, a controversial 710-Freeway extension plan was finally terminated, a major victory for Pasadena. Before serving as Mayor, he was elected twice to service as City Councilmember for District 7. Mayor Tornek also served as Pasadena’s Planning Director for three years and helped to rewrite the Zoning Ordinance, the General Plan, and establish the redevelopment plan for Old Pasadena.
Mayor Tornek was born and raised in New York City and moved to Pasadena from Massachusetts in 1982 to accept the position of Planning Director. He graduated from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School with a degree in Public & International Affairs. He also earned a Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University’s School of Architecture.
“Mayor Terry Tornek has brought extensive public service experience combined with his vision for Pasadena’s future. Under his leadership as the Mayor, the City had a balanced budget, reduced crime and homelessness. Furthermore, Pasadena’s Armenian American community had a very positive relationship with Mayor Tornek during the last four years and we would like to continue and build on that relationship,” said Shoghig Yepremian, Chair of ANCA Pasadena Chapter. Mayor Tornek has been a strong advocate on Armenian American issues in Pasadena and, in 2013, voted to approve the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Pasadena’s Memorial Park.
The ANCA, Pasadena Chapter believes that Mayor Tornek will continue to improve on insuring diverse and equal representation of all ethnic communities within the city’s government and urges the Armenian American community as well as the community at large to participate in the upcoming election on March 3.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter is the oldest, largest, and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization of its kind within the City of Pasadena. Founded in 1979, the Pasadena ANCA advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s thriving Armenian-American community and promotes increased civic service and participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
