1992 ELECTIONS : South Pasadena City Council

Population: 23,936

Election: April 14 for two at-large seats

Since the 1990 municipal election, a new city manager, police chief, fire chief and public works head have been named. Historic preservation and the proposed extension of the Long Beach Freeway remain high on the city’s priority list. City finances have suffered in the recession. A hiring freeze is in effect and the new council faces the possibility of cutting services or raising fees and taxes.

And to thicken the current political stew, for the first time, an Asian-American candidate, Paul Zee, is running for city council in the community where more than 20% of its residents are of Asian ancestry.

Incumbents:

* Evelyn Fierro, 43

Occupation: Partner in a newly formed Pasadena public relations firm.

Background: The top vote-getter when she was first elected to the council in 1988, Fierro ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat in a 1990 attempt to unseat incumbent Republican state Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy.

Remarks: “I really feel committed to this freeway fight. This is going to be a crucial year . . . and it is going to require experienced leadership. I’m largely responsible for building a coalition throughout the country on this issue,” she said. Pro-freeway and pro-development forces, she said, are fighting to oust her from office. “A very big issue in town that hasn’t been highlighted (is) development. There are forces lurking in the background, itching to do what I consider insensitive development. The community doesn’t want massive commercial development in order to finance the (public) services. But what’s hitting residents is that we’re going to have to pay for these services.” Her two accomplishments on the council, she said, are drawing national preservation and environmental organization into the fight against the freeway and her helping to create a new management team at city hall.

* Dick Richards, 70

Occupation: A retired FBI agent who once investigated mobsters in Los Angeles, he and his wife run Family Fair, a local craft, collectibles and antiques shop.

Background: Richards, now the mayor, surprised himself and others with a strong victory in a 1989 special election to replace Joseph Crosby, who died while in office.

Remarks: Richards said he “had truthfully decided . . . not to run” and to enjoy his retirement more. But he changed his mind, he said, in January when state officials announced they were going full-steam ahead with plans to extend the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. “I can bring continuity as far as the freeway issue is concerned,” he said. He also cited his desire to keep a watchful eye to ensure controlled growth in the city and to work “to maintain neighborhood integrity and bring about better financial stability” in the city. “If we’re going to maintain this level of services, fees might have to be raised.”

Challengers:

* Wallace N. Emory, 52

Occupation: Salesman with Ingram Paper Co.

Background: He is chairman of the city’s public safety commission. He is critical of recent efforts by the council to tighten requirements of a cultural heritage ordinance aimed at historic preservation. “I wholeheartedly support preservation but I think your home is your castle. I am the only candidate that is 3rd generation resident of South Pasadena,” he said. He lives with his family in the English Tudor-style house his grandmother bought in 1947.

Remarks: “The city spending is out of control and needs to be brought around,” he said. Emory is running, he said, because “community service is a way of life for me.” As an example, he said, he recently retired from the city’s police reserves, after 16 years. Based on a rookie police officer’s salary, he said he saved the city $283,000 in expenses.

* Paul Zee, 41

Occupation: President and owner of U.S. Safety and Supply Inc. an El Monte firm that distributes industrial safety equipment.

Background: Born in China, he grew up in Hong Kong and then came to the United States to attend a Nazarene college in Pasadena in 1968. He is a public safety commissioner and co-chair of task force to revitalize the city’s business district.

Remarks: “I care about the town, love the town and I want to dedicate my time and energy to the town,” he said. “I see things going wrong in this city, particularly in the financial aspects. And that’s where I am strong. I know about numbers and figures.” He “does not want the 710 freeway coming to South Pasadena at all.” But, he said, “if the city goes bankrupt, we won’t have any other issues.” Zee said he is interested in supporting “quality commercial development” as one way to increase city revenues. “But not at the risk of losing the character and identity of our town.”