4th District / <i> East Pasadena</i> : Cordiality Marks Races for Pasadena City Council Seats : Candidates Portray Themselves as Mediators in Wake of Years of Acrimony at City Hall

Paparian is considered the prohibitive favorite to win a third term in District 4, which has mostly middle- to upper-middle-class neighborhoods as well as commercial and industrial zones.

He is being challenged by June Takenouchi, a real estate broker and president of the East Orange Grove Neighborhood Assn.

Keeping crime out of the neighborhood always has been a big issue in District 4. Replacing lost industry also is a concern.

Paparian, a lawyer, has made public safety a priority during his eight years on the council. He has pushed to have more firefighters on engine companies. He also supported spending money the city received for hosting the World Cup on a gang prevention program.

“We’re working to get involved before (kids) reach the gangs,” Paparian said.

He also said he is the best candidate to attract new business to the area, having voted for sales-tax rebates in the past to help entrepreneurs.

But Paparian does have a liability. Since his first election in 1987, Paparian said he would only serve two terms.

But the councilman said there are mitigating factors. First, redistricting greatly changed the area he has represented during his second term. Paparian also said he cannot ignore the results of a recent district survey he conducted. About 90% of the respondents said they want Paparian to seek a third term despite the promise, the councilman said.

“That is no longer an issue,” he said.

Takenouchi said she doesn’t trust Paparian because of the broken two-term vow. She said she will focus her campaign on cutting wasteful spending that has prompted higher municipal fees, including more parking meters around the city.

“We have to look for a place to cut,” Takenouchi said. “You have to have a strong police department and a strong fire department, but let’s skip the social programs for now.”