Story by Trisha Chakraborty
Staff Writer
Photo by Madeline Madrigal
Staff Photographer
At the city council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Senator Anthony Portantino joined council members for a brief presentation on his administration’s accomplishments and achievements. This visit marked Portantino’s final appearance in South Pasadena as the 25th District Senator, as he is running for the 30th District Senate seat in the upcoming election.
Portantino has championed multiple gun safety measures and several mental health-related bills, including a law passed in 2019 requiring public high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.
Earlier during the day, Portantino joined South Pasadena officials during a media briefing to celebrate the successful acquisition and upcoming sale of several properties that were historically owned by the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans.
These houses were originally seized by the state in the 1950s and ‘60s through eminent domain as part of the plans for the now defunct 710 Freeway extension project. The sale of these homes to private owners marks a victory for the community and a major step in returning these historic properties to local control, and is ultimately a symbolic conclusion in South Pasadena’s long standing fight to preserve its community from state-led freeway expansion.
“When we sat down and we negotiated the end of the freeway, it was a big deal and it happened because … so many people came together to demand that,” Portantino said.
As the meeting drew to a close, Portantino shifted his focus to express his gratitude for the city council’s long standing support and partnership.
“I want to say thank you for your friendship all these years — thank you for working so closely with my staff,” Portantino said. “It’s just been an honor to represent you.”
