Rick Cole

Last updated
Rick Cole's voice
Rick Cole on Santa Monica’s history of economic prosperity
Recorded February 1, 2018
Rick Cole
Rick Cole, 2019.jpg
Member of the Pasadena City Council for the 2nd District
Assuming office
December 9, 2024

Rick Cole (born June 27, 1953) is an American politician and former journalist who is a member-elect of the Pasadena City Council since 2024. Previously, he served as a councilmember from 1983 until 1995 and as Pasadena's mayor from 1992 until 1994. Cole also held positions as the city manager for Azusa, Ventura, and Santa Monica, as well as Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles under Eric Garcetti and Deputy Los Angeles City Controller under Kenneth Mejia.

Contents

Cole's early activism was marked by his involvement in various political campaigns and protests. In 1983, he made his first run in local politics by running for the Pasadena City Council, positioning himself as a populist candidate and defeating Stephen Acker, a moderate Republican. Throughout his tenure in various municipal roles, Cole promoted community participation in government. He criticized the Tournament of Roses and its association with controversial figures. He later served as city manager in several California cities. During his tenure in Santa Monica, where he encountered opposition over budget cuts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to the City Council in 2024, after defeating incumbent Felicia Williams.

Early life and education

Cole was born on June 27, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan. He moved to Pasadena, California and graduated from Blair High School, later attending with a bachelor's degree from Occidental College in 1978 and a master's degree from Columbia University in 1979. [1] He didn’t hold a full-time job until he was 30 years old when he ran for City Council. Before that, he worked as a freelance journalist, volunteered for campaigns, and headed Mayor of Cleveland Dennis Kucinich’s housing rehabilitation office for three months. [2]

While a student at Blair High School, Cole led a walkout protesting the Kent State shootings by the Ohio National Guard in 1970. That same year, he led a group shouting and firing cap guns into a meeting of conservative school board candidates. He worked for the 1972 presidential campaign of U.S. Representative Pete McCloskey, the congressional re-election campaign for Allard K. Lowenstein, and the 1979 re-election campaign for Dennis Kucinich for Mayor of Cleveland. [1]

Pasadena City Council and mayoralty

In 1983, he ran for the Pasadena Board of City Directors (later renamed the Pasadena City Council) against incumbent Stephen Acker. During his campaign, he called himself a populist rather than a liberal and referred to a progressive majority when discussing a power shift. [3] He defeated Acker in the election in an upset, becoming one of two candidates in coalition of liberals and ethnic minorities attempted to defeat incumbents on the board. [4] He resigned from Pasadena Media Inc. in December 1984 to avoid conflicts of interest with its paper, Pasadena Weekly . On January 4, 1986, Cole was hired as a legislative aide by Richard Alatorre, who had been elected to the Los Angeles City Council. [5] On May 4, 1992, Cole was named the Mayor of Pasadena, succeeding Jess Hughston, who was his history teacher while at Blair High School. [6]

While as a member of the Board, he criticized the Tournament of Roses and led compromises with the organization. While as vice mayor, he led the criticism of the appointment of a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus as grand marshal of the 1992 Rose Parade, stating that Columbus was a symbol of "greed, slavery, rape, and genocide." He also criticized the composition of the Tournament of Roses board. In the 1993 parade, he wore a T-shirt with the message "Tournament of Racism", which was obscured by another shirt. [1] In November 1994, Cole announced that he would be retiring from the council in order to improve community participation in local government. [7] He was succeeded by neighborhood activist Paul Little. [8]

City manager and deputy positions

Cole (left, behind Mayor Eric Garcetti) and the Mayor's Office of Budget and Innovation in 2014. Budget Signing (14419654358).jpg
Cole (left, behind Mayor Eric Garcetti) and the Mayor's Office of Budget and Innovation in 2014.

In July 1998, Cole was appointed as the city manager of Azusa, California, chosen by the council from an applicant pool composed of mostly bureaucrats. [9] During his tenure as Azusa's city manager, Cole played a significant role in improving the city's economy and spearheaded the implementation of the first citywide form-based code in California. [10] In March 2000, Cole was investigated for criminal vandalism after covering up a billboard for the Los Angeles Avengers that had sexually suggestive text which read "Six Beautiful Women Will Show You Their Panties". He admitted to the act, explaining that because the billboard was near a city playground, he acted according to his conscience. [11] The Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to file any charges against him. [12] Additionally, councilmember Dick Stanford paid for the use of the city truck that Cole used. [13] [14]

On January 2, 2004, Donna Landeros, the city manager of Ventura, California, resigned, citing a lack of support from council members as the reason for her departure. Cole accepted the city's offer to become the city manager in January 2004 and began working as the city manager of Ventura on April 26, 2004. As city manager of Ventura, Cole prioritized visionary goals over code enforcement and construction details, a strategy that drew criticism from some councilmembers. [14] While serving in that position, he was considered but not selected for the city manager position in Austin, Texas. [15] His forced resignation from the position in 2012 was accepted by a 4–3 vote. [16]

He became the parish administrator at the San Buenaventura Mission in 2012. [17] In July 2013, Cole was appointed by Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti to oversee budget and innovation efforts after being approached by Garcetti’s transition team. They were drawn to Cole's implementation of performance-based budgeting in Azusa and Ventura. [18] He had initially planned to remain with the administration, but when offered the position of city manager of Santa Monica, a role he was unanimously selected for by Santa Monica’s council, he decided to leave. [19]

While as Santa Monica's city manager, a petition calling for Cole's resignation was signed by more than 2,800 people, alleging that Cole asked the City Council to cut programs and furlough city staff, which he denied as rumors. [20] On April 18, 2020, Cole resigned from his position as city manager of Santa Monica, citing divisions over budget cuts because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [21] [22]

During the 2022 Los Angeles City Controller election, Cole supported Kenneth Mejia, who was running against political veteran and councilmember Paul Koretz. He reached out to Mejia when he saw the campaign’s billboard featuring the city budget and offered his assistance and advice. [23] [24] After Mejia won, he appointed Cole as the Deputy City Controller. [25]

Return to Pasadena

On May 10, 2023, Cole announced his candidacy for his former City Council seat in 2024 to succeed Felicia Williams, who was running for the California State Assembly. [26] However, in August, Williams withdrew from the assembly race and decided to run for re-election, setting up a contest between the two. [27] [28] During the campaign, a mailer for Williams attacked Cole for his efforts 30 years prior, criticizing his actions related to the Tournament of Roses and referencing his controversial "Tournament of Racism" attire. [29] [30] Williams faced criticism for the mailers, including from fellow council members, for not focusing on policy and issues. [31] In the election, Cole defeated Williams by 19 points, returning him to the City Council. [32]

Personal life

Cole is married to Katherine Aguilar Perez, who was the executive director of the Southern California Transportation and Land Use Coalition. They have twin daughters, Antonia and Lucia, and a son, Diego. [33] The family resides in Pasadena but has moved to the cities where Rick Cole served as city manager. They purchased a house in Ventura when he was named the city manager there in 2004. [34]

In 2006, he was selected as one of Governing Magazine's nine "Public Officials of the Year", noting his “urban revival skills”. [35] On his resignation as Ventura's city manager, the Ventura County Star editorialized that Cole had "led a downtown revitalization, guided Ventura through daunting budget challenges and oversaw important but unsexy work such as improving public works, water and sewer operations." [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Hahn</span> American lawyer and politician

James Kenneth Hahn is an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, Hahn was elected the 40th mayor of Los Angeles in 2001. He served until 2005, at which time he was defeated in his bid for re-election. Prior to his term as Mayor, Hahn served in several other capacities for the city of Los Angeles, including deputy city attorney (1975–1979), city controller (1981–1985) and city attorney (1985–2001). Hahn is the only individual in the city's history to have been elected to all three citywide offices. He is currently a sitting judge on the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Garcetti</span> American diplomat and politician (born 1971)

Eric Michael Garcetti is an American politician and diplomat who has been the United States ambassador to India since May 11, 2023. He was the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles from 2013 until 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected in the 2013 election, and re-elected in 2017. A former member of the Los Angeles City Council, Garcetti served as City Council president from 2006 to 2012. He was the city's first elected Jewish mayor, and its second consecutive Mexican-American mayor. He was elected as the youngest mayor in over 100 years, having been 42 at the time of his inauguration. Upon nomination of President Joe Biden after a previously failed nomination the year before, Garcetti was finally confirmed as Ambassador to India by the Senate on a 52–42 vote on March 15, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Koretz</span> American politician

Paul Koretz is an American politician, who served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 5th district from 2009 until he was term-limited in 2022. He was previously a member of the California State Assembly and the West Hollywood City Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy Greuel</span> American politician

Wendy Jane Greuel is an American politician. She served as Los Angeles City Controller from 2009 to 2013. Greuel was the second woman elected to citywide office in Los Angeles, after her predecessor Laura Chick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gil Garcetti</span> American politician and attorney

Gilbert Salvador Iberri Garcetti is an American politician and lawyer. He served as Los Angeles County's 40th district attorney for two terms, from 1992 until November 7, 2000. He is the father of U.S. Ambassador to India and former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Strickland</span> American politician

Anthony A. Strickland is an American politician who is a member of the City Council of Huntington Beach, California. He was mayor of Huntington Beach from 2022 to 2023. During his tenure as mayor, he was involved in conflicts with the state of California due to his opposition to new housing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Holden</span> American politician (born 1960)

Chris Holden is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 41st Assembly District, which encompasses the northern San Gabriel Valley, and is centered in Pasadena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Los Angeles mayoral election</span>

The 2013 Los Angeles mayoral election was held on March 5, 2013, to elect the mayor of Los Angeles. No candidate received a majority of the primary votes to be elected outright, and the top two finishers, Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel advanced to a runoff vote. On May 21, 2013, Garcetti was elected mayor with a majority of the votes in the runoff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James T. Butts Jr.</span> American politician and retired police chief

James Thurman Butts Jr. is an American politician, currently serving as the mayor of Inglewood, California. He rose through the ranks of law enforcement in Inglewood during the 1970s and 1980s, eventually becoming a Deputy Chief. He then worked as the Chief of Police in Santa Monica, California from 1991 to 2006. Butts then took a public safety position with Los Angeles World Airports in 2006. He was elected mayor of Inglewood in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 with an 84% vote. He led efforts to renovate and reopen The Forum and develop a plan for SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome in Hollywood Park.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) is the police union representing Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers up to the rank of lieutenant. LAPPL has a membership of 9,900 sworn officers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bonin</span> American politician (born 1967)

Michael Bonin is an American politician, who served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 11th district from 2013 to 2022. A progressive member of the Democratic Party, he was previously a reporter and a council staffer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 California gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 California gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the Governor of California, concurrently with elections for the rest of California's executive branch, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jerry Brown was ineligible to run for re-election for a third consecutive term due to term limits from the Constitution of California. The race was between the incumbent Democratic Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and businessman John H. Cox, a Republican, who qualified for the general election after placing first and second in the June 5, 2018, primary election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 California's 34th congressional district special election</span>

A special election was held on June 6, 2017, to elect the member of the United States House of Representatives for California's 34th congressional district. A special open primary election was held on April 4, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Rodriguez</span> American politician

Monica Rodriguez is an American politician in California. She currently serves as a Los Angeles City Council member, and represents the 7th district. The district is located in the San Fernando Valley, and includes the neighborhoods of Pacoima, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, Shadow Hills, Sun Valley, Lake View Terrace, and Mission Hills. Rodriguez was sworn in on July 1, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Los Angeles mayoral election</span>

The 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the mayor of Los Angeles, California. A top-two primary was held on June 7, 2022. Candidates could win the election outright by receiving more than 50% of the vote, but no candidate received a majority. More than forty candidates formed committees to run. Twenty-seven filed their declaration of intention to collect signatures for the ballot, and of these twelve qualified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Los Angeles elections</span>

The 2017 Los Angeles elections were held on March 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Voters elected candidates in a nonpartisan primary, with runoff elections scheduled for May 16, 2017. Eight of the fifteen seats in the City Council were up for election, as well as the offices of Mayor, City Attorney and City Controller. Four ballot measures were also on the ballot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Los Angeles elections</span>

The 2022 Los Angeles elections were held on June 7, 2022. Voters elected candidates in a nonpartisan primary, with runoff elections scheduled for November 8, 2022. Eight of the fifteen seats in the City Council were up for election while three of the seven seats in the LAUSD Board of Education were up for election. The seat of Mayor of Los Angeles was up for election due to incumbent Eric Garcetti's term limit. The seats of the Los Angeles City Controller and the Los Angeles City Attorney were also up for election, as their incumbents, Mike Feuer and Ron Galperin, were running for mayor and California State Controller respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Los Angeles special elections</span>

The 2019 Los Angeles special elections were held on March 5, 2019, and June 4, 2019. Voters elected candidates in a nonpartisan primary, with runoff elections scheduled for May 14, 2019 and August 13, 2019. One of the fifteen seats in the City Council were up for election while one of the seven seats in the Board of Education were up for election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Mejia</span> Los Angeles City Controller (born 1990)

Kenneth Mejia is an American activist, accountant, and politician, serving as the City Controller of Los Angeles since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party and a former Green Party member, Mejia was a three-time candidate for the United States House of Representatives in California's 34th congressional district, prior to his candidacy and subsequent election as City Controller in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Los Angeles County elections</span>

The 2024 Los Angeles County elections will be held on November 5, 2024, in Los Angeles County, California, with nonpartisan blanket primary elections for certain offices being held on March 5. Three of the five seats of the Board of Supervisors are up for election, as well as one of the countywide elected officials, the District Attorney.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Newton, Edmund (December 3, 1993). "PROFILE / RICK COLE : A Crusader Orchestrates Successful Compromise : Activist: For the second time, Pasadena's mayor has changed the face of the Tournament of Roses. And his job has changed him". Los Angeles Times .
  2. ↑ Kelley, Daryl (March 21, 2004). "Self-Taught Manager Brings Smart-Growth Advocacy to Ventura". Los Angeles Times .
  3. ↑ Berker, Mayerene (March 6, 1983). "Vote Will Test Minority, Liberal Clout Since Redistricting". Los Angeles Times . p. 70.
  4. ↑ Berker, Mayerene; Barber, Mary (March 10, 1983). "Liberals Gain New Allies in Pasadena Vote". Los Angeles Times . p. 135.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ Hastings, Deborah (January 2, 1986). "Alatorre Hires Pasadena's City Director Cole as Aide". Los Angeles Times .
  6. ↑ Newton, Edmund (May 3, 1992). "Cole Has Learned His Lesson in Politics : Government: The former Blair High School student will assume the post of mayor from his former high school teacher, Jess Hughston". Los Angeles Times .
  7. ↑ "PASADENA : City Councilman Cole Won't Seek Fourth Term". Los Angeles Times . November 11, 1994.
  8. ↑ Holgun, Rick (April 27, 1995). "SAN GABRIEL VALLEY / COVER STORY : Pasadena's New Era : City Council observers predict that three newcomers will help usher in a period of calm, reason and effectiveness, a refreshing change from the rancor of the recent past". Los Angeles Times .
  9. ↑ Hong, Peter Y.; Winton, Richard (June 15, 1998). "Ex-Pasadena Mayor Takes On Challenge in Azusa". Los Angeles Times .{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ "Cole: Successful Placemaking Arises From Dynamic Pedestrian Environments, Not 'Starchitecture'". The Planning Report. December 4, 2014.
  11. ↑ Winton, Richard (March 30, 2000). "Official Admits Obscuring Risque Billboard". Los Angeles Times .
  12. ↑ "City Official Won't Be Charged With Vandalism". Los Angeles Times. 2000-04-12. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  13. ↑ "Official to Pay for Use of City Truck to Deface Sign". Los Angeles Times . April 1, 2000.
  14. 1 2 Smith, Dakota (April 12, 2014). "Budget guru Rick Cole looks to innovate Los Angeles City Hall". Los Angeles Daily News .
  15. ↑ Dunbar, Wells (January 14, 2008). "Whither Rick Cole?". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  16. ↑ Martinez, Arlene (September 28, 2012). "Ventura city manager's exit linked to style" . Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  17. ↑ McGrath, Rachel (September 13, 2012). "Rick Cole is taking new job at San Buenanventura Mission". Ventura County Star . Archived from the original on May 30, 2015.
  18. ↑ Saillant, Catherine (July 14, 2013). "Rick Cole brings municipal experience to Garcetti administration". Los Angeles Times .
  19. ↑ Zahniser, David (May 28, 2015). "Aide to L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti hired for top post in Santa Monica". Los Angeles Times .
  20. ↑ Pauker, Madeline (18 April 2020). "City Manager Rick Cole resigns as budget cuts loom". Santa Monica Daily Press .
  21. ↑ Chang, Cindy (April 18, 2020). "Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole resigns, citing divisions over coronavirus budget cuts". Los Angeles Times .
  22. ↑ Coleman, André (April 20, 2020). "Former Pasadena Mayor Rick Cole Steps Down as City Manager in Santa Monica". Pasadena Now .
  23. ↑ Park, Jeong; Smith, Dakota (November 11, 2022). "How two corgis and a Pikachu suit helped Kenneth Mejia make history in L.A. controller race". Los Angeles Times .{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ "A unique pairing in the LA city's controller's office". Spectrum News . January 6, 2023.
  25. ↑ Oreskes, Benjamin; Wick, Julia (December 3, 2022). "L.A. on the Record: Karen Bass tries to hit the ground running". Los Angeles Times .{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ↑ Orona, John (May 10, 2023). "Former Pasadena Mayor Rick Cole announces bid for District 2 City Council seat". Daily Breeze .
  27. ↑ "Felicia Williams Withdraws From Assembly Race, Will Stand for Re-Election in Council District 2". Pasadena Now . August 4, 2023.
  28. ↑ Orona, John (August 7, 2023). "Pasadena Vice Mayor Felicia Williams withdraws from Assembly race, sets eyes on retaining City Council seat". Pasadena Star-News .
  29. ↑ Coleman, André (February 5, 2014). "District 2 Race Heats Up as Cole's Past Takes Center Stage". Pasadena Now .
  30. ↑ Wilson, Larry (February 7, 2024). "Pasadena council race goes back 30 years to a Rose Parade ruckus". Daily Breeze .
  31. ↑ Orona, John (February 24, 2024). "Election 2024: Williams and Cole vie to represent District 2 on the Pasadena City Council". Daily Breeze .
  32. ↑ Orona, John (March 6, 2024). "Election 2024: In Pasadena, a former mayor returns to City Council as incumbent concedes". Daily Breeze .
  33. ↑ Wolcott, Holly J (January 23, 2004). "Azusa's City Manager OKs Ventura Offer". Los Angeles Times .
  34. ↑ Kelley, Daryl (March 28, 2004). "Sky-High Housing Hits Home in Ventura". Los Angeles Times .
  35. ↑ "Rick Cole Represents". VC Reporter. November 9, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  36. ↑ Editorial (September 1, 2012). "Editorial: Rick Cole's departure". Ventura County Star . Archived from the original on May 30, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.