Council divided on antiwar vote

After hours of debate, resolution fails to gain a majority

By Gary Scott, Staff Writer



PASADENA -- A split Pasadena City Council opted Monday against taking a stand on a possible war in Iraq.

After hours of debate, the council deadlocked on taking action on the proposed resolution opposing the war.

Councilmen Victor Gordo, Paul Little and Steve Madison voted in favor of taking a formal action. Mayor Bill Bogaard and councilmen Sid Tyler and Steve Haderlein opposed taking any formal action. Councilman Chris Holden abstained. Councilwoman Joyce Streator was absent.

"I think we believe the war under present circumstances will be illegal and unjust,' said Bogaard. "As a citizen I will not be silent on this war ... but I don't feel this is a proper issue for council action.'

The antiwar resolution was submitted by a consortium of local religious groups, led by Ed Bacon, rector at All Saints Church, and George Regas, rector emeritus at All Saints and executive director of The Regas Institute.

While the resolution says that the Iraqi government, under President Saddam Hussein, has "perpetrated great human rights abuses and has acquired weapons of mass destruction,' it calls on the Bush administration to exhaust all diplomatic means to disarm Iraq and to work through the United Nations.

"(T)he City Council of Pasadena oppose(s) a pre-emptive military attack without United Nations support for this war against Iraq,' the resolution reads.

The resolution's supporters held two public forums, one at the end of February and the other last Thursday, in an effort to generate discussion around the proposal. Most council members attended one of the two meetings.

Had the resolution passed, Pasadena would have joined more than 130 cities nationwide opposing military action in Iraq. Other California cities that have passed similar pledges include Los Angeles, Oakland and Santa Monica.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will consider a resolution supporting the Bush administration's efforts tonight.

Not everyone supports the City Council weighing in on matters that are outside of its immediate jurisdiction.

"These people who are pushing on to the council this war resolution are ridiculous,' said Paul Jaszewski, spokesman for the Republican Party County Central Committee, 44th District. "One, the council has nothing to do with foreign policy, as we all know. Second, our local Congressman has already voted for the war resolution in Congress.'

Jaszewski said the protesters should contact Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, or petition the federal government rather than focus on the City Council. Jaszewski said he thinks a war is inevitable.

Gary Scott can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4458, or by e-mail at gary.scott@sgvn.com.