. . . Not Only That, But You Can't Have Your Parade, Either

On June 6, the Rosemead City Council voted against letting a group of volunteers organize a revival of the city's traditional Fourth of July parade.  Voting for the parade were councilmember John Tran and Mayor Pro Temp John Nunez.  Voting against the parade were Councilmembers Margaret Clark and Jay Imperial, and Mayor Gary Taylor.  This is yet another shocking and disappointing action by our pathetically out of touch city council.

Now, I personally don't have any strong conviction about this parade.  I saw the parade three years ago.  It was nothing fancy.  I mean,  I've seen some big fancy parades in my day.  I've always enjoyed big fancy parades.  Big fancy parades are my friend.  And, Rosemead Fourth of July Parade:  You're no Jack Kennedy.  Ooops, I mean, "You were never a big fancy parade."

But I do know that a lot of folks loved our little Rosemead parade.  It's something that brought people together.  And we're a city that can use some bringing together.  I think it would have made a real statement about the people of our city if pro- and anti-recall folks could join together on common ground and say, "We are all Americans.  We are all Rosemeadians.  And, despite all the controversies of the past three years, we can all work together for a common goal."

As it is, the anti-recall folks are always giving lip service to "healing."  But they want healing on the condition that they get everything they want and we don't even get a chance to vote on the future of our city.  That's sort of like if Germany said to Poland, back in September of 1939, "We and the Russians are going to keep all of your former territory.  And you should be happy that we haven't killed you, yet.  Now let's let bygones be bygones."

Healing can't occur if the prerequisite is unconditional surrender.  Healing *can* occur if everyone can go home feeling that they had their say, that they were listened to and that they were heard.   So all we've been asking for the last three years is a chance to be heard.  And all we keep being told is, "Shut up.  Now, why can't we all just get along?"

So regarding the Fourth of July Parade, if a bunch of people say, "Please let us try," why would you not let them try?  Yet, last night, the city council was told that 35 people came to an organizing meeting to try to reinstate the parade.  They were told that phone calls had already been made to past-participating groups, and that thirty community groups had already said that if the city council says, 'Go,' that they'd be thrilled to be in the parade.  And the city council's response? "It won't be fancy enough."

Hello?  It was never a Rose Parade.  But it was what the people of Rosemead thought to be a pretty spiffy little home-grown event.  Why would you tell so many eager volunteers that their services were not required?  What the heck is wrong with you guys?