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Robert Joe, known simply as “Bob” by most around town, was selected by his peers Wednesday night to serve as the City of South Pasadena’s new mayor for a one-year term.
The City Council didn’t deviate from the usual patern of elevating the person holding the mayor pro-tem position, which Joe has held over the past year. He was unanimously supported by his peers on the 5-member panel to replace outgoing mayor Dr. Marina Khuesrian, who delivered an encore performance of her State of the City address given one night earlier following a Chamber of Commerce holiday party at the War Memorial Building.
Following the announcement that Joe would be the city’s newest mayor, councilmembers selected Diana Mahmud as the mayor pro tem. She was elected to the City Council in November 2013 and previously served as mayor for the 2015-16 term.
Joe was elected to the City Council in November 2011 and previously served as mayor for the 2014-15 term.
“I’d like to start by thanking my fellow councilmembers for voting for me as mayor for the upcoming year and for having confidence in me,” said Joe following his selection. “I’m truly looking forward to serving as your mayor in 2020.”
Joe will be sworn in during the next City Council meeting on Wednesday, December 18, and is expected to make brief remarks about his priorities as mayor for the coming year.
Now retired, he received a bachelor of science degree in environmental design from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and an M.P.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Joe’s work experience includes duties with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, where he held several key positions. In addition, Joe was part of the United States Army Corps of Engineers for 35 years.
A long history of community involvement, Joe has served on the City of South Pasadena Transportation Commission, Design Advisory Group, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Freeway and Transportation Commission.
Outside the city, he served on the Friends of Chinatown Library Advisory Board and Chinatown Library Board of Directors.
Joe is an elder for the San Gabriel Presbyterian Church, has coached youth soccer for AYSO Region 214 and for more than a decade guided a Little League girls’ fast pitch team. The city’s newest mayor has three adult children and two granddaughters.
