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Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell on Tuesday issued an apology for telling a Hispanic councilman to “Speak up, boy” during a meeting, noting the “term could be construed as inappropriate” and that members of the council should be addressed more respectfully.
Still, in a statement to the media, the 78-year-old mayor took issue with critics who called the way he addressed Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler “racist.”
“There was no racial component in my mind whatsoever,” Isbell stated. “Having spent years involved in sports and coaching and in the military, saying ‘hurry up, boy’ is simply something that you might say to expedite an action. It’s a term I have used with friends and with family. I was not trying to disparage anyone in any way.
Isbell was rushing to take a vote on a contract for delinquent tax collection when Wheeler interjected: “I haven’t had an opportunity to speak yet.”
“Well, you better speak up, boy,” Isbell replied.
Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell
Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell
Photo: Michael Starghill, Jr., Freelance
Keep going for a historical look back at the city of Pasadena.
Keep going for a
Photo: Gary Fountain, For The Chronicle
Pasadena class photo, 1925. less
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Undated aerial view of the Houston Ship Channel.
Undated aerial view of the Houston Ship Channel.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Will and Elenor Spacie, 1910.
Will and Elenor Spacie, 1910.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Starkey home, 1905.
Starkey home, 1905.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Sylvan Beach near the turn of the century.
Sylvan Beach near the turn of the century.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena’s first talking movie theater, 1937.
Pasadena’s first talking movie theater, 1937.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Sylvan Beach near the turn of the century.
Sylvan Beach near the turn of the century.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena National Bank, undated.
Pasadena National Bank, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Boat made by Will Holbrook, 1913.
Boat made by Will Holbrook, 1913.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Baptist church, undated.
Baptist church, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena Drug Store, undated.
Pasadena Drug Store, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena family with livestock, undated.
Pasadena family with livestock, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
West Pasadena wrecker service, undated.
West Pasadena wrecker service, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Kruse home, 1896.
Kruse home, 1896.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Williams home on La Porte Road, undated.
Williams home on La Porte Road, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena girls’ basketball team, 1931.
Pasadena girls’ basketball team, 1931.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Family with livestock, 1911.
Family with livestock, 1911.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Duffield family, 1910.
Duffield family, 1910.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena family, undated.
Pasadena family, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Kruse Elementary School photo, 1948.
Kruse Elementary School photo, 1948.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena marching band, undated.
Pasadena marching band, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
School children, 1921-22.
School children, 1921-22.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena High School, 1926.
Pasadena High School, 1926.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena’s class of 1926 – three girls and three boys.
Pasadena’s class of 1926 – three girls and three boys.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
School children, undated.
School children, undated.
Photo: City Of Pasadena Communications Department
Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell
Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell
Photo: Gabrielle Banks
“I felt where it came from,” Wheeler said on Tuesday. “I think for him, the damage is done. I think people are just really, really tired of him.”
Isbell’s comment came at a tense time in Pasadena. Council members representing the city’s predominantly Hispanic north side have complained that their neighborhoods have been largely neglected by local government, and a federal judge recently found that amayor-backed change to voting districts discriminated against Hispanics.
Isbell has led the city, off and on, for 26 years, but he is now term-limited.
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