Sho Tay was the obvious choice to be Mayor. As a New Arcadian he represents two-thirds of our residents – over 38,000 people. He is their only voice on the Council. Short-sighted politics at the City Council level of government can lead to many major changes in Arcadia when the New Arcadians control the Council. With the new district voting that change may come much sooner than any of us had contemplated.
I look back so fondly on the Old Arcadian – the Arcadia of 60 years ago – I regret the changes that have occurred in our city, but I am a realist and understand that those changes have already occurred. We all have new neighbors. They are delightful people. They come from a heritage much older than ours. The New Arcadians are adapting to our way of life, while at the same time retaining much of their own. This, I think is as it should be.
It is time that all the Old Arcadians wake up to the fact that a profound change has already occurred to Arcadia, and that there is no turning back. Now is the time to build bridges to accept our new neighbors and to create friendships with them. Try it, you will like it!
Jim Helms, former Mayor