 MIKE
TEN
COUNCILMEMBER CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA
Take 10
| Full biography
1. How do we get more Asian Pacific Americans
(APAs) to become more civically and politically involved?
Outreach, Outreach, Outreach. We need to use all available
sources of media: newspapers, websites and blogs, magazines, and
television to reach APAs. We need to promote the addition of APAs
to local TV new anchor desks on weekday evening broadcasts. We need
to expose current community leaders to all organizations and events
where they can interact and participate. Also celebrate success
and milestones in the community, whether educational, civic, political,
and or charitable. Enthusiasm and involvement is contagious.
2. What is your dream job?
On pure fantasy, a movie/TV critic. My family will tell you that
there is no movie or TV drama I won’t sit through. I enjoy
predicting the plot twists and guessing the surprise villain. Fantasy
aside, I think my dream job would to be a CEO of a multibillion
dollar charitable foundation that addresses the needs of the poor,
elderly, disabled, and the unskilled.
3. What was your childhood ambition?
My childhood ambition was to either play tennis in the
Olympics or a professional Motocross rider. My early teen years
were dominated by motorcycles and playing tennis.
4. What is the biggest challenge facing APAs
in politics today?
The biggest challenge today is organization and focus. The APA community
has solid roots in this country going back over 100 years. There
are many families like mine with 4 generations here in California,
but we are a continually shrinking minority of the APA community.
APA immigration is outpacing 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation growth
and continues to create a “generation” gap within our
growing demographic. There are many longstanding traditional service
organizations and associations that help the 1st generation immigrants
organize and communicate. These same organizations see participation
and membership drop off as the second generation assimilates into
the mainstream. You find most of the activism comes from the first
generation addressing first generation issues. Unfortunately these
issues are recycled continuously due to the never ending addition
of new immigrants. The challenge is to re-capture the previous generations,
those who have become “Middle America”, and those who
are immersed in the routine of daily American life. We will need
to remind them of the continuing struggles of the 1st generation,
which they probably thought was solved. Then combine that with current
issues, regional and national, to a platform that inspires involvement
and a need for action.
5. What one law would you change if you
could?
Why just one? If I had to choose…then I would change the Drunk
Driving Laws to a mandatory “second strike and your out”
jail time. I believe we are too lenient on repeat offenders and
more severe penalties would hopefully deter a personal behavior
and responsibility problem. The other would be to eliminate “good
behavior” credits to sentences being served by those in our
jails and prisons.
6. What was your first job?
My first job was in my family’s restaurant for my
grandfather. In fourth grade at 25 cents an hour, my job after school
was to bag crispy fried noodles and double bag brown paper bags
for that evenings take out orders. I worked there till my junior
year in college and look back at those years working with my family
as my best childhood memories.
7. What one question would you most like to
have answered?
How can we (humanity) stop hunger and disease in the world?
8. What is your favorite word/sound?
Favorite Sound “one of my children calling “Dad”.
Favorite word or words, answering their requests with “We’ll
see”. Close behind in second place for favorite sound would
have been a 440 Mopar V8 with FlowMasters!
9. What was the last book you read?
I am in the process of finishing two books: Leadership by Rudolph
W. Giuliani and The Chinese in America by Iris Chang. I have always
been a student of management philosophies and Former New York Mayor
Giuliani has written about his and how he applied it to the leading
his city before and after 9/11. Iris Chang’s book was recommended
by the Chinese American Museum and is an important read to any APA
supporter or leader.
10. Who/what inspires you?
My inspiration is my mother, who died too early from cancer. Though
she was losing her battle against cancer, she still worked and supported
many organizations and causes. She guided a family business, cared
for her aging parents, kept harmony among extended families, and
weathered many a family crisis. She always had a positive attitude
and always saw good in everything and everyone. She inspires me
to be better than I am.
|
