Be In the Monrovia Day Parade
If you'd like to be in the Monrovia Day Parade on May 12, (celebrating Monrovia's 125th Anniversary and featuring a return of Samson the Hot Tub Bear), then click this link ( http://goo.gl/vm6qy ) for a parade entry application. If you are interested in driving a dignitary in the parade? Please call 626.256.8246. Source: http://goo.gl/Oa01A - Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Videos Released
The Gold Line Construction Authority has released a couple videos of the Metro Gold Line extension:
Let me try to be nice at first. These are very professionally done videos.
But having said that, the videos bother me a lot because I think the taxpayers probably want the government to spend the rail-line money on building a rail line! not on making what appear to be expensive videos whose main purpose seems to be to give local politicians a chance to pat themselves on the back for a job that is not even close to done.
Yes, there is some information in the videos, and yes, it is important to communicate with the public, but these videos seem an extremely unnecessary expense since the information in the videos is already available right here: http://www.foothillextension.org/
If this is supposed to be PR, it utterly failed with me. In a day when governments - local, state and national - are in deep financial straits, to see this kind of waste just infuriates me.
- Brad Haugaard
Xencor's Successful Studies / Monrovia Baseball :-(
Monrovia's Xencor, Inc. announced positive results in studies of XmAb5871, a product which may be useful for treating autoimmune diseases. http://goo.gl/pjFOQ ~ Monrovia High Baseball. San Dimas 3, Monrovia 2 :-(. http://goo.gl/0XlLK - Brad Haugaard
AeroVironment Jumps / Census / Unity Center / New Sermons
~ The stock of Monrovia's AeroVironment jumped 13 percent in after-hours trading after it reported that it had a better quarter than Wall Street expected. http://goo.gl/07adT
~ Census data released today show the black population in Monrovia has slipped while the Asian population has increased. http://goo.gl/8dEjh
~ If you know a local person whose efforts have made an exceptional difference in the lives of others, Foothill Unity Center wants to know about it. Nomination forms may be downloaded at http://www.foothillunitycenter.org or picked up at the distribution site at 415 West Chestnut. Submission deadline is 5 p.m., April 15. Executive Director Joan Whitenack said the nominee's activities do not need to be associated with Foothill Unity Center, and they may have been done on a volunteer basis or in connection with regular work.
~ Monrovia Presbyterian Church begins a new series this Sunday: The Gospel In Life, Grace Changes Everything. http://goo.gl/2iim9
- Brad Haugaard
Talk to Staff of Monrovia's State Senator
If you'd like to talk with a staff member of Monrovia's state senator, Bob Huff, you can do that at a "Mobile District Office" on March 24, 10-11 a.m. at the Westfield Santa Anita Shopping Mall in Arcadia. http://goo.gl/0eT3o - Brad Haugaard
Business Gift Cards that Support Monrovia Schools
I mentioned that you can support the School District by buying gift cards from the district offices. Well, I just got a list of all the businesses involved. They are all national chains, but there are lots of them in our area: Starbucks, Best Buy, Home Depot, Chili's, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, CVS, Olive Garden, Pinkberry, and scads more. See the attachment to this post for the whole list. (Thanks to School Board President Ed Gililland for that.)
- Brad Haugaard
Invading Bug Threatens Monrovia Oaks
The Monrovia Fire Department is asking residents to be careful about bringing oak firewood into town as it may be infested with the Gold Spotted Oak Borer, which very much likes to munch on coastal live oak,
black
oak and
canyon
live
oak
trees.
The department recommends that you do not use oak for firewood at all unless you know that it is not infested. Firewood from San Diego County, Arizona, and Mexico is particularly at risk for spreading this pest.
Here's a San Diego notice about the bug: http://goo.gl/hXQWj
Source: http://goo.gl/jFELb
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Sales Tax Revenue Looking Up
City Manager Scott Ochoa writes:
"This week, we received our 3rd quarter sales tax report (July-September 2010). I am pleased to report that the positive trajectory in our sales tax trend line is continuing. We are doing better than we were a year ago in the same quarter, and we are marching confidently toward our sales tax revenue goals for FY 2010-11. Auto dealers and new soft goods retailers (Kohl's and Living Spaces) are bolstering our numbers. All in all, we are gaining momentum - here's hoping we can pull ourselves out of the doldrums and to up toward a better economy."
Source:
- Brad Haugaard
Ochoa Predicts State Will Vote to Kill Redevelopment This Week
City Manager Scott Ochoa said it appears that the leadership of the California State Legislature is preparing an up-or-down vote on the budget - which includes killing redevelopment - for this Wednesday or Thursday. He writes: "At this point, my guess is that the budget package will pass along party lines." With the results of November's election, only a simple majority is required to pass the budget. After that, he writes, "the League of Cities and the California Redevelopment Association will file suit and the entire matter will be litigated - probably on the grounds of constitutionality."
Ochoa said that under Governor Brown's proposal, redevelopment agencies would disappear on July 1 of this year, to be replaced by successor agencies that would be controlled not by the city council, but by an oversight committee most likely controlled by outsiders who don't live in the city and are not answerable to its residents.
Source: http://goo.gl/jFELb
- Brad Haugaard
Budget Woes for City and Unity Center
~ Tomorrow, March 8, the Monrovia City Council will have a special meeting to figure out what to do in the face of the potential state abolition of redevelopment agencies, which City Manager Scott Ochoa has said is an attempt by the state to grab local money. City Council member Becky Shevlin said what the state intends to do - as outlined by Ochoa - "is insane, to say the least." I will post the meeting time as soon as I get it.
UPDATE: Meeting time is 4 p.m. Here is the agenda: http://goo.gl/LSPwi
~ The effects of President Obama's budget proposals may reach right down to Monrovia. Joan Whitenack, of Foothill Unity Center (which, by-the-by, distributed more than 200 tons of food - 4,230,000 pounds - to 4,606 families last year), reports that Community Services Block Grant funds may be cut by 50 percent, and since Unity receives 40 percent of its funding from government allocations, that will hurt. She writes that, "In the end, Foothill Unity Center will probably survive in some form thanks to strong community support" and to its lean operations (95 percent of funding supports programs), but she asked people to write their federal representatives pointing out the problem.
Gift Cards for Monrovia Schools / Produce in the Park / Lenten Fish
~ You can support Monrovia schools for free by purchasing gift cards to local businesses at the school district office (325 East Huntington Drive). School Board Member Ed Gililland said you can get cards for lots of businesses, including Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and others. He said if the cards are not on hand when you walk in, they can be ordered.
~ If you have too many oranges or other produce, bring it to "Produce in the Park" and swap for some carrots or something. Produce in the Park is held on the first Saturday of each month, from 9-11 a.m. at Library Park, at the corner of Myrtle and Palm. For info, write to produceinthepark@gmail.com
~ Monrovia Knights of Columbus will serve fish dinners for Lent every Friday - March 11 to Good Friday, April 22 - from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 130 W. Pomona Ave. Adult fish dinners are $8, children's are $5. for information, call 626 359-6489.
- Brad Haugaard
~ If you have too many oranges or other produce, bring it to "Produce in the Park" and swap for some carrots or something. Produce in the Park is held on the first Saturday of each month, from 9-11 a.m. at Library Park, at the corner of Myrtle and Palm. For info, write to produceinthepark@gmail.com
~ Monrovia Knights of Columbus will serve fish dinners for Lent every Friday - March 11 to Good Friday, April 22 - from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 130 W. Pomona Ave. Adult fish dinners are $8, children's are $5. for information, call 626 359-6489.
- Brad Haugaard
Old Home Tour / Half-off For Kids
~ If you'd like to attend the Monrovia Mother's Day Home Tour, here's ticket information and pictures of some of the houses.
~ Half-off coupon for kids meal if you buy an adult meal at Chang Thai Bistro on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/O4Kuu
- Brad Haugaard
Will Family Festival Expand to Azusa?
The Azusa City Council will consider having Monrovia-based Family Festival Productions Inc. produce a farmer's market
on Saturdays between April and September: http://goo.gl/wYymX
- Brad Haugaard
The Bear That Made Monrovia Famous
More on Monrovia' Fiberglas bears - based on Samson the Hot Tub Bear - which will soon be decorating the downtown: http://goo.gl/kL7ML
- Brad Haugaard
School Board Agenda / St. Patrick's Dinner
~ If the stuff below isn't enough, here is the full agenda of the next school board meeting, Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 p.m. at the district offices at 325 E. Huntington. http://goo.gl/GcsSH
~ Monrovia VFW is sponsoring a St. Patrick's Day Dinner on March 17. Details: http://goo.gl/i5ytU
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Schools Could Lose Up to $5.5 Million
Monrovia Schools Superintendent Linda Wagner reports that even if Governor Jerry Brown's proposed tax extension passes, the district will be out around $230,000. If it does not pass, she writes, the district will be out $5.5 million in the next three years.
It is all phrased very politely, but the Board of Education is going to vote at its next meeting (March 9, 7:30 p.m.) on an "advocacy" statement (here: http://goo.gl/1teu8) that basically tells the state to keep its paws off education.
Also, the board will vote on whether to adopt a resolution favoring the tax extension (http://goo.gl/QI2aA). And because the district gets money from the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency, it will consider a resolution opposing the state's plan to abolish redevelopment agencies: http://goo.gl/s0yOK
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Attendance Rate Slipped, But is Recovering
Until last year, Monrovia schools were successful at increasing the percentage of students who show up for school - ever since that became a district priority in 2006-07. Since the district's income from the state is based on attendance, that translates directly into more money.
But in 2009-10 attendance slipped, perhaps because of a flu outbreak. Fortunately, as you can see from the chart, it appears 2010-11 attendance will be up again. This report (http://goo.gl/rBlXz) will be presented at the next school board meeting, Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 p.m. at the district offices.
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Pho Lemon
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Council Candidate Forum
On Tuesday, April 12, Monrovians will go to the polls to select two City Council members from a slate of five candidates, including the two incumbents and three challengers.
The incumbents are Tom Adams and Becky Shevlin. The challengers are Chris Ziegler, Joe Espinosa, and Jason Cosylion.
All the candidates except Cosylion - who was ill - were at the forum Thursday night.
Incumbents Adams and Shevlin are both involved in real estate in Monrovia. Ziegler served in the U.S. Navy, is also in real estate and has a strong interest in health issues. Espinosa, who graduated from Monrovia High in 1997 and served in the US Marine Corps, is now working for the Department of Corrections.
Some thoughts from the candidates (reverse alphabetical for a change):
Chris Ziegler
- There needs to be better communication between the city council and community through community discussions and maybe community barbeques; the city needs to "broker a truce" with the state regarding redevelopment and needs to take full advantage of the coming Gold Line.
- If the state ends redevelopment, perhaps private investment could to some extent compensate for the loss.
- There is too much infighting and litigation in town, particularly regarding the wilderness areas.
- The schools need to open their campuses after hours so children have places to play.
- Regarding bicyclists not stopping at stop signs (an audience question), he said cities are not following state guidelines on stop signs and said this is a very complex problem and using law enforcement to stop it may be a "bad use" of police.
- Would he approve of a law that forbids smoking in outdoor seating at restaurants? "Absolutely!" he said, unless his constituents think otherwise.
- He is not in favor of term limits. "You vote them out; that's term limits."
- In responding to a question about affordable housing, he said that some cities provide affordable housing by allowing very high density housing in limited areas.
- He was disappointed that a proposal to keep parks open later was "shot down" by the city.
Becky Shevlin
- Monrovia faces "horrific" financial challenges, including employee pension benefits, which the city has begun working on, but which need to be further addressed as contracts come up for renewal.
- On smoking at outside restaurant seating, she said she would rather approach it by education rather than having the city pass a law. A declining number of smokers shows education works, she said. She added that signs, such as "Thank you for not smoking" might help.
- Shevlin said cyclists should stop at stop signs but wondered how expensive it would be to have a police office hanging around to issue tickets.
- Although she was not in favor of term limits for local elected offices, she said it is something to consider for people appointed to boards and commissions.
- She is not in favor of a rotating mayor. She said the job of mayor is far more time-intensive than that of a city council member, so people should specifically choose to run for the office.
- She is most proud of after-school youth programs, library cultural events, and the Fourth of July fireworks show, which, she said, is a "stunning" event.
- Shevlin said she wants a south-side park, but it'll cost. A two-acre park, she said, could cost $6-8 million.
Joe Espinosa
- Would like to "put Monrovia on the map" with something big, not just bears.
- If the state takes away redevelopment, Monrovians should "put our heads together" - along with the school district - to figure out what to do.
- Regarding bikes stopping at stop signs, he thinks that safety should come first, and perhaps volunteers could enforce the stopping rules.
- Would like to see a park on the south side of Monrovia.
- Likes the small-town feeling of Monrovia but the city needs big business as well.
- On term limits, he said you can always vote in new people.
- Regarding smoking at outdoor seating at restaurants, he said it is necessary to take smokers into consideration, perhaps designating special smoking areas.
Tom Adams
- The state will try to take money from Monrovia and will attempt to "drag Monrovia down." He said until redistricting is accomplished, extremists from both parties will continue to be elected to the legislature and the state will "continue to sink into a quagmire."
- The city needs to work on pension reform. He said Monrovia has some great employee groups, but pensions "definitely need to be changed."
- Monrovia needs a park for the kids south of Huntington Drive.
- Monrovia Schools have begun opening their grounds after school hours so kids have a place to play. He'd like the city to work with the schools on that.
- Rather than make a law against outdoor smoking at restaurants, he suggested people talk to the restaurant management and ask for a smoke-free outdoor area.
- He said bicyclists are not above the law and should obey stop signs.
- He is most proud of reopening City Hall on Fridays. He said it is "the most service-friendly government building in the state of California."
- He is not in favor of a rotating mayor. He said Monrovia's elected-mayor system works, so there is no reason to change.
- Brad Haugaard
Worldwide Hummingbird / Five Bucks Off / Support Library
~ The story about the robot hummingbird created by Monrovia-based AeroVironment has made quite a splash around the world, with stories appearing in the New York Daily News (http://goo.gl/0jhxf), Great Britain's Guardian newspaper (http://goo.gl/fg6lK), Indonesia's Kompas (http://goo.gl/DDCL3) and Germany's Der Spiegel magazine (http://goo.gl/VhM3C), and many others.
~ Stop by the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce for a $5-off coupon to the Monrovia Black Angus Steakhouse. The restaurant has remodeled its bar (it is now the BullsEye Bar, with 12 hi-def TVs to watch sports). The Grand Opening is from March 10th to the 14th. http://www.facebook.com/SHOPinMonrovia?ref=ts
~ If you buy books from Amazon, you can benefit the Monrovia Library by buying at the Monrovia Public Library Friends Amazon shop. http://www.amazon.com/shops/monroviafriends
- Brad Haugaard
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