Gold Line Ridership Up
Habib Balian, spokesman for the Gold Line, says that "ridership is at record levels and continues to increase. Metro has now announced that in addition to the introduction of three-car trains a few months back, the frequency of trains during peak morning and afternoon periods will be increased to every six minutes in both direction (rather than 10 minutes) later this month. - Brad Haugaard
Will Gold Line Use Eminent Domain Against Monrovia?
The disagreement between Monrovia and the Gold Line Construction Authority (GLCA) over the purchase of Monrovia land for a railway maintenance yard continues.
In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says the GLCA is "trying to force Monrovia to pay GLCA's costs to settle two lawsuits filed against GLCA by Excalibur Holdings" (a company fighting against having its property acquired by the city), and that the GLCA is threatening to "condemn Monrovia's property." He also warned that "potential litigation between GLCA and Monrovia" could be "protracted." "No one is forcing this site upon GLCA," Ochoa said, and "if they can make a better deal elsewhere along the Gold Line alignment, then perhaps the time has come for them to reconcile to this alternative as well." Lots more reading here: http://goo.gl/joAP9UPDATE: Habib Balian, spokesman for the GLCA, writes: "I hope to provide positive updates on the last remaining critical path items, including the private landowner’s lawsuit against the City of Monrovia allegedly preventing the City from selling city-owned land to the Authority for the maintenance and operations facility."
- Brad Haugaard
Should MHS Allow Ramirez on Team? | Auto Restoration
~ Should Monrovia High allow Ramirez to return to play football? http://goo.gl/4X15q ~ Feature on Monrovia's Tired Iron Works auto restoration. http://goo.gl/gQSMa - Brad Haugaard
Pilot of 'Courage' to Screen in Monrovia
The pilot screening of Courage, New Hampshire, the "chronicle of a shire town on the western border of New Hampshire in the 18th century," will screen Sunday, June 26 at 4 p.m. at the Krikorian Theater here in Monrovia. The event will be hosted by radio personality Tony Katz and actress Victoria Jackson. Unfortunately, it looks as if it is all sold out: http://goo.gl/K48hT
- Brad Haugaard
Dreier to Face Portantino in 2012?
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, says he is "totally emboldened" by redistricting maps to run against Rep. David Dreier in 2012. http://goo.gl/GoYBJ
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Responds To Monrovia Criticism
In the land-sale disagreement between the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority and Monrovia, Authority Chairman Doug Tessitor writes that the almost-purchase-agreement was "based entirely on ... the City’s ability to sell its land free and clear without litigation or other encumbrance. In fact, the draft Purchase and Sale Agreement stated there was no threatened litigation."
But with a landowner suing, he says the litigation changes the Authority's ability to purchase the property, so the Authority would like the city to share some of the costs to settle with the property owner. But, he said, "it does not appear that the City considers that it has any responsibility in the litigation or the cloud over its property."
- Brad Haugaard
Pastrami Burger at Jim's
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Fireworks | Gold Line Tiff | Crafts | Trader Joe's
~ Plan ahead for the Fourth of July fireworks. And by the way, last year was truly spectacular! Concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks start at 9 p.m. At Library Park. http://goo.gl/BK9RO
~ More on Monrovia/Gold Line fight. http://goo.gl/3eWY7
~ Craft series at Monrovia Library this summer. Paper flowers, basket, macramé. http://goo.gl/lZC4B
~ You often hear of petitions against companies, but Monrovia's Trader Joe's often has petitions in favor of the company. In this case more than 8,000 Kansas City residents petitioned for a Trader Joe's, and are getting one. http://goo.gl/fBO0B
- Brad Haugaard
Business Recycling Workshop | Guns-in-Public Bill Advances
~ If you represent a Monrovia business, you might want to sign up for a city-sponsored refuse and recycling workshop. It will let you give city folks your thoughts on how the program should be implemented. Details: http://goo.gl/pqxxe ~ A bill to outlaw carrying an unloaded firearm in public, authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has passed the state Senate's Public Safety Committee. http://goo.gl/EPPwW - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Theft, Burglaries, Robbery, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 2-8. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 549 service events, resulting in 85 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Attempt Theft
On June 2, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Mauna Loa regarding an attempt theft from a vehicle. The victim parked her vehicle in front of her residence at 6:00 p.m. in the evening. The next day she went to unlock her vehicle with the remote and discovered she had not locked her vehicle. She inspected her vehicle and found it had been ransacked and the headliner had been burnt. No items appeared to have been taken from the vehicle.
Theft From a Vehicle
On June 2, an officer responded to the report of theft from a vehicle in the 100 block of West Walnut. The victim parked his pickup truck at 11:15 p.m. He returned to his vehicle the following day at 11:00 a.m. and drove to work, which is in the 300 block of West Huntington. He parked and went into work. When he exited his place of work, he noticed his tailgate was missing. The victim does not believe it was taken while parked in the parking lot at work, since it is always busy. He suspects that it was taken during the night while parked in front of his residence.
Traffic Accident - Overturned Vehicle
On June 4 at 10:41 p.m., a vehicle was traveling east on Colorado when the driver either fell asleep or had some type of medical issue. The driver only remembers driving straight and then waking up with the vehicle upside down on its roof. The driver was checked and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The driver was taken to a hospital for observation; no serious injuries were reported.
Driving Under the Influence / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
On June 6 at approximately 7:27 a.m., police received a call reporting a female in a red Honda Accord honking her horn and yelling. Officers responded and stopped the vehicle. The female was found to be driving under the influence and was arrested. She was extremely uncooperative and verbally abusive. A thorough search of her property revealed a baggie containing methamphetamine. She was charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. The female subject is schizophrenic and had been contacted several times over the previous weekend by officers.
Commercial Robbery
On June 6 at 4:19 p.m., police received a report of a robbery at a fast food business in the 300 block of West Huntington. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic wearing a light blue cap and white t-shirt with horizontal stripes. The suspect had a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded cash. The suspect walked out to a gray or silver, 4-door Honda Civic with paper plates, and the driver was a heavy-set female. The vehicle fled south on Magnolia, out of sight. An area search and notification was made to neighboring agencies, but the vehicle was not located. El Monte Police Department had a robbery that occurred later that day in their city; the description of the suspects and vehicle is a close match.
Vehicle Burglary
On June 7 at 4:30 p.m., police responded to a vehicle burglary in the 200 block of West Scenic. The reporting party believed someone had broken into their neighbor's vehicle. An officer went to the location and found the interior of the vehicle had been ransacked. He dusted for prints, took photos, and checked for witnesses.
Possession of Burglary Tools
June 7 at 11:47 p.m., officers observed a subject who was a known burglar in the area of Foothill and Magnolia near midnight. He was riding a bicycle without a light and no rear reflector. He was detained regarding the violations and questioned about his activity. His responses were ambiguous and in conflict. After a consent search of his person and property, officers found a sufficient amount and type of tools consistent with tools used for auto burglaries to arrest the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody for possession of burglary tools.
Residential Burglary
On June 8 at 4:18 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of Briarcliff Road reported a burglary. He had returned home and found the front door had been smashed and two televisions, a laptop, and other miscellaneous items had been taken. Officers responded and cleared the house; no suspects were inside.
Commercial Robbery
On June 8 at 8:48 p.m., an armed robbery was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington. The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, approximately 25-years-old, large build, wearing a white hat, white long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans. He approached the clerk, pulled a silver colored revolver and demanded money. He was last seen running westbound from the location.
Monrovia Reps - Portantino vs. Shiff? | Huff: No Bridge Tax
~ Redistricting may leave Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, in competition with fellow Democrat Adam Schiff, and Schiff in competition with Congressman David Dreier. http://goo.gl/J6u1a
~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, has made a YouTube video saying Republicans are not going to support a "bridge tax," which he calls a "bridge to nowhere." http://goo.gl/wXUIX
- Brad Haugaard
No Gold Line Deal - Yet | 'The Outlet' Going to Azusa
~ Monrovia thought it had deal to sell land to Gold Line, but doesn't. Monrovia and Gold Line disagree about how to handle a property-owner lawsuit if the suit should be successful. The City Council has delayed a decision for two weeks. http://goo.gl/s44RY ~ The Outlet by ELS, a Monrovia bargain store, will move to Azusa. http://goo.gl/R7S1I - Brad Haugaard
Monrovian Arrested in Kidnapping Case
Monrovian arrested on suspicion of kidnapping. http://goo.gl/sjCd3 - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Assemblyman Hits Brown on Prisons
In another open letter to Governor Jerry Brown, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly - who represents Monrovia - complained that Brown's plan to send prisoners to county jails "threatens public safety by placing an undue burden on the counties and forcing them to release inmates before their full sentences are served." Also, he adds, Brown has "approved unlimited vacation build-up time and several other lucrative perks for the CCPOA" and has "allowed AB 900 to sunset, meaning 10,000 additional inmates will soon be returned to California's prison system from private out-of-state facilities. We can send prisoners out of state for half the cost of what it takes to house them in California." Source: http://goo.gl/hMz64 - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Coach in All-Star Game | Telling College Students About Money
~ Monrovia coach Jesse Mendez co-coaches in all-star game. http://goo.gl/pntCF ~ A bill by Anthony Portantino - who represents part of Monrovia - would tell college students they have access to federal money. It has passed the Assembly. http://goo.gl/Cs7jW - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's MAP Program Wins Awards | Landscaping | Joplin
~ The Monrovia Area Partnership Program won several awards at the annual conference of Neighborhoods USA in Anchorage, Alaska.
~ The Fire Department has some hints for selecting landscape maintenance companies. Mistakes in landscape maintenance can not only be a fire hazard, but cause other expensive problems. (Click on the source link below and scroll down for the tips.)
~ Fire Engineer Jeremy Sanchez is coordinating a collection to help Joplin firefighters who have been most effected by the tornado. If you would like further information please contact Sanchez at (626) 367-5202.
Monrovia City Manager: Aztec Hotel 'Potentially Unsalvageable'
Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa is doubtful about the future of the Aztec Hotel. He writes:
"[T]he very historical significance of the structure [the Aztec Hotel] contributes to the high cost of renovation which makes the situation potentially unsalvageable. As a hotel, the economics of the property are challenging to say the least; as any other adaptive reuse, the significant rehab cost erodes the market value. Still, there are elements in the building that could inspire a long-term investor's imagination and vision. We shall see."
Source: http://goo.gl/gpPOH
- Brad Haugaard
Muskets in Monrovia
There will be a Civil War reenactment from noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday (June 11 and 12), featuring soldiers with period gear, musicians, clothiers, etc. There will be stories, President Lincoln will talk about his times, and there will be a musket demonstration. The event is at the Monrovia Historical Museum, 742 East Lemon Ave. It is a fundraiser and tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for children. http://goo.gl/1tAcU - Brad Haugaard (thanks to Becky Shevlin for the tip.)
Monrovia Economics: Getting Better
On the economic front, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says that things are getting better, but life's still tough. "The good news," he writes, "is that sales and property tax revenues are beginning to recover... . While it would be a stretch to consider this year as an economic juggernaut, we are meeting our conservative revenue estimates." The "bad news," he says, is that "we continue to have to economize on costs." He said the "foundation" of the city's business model is "attracting new businesses that generate new property and sales tax revenue; attracting employers whose employees shop and dine and live in Monrovia; and attracting the private investment that generates the momentum to sustain itself." Source: http://goo.gl/gpPOH - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Senator vs. Mussels | Hearing Postponed | Anti-Cancer Event
~ Legislation to combat the spread of invasive mussel species, authored by State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, has been approved by the state Senate and now moves to the Assembly. http://goo.gl/qdUvr ~ Hearing for former elementary school teacher from Monrovia postponed in molestation case. http://goo.gl/LoJfT ~ A successful anti-cancer event. http://goo.gl/69NPb - Brad Haugaard
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