- Brad Haugaard
Former Monrovia Fire Chief Nominated to be Top US Fireman
A former Monrovia fire chief - Ernest Mitchell Jr. - has been nominated to be head of the United States Fire Administration. http://goo.gl/68TFc
Gold Line Gets Help from Senator Hernandez
In the face of a lawsuit from a Monrovia landowner, Senator Ed Hernandez has been drafting legislation to expedite the Gold Line going forward. Here's an article: http://goo.gl/UbkZX
- Brad Haugaard
Construction on 210 Freeway Bridge Begins
Freeway bridge construction, on eastbound 210 at Santa Anita exit.
Habib Balian, spokesman for the Gold Line, writes that:
"Work on the Iconic Freeway Structure has begun. As you have seen over the last few weeks, the center median of the eastbound I-210 is clear and the 500-foot-long retaining wall is well on its way to completion. The retaining wall is the first step in the construction process, creating the needed wide flat surface for the large construction equipment to access the construction area....
"As construction continues in the coming weeks, the wall will be completed, and then work will begin on the 110 foot deep foundations. That will be the first time a late night full closure of the eastbound lanes will be needed. We will provide advanced notice of those activities."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Man Hit with Bat, Hit and Run, Battery and Batteries
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for July 28-August 3 – Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 552 service events, resulting in 80 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:
28th Annual National Night Out Against Crime
On August 2, 2011, the Monrovia Police Department united with cities across the nation to celebrate the 28th Annual National Night Out. National Night Out is an effective and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police/community partnership in our fight for a safer nation.
Mayor Mary Ann Lutz kicked off the event with the “Keep Kids Alive Drive 25” program, which is geared to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety in residential areas. Thirty-five families signed up for yard signs and stickers to promote the program.
The festivities this year took place at Library Park with music from the live band, “Upstream.” Hot links, snow cones, popcorn, and police displays brought approximately 500 people out to celebrate. Forty-five families participated in the Child Identification program, over 700 hot dogs were served, and over 400 snow cones were given out. A great night was had by all, and the benefits from this great community event will extend well beyond one night out.
Battery Thefts
On July 29, two curbside box battery thefts were reported in the early morning hours. The boxes were pried open and the batteries stolen. The thefts occurred on Duarte at Magnolia and the 400 block of East Cherry. The investigation is continuing.
Battery
On July 29 at 9:29 p.m., officers were flagged down by a male subject who was bleeding from the mouth. He told officers he was jumped by two to three male juveniles. No suspects were located. Investigation continuing.
Wanted Robbery Suspect Arrested
On July 30 at 11:09 a.m., officers located a named robbery suspect they had been searching for extensively. The suspect was wanted for the robbery of a business in the 300 block of West Huntington that occurred on July 12. The suspect had approached a cashier with his hand in his jacket pocket and threatened to shoot her if she didn’t give him the money from the register. After obtaining the cash, he fled the location. Officers had identified the suspect and had been watching several locations he was known to frequent. He was located working on a vehicle in the city of Duarte and was arrested without incident.
Domestic Violence / Child Abuse – Suspect Arrested
On August 1 at 3:49 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of East Los Angeles Avenue regarding a male subject hitting another subject with a bat. When officers arrived, they located a male subject that was bleeding from a head injury. The two suspects with the bat had left the location. The investigation revealed that the subject with the head injury had physically abused his girlfriend, with whom he has two children. He had also physically abused one of the children. This subject was taken to a hospital for treatment. The identity of the two suspects that assaulted the domestic violence suspect is unknown at this time. The injured suspect was arrested after he was treated and released from the hospital. Investigation continuing.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
On August 2 at 12:06 a.m., police received the report of a vehicle striking the Acapulco Restaurant building. The occupants of the vehicle fled the scene. Officers arrived and determined there were no injured patrons in the restaurant and no occupants of the car remained at the scene. A driver’s license and an employee badge belonging to a female subject were found at the scene, along with an identification card for another female subject. Further investigation revealed that the driver at the time of the accident was probably the female with the identification card. A location check of her residence was made, but she was not located. The investigation is ongoing and charges for driving without a license and hit and run will be pursued. Investigation continuing.
Felony Vandalism
On August 3 at 7:25 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of East Olive reported her vehicle had been vandalized. The vehicle was parked on the street and had been keyed during the night. At about 12:01 p.m., officers returned to the location, as two other vehicles belonging to the same victim had also been keyed. All of the vehicles had been vandalized sometime between 12:00 p.m. and 7:25 a.m.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Stompers | Adult School on Vacation
~ An article on Monrovia's Senior Stompers exercise group. http://goo.gl/9URDP
~ Monrovia Adult School will be closed until August 15 for a summer break. http://goo.gl/Ab9Xu
- Brad Haugaard
Portantino Fights for Legislative Openness | Monrovia Man Convicted of Murder | Small Business Seminar
~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia and is in a fight with the Assembly leadership, has proposed a bill to force the Legislature to disclose how much it spends on each of its members. http://goo.gl/Wxtep Opinion: Good for him! It is ridiculous that this is not already required by law. I would have thought it was a clear matter of public record. ~ Two men, including one Monrovia man, have been convicted of first degree murder in a San Bernardino Superior Court. http://goo.gl/0EWi1 ~ If you have a small business in Monrovia, the Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a three-part small business seminar. Here's a flyer with the details: http://goo.gl/F8g6v - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Mayor Thanks Representatives for Support of Redevelopment
[An open letter from Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz to Monrovia's representatives in Sacramento. - Brad Haugaard]
From Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz:
A Message of Thank You to Senator Bob Huff, Assembly Members Anthony Portantino and Tim Donnelly:
As Mayors and City Council Members, we find it hard to believe that Governor Brown and the California State Legislature actually voted to eliminate Redevelopment Agencies from the State of California in spite of clear facts that Redevelopment abates blighting influences and brings positive economic development benefits to our cities and the state. It is particularly disturbing that the Legislature would ignore the fact that less than a year ago the citizens of California voted overwhelming for Prop 22 – an initiative designed to protect local government funding and specifically, Redevelopment.
The sad fact is that they did approve the elimination Redevelopment; but not all State Legislators turned their back on the people they represent.
We are proud to stand next to and thank Senator Bob Huff, Assembly Member Tim Donnelly and especially the only democrat to oppose the bill, Assembly Member Anthony Portantino.
Taking principled stands that are not politically expedient is not easy. Representation that is meaningful and preserves local government serves all Californians and we are grateful to be represented by such fine public servants. Thank you Senator Bob Huff, Assembymembers Tim Donnelly and Anthony Portantino!
With gratitude from the Mayors and City Council Members from the following cities:
Monrovia Man to Stand Trial in Sex Abuse Case
A Monrovia man accused of sexual abuse while teaching in Duarte will stand trial. http://goo.gl/XXN4n
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Has Great Q2 | Filming in Town
~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical had a great second quarter. http://goo.gl/lheqv
~ Recent filming in Monrovia included a Harley Davidson commercial, "Hostage Do or Die," and a Wells Fargo commercial. http://goo.gl/APhJu
- Brad Haugaard
Draft EIR for Monrovia Wilderness Area
If you would like to comment on the Wilderness Preserve Draft Environmental Impact Report, here it is (It's a monster, so be patient as it downloads): http://goo.gl/Ls9Xr If you want just an overview, read through the "Executive Summary." A couple possible projects:
~ At the end of Cloverleaf Drive put a nature center; a native plant restoration garden; upgrades to the Wilderness Fire Station; an emergency helicopter landing pad; a maximum of 10 picnic tables (no fire/barbeque pits); bear proof trash receptacles; two short, loop walking trails; a restroom facility; and new informational signage, fencing and entry gate. Up to 25 parking spaces may be provided
~ At the end of Highland Place a parking area with up to 10 parking spaces with a Fire Department approved turn‐around, picnic tables (maximum of 4) bear proof trash receptacles; informational signage; fencing and entry gate. No fire/barbeque pits.
- Brad Haugaard
Portantino's Info Request Denied by Assembly Rules Committee
The California Assembly Rules Committee has refused Anthony Portantino's request for information on the spending of other assembly members. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. His staff is being cut after he was accused of overspending by Assembly leaders. He says he didn't overspend and the cut is punishment because he voted against Gov. Brown's budget. http://goo.gl/I5B1z
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Fire Department: Overturned Car on Myrtle
Fire personnel responded to 68 emergency calls between 8 a.m. July 19 to 8 a.m. July 26, including an incident of a vehicle rolling over on Myrtle. The report:
"During rush hour traffic on the morning of July 26, MFD was dispatched to a vehicle accident at Myrtle Avenue and Huntington Drive. Fire units arrived on scene and found one car overturned with a victim trapped and an additional vehicle with one person injured. MFD personnel extricated the trapped victim utilizing specialized rescue tools carried on Truck 101, while the additional patient was treated by Engine 102. Engine 101 was assigned to assist with manpower, Safety Officer operations and manning the safety protection hose-line. Both patients were treated for their injuries and transported to the local hospital."
Source: http://goo.gl/smonm
- Brad Haugaard
Why Monrovia Can't Approve Gold Line Deal Until September | Drawing Straws | Recycling
Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa writes in his weekly report that ...
~ Although the Gold Line officially approved a deal to purchase Monrovia land, "the Monrovia City Council cannot consider the proposed purchase and sale agreement until its September 6 Council meeting because of the State's adoption of AB 1X 26 and 27 - the redevelopment elimination and extortion bills." At that time the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency should be up and running again.
~ A property issue that would normally be routine will be unusual because of conflicts of interest which would prevent the City Council from having a quorum to vote on the matter (a new housing development at 1116 and 1122 South Magnolia and 239 West Cypress.) Under these circumstances, Ochoa said the Council will essentially "draw straws" to see who gets to consider the matter.
~ The closing of the Puente Hills Landfill in October 2013 means recycling will soon be cheaper than dumping. So, should the City Council require small businesses to recycle 75 percent of their trash, or just let the market nudge them in that direction? He said staff recommends requiring it.
Source: http://goo.gl/smonm
- Brad Haugaard
Water District Headquarters Moves to Monrovia
The Upper San Gabriel Municipal Water District has moved to a new home in Monrovia. 602 E. Huntington Drive, Suite B, to be exact. http://goo.gl/v3CmN
- Brad Haugaard
Newspapers Slam Assembly over Portantino Affair
Both the LA Times ( http://goo.gl/2YWAe ) and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune ( http://goo.gl/scqYR ) criticize the State Assembly leadership for this whole Anthony Portantino affair. (Portantino represents part of Monrovia.) I said it makes the Assembly leadership smell like a rotten chicken, but they go in to a bit greater detail.
- Brad Haugaard
Portantino May Move to Monrovia, Etc.
~ Star-News columnist Larry Wilson says Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) may move to Monrovia so he can run for Congress after congressional districts are redrawn. http://goo.gl/JHQ6V
~ More on Portantino's battle with the state Assembly. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/yI9B2
- Brad Haugaard
Help Unity Center by Having Dinner at Paco's
Help Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center help low-income families by having dinner Sunday night, July 31, at Paco's (200 E. Foothill, Arcadia). Ten percent of the proceeds Paco's receives between 5 and 8 p.m. will go to help the Center.
- Brad Haugaard
Bears, Bears, Bears - in Monrovia and Elsewhere
I received a note from a Monrovia correspondent the other day entitled "bears bears bears," which read:
"The past three nights, when my husband and I have gone out to do our walks, we've had to turn back because of bears. Bears are all the buzz. Bears are all the rage. Praying nothing bad happens!"
And then I saw this NY Times story about increasing numbers of human run-ins with bears: http://goo.gl/INlqB
I've seen plenty of black bears - even in my back yard - and never had a problem, but it is wise to remember they're wild animals and not safe, Samson notwithstanding.
- Brad Haugaard
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