Portantino's Transparency Legislation

[Press release from Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's office. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.]

Continuing his efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the State Legislature, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino  (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has introduced an Amendment to the Standing Rules of the Assembly (HR20) calling for all Assembly financial records to be made public.

“Californians deserve the respect of the legislature by having access to how their money is being spent,” said Assemblymember Portantino. “We have used the better part of this legislative year legislating good practices in cities such as Bell and Vernon.  We need to lead by example and not shroud our budgets in secrecy.”

HR 20 requires all current financial records to be made available to the public, not a year from now, but immediately.  The resolution also provides for fairness in budgeting for all members’ office expenses and precludes leadership from either rewarding or punishing a member for voting their conscience.  There can no longer be arbitrary budget action under HR 20.  In addition, it requests that the State Controller conduct annual financial audits.

“Assembly leadership has refused to release current budget details and has not conducted a Performance Audit as required by law,” explained Portantino.  “Further adding insult to the process, the incomplete information released by the Assembly Rules Committee for last year has been discredited by the press.  Unfortunately, Leadership needs to be brought into the sunshine kicking and screaming. Under HR20, the adoption of members’ budgets would be done in an open and public hearing instead of behind closed doors. Not only will members’ budgets be made available, but, all Assembly leadership, committee, caucuses and all administrative budgets for the Assembly will have to be disclosed in comprehensive detail.  It is outrageous, unacceptable and wrong to keep the public in the dark when it comes to spending their money.”

The Sacramento Bee and the Los Angeles Times have filed suit against the Assembly Rules Committee for keeping comprehensive budgets secret from the public.  Like the press, Portantino’s requests for comprehensive budget information have also been denied.

- Brad Haugaard

Ten-Year-Old Monrovia Boy Honored for Cancer Work

Nathan Hickey, 10, of Monrovia, has been honored by Kids Who Give, an organization that recognizes "young people who put their time, energy and hearts into helping people and making the world a better place."

 

Nathan formed Mountain Biking for Pablove to show support for kids with cancer. He rides his mountain bike for Team Pablove in races from March until September, and in October for Pablove Across America. Nathan races to raise awareness of childhood cancer, and in 2009 he raised almost $2,000 with his fundraising campaign.

 

For more about Kids Who Give, visit www.kidswhogive.com.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia a Leader in Curbing Gangs | Portantino | Adult School | Homeboy

~ According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Monrovia is "emerging as a leader on how to quell gang crime." Baldwin Park is asking for advice. http://goo.gl/9DYm1

~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) defies his own Assembly Democratic leadership by pushing bill to make legislative expenditures public. http://goo.gl/Xoc4S

~ Registration is now open for classes at Monrovia Community Adult School. http://goo.gl/jkB2P

~ Father Gregory Boyle, of Homeboy Industries, will be speaking at the library this Saturday. http://goo.gl/bW8kE

- Brad Haugaard

Upstream at Monrovia Library Park

Nice calypso steel-drum sound at the summer concert series tonight.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Baldwin's

Lunch at Baldwin's Sidewalk Cafe, 110 E. Lime. Got the pralines and pear salad. Yummy.

- Brad Haugaard

Difficulties Faced by Monrovia Youth Baseball

A feature story in the LA Times about the problems faced by the Monrovia Youth Baseball League. http://goo.gl/9BsMN

 

- Brad Haugaard

New Tech at Monrovia PD | Portantino

~ New Monrovia Police Chief, Jim Hunt, to introduce video reporting, crime mapping, more. http://goo.gl/Z17E7

 

~ In Portantino Affair, Portantino may challenge Assembly Speaker John Perez' protege in primary battle. http://goo.gl/LBzFG

 

- Brad Haugaard

UPDATED: Seven Candidates for Monrovia School Board

UPDATED: It looks like a crowded race for Monrovia Board of Education. Seven of the eight people who took out papers have filed to run. These are: Incumbents Ed Gililland and Bryan Wong; David Dale Crabtree; former Monrovia Mayor Rob Hammond; Janeane Lechuga Covarrubias, an escrow officer; Ed McCarthy, a businessman and parent; and Terrence G. Williams, entrepreneur/businessman. Crabtree is listed as living in Arcadia, but Superintendent Linda Wagner (see comments) says that this address could be unincorporated area which could fall within the Monrovia School District boundaries.  http://goo.gl/oUDnD

- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Principal to Gompers Middle School in LA

[From Monrovia Schools press release]

Traci Gholar has accepted a position with the Los Angeles Partnership
for LA Schools, as the new Principal of Samuel Gompers Middle School.
This Partnership is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the City
of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District. Traci was
recruited for this position and will begin her new adventure August
1st.
Traci has been an integral part of Monrovia Unified School District as
a parent, teacher, student body director of activities and
administrator at Monrovia High School, as well as the principal of
Clifton. We will miss her very much and wish her the best in her new
position.
- Brad Haugaard

Clifton Principal to LA Schools

According to multiple sources, Traci Gholar, principal at Clifton Middle School, will be leaving Monrovia schools. One source said, "it was pretty well known Ms Gholar was heavily recruited from LAUSD -- they sought her out and she accepted. Huge loss for MUSD."

- Brad Haugaard

Redevelopment Money Grab on Hold | The Calendar Battle

~ California Supreme Court blocks state's redevelopment money grab. http://goo.gl/M9K9c . So... does this mean the state budget is again not balanced and the legislators have to forfeit their pay?

 

~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has released his legislative calendar to the press. Big yawn, right? Well, no. Apparently doing what you would think he has the right to do, and what he should do and what you'd think he would be required by law to do, puts him at odds with Assembly Speaker John Perez. More Assembly pettiness at the link: http://goo.gl/Oyx4o

 

- Brad Haugaard

Support Monrovia Band and Color Guard

Support the Monrovia Band and Color Guard by getting your car washed at CVS on Foothill and Fifth on Saturday, August 13, 10 to 2 p.m. and by visiting Cherry On Top, Monday, August 15 from 3 to 8 p.m. The band will earn 20% of all purchases made with the attached flyer.

- Brad Haugaard

Woman Sues Monrovia, Claiming She was Beaten By a Police Officer

A woman has filed suit against Monrovia alleging she was beaten by a Monrovia Police officer two years ago, according to the LA Weekly. http://goo.gl/Lmzro , but Monrovia Police Chief Jim Hunt says it was the other way around, that she assaulted the police officer: http://goo.gl/ERdPT

- Brad Haugaard

Open Audition for Monrovia Rotary Talent Show

The Rotary Club of Monrovia is looking for local talent for its annual talent show and BBQ. The selected performers will compete for the title of best in town and a $500 grand prize.

Open auditions will be held at the YMCA (501 S Mountain Ave, Monrovia) on Saturday, August 27, September 10, and September 17 each from 12 noon-3pm for the annual Monrovia’s Got Talent competition. All ages are welcome.

Please RSVP to Denise Harvey (626-483-4861) prior to the auditions to pre-qualify. All types of acts are welcome such as singing, dancing, comedians, instrumentalists, magicians, guitarists, novelty acts, or any other unique talents.

The annual talent show titled “Monrovia’s Got Talent” is a fundraiser for the Monrovia Rotary Foundation, a 501c3 charity which supports community and international projects. The event will be a talent competition as well as a Texas BBQ held on Saturday September 24, 2011 from 5pm to 10pm at the Monrovia Historical Museum (742 East Lemon, Monrovia).

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by contacting Denise Harvey (626-483-4861) or Julie Roybal (626-222-0571).

Continually updated information on the event can be found at http://www.monroviarotaryevents.com

- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Monrovia PD: Copper Wire Theft, Auto Theft, Domestic Violence, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for August 4-11 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 534 service events, resulting in 79 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:

Robbery

On August 4 at 0:22 a.m., officers responded to the 800 block of West Huntington regarding a male transient reporting, three male suspects took him inside the restroom in the 700 block of East Lemon and beat him up. The suspects then took his shoes and wallet and fled in an unknown direction. The victim walked to the 800 block of West Huntington and called police to report the incident. There were no suspects found. Investigation continuing.

Mail Tampering

On August 5 at 4:02 a.m., an officer responded to a call in the 500 block of Valmont, regarding two male subjects seen tampering with two mailboxes in the area. An area check was conducted but the suspects were not located. Investigation continuing.

Robbery

On August 6 at 9:03 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Huntington regarding a robbery that had just occurred. Officers were advised that a male suspect wearing dark clothing entered the business through the front door and proceeded to the “take out” counter. The suspect pointed a silver revolver at the female employee and demanded the money. The victim handed money to the suspect who fled out the front door and out of sight. Investigation continuing.

Burglary

On August 7 at 3:52 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a burglary. On August 5, a male suspect committed an unreported theft, where he stuffed a backpack full of merchandise, then fled prior to being caught. On August 7, the same suspect re-entered the store and immediately began cutting off security sensors from tools using a cutting tool. The property was valued at over $2,000. The suspect began stuffing his backpack and was detained to prevent him from fleeing the store again. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence

On August 8 at 11:52 an officer responded to the 800 Block of West Olive regarding a domestic disturbance. A male suspect became intoxicated and began to argue with his live in girlfriend. The argument escalated and he assaulted her several times causing visible injury. He was arrested for domestic violence and placed in the sobering cell until he could be booked. An emergency protective order was obtained on behalf of the victim.

Vehicle Burglaries

On August 8, dispatch received reports of two window smash auto burglaries. The first occurred in the 400 block of South Alta Vista between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the loss was an empty purse. The second occurred in the 100 block of North Mayflower between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., the loss was a black briefcase with cash, a telescope and a camera. There is no suspect information at this time. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

On August 9 at 6:55 a.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of Fano regarding a stolen vehicle report. The victim told the officer he parked his vehicle on the street in front of the location and left the keys on the seat. He did not lock the vehicle and did not have an alarm. The victim went inside the residence and returned an hour later to discover the vehicle missing. The vehicle is a white, 1991 Honda Accord. Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle

On August 9 at 11:45 a.m., an officer responded to the 400 block of West Walnut regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim told him she parked and locked her vehicle on the street in front of the location at 1:00 a.m. She returned to her vehicle at 4:00 a.m., and it was missing. All keys were accounted for and there was no glass on the ground where it was parked. The vehicle is a green, 1991 Honda Accord. Investigation continuing.

Burglary

On August 10 at 7:45 a.m. an officer responded to a business in the 700 block of West Huntington. The reporting party was a contracted electrician who is working at the location. The suspect(s) apparently forced open (by pushing in) a sheet of plywood covering a dock door on the north side of the building. Once inside, the suspect(s) removed approximately 100 feet of 1 inch copper wire and pushed a metal tool box out of the dock door opening. It appears, due to scrapes on the concrete floor, that the suspect(s) backed up a truck and loaded the metal tool box into it, and left undetected. Investigation continuing.

Attempt Vehicle Burglary

On August 10 at 11:40 a.m., an officer responded to 100 block of West Pomona regarding an attempt vehicle burglary. The reporting party reported that someone tried breaking into one of their vehicles, a Ford F-350 Van. The suspect(s) damaged the rear door lock of the van; however, no entry was made. Investigation continuing.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Donates Milk to Africa

Prolacta Bioscience, a Monrovia company that creates human breast-milk formulations for critically ill premature infants, partnered with International Breast Milk Project to provide 5,000 ounces of milk to Cape Town South Africa. http://goo.gl/ReOsa

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Business Workshop Rescheduled

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce has rescheduled the Small Business Workshop Series.  Part One will be held on September 8, and will cover "Ten of the Hottest Human Resource Topics," with information on how to keep your business from being vulnerable. RSVP by calling, 626 358-1159 or by email to Korrine Ramirez at kr@monroviacc.com.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Launch Campaign to Slow Driving

The Monrovia Police Department has launched a campaign starting in August that reminds us to slow down in the name of safety.

 

“The Keep Kids Alive - Drive 25” anti-speeding campaign kicked off on National Night Out on Aug. 2. The intent is to remind drivers with signs, vests and even stickers on garbage cans to drive within the speed limit – especially in residential neighborhoods.

 

“Traffic enforcement impacts the number of speeding violators on our residential streets, but it is not the only solution to the problem,” said Monrovia Police Chief Jim Hunt. “The Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 traffic safety education program will be an important tool to help reduce the number of drivers exceeding the residential speed limit.”

 

Residents can pick up free signs and stickers from the Police Department’s lobby at 140 E. Lime Avenue, or by calling Sgt. Glen Coleman at (626) 256-8020. To get a yard sign, all residents need to do is sign up by leaving their name and address, and the Police Department will come by in two months to pick up the signs so the signs can be used in another neighborhood.

 

The program was initiated following concerns expressed by participants of a neighborhood survey, in which they noted the number of speeders on their streets. In response, the department performed a street radar survey.

 

Through the street radar survey, it was discovered between 2 to 12 percent of drivers exceed the speed limit on residential streets, and over 70 percent of the speeders are residents of the neighborhood. The survey also revealed that while violations occurred throughout the day, the highest volume of traffic occurred in the morning and afternoon.

 

The Drive 25 campaign – which is part of a national campaign based out of Nebraska – will hopefully make these drivers more aware of their speed by reinforcing to them to slow down with images of children playing in the street. The campaign comes at a time when children are gearing up to return back to school.

 

The Drive 25 campaign is among the several traffic safety programs offered by the Monrovia Police Department. To learn more about these programs, visit the website at www.cityofmonrovia.org.

 

- Brad Haugaard (from Police Department press release)

Monrovia's World Vision in Somalia | School Board Candidates | Openness at Police Department

~ While the U.S. is becoming interested in helping with the famine in Somalia ( http://goo.gl/PM5Zk ), Monrovia's World Vision is already there: http://goo.gl/WsXEt

 

~ Candidates who want to run for Monrovia School Board need to turn in their paperwork by this Friday. As you can see, eight people have taken out papers and three have filed. (See last two columns): http://goo.gl/S5S10

 

~ New Monrovia Police chief promises more openness. http://goo.gl/b8Lgv

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Creates Huge Mural

Monrovian John Valadez has created a giant mural for Long Beach. http://goo.gl/fHsZm

 

- Brad Haugaard