210 Bridge Foundation About to be Drilled

Mr. Crane being assembled to drill foundations.

The foundation for the 210 bridge over the eastbound lanes near Santa Anita will be drilled over the next four weeks, according to a press release from Gold Line Spokesman Habib Balian.

In the image you can see a large drill rig and crane are being assembled on the south side of the freeway. This is the location of the first of three 110 foot deep, 11 foot in diameter foundations. The other two are located in the center median of the freeway.  

"Each foundation will take approximately six days to drill and cast. We anticipate drilling the first foundation next week, followed by the installation of the reinforcing steel cage, concrete placement and testing the following week. This schedule is dependent on receiving final approval from Caltrans this week. During these activities, partial and full eastbound lane closures are planned (full closures occur late at night to minimize traffic delays)."

- Brad Haugaard

Indian Restaurant for Myrtle Ave.

an "upscale" Indian restaurant will replace Teri & Yaki near Foothill and Myrtle. http://goo.gl/1XwIj

- Brad Haugaard

Paintings at Segil Fine Art

Paintings by Lynne Fearman (car) and Sharon Weaver (walkway) on display until October at Segil Fine Art, 110 W. Lime. Artist's reception this Saturday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Introduces New Drone

AeroVironment introduces Shrike "quadcopter" vertical take-off drone. http://goo.gl/pHs8G

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Green Dot Hires General Manager

Green Dot Corporation, a Monrovia-based prepaid financial services company, has hired marketing and branding expert Eric Duehring as general manager of the Green Dot-branded card business unit. http://goo.gl/Qf3JN

 

- Brad Haugaard

Comment Time for Monrovia Hillsides | Welcoming Baby Monrovians | Happy Birthday

~ Monrovia seeks comment on Hillside plan. http://goo.gl/Pz8aq

~ City Council welcomes the newest Monrovians. http://goo.gl/TF47I

~ MonroviaNow.com is a bit over a year old. Here's a link to our first posting, on July 31, 2010. On bears. What else. http://goo.gl/8cPbN

- Brad Haugaard

Stanford Report: Numbers Used Against Portantino 'Suspicious'

A Stanford University non-profit research group, California Common Sense (CACS), says Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is not the top spender in the Assembly - he's 18th - and that the figures released by the Assembly that show him to be the top spender are "suspicious."

From the CACS press release: "Given everything we know right now, it appears that the Rules Committee under-reported other Assemblymembers’ spending on staff and over-reported Portantino’s spending on staff. If this turns out to be the case, it is a sad day for California. It is a problem if elected officials such as Portantino who seek more transparent and accountable governance are being punished."

In his own press release, Portantino writes that the Stanford researchers "have completely exposed the clumsy attempt to falsely portray me in a bad light and exposed petty politics at its worst.  The actions of the Assembly leaders not only undermine the public’s trust, they raise serious constitutional questions."

He adds: "I am asking the legislature to join me in requesting a complete and thorough audit of the State Assembly’s budget and expenditures."

Sources: CACS press release ( http://goo.gl/hKhWG ), CACS executive summary ( http://goo.gl/hjk1X ), CACS Policymaker Report ( http://goo.gl/G0XR5 )

UPDATE: Commenting on the Portantino affair, the Star-News accuses Assembly Speaker John Perez of "cooking" the Assembly's books and says he should resign. http://goo.gl/W8gh9

- Brad Haugaard

Back to School, Monrovia! | Profile of Ellis McCarthy

~ Back to school day. Drive carefully! And here's a picture: http://goo.gl/jhz0I

~ LA Times column on Monrovia football player, lineman Ellis McCarthy: http://goo.gl/BPV52

- Brad Haugaard

Hit and Run Near Farmers' Market

Man run over near Farmers' Market. http://goo.gl/3d6KD

UPDATE: http://goo.gl/08JP0

- Brad Haugaard

Hurray for the Frugal Ones!

Opinion: It is disappointing to find Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has been spending more than any other Assembly member on office staff ($213,263.28) so far this year -- unless, of course, as Portantino maintains, that this isn't the full picture.

Still, I very much appreciate him forcing this information out into the open. But anyway what REALLY strikes me is the following five Assembly members, who all managed to squeak by spending less than $100 grand on their office staffs:

Jose Solorio (D), $98,134.27
Mariko Yamada (D), $96,990.86
Mike Morrell (R), $86,610.09
Bob Blumenfield (D), $81,036.50
Mary Hayashi (D), $62,457.60

I don't know how they vote on the bigger issues of spending, but good for them for keeping their office expenses under control. Maybe the rest of the Assembly could take lessons.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Released Records: Portantino Had Highest Spending | Ellis McCarthy Pictures | Accident Pictures | School Summer Music | Four Burglary Arrests

~ According to this article ( http://goo.gl/ahMR8 ), recently released Assembly records show that Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, spent more than any other Assembly member. Portantion has called this the equivalent to an April Fools joke: http://goo.gl/Dk80d

 

~ Pictures of Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy. "Intimidating." http://goo.gl/cxhUo

 

~ Photos of Friday accident at Huntington and Mayflower. http://goo.gl/GzJ3a

 

~ Summer music at Monrovia schools. http://goo.gl/X7xfb

 

~ Four Monrovians arrested on suspicion of burglary in Pasadena. http://goo.gl/xv1xM

 

- Brad Haugaard

Next Monrovia School Board Meeting

Back to school night schedule

At the next School Board meeting - Aug. 31, 7 p.m. in the board room (agenda: http://goo.gl/26MIS ) - the board will, among other things:

~ Consider ratifying an agreement with the various school employee unions. Big items: in 2013 employees will take a 3 percent salary cut, but will work six fewer days. Also, annual health insurance cost for employees will rise from $300 to $800. http://goo.gl/EizzZ

~ Hear a report on the STAR test results. http://goo.gl/2VIQt

~ Decide whether to fill Clare Chesley's seat (she moved out of town) or just leave it vacant until the November 8 election. http://goo.gl/1HsjC

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Could Take Another Financial Hit

The likelihood of state cuts to K-12 education is "quite real," according to an analysis by David Conway, Monrovia Schools' Director of Fiscal Services.

In his preamble to a proposed revised budget ( http://goo.gl/wRhlP ) that the school board will consider at its August 31 meeting, Conway slammed the state and warned of possible cuts to come. Here's some of his analysis:

"As has become standard practice in recent years, the State Budget is balanced using some accounting gimmicks, funding shifts and an increase in the deferral of state apportionments into the next fiscal year. Even more troublesome, this budget assumes an additional $4 billion dollar increase in State revenue above the already optimistic assumptions used in the May Revised budget.

"To reassure financial markets and others that this budget was in fact balanced despite its rosy revenue assumptions and projections, the legislature included a 'trigger' that will be implemented after December 15th if revenue collections do not meet the projections at that time.

"Should these revenues not be realized, mid-year cuts - including cuts to K-12 education - will be implemented, unless subsequent legislation offering a different solution is passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. July State tax collections were well under projection. The probability of mid-year and/or out-year cuts to K-12 education funding is quite real."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman Portantino Says Perez Insults Public

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, responded today to the release of Assembly documents, saying:

"If these documents were not posted on the Assembly's web page, I would think they were an April fool's joke.  Today, Assembly Speaker John Perez released 8 month expenditures that continue to mislead the public on how the Assembly operates.  The documents released hide true and accurate accounting of staff budgets and complete staff expenditures.  I once again implore Assembly leaders to come clean and open the Assembly to true transparency.  The documents released today are an insult to the public."

 

- Brad Haugaard (from press release from Portantino's office)

Monrovia's Clifton Middle School Gets New Principal

Monrovia High Assistant Principal Jennifer Gates will be moving over from Monrovia High School to take over the job of principal at Clifton Middle School, according to Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Kiku Sushi

Lunch at Kiku Sushi, 670 W. Huntington, just west of Chili's. Got a Jalapeños Bomba (not strictly authentic Japanese) and Kiku's Lunch with chicken teriyaki and spicy albacore roll. Very nice.

- Brad Haugaard

World Vision vs. Famine

Monrovia's World Vision challenges African Union to show leadership in Horn of Africa famine. http://goo.gl/tWyae

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia #1 | PetSmart Coming | Slow from Pasadena Tonight | Mayor Wins Civic Award | Cabaret Night

~ Monrovia No. 1 in Mid-Valley Division Top 10 poll. http://goo.gl/YfBy2

~ The old Circuit City on Huntington will be a new PetSmart. http://goo.gl/d1YpR

~ Two 210 Eastbound lanes will be closed tonight for bridge construction. Between Rosemead and Santa Anita, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. http://goo.gl/h90kV 

~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz has won the Civic Award from the NAACP and will be receiving it September 8.  http://goo.gl/19RWe

~ San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present "Cabaret Night" at First Presbyterian Church on Sept. 24. http://goo.gl/SVeY9

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Accuses State Legislature of Hypocrisy and Corruption

Assembly Member Anthony Portantino - who represents part of Monrovia - has introduced legislation to force the Legislature to comply with the California Public Records Act.

 

A press release from Portantino's office says: "Currently, the State Legislature is the only government agency in California that exempts itself from compliance with this important 'good government' standard."

 

It then quotes Portantino as saying: "It is hypocritical of the Legislature to say it embraces open government when it is fighting so hard to keep the public in the dark on how it operates.  A secret budget is by its very nature a corrupt budget.  Assembly leaders are putting themselves above the will of the people by declaring that budgets, expenditures and ongoing operational documents are preliminary drafts, notes, or legislative memoranda."

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia PD: Arguing Over Steering Wheel, Another Termite Burglary

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for August 18-24 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 579 service events, resulting in 99 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:

Family Disturbance / Mental Evaluation

On August 20 at 7:04 p.m., police responded to a family disturbance in the 900 block of West Olive Avenue. A mother and her 17-year-old son became involved in an argument. During the argument, the son expressed a desire to hurt himself. The son had been drinking alcohol and the mother reported that he has recently been depressed. The son was taken to a hospital and held for mental evaluation.

Driving Under the Influence / Hit and Run Traffic Collision With Injury – Two Suspects Arrested

On August 21 at 1:56 a.m., a male and two female subjects were riding in a Toyota truck in the 700 block of Ridgeside Drive, returning home from a party. The male driver and female front passenger began to argue, and the female grabbed the steering wheel from the driver, causing him to crash into a parked car. The driver fled the area, but was located by an officer. The driver and female passenger were intoxicated. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence and felony hit and run with injury. The front female passenger was arrested for public intoxication and for interfering with the driver of the vehicle. The second female passenger was taken to a hospital for back pain.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

On August 21 at 12:06 a.m., an officer on patrol came across a vehicle parked partially in the street at Walker and El Norte with its engine running and the driver sleeping behind the wheel. The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Commercial Burglary

On August 22 at 4:11 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 900 block of West Huntington on an alarm activation. Upon arrival, they discovered a smashed window. A responsible party arrived and reported that several cell phones and one computer monitor was taken. Investigation continuing.

Commercial Burglary

On August 22 at 11:39 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 1500 block of South California regarding a burglary. Unknown suspect(s) cut the chain link fence around an outside yard and made entry into a secured area where merchandise is kept. Investigation continuing.

72-Hour Hold / Mental Evaluation

On August 23 at 8:44 a.m., a resident in the 1600 block of Pilgrim Way reported that her grandson was threatening suicide. When officers arrived, the subject became uncooperative and was combative. He struggled with officers as they attempted to take him into custody for his own safety. One officer sustained a minor injury during the incident. The subject was taken to a hospital, where he was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.

Grand Theft Auto

On August 23 at 2:49 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of South Ivy reported his vehicle had been stolen. He reported he had brought a male subject to his house to put some music together. The suspect told the victim he had left his wallet in the victim’s vehicle. The victim handed the subject the keys to his vehicle. The suspect entered the vehicle and drove away, heading west on Huntington toward the freeway. The victim’s vehicle is a silver, 2000 BMW 740i. Investigation continuing.

Brandishing a Weapon

On August 23 at 4:40 p.m., a subject/victim was sitting in his vehicle in a business parking lot in the 500 block of West Huntington. Another subject in a vehicle parked next to his displayed an offensive hand gesture after the victim asked him what was wrong. A female passenger in the vehicle brandished a gun and the suspects drove off. The victim followed the suspect vehicle and last saw it heading eastbound on Duarte at Myrtle. The suspect vehicle is described as an older model Izusu Rodeo. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

On August 24 at 4:52 a.m., an officer on patrol noticed a large hole in a fumigation tent on a residence in the 100 block of Stedman Place. The hole was directly outside a window; the window was wide open and a light was on. An officer watched the location for some time, but no one was located in or around the house. The location was checked for loss after it was safe to enter and it was discovered that a 42-inch television had been stolen from the residence. Investigation continuing

- Brad Haugaard