A very impressive demo video of the new Switchblade killer-drone by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/UFv10
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board Candidates' Forum
Candidates at the Monrovia School Board forum. (Candidate on the left whose tag you can't see is Hammond.)
The atmosphere was friendly as seven candidates for three open Monrovia School Board seats gave statements and answered questions at a forum run by the League of Women Voters at Monrovia's Open Door Church of God in Christ Wednesday night.
There were no obvious divisions among the candidates in terms of how they felt the district has been doing or where they felt it should be going and nobody made any absurd, impossible-to-fulfill promises.
The incumbents, Ed Gililland and Bryan Wong, basically ran on their records and blamed the cuts they made - especially for librarians and the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) - on budget cuts from the state, and none of the other candidates challenged that assessment.
The challengers - (in order of their seating) Rob Hammond, Ed McCarthy, Terrance G. Williams, Janene Lechuga Covarrubias, and David Dale Crabtree - ran on their credentials, enthusiasm, and ideas.
Okay, here is my attempt at a summary of the candidates positions:
~ Hammond hammered on - and reminded people that he was hammering on - the need to address the district's financial troubles by persuading more parents to send their children to Monrovia schools. The logic here is that the state pays districts based on the number of students attending, so, more students, more money. And to persuade parents, he wants to improve the music, art and vocational programs. And he spoke of his community involvement, including being a founder of the Monrovia Reads program.
~ McCarthy said he has children in the district, and wants to see parents and teachers come together to benefit "every last child."
~ Williams said he has been involved for 18 years with the district, and has a child at Clifton Middle School, has been involved in the PTSA, as a school site council member, in sports and mentoring. He said the board should represent the district geographically, and he would bring diversity in that way. Also, he said he doesn't want teachers to raise children, but that parents should partner at home with what teachers do in school.
~ Covarrubias is also a Clifton parent and is deeply involved there. She said she has spent 20 years in business and is a fourth generation Monrovian. She wants all parents to feel welcome to be involved in schools, all students to be challenged to their full potential and prepared for life, and for all employees to feel worthwhile. She said the district's decision to lay off librarians was a factor that made her decide to run for the board, and while she didn't say it was a wrong decision, she did say the decision is "worth revisiting."
~ Crabtree is a retired educator. He taught chemistry, computer, and mathematics, and was a principal. He said he has written grants and has improved student achievement levels.
~ Incumbent Ed Gililland talked about rising test scores and the "huge number" of awards the district has won. And, oh, by the way, he is not interested in pursuing any other city or state office.
~ Incumbent Bryan Wong said he is the most senior board member, although he is only finishing his second term. It is a "young board." He said Monrovia has "successes other districts envy." Enrollment is up and "our test scores are up over 800 during most difficult financial times district has ever seen."
Some noteworthy comments:
Gililland - "I want every school to score over 900. Every school. I want the best schools in the state. I'm not satisfied with the best in the San Gabriel Valley or LA."
Williams - (Would he hire back librarians who were layed off?) "Yes, I will. We need librarians." And the Regional Occupational Program? "ROP is a necessity. Period. Just like librarians. Period."
McCarthy - "We need to give kids more laptops so they can go on the net and look up any kind of books, so we can cut out money spent on libraries." He suggested that "we can buy more iPads in place of librarians."
Covarrubias - (in contrast) "Last year's decision to close the libraries was very frustrating. It is what got me sitting here."
Crabtree - (Would he support a parcel tax to fund the schools?) "I'm not opposed to a parcel tax, but that is for the voters to decide." But, he said, "I don't think it could pass at this time." He was the only candidate to not oppose a parcel tax. Everyone else was firmly against a tax, at least in the current economy.
Hammond - When he asked the Monrovia Teachers Association about its relationship with the district, the answer was always, Good. And that, he said, is an excellent reflection on the district's negotiating teams.
Wong - The ROP was not cut by choice, and not because the program was failing. The opposite is true. It was very successful, so it was one of the last things the district cut, and when funding becomes available it will be one of the first things to be added back.
Best intentionally funny line (from Crabtree): "I grew up in rural South Dakota, and went to a one-room country school. I was always at least second in my class. There were two of us in my class."
Best unintentional funny line (no name, I don't want to embarrass someone for a slip of the tongue): "Monrovia is the best city in town." Amen to that!
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Drones in Afghanistan | Band Fundraisers | Mayor Endorses Holden | Crime on a Map
~ Drones made by Monrovia's AeroVironment saw action in Afghanistan. http://goo.gl/zOeSv
~ A couple Wildcat Band fundraisers, at Jakes' ( http://goo.gl/7DEYb ) and a household-items donation fundraiser with Goodwill ( http://goo.gl/A9p2L ).
~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz endorses Chris Holden for Assembly. http://goo.gl/0HBFM
~ See Monrovia crime on a map. http://goo.gl/plWGQ
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Assemblyman Selected as Assembly Democrat of the Year
Sacramento's "Around the Capitol" blog has named Monrovia's representative, Anthony Portantino, as its Assembly Democrat of the year, as selected by its readership: http://goo.gl/ACm7P
Portantino said: "From the back bench, it feels pretty good to know that folks inside the capitol know that sunshine is just around the corner. I’m honored that this little fight has garnered independent support and verification. Rumor has it that the Speaker has increased Assembly budgets by $20, excluding mine of course, so that members can buy sunscreen in the wake of the Times and Bee court date. In a belt tightening exercise, I heard it was announced that there is only enough money in the kitty to pay the lawyers so Assembly staff will have to fend for themselves and purchase their own sunscreen. Seriously, this is a pretty cool thing to have happened, thanks from me, my staff and the good residents of the 44th AD."
The blog also called Senator Bob Huff and Assemblyman Tim Donnelly "compelling" nominees in their categories.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Winning Japanese Regulatory Approval
Monrovia's STAAR Surgical, which makes implantable contact lenses, has passed regulatory hurdles to selling its "Toric ICL" in Japan, which, a company spokesman says, "brings us much closer to final approval." http://goo.gl/6n57w
- Brad Haugaard
Partial Freeway Closures Until Oct. 28
The Gold Line folks are warning there may be partial lane closures on the eastbound 210 near Santa Anita from now through Friday, October 28. If so, they will begin no earlier than 10 p.m. and last no later than 1 p.m. the following day. No total closures. They'll be unloading steel cages to fit in the 18 foundation holes that will anchor the west end of the bridge. There'll be another 18 for the east end of the bridge. After inserting the steel cages they'll pour concrete.
- Brad Haugaard
Florida Tomato Workers to Picket Monrovia's Trader Joe's
A Florida workers-group plans to picket at Trader Joe's Monrovia headquarters at 1 p.m. this Friday "to express their growing impatience" and attempt to persuade the company to sign a contract controlling how much it pays for tomatoes. The contract would also control the company's "supply chain transparency," would enforce on it a "Code of Conduct," and would require "third-party verification," according to a press release from the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
According to CIW spokesman Oscar Otzoy, Trader Joe's already says "that it will only buy from Florida tomato growers abiding by the Fair Food Code of Conduct" and "that it is already paying a penny per pound 'Fair Food Premium' to improve tomato pickers wages. But," Otzoy adds, "we have seen no proof of that."
- Brad Haugaard
Wrestling Bears in Monrovia Park - Yawn, More Bears
Mama Bear: Back off!
With heads down, huffing and puffing as we rode our bikes to the top of Monrovia Canyon Park today, we came within 20 feet of a mama and baby bear wrestling in the middle of the road before I glanced up.
"Wait!Wait!Wait!Wait!Wait!" I yelled to my biking buddy.
I snapped some shots as the bears ambled off the road, and then we made our way to the top and I took another picture from above, but mama bear looked like she was getting a bit grumpy (as you can see above), and we were getting a bit nervous, so when the bears decided to check out the nature center, we skittered down the hill.
- Brad Haugaard
New Monrovia Retail Boutique | Switchblade | Killed Man Identified | Rally at Trader Joe's HQ
~ Michelle's Upscale Resale Boutique has opened in the Paragon building on Myrtle. It sells "new and gently worn designer items handpicked for style and quality." http://goo.gl/Lkx5i
~ A Wired Magazine story about the Army getting the Switchblade mini killer-drone, made by Monrovia's AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/RoFDS
~ Man shot in Monrovia identified as David Wesley Blair from Tennessee. http://goo.gl/o7CjJ
~ Labor organization plans rally at Trader Joe headquarters in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/AADN2
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's McCarthy in All American Bowl
A full story about Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy playing in the Army All-American Bowl in Texas. http://goo.gl/fGGe1 - Brad Haugaard
Taste of Old Town Photo Essay | Townloop and Monrovia High
~ A photo-report on Sunday's Taste of Old Town Monrovia. http://goo.gl/IIyHt
~ Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco reports that Monrovia High is working with Townloop.com, which offers local deals and then hands over 20 percent of the proceeds to local schools. You can sign up here: http://goo.gl/S9Qp2 .
- Brad Haugaard
Historic Oops! | Precautions from Monrovia FD | Halloween Movie
~ City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that even though the city made a mistake in not giving its historic preservation staff a chance to review the remodeling of a Victorian house at 222 Grand Avenue, "were it not for the conscientiousness of the new owners, the structure could have quite literally required demolition because of the extensive water and termite damage." But Ochoa said "it is a mistake not to be repeated."
~ The Fire Department wants you to be aware of trees that may overhang your house and drop leaves which can build up and create a fire hazard.
~ The City of Monrovia is hosting a Halloween-themed movie night in Julian Fisher Park, showing "Despicable Me" at 7 p.m. in English with Spanish subtitles.
Source: http://goo.gl/uM71O
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia City Manager: Don't Panic About Released Prisoners
In his weekly report City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that "now is not a time to panic" about prisoners being released - because the state doesn't have money to keep them locked up - because they "are classified as non-violent offenders." Rather, he says, "now is a time to 'harden the target' and be vigilant - participate and/or activate Neighborhood Watch groups, don't invite property crimes-of-opportunity by leaving valuables in your unlocked car, etc." He said Police Chief Jim Hunt will give a presentation at Tuesday's city council meeting. http://goo.gl/KKx98
- Brad Haugaard
Man Airlifted from Monrovia Park | Dental Office to Open
~ Man airlifted from Monrovia Canyon Park. Woman hit with rock. http://goo.gl/HsfIe
~ Monrovia Modern Dentistry opening Nov. 15. http://goo.gl/ecHd8
- Brad Haugaard
Fellowship Monrovia Holds Preview Meeting
- Brad Haugaard
Setting Up for Taste of Old Town
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's State Senator Gets Hacked
Monrovia State Senator Bob Huff had his Twitter account hacked to send out a weight-loss ad.
- Brad Haugaard
Volunteer at Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center | Downsizing and Leaving | No Haunted Park
~ Foothill Unity Center needs volunteer help with the holiday distributions coming up. Details: http://goo.gl/WCJSt
~ Downsizing Monrovia pest control company moving to El Monte. Says economy is bad, too much government regulation, Gold Line is coming through. http://goo.gl/LkcLP
~ No haunted Monrovia Canyon Park this year. http://goo.gl/t5x6P
- Brad Haugaard
Half Off on Books | Taste of Monrovia Coming Up | Dollar Off
~ Half price on books with a black dot on the spine, at the Monrovia Friends of the Library store (in the Library). http://goo.gl/JQDU2
~ A dollar off at the new "$40 or Less" store with this coupon. http://goo.gl/0M7mw
~ And don't forget Taste of Monrovia (sample food from local restaurants) this Sunday, October 16, from 5-8 p.m. You'll need tickets. Details: http://goo.gl/HVxu8
- Brad Haugaard
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