- Brad Haugaard
Deer Dining Spot in Monrovia
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Football Celebration Tonight | Assembly Records | Antioxidants
~ Monrovia Wildcat football victory parade tonight at 5 p.m., from MHS, along Colorado, and north on Myrtle for a celebration at Library Park at about 5:30 p.m.
~ Analysis of recently-released Assembly records as they relate to the charge by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) that he was unfairly picked on by Speaker John Pérez. http://goo.gl/NhPW6
~ Brown bag lunch discussion on antioxidants at library, Jan. 17 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. http://goo.gl/T9CFF
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Church Serving In-N-Out | New Church | Theft From Church | Portantino Spent Less Than Most of His Democratic Colleagues
~ Monrovia's New Beginnings Family Church (2780 S. Peck Rd.) is serving free In-N-Out Burgers this Sunday. http://goo.gl/pzvfk
~ The new Fellowship Monrovia church will officially begin meeting this Sunday, at 11 a.m. at the Community Center. The church has already had several "prequel" meetings. http://goo.gl/Qkr7T
~ Monrovia man charged with stealing from Glendale church donation box. http://goo.gl/du2Jn
~ Last year Assembly member Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, spent less than 38 of the 52 Democrats in the Assembly. http://goo.gl/kANpX
- Brad Haugaard
New Businesses in Monrovia | Huff Worries About Governor's Budget
~ A list of businesses that opened in Monrovia in 2011. http://goo.gl/LsJBR
~ Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia ) worries that Governor Brown's proposed budget will "increase the state’s dependence on highly volatile income tax payments by the state’s wealthiest individuals" and result in "yet another boom and bust cycle" ( http://goo.gl/B8M8e ). Opinion: Ya know, a boom and bust cycle wouldn't be so bad if Sacramento would only restrain itself during the booms so we don't go broke during the busts.
- Brad Haugaard
Portantino's Whistleblower Bill Passes First Hurdle
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino’s bill to provide Legislative staffers with the same protections from retaliation as other state employees has been approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on a unanimous vote, according to a press release from Portantino's office. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.
The press release continues:
The bill marks the first time legislative employees will have legal protection from reprisals for reporting government wrongdoing such as waste or abuse. It’s part of Assemblymember Portantino’s broader efforts to ensure openness, transparency and accountability in state government.
“This is another self-serving protection that the legislature enacted that needs to be repealed. Workers should know that when they do the right thing they won’t have to face the threat of retaliation. Repealing this exemption show’s we are serious about finding waste and fraud. It’s the right thing to do,” commented Portantino.
Each year, thousands of Californians do the right thing by reporting waste, fraud, violations of law, and political corruption. When they do the right thing, they are protected from retaliation under the California Whistleblower Protection Act. In most state houses in the nation those who witness and report these abuses are also covered with protection. Not in California. Folks who work for the State Legislature have no such protection. AB 1378 will change this disparity.
AB 1378 would require the Rules Committees of both the Assembly and Senate to designate an officer to receive written complaints and the state Auditor would then investigate those complaints. Those found guilty of retaliation could face fines up to $10,000 and a year in county jail.
The bill now goes to Assembly Appropriations later this month.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Stopping a Suicide, Swiping Mail, Driving Under the Influence, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Jan. 5-8. - Brad Haugaard]
Grand Theft Auto
On January 5 at 7:51 p.m., an employee of a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain called to report a stolen vehicle. The female victim arrived at work, parked, and secured her vehicle in the parking lot. While on a break at 5:00 p.m., she saw her vehicle in the parking lot. At 7:45 p.m., she went on her lunch break to her vehicle and the car was gone. There was no broken glass on the ground where the car had been and the victim has accounted for all keys to the vehicle. The vehicle is a silver, four-door, 1998 Honda Civic. The vehicle was later recovered by El Monte Police Department. Investigation continuing.
Mail Tampering
On January 6 at 9:52 a.m., mail was stolen from the mailbox at Mayflower and Foothill. The mail was found in several different locations. Checks had been taken from the envelopes, and it was later determined that a male Hispanic subject had attempted to cash one of the checks in Santa Fe Springs, unsuccessfully. Investigation continuing.
72-Hour Mental Evaluation
On January 6 at 10:57 a.m., a male teenager who resides in the 1200 block of South Sherman was threatening suicide while on the phone with his mental health counselor. Officers responded and had to make forced entry into the residence. The subject was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation. His mother was notified.
Residential Burglary
On January 6 at 8:28 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of East Los Angeles on the report of a burglary. When the officer arrived, the female victim told him that her son arrived home at 7:00 p.m. and found their computer and some items of jewelry missing. Investigation continuing.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On January 7 at 9:44 p.m., officers were dispatched to Myrtle and Lemon regarding a non-injury traffic collision. Upon arrival of officers, one of the involved parties was leaving the scene in his vehicle, heading east on Lemon. The suspect parked in the 100 block of East Lemon and ran south on Ivy. The suspect's direction of travel was broadcast and another officer in the area located and detained the suspect at the corner of Ivy and Colorado. He was positively identified as the driver of the suspect vehicle by witnesses. Through investigation, officers determined the suspect was also driving under the influence. He was arrested.
Special Enforcement Team Activity
Felony Warrant / Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
On January 4, Special Enforcement Team officers saw a known subject in the 300 block of South Myrtle that they knew had a $100,000 felony warrant for his arrest and a suspended driver's license. As the subject started to drive away, he was stopped and arrested for the warrant. A vehicle search revealed a methamphetamine pipe that contained a useable amount of methamphetamine. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. His vehicle was stored.
False Tabs on a Vehicle / Driving Without a License
On January 7, during an investigation, Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a vehicle for numerous vehicle code violations. The driver was arrested for placing false tabs on his vehicle's plates and driving without a license. The vehicle was stored.
Man Arrested in Monrovia Hit and Run
A Monrovia man has been arrested on charges of hitting a bicyclist on Foothill. It appears the cyclist will be okay. http://goo.gl/18P6x
- Brad Haugaard
City of Monrovia to Take Over Dead Redevelopment Agency
With the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency killed off by the State Supreme Court - along with all the other redevelopment agencies in the state - the City Council will consider at a special Jan. 11 meeting whether to designate itself as the entity to take over its accounts and duties. http://goo.gl/ETK5z - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman Introduces Whistleblower Law for State Legislature
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has introduced a law to protect staff members of the California Legislature from retaliation if they report illegal activity. Currently, he said, the legislature exempts itself from the whistleblower law that it requires others to obey.
Here is the press release from Portantino's office:
Each year, thousands of Californians do the right thing by reporting waste, fraud, violations of law, and political corruption. When they do the right thing, they are protected from retaliation under the California Whistleblower Protection Act. In most state houses in the nation those who witness and report these abuses are also covered with protection. Not in California. Folks who work for the State Legislature have no such protection.
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) is introducing legislation to change this disparity and offer the same protections to Legislative staffers as those offered to employees in the Governor’s office, other state agencies and appointees to state boards or commissions.
“This is another self-serving protection that the legislature enacted that needs to be repealed. Workers should know that when they do the right thing they won’t have to face the threat of retaliation. Repealing this exemption show’s we are serious about finding waste and fraud. It’s the right thing to do,” commented Portantino.
AB 1378 marks the first time legislative employees will have legal protection from reprisals for reporting government wrongdoing. It’s part of Portantino’s broader efforts to ensure openness, transparency and accountability in state government.
According to the Wall St. Journal, 34% of working Americans have seen “wrong-doing” at their jobs. But, it has only been in the last few decades that workers have been able to come forward and report that wrong-doing without fear of losing their jobs.
AB 1378 would require the Rules Committees of both the Assembly and Senate to designate an officer to receive written complaint and the state Auditor will investigate complaints. Those found guilty of retaliation could face fines up to $10,000 and a year in county jail. The bill will be heard Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Assembly Judiciary Committee.
- Brad Haugaard
Windstorm Gives Workout to Monrovia Service Club's Emergency Database
The recent windstorm gave a workout to a new database designed to help city officials check on disabled Monrovians during an emergency, according to Quota Club member Charlotte Shamadan.
She said the club collected 50 disabled people's names and addresses through a form in the city's Monrovia Today newsletter as part of the service club's Disaster Recovery and Safety program. (Someone, she said, even sent in his or her house keys.)
When the storm hit, the city was able to check on every person on the list.
Shamadan said the Quota Club is working on having a computer program and database created that will simplify checking on the disabled.
The database is now maintained by Shamadan, with a copy at the Fire Department. The information, she said, is completely private.
- Brad Haugaard
New Monrovia News Weekly | FD vs PD | Odd Females | Doctor Buggy | 'Worst Case' Ruling | MHS Landmark?
A few items from today's Monrovia Coordinating Council:
~ Monrovia is getting a new paper news weekly starting Feb. 2, the Route 66 Weekly, which will be distributed in restaurants for people to read while waiting for their food. Publisher Shawn Davis says it will be light reading, with a mix of local and national information, and humor. It is starting in Monrovia but he plans to extend it to other communities soon. http://goo.gl/Kznes
~ The Monrovia Youth Baseball League is thinking of putting together a Monrovia Fire Department vs. Police Department baseball game, according to league representative Roger Llamas.
~ The Odd Couple play (Jan 12, 7:30 p.m. at Monrovia High) will be "The Odd Couple - Female Version," according to School Board Member Ed Gililland.
~ The Monrovia Historical Society has obtained a doctor's buggy, which has been used in parades.
~ Monrovia City Council member Becky Shevlin said that the California Supreme Court's redevelopment decisions were "the worst case scenario," with "a wrench thrown in everything." She said the sale of land to the Gold Line will happen, but the decision "affects what we are going to get out of the deal."
~ Monrovia preservationist Jim Wigton makes the case for designating the main Monrovia High building as a landmark.
- Brad Haugaard
Freeway Closures Through Jan. 21
There may be closures of the 210 eastbound near Santa Anita between now and Jan. 21. Closures will begin no earlier than 10 p.m. and close no later than 1 p.m. the following day. - Brad Haugaard
Dream Act Repeal Initiative Fails to Get Enough Signatures
An initiative to repeal the Dream Act has failed to gather enough signatures to get on the ballot, according to Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia. He may try again later. http://goo.gl/llVLg
- Brad Haugaard
Lawsuit vs. Monrovia Assemblyman's Gun Law | McCarthy College Announcement
~ Lawsuit filed against Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's law outlawing the open-carry of firearms. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/FXd0f
~ More on the expected college announcement of Monrovia High defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy. Leaning towards Cal? http://goo.gl/HRRcx
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board to Declare Jan 12 'Monrovia Varsity FootballWildcat Day'
At its Jan. 11 meeting (agenda here: http://goo.gl/59TpA ) the Monrovia School Board will consider whether to declare Jan. 12 as "Monrovia Varsity Football Wildcat Day" ( http://goo.gl/LTv0q ), with a victory parade and rally. Hmm. I'd say the odds are high that the board will approve this measure.
The parade, by the way, will start at Monrovia High, travel east along Colorado, then north on Myrtle to Library Park, where it will be welcomed by the Monrovia City Council, School Board, high school band and Wildcat fans. The city is asking Monrovians to line the route and join the festivities at Library Park at approximately 5:30 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
New Monrovia School Board Officers - Wong, Rich, Zucco
I missed this earlier, but at its Dec. 15 meeting, the Monrovia School Board elected new officers ( http://goo.gl/GXAo5 ):
Bryan Wong - President
Chris Rich - Vice President
Alex Zucco - Clerk
Congratulations!
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman's Fight Results in Release of State Assembly's Financial Data
The California State Assembly today complied with a court order and released financial data for its members that it tried to keep hidden. The lawsuit which caused the information to be release was prompted by a fight between Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, and Assembly Speaker John Pérez. http://goo.gl/7myVK
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Tommy's
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's McCarthy Expected to Announce College Pick
Monrovia High defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy expected to announce his college pick at Saturday's Army Bowl. http://goo.gl/PJaqL
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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