Berdan Records Opens in Monrovia

Grand Opening of Berdan Records at Myrtle and Olive. http://goo.gl/ttSzR

 

- Brad Haugaard

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- Brad Haugaard

Helping Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center

How to help Foothill Unity Center help people who need food. http://goo.gl/MqeFE

 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Girls Named to All-Stars | Monrovia 0, La Canada 2 :-( | Portantino Visits Gables

~ The Star-News/Tribune has named three Monrovia girls to its All-Star Girl's basketball team for its All-Star Game. They are seniors Gina Henderson, Domynyque Johnson, and Kaela Barnes. http://goo.gl/PuOoo

 

~ La Canada shuts out Monrovia women in two-run game. http://goo.gl/4QetR

 

~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino reports on Facebook that he visited The Gables, an assisted living community in Monrovia, where he discussed politics with many of the residents.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Will Transit Sales Tax be on November Ballot?

Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian reports in a press release that a proposal by LA Mayor Villaraigosa to extend the Measure R half-cent sales tax indefinitely (for mass transit) has begun its way towards landing on the November ballot. He writes that, "The first step for the proposed tax extension has already begun at the State. A bill (AB1446) is currently moving through the Assembly."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library's 'Altered Books' | Crash Sends 2 to Hospital | Injured Student Returns to School | Huff on Budget Shenanigans | Cities Legal Fees | Bridge

~ Monrovia Library's "altered books." Some pictures. http://goo.gl/mJX4d

 

~ Crash sends two to hospital. http://goo.gl/Kwkrl

 

~ Hit and run victim returns to Clifton. http://goo.gl/rLQxo

 

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, on budget time "shenanigans" in Sacramento. He said the Senate is not following its own rules, and "the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but I'm not even sure the intentions are good." ( http://goo.gl/y0cyI ) And here he is again, speaking to the Senate: http://goo.gl/SrnRd

 

~ A list of how much LA-area cities spend on legal fees. Monrovia spends 1.8 percent of its budget on legal fees. Top is Signal Hill (4.3 percent); lowest recorded is Lakewood (0.3 percent). http://goo.gl/uHb8u

 

~ Concrete will be poured for the main crossbeam and lower sections of the Gold Line bidge superstructure next month. http://goo.gl/X7g8Q

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Casa Jimenez

Lunch at Casa Jimenez. On Mountain just in front of Home Depot. Got the Buritto Pollo with grilled chicken from the lunch menu. About $8.45 with drink. Window sign saying changed ownership. Nice mild food, but with some spicy salsas if you want to give it a kick.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Drones in Morocco | Lots of Lenses

~ Marines use drones from Monrovia's AeroVironment in training exercises with Moroccan military ( http://goo.gl/XOnWv ). Also, the Marine Corps is the first military service to adopt four different small drone systems from the company, at a price of $5.5 million ( http://goo.gl/rrswi ).

 

~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical is celebrating a milestone - the number of its Visian eye-lens implants in patients worldwide has exceeded 300,000. http://goo.gl/RA8Pq

 

- Brad Haugaard

Young Monrovia Leaders

First ever Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) Youth Leadership graduates, honored at the April 17 City Council meeting.

These young people participated in all-day training in leadership, getting involved in government and the community, problem solving and organizing.  Each youth partnered with a mentor from different agencies to help foster their work.

Congratulations to: Marvin Garcia, Erica Flores, Felicia Lay, Sara Santiago, and Brenda Evangs from the Youth Commission with their mentors Rudy Martinez and Tiffany Scott; Jessica Tang, Lawrence Spicer, Alexis Silva, and Paige Bullock from the Teen Advisory Board with their mentor Elizabeth Schneider; Savana Ayala, Cristian Lugo, Leslie Colin, and Edgar “Jr” Colin, from the Y-Life project with their mentor Ulises Gutierrez; Kourtney Mills and Priscilla Mendoza from the Boys & Girls Club with their mentors Monet Morris and Emily Samayoa; Perla Moreno, Jack Wallace, David Castillo, and Darwin Urzua from Quest Academy with their mentor Susan Hirsch; Jalen Masen, Diana Carolina, Sirena Aquino, and Khristina Suaraz from the Monrovia Unified School District with their mentor Samara Hirsch; and Ivana Peralta with mentor Monrovia Police Chaplain Terrence Brown.

- Brad Haugaard

Comedy Hypnotism at Monrovia High | Huff Bill Turned Down | How Much You Can Save if You Sell Your Car

~ Comedy hypnotism show at Monrovia High, 6-8 p.m. April 27 in the auditorium. "The Lino Esguerras Comedy Hypnotist Show." $10 at the door. Open to the whole Monrovia Community. http://goo.gl/9BRoA

 

~ The State Senate has voted down a measure sponsored by Monrovia's Senator, Bob Huff, that would have made it easier to get teachers out of the classroom when they are "under investigation for unprofessional conduct and/or criminal behavior." Instead, the Senate passed a different version which Huff says is "watered-down." http://goo.gl/IET8R

 

~ The Gold Line folks report that LA-area commuters could save approximately $916 a month ($10,989 a year) by using public transportation instead of owning a car ( http://goo.gl/WNsll ). Comment:  Well... Seems rather unrealistic to expect many LA-area people to give up their cars. Tell me instead how much people would save if they own a car AND use public transportation.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Burglaries, and the Grandparents Scam

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 16-18. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 451 service events, resulting in 93 investigations.

 

Residential Burglary

April 16 at 6:45 p.m., police responded to a residential burglary that occurred in the 600 block of Ranchito, sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  An unknown suspect(s) entered the location through an unlocked door.  Cash and a laptop computer were stolen.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 18 at 6:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue regarding a vehicle break-in.  The victim's GPS was taken.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 18 at 6:44 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of East Lime.  The suspect(s) pried open a window on the vehicle and property was taken.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 18 at 7:55 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue.  The victim's vehicle was broken into and property was taken.  Investigation continuing.

 

Residential Burglary

April 18 at 3:56 p.m., police responded to the report of a residential burglary in the 1500 block of Pilgrim Way.  The reporting party is house sitting, and when she arrived at the location, she found that someone had broken into the home.  Investigation continuing.

 

 

Tip of the Week: Grandparent Scam - Don't Be a Victim

The suspects in this type of scam will call an elderly person and pretend to be a grandchild or young relative of the victim.  They tell the elderly victim they are in some type of trouble and are in jail, and that they need bail money.  They ask the elderly person not to tell their parents.  A second suspect then calls pretending to be the police and proceeds to give the victim instructions on where to wire the bail money.  

 

The suspects target older folks, hoping they can gain an emotional and quick response to the "need" to help out the young relative, and many times it works.  The victims will quickly go to their bank, withdraw and transfer the money in an attempt to help, and by the time they realize the scam, the money has already been picked up by the suspects and is gone.

 

It is so important to spread awareness and to educate those that we know in hopes of preventing this crime from happening.  If you have a loved one, a friend, or perhaps a neighbor that is older, share this information with them and help keep them from becoming a victim.

Comment: Yes! Be careful. This happened to a friend. A variation is that the caller says the grandson/daughter needs emergency treatment after an accident and doesn't have the proper insurance. Please send money. Contemptible! - Brad

Monrovia Lab Files Drug Application with FDA

Monrovia's Xencor has filed "an investigational new drug application with the FDA for a novel monoclonal antibody that was optimized using Xencor's XmAb antibody engineering technology." http://goo.gl/c6e91

- Brad Haugaard

SoPas Over Monrovia in Swimming :-( | Forest Volunteer Opportunity

~ South Pas Boys and Girls Swim teams over Monrovia. http://goo.gl/H6baP

 

~ A volunteer opportunity to help restore the watershed along Highway 39 (road up to Crystal Lake), the Forest Service and Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District are sponsoring a couple work days (for which students can get credit). This Saturday and May 5. Details: http://goo.gl/e6yan

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Representative's Bill Would Require Teaching US Constitution

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, "today presented AB 2546 before the Assembly Education Committee to require that our founding documents and the development of democracy and the U.S. Constitution be taught in public schools. The measure, which passed with bi-partisan support, will also require that a copy of the California Constitution must be available in the classroom for students." http://goo.gl/TW6y8

 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fruit Expert | Cinco de Mayo Volunteers Needed | Shevlin in Lights

~ Dick Spezzano, owner of Monrovia's Spezzano Consulting Service, comments on the summer fruit marketplace. http://goo.gl/FcmLe

 

~ The City of Monrovia is looking do volunteers to help out with the Cinco de Mayo celebration on, uh, the 29th of April. http://goo.gl/VvFTa 

 

~ Councilwoman Becky Shevlin in lights in Times Square. http://goo.gl/pTkeF

 

- Brad Haugaard

Be a Monrovia Member of a San Gabriel Valley Traffic Study Team

Metro/Caltrans technical teams are analyzing alternatives in an environmental study in regards to traffic congestion in San Gabriel Valley. If you want to be on a Monrovia Community Liaison Council to provide feedback on the study and be a lisason to the Monrovia community, sign-up by sending an email to sr710study@metro.net with the subject line “CLC Sign-Up,” or call the project hotline - 855.4SR.7100 toll-free. A member of the SR-710

Outreach Team will contact you with information specific to your designated CLC. Source: Metro press release

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Mt. Sierra Hiring | Portantino Bills Pass Early Step

~ Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College is hiring. http://goo.gl/qFqYn

 

~ Two bills by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, to ban the open carry of unloaded long guns and to help branded prostitutes get a fresh start, were approved today in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The measures go to the Assembly floor for a vote later this spring. AB 1527 makes it a crime to openly carry an unloaded rifle or shotgun in any public place and AB 1956 expands eligibility for tattoo removal programs to include prostitutes (pimps have been marking girls with brands or tattoos to indicate they are property). Source: Portantino press release

 

- Brad Haugaard

Overview of Monrovia Schools Budget: Biggest Challenges in Decades

By Superintendent Linda Wagner

 

At the present time, schools are facing the biggest budget challenges we have seen in decades. The impacts of the downturn of the economy were felt years ago. As we cut deeper and deeper year after year, these cuts are impacting students at an increasing and alarming level. 

 

Introduction to School Revenue

Monrovia Unified School District receives its funds from several sources. The most significant revenue source is the State of California. Schools are one of the largest places the State funnels their money. The District also receives funds from the Federal government, and local sources.

 

Slow Economy = Lower School Revenue

School finance is, for better or worse, directly tied to the economy in the State of California. When the economy is bad and property taxes are down, the State does not receive the same amount of money as in the past, and they have less overall dollars to send to the schools. 

 

Dollars are Decreasing Dramatically

The main issue at this time is the dollars for education are shrinking. We are now funded at a per student level that is almost identical to the amount of money we received in 2002-03 per student, and yet operating expenses have increased dramatically. There simply is not enough money to operate our schools. The Governor’s office understands the problem, and is actually considering reducing the school year by as much as 21 total school days to make up for the budget shortfall. This sheds lights on just how serious the problem has become.

To give an idea of the problem in local dollars, in 2003, Monrovia received 4,732 per student. In 2013, we are slated to receive $5,220 if the tax initiative passes and $4,765 if it fails. If we were actually paid what is due by the State, we would be paid $6,711. What a difference that additional revenue would make (and, don’t forget, the State owes us that money)!

 

Attendance is Essential

State funding is based directly on student attendance at school. It is not based on the number of students enrolled, but on how many actually come to class each day. Absences are no longer “excused” as they were in the past. If a student is not there, the District simply does not receive money for that student that day. 

 

Thanks to the hard work of students, staff and parents, Monrovia’s attendance rate has not been higher in over 10 years. We are presently at a 95.79% attendance rate. We know this can be improved by working together with families to ensure that appointments, day trips, vacations and fun outside activities are scheduled outside the school day. Ensuring that students attend school whenever possible is one big way we can all make a positive difference in student learning and in  Monrovia Unified School District’s revenue.

 

Two Basic Kinds of Funds

School districts have two basic types of funds. One type is “general”. Fund received for general purposes can be used for most types of expenditures. “Categorical” funds, on the other hand, must be used for very specific purposes. These types of funds include money to fund services for English learners, Special Education students, and more. 

 

“Sweeping Funds”

In recent years, the Governor has allowed previously very strict sources of categorical revenue to be “swept”, or taken by the general fund. For example, Monrovia once had a very large adult school. Adult school funds can now be “swept” for general purposes. Since the K-12 system lacks the basic funds it needs to survive, Monrovia has had to use adult education funds to support K-12 students. The impact of MUSD “sweeping” adult school funds is so significant that now the only classes offered in adult school are either financially self-sustaining or are required in order to make high school schedules and programs complete. Where we once served 7,000 adult school students, we now serve 1,500. Over time, the “sweeping” of funds takes away the impact of special programs, and as in the case of adult school, threatens to take almost the entire program. 

 

Cost of Living Adjustments

The State promises schools they will receive cost of living adjustments annually, however these adjustments are not being paid year after year. If Monrovia was to have been receiving the promised adjustments, and if Monrovia had been paid on time by the State, MUSD would now have almost $2,000 more per student than we now receive. For several reasons, including the slow economy, the State has not been able to keep up with these cost of living payments, and owes the schools a great deal of money. We are presently receiving 80 cents on every one dollar due for the purpose of educating our students.

 

Tax Initiative

The Governor has put a tax initiative on the ballot. If it passes, education will not get additional money, but MUSD will lose less. If it does not pass, MUSD will lose $455 per student more than we have already lost.

 

Deferrals

California has begun the practice of paying their bills to districts late. What they owe in December they may choose to pay, for example, in March. In some cases, the payments are so delayed that what is owed in one school year is paid in the next. Meanwhile, school districts still have to pay their teachers and staff, pay for utilities and operational costs. The result is that school districts are forced to borrow at a steadily increasing rate. So if you followed this discussion, the State is forcing school districts to borrow for money that is due, because the State is paying their bills late. This borrowing results in fees to school districts, which could have been avoided if the State had paid on time.

 

What has already been cut?

There is a very long list of cuts that have been already made, and are impacting students. It would take pages to list them all. Those directly impacting students include: 

 

- Class size increase in K-3 from 20 to 30.

- Elimination of the Monrovia High School Dean position

- Reduction of 5 school days and 1 staff development date

- Elimination of Monrovia High block schedule

- Reallocation of Adult Education funding

- Elimination of elementary and middle school summer school

- We stopped purchasing textbooks 2008-2010

 

What is Next?

At this time, the District is exploring what options remain for future cuts. We are seeking input from the public in the form of public meetings and welcome your input! Please see our website for a complete list of budget meetings.

Nominations for Businesswoman of the Year

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is looking for women who excel in the workplace to be recognized at the 13th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon. "Women in Business celebrates women who have contributed to the greater good of the region by advancing business and creating new jobs and serving the community." Call (626) 577-9944 for a nomination form. Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over South Pas | $180k for New City Manager | Portantino | Aerovironment | Portantino | Groceries

~ Monrovia High baseball over South Pas. :-) http://goo.gl/s6meu

 

~ New Monrovia City Manager To Make $185,000. http://goo.gl/wd11D

 

~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents Monrovia, comments on his Facebook page about a bill being voted down that would require more legislative openness: "It seems the Assembly Leadership still doesn't get it." http://goo.gl/inyvB

 

~ U.S. Air Force Places $2.4 Million Order for some Puma drones from Monrovia-based AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/x5IBw

 

~ You could win $100 in groceries for your next neighborhood get-together by submitting a story about your neighborhood. Deadline April 25. Details: http://goo.gl/qN10w

 

- Brad Haugaard

Two Bills By Monrovia Assemblyman Voted Down

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, proposed a measure that would have allowed deportable Mexican citizens in California jails to be sent to Mexico to serve their terms in private jails if the U.S. Government enters into a treaty with Mexico to allow that. The bill was voted down by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. http://goo.gl/b4dPl

 

He also proposed a measure that would "have required the California Air Resources Board to issue a warning to businesses that were out of compliance for the first time. This would give the company a specified time to correct the problem and avoid a fine; otherwise the fine would be issued as usual." It was voted down as well. http://goo.gl/UTplj

 

- Brad Haugaard