Monrovia Councilman Spicer Apologizes for Criminal Record

Monrovia Councilman Larry Spicer apologizes for criminal actions from years ago and Councilman Tom Adams accepts his apology. http://goo.gl/TS2sy

Monrovia Church Sponsors Pink Flamingo Hit Jobs

If you see a flock of pink flamingos in someone's yard, it's a fundraiser by the First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia Youth Group for summer camp. Pay $20 to buy a "hit" on another member of the congregation, who will wake up to a flock of 50 pink flamingos on his or her front lawn (or 100 flamingos for $30 - volume discount). Or, everyone except the pastor can buy protection - they call it "immunity" - for $30. http://goo.gl/ktPX1

Comment: "Hey! Nice yard ya got here, buddy. Be a shame should somebody plant a flock of pink flamingos in it."

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Financial Reporting Bill Progresses in State Senate

A proposal by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) to update financial reporting for politicians and public officials was unanimously approved today by the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee.

Each year politicians and public officials must file a Form 700 â€" Statement of Economic Interest, which gives the public a way to keep tabs on their outside financial interests.

Portantino said, "These forms haven't been updated in more than 35 years and are way out-of-date."

AB 2162 calls for restructuring dollar ranges in the Form 700 from 4 for investments, property and income, to 8 levels for investments and real estate, and 10 levels for income ranges.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Disaster Prep Bill Works Its Way Through State Senate

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's bill to improve emergency and disaster preparedness was approved today in the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.

AB 1650 requires public utilities to hold disaster preparedness meetings every two years with the counties and cities they service to improve readiness and better prepare for natural disasters. In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission will set standards for each utility to meet.

The bill goes to Senate Appropriations before going on to the full Senate later this summer.

- Brad Haugaard

Neighbors Charge Monrovia Councilman with Threats, Slurs | Senator Huff on Mortgage Bill

~ Neighbors say Monrovia Councilman Larry Spicer made threats and racial slurs. http://goo.gl/D54AJ

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, speaks against a mortgage relief bill he says is badly crafted. http://goo.gl/GcLmB

- Brad Haugaard

Full Closure Eastbound 210 at Midnight

Full closure of eastbound 210 for bridge construction tonight (July 2), from midnight to 5 a.m. starting at Baldwin Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: He Breaks Their Picture, Cuts Himself, Then She Hits Him in the Face; Purse Snatch at Street Fair; Stealing from Cars

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 28 – July 1. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested

On June 28 at 5:19 p.m., security personnel from a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain called to report they had a male suspect in custody for shoplifting. The suspect admitted to going to the location to steal merchandise. A pat-down search of the suspect revealed a key for a vehicle. Officers checked the parking lot and located the vehicle, and additional stolen property was found. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Vehicle Burglary

On June 29 at 10:05 a.m., an officer responded to the 1500 block of California regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim reported that someone broke into his vehicle sometime during the night and took property from his vehicle. He had parked and locked his vehicle, but left the driver's side window open approximately one and a half inches. It appears the suspect used this opening to unlock the vehicle and gain entry. Investigation continuing.

 

Strong-Arm Robbery

On June 29 at 9:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East Colorado regarding a strong-arm robbery. The victim was at the Monrovia Street Fair sitting on a curb when a male suspect in his twenties, unknown race, wearing a black baseball cap, black shirt and tan shorts, ran by the victim, grabbed her purse from her and fled. The suspect ran east on Colorado. Several witnesses ran after the suspect, but were unable to catch him. The victim waited approximately 30 minutes before reporting the incident to police and the witnesses left the area prior to police arrival. The investigation is continuing.

 

Theft From a Vehicle - Suspect Arrested

On June 29 at 9:56 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 600 block of East Cypress. The victim called police to report seeing someone in her vehicle. The suspect attempted to flee the scene, but the victim followed him and reported his location to police. Police arrived and took the suspect into custody. It appears that the suspect entered the victim's unlocked vehicle and removed coins, which were located in the suspect's possession. The suspect was charged with petty theft with a prior and is currently on parole. A parole hold was obtained.

 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

On June 30 at 2:34 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of Duarte and observed the driver of a vehicle throw trash out of the window. The driver was stopped for littering. During the investigation, the driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was cited.

 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

On July 1 at 12:06 a.m., an officer noticed a suspicious vehicle parked along the curb in the 800 block of Alta Vista. The engine was running and the vehicle was occupied by a male subject who appeared to be asleep behind the wheel. The officer approached and contacted the subject. The driver was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence.

 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

On July 1 at 3:14 a.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 300 block of East Wildrose. Officers arrived and detained a male and female subject. During an argument, the male subject broke a photo of the couple, cutting his finger. The female subject then struck the victim in the face, causing visible injury. The female suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia Councilman Tom Adams says Councilman Spicer Should Resign

Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams says interim Councilman Larry Spicer should resign because of his criminal record. http://goo.gl/ndI3I

- Brad Haugaard

Pottery Ranch Coming Down

The old Pottery Ranch is now being torn down to make way for a Jack in the Box.

Monrovia Misses Bond Payment | Green Dot has Best Card | Kitchen Nightmares | Upstream

~ Monrovia missed a bond payment on June 1, according to Bloomberg, apparently because of a legal complication. Bloomberg says some city bond payments were disrupted following the state government's abolition of redevelopment agencies. http://goo.gl/9a6lg

~ Monrovia's Green Dot Gold Prepaid Visa Card has been named the Best Card for Alternative Checking Account by Card Hub'€™s 2012 Prepaid Cards Report. http://goo.gl/vMvLF

~ Kitchen Nightmares to film in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/9XRDy

~ The calypso band Upstream at Library Park this Sunday, July 8, 7- 8:30 p.m. Here's a video of the group: http://goo.gl/R82HN

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Closed Third and Fourth | Hiring Police

~ Monrovia Library will be closed July 3 as well as July 4. http://goo.gl/R7NIH

~ Monrovia PD is hiring officers: http://goo.gl/MnKe3 and http://goo.gl/73oJL

- Brad Haugaard

Books on Sale at Friends of the Monrovia Library Bookstore

Books and media with a blue dot on the spine are half-price. While some items are individually priced, regular prices range from $0.25 to $2.00.

The Friends Store is located inside the Monrovia Public Library. Store hours are Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.â€"5 p.m. and Thursdayâ€"Saturday, noonâ€"5 p.m.

Also, the Friends has launched a newly designed web site, featuring additional items sold at Amazon. Visit the online store at http://goo.gl/wBAsr

- Brad Haugaard

Should Monrovia Help Former City Manager Sell House without Taking Loss?

Former Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa asks for Monrovia's help to sell his previous house without taking a loss, according to Councilman Tom Adams: http://goo.gl/mTkzc

- Brad Haugaard

Newspaper Reporting Monrovia Councilman Has Criminal Record

Monrovia Weekly is reporting that Monrovia City Council member Larry Spicer has a criminal record, though it appears to be from long ago. Spicer was appointed to the Monrovia City Council to stand in for Clarence Shaw, who is on active duty with the Army. http://goo.gl/QqVsz

- Brad Haugaard

Performance of Cinderella

Quite a few Monrovians are involved in a production of Cinderella, at St. James Church (2033 East Washington Blvd.) in Pasadena. It just opened and performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets at the door or write showlights.theater@gmail.com . Some pictures from the rehersal: http://goo.gl/NDzYG

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Wing Stop

Lunch at Wing Stop, in Pavillions center at Foothill and Myrtle. Got a six-wing (Louisiana Rub style) special with fries and a drink for about $8.25 with tax. Greasy goodness. Filling and tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator: No Transparency, No Balanced Budget, No Likelihood of Tax Passing

Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, complains that Republicans are learning budget information from the newspapers before they get it from their colleagues. He also said while Sacramento has made $3 billion in cuts, it has added much more in spending. Finally, he doubts the proposed tax increase will pass since the cigarette tax failed. http://goo.gl/MrROs

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia to Get Redesigned Website; Contracts with Lobbying Firm, Chamber of Commerce

At its July 3 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/juc1c ) the Monrovia City Council will consider several one-year contract extensions, including ...

~ With Mad Haus Creative, to redesign (and host and maintain) the city's website for $21,600. The company already hosts and maintains the website. (Comment: $21,600 seems a very fair price for redesigning, hosting and maintaining the site, but it seems very high for just hosting/maintaining. Since redesign is just an occasional cost, I think I'd break this into two separate contracts, one for redesign and one for maintenance/hosting.)

~ with the Washington D.C. lobbying firm, David Turch and Associates, for $24,000.

~ With the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce (for $48,688) to help the city produce "city-wide events and marketing opportunities."

The Fourth of July in Monrovia's Library Park | Count Butterflies

~ The Fourth of July in Monrovia will feature a free concert and fireworks show in Library Park, with the 60's and 70's music of Person to Person beginning at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. Adjoining streets will be closed. No BBQs are permitted at Library Park. Also, personal fireworks (including sparklers) are prohibited in Monrovia. Comment: It is GREAT! Come early.

~ Count butterflies in Monrovia Canyon Park for the North American Butterfly Association. Join rangers and volunteers for a hike to learn about the butterflies of the region, their role in the native ecology, and to participate in the national survey. Dress for hiking, and bring water, food and sun protection. Saturday, July 14, 8:30 a.m. â€" 2:30 p.m. $10 per participant (includes $5 parking). Maximum 20 people. Call (626) 256-8282 to get involved.

Source: City Manager's weekly email report

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Manager: State Power Grab 'Unconscionable'

Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile says the state government is grabbing too much power. In her weekly email report, she writes:

One of the budget trailer bills, AB1484, vested the State Department of Finance with an extraordinary amount of authority to withhold City’s property tax and sales tax if, in the judgment of the state, the payments required through the dissolution of the redevelopment agencies are not adequate.  Our staff is reviewing the bill’s language to better gauge the potential impact to our community; however, despite the immediate financial impact, the power that the state has created for itself to take away resources at a local level is unprecedented and unconscionable.

- Brad Haugaard