Monrovia Schools May Face $2.6 Million Cuts and 15 Fewer School Days

If Governor Jerry Brown's tax measure fails this November, Monrovia schools would face a cut of up to $2.6 million per year and the district would be authorized to chop as many as 15 days out of the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years.

In his budget report, David C. Conway, Director of Fiscal Services doesn't have anything nice to say about the state's budgeting process:

"Once again the State Budget is balanced using accounting gimmicks, funding shifts and the deferral of state apportionments into the next fiscal year. As expected, the State budget assumes $8.5 billion in new State revenue from a temporary tax increase to be submitted to voters for approval this November.

"If this temporary tax increase is not approved by voters, automatic spending 'trigger cuts' of $6 billion are included by statute in the State Budget. The majority of these cuts will be imposed on K-12 education. These cuts will be implemented in January 2013 unless subsequent legislation offering a different solution is passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor."

Source: http://goo.gl/q8Rjr

- Brad Haugaard

Freeway Carpool Lane Closed This Afternoon

The carpool lane on the Eastbound 210 Freeway will be closed between Baldwin Ave. and Santa Anita Ave. from approximately 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. today due to an unexpected construction issue on the Gold Line Bridge that is being resolved by the Metro Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority's contractor, Skanska USA. Only the eastbound carpool lane is affected. All other travel lanes remain open.

Source: Gold Line press release

UPDATE: Reopened now.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Subway

Had lunch at Subway. The one in the Pavilions center. Got a foot-long club sandwich with avocado, a bag of chips, and drink for $11.42. Nice fresh ingredients and tasty. Took half home and gave it an extra shake of vinegar (I shoulda asked for more when they were making it). Good.

- Brad Haugaard

West Nile Virus Infects Monrovia

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus found in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/s1N9N


San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District recomments...

Throughout the summer, basic protective measures should be followed:

- AVOID Over-watering, and prevent litter, leaves and debris from entering the gutters and streets
- DRAIN: Check properties weekly and remove all sources of standing water.  Report 'green' inoperable pools or other sources of standing water to the District
- DAWN AND DUSK: Wear effective repellents if outdoors when mosquitoes are present (between dusk and dawn)
- DEFEND: Ensure doors and windows are properly screened


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Memorial Hospital Totally Renovated

Monrovia Memorial Hospital has recently completed "a total renovation" of the hospital and has installed a new information technology system. http://goo.gl/r47yh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Art and Music

The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts Summer Art Walk will be on Saturday, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. along Myrtle in Old Town. On Sunday, the final Summer Concert at the Library Park Rotary Band Shell will feature "The Basics," performing from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Source: City Manager Laurie Lile: http://goo.gl/wJ51G

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Financial Reporting Bill for Politicians Goes to Governor

A measure by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) to update financial reporting for politicians and public officials passed the Senate today. AB 2162 now goes to the Governor for signature. The Form 700 â€" Statement of Economic Interest - gives the public a way to keep tabs on the outside financial interests of officeholders and other officials to ensure that they avoid conflicts of interest, but Portantino said, "These forms haven’t been updated in more than 35 years and are way out-of-date."

Portantino's AB 2162 adjusts the dollar ranges for investments and income used by some 200,000 public officials when they file the Form 700. Currently there are only 4 ranges for investments, property and income. This bill would revise the dollar amounts associated with these ranges to 8 levels for investments and real estate and 10 levels for income ranges.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires persons holding public offices to file disclosures of investments, real property interests, and income within specified periods of assuming or leaving office, and annually while holding the office. The act requires the disclosures to include a statement indicating, within a specified value range, the fair market value of investments or interests in real property and the aggregate value of income received from a source.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Southwest Grinding Building Being Replaced

Photo: Former Southwest Grinding building on Shamrock being rebuilt. http://goo.gl/iTTRo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Sleeping Man in Woman's Clothing with Meth in His Purse, Airborne Car on Lemon, Mailbox Theft, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 20-22. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 422 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

August 20 at 9:48 a.m., police responded to an apartment complex in the 500 block of West Foothill regarding a subject sleeping on private property.  Upon arrival, they found a male subject wearing women's clothing asleep toward the front of the property.  When the subject was awakened, he was cooperative.  There was a purse in front of him, which he admitted to officers had methamphetamine in it.  A verbal consent to search was obtained and a large quantity of used needles and a burnt spoon were recovered. The suspect was arrested.

 

Rollover Injury Traffic Collision 

August 20 at 9:30 p.m., a young man was driving his vehicle eastbound in the 100 block of East Lemon.  He was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for the stop sign at Ivy.  When his vehicle hit the dip in the intersection, the vehicle went airborne.  It landed on the east side of the intersection and the driver lost control of the vehicle, striking a parked car.  The vehicle then rolled over several times in the street.  The driver received minor injuries and had to be removed from the vehicle by Monrovia Fire Department personnel.  The driver was taken to a hospital, where he is expected to recover from his injuries.

 

Vehicle Burglary

August 20 at 6:18 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of North Canyon.  The burglary occurred on August 18 between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  The victim left the windows down a few inches for ventilation, and it appears the suspect was able to reach in and unlock the door.  A power saw, coins, and keys were stolen.  Investigation continuing.

 

Mail Thefts

August 21, several mail thefts occurred throughout the city during daytime hours.  The thefts occurred in the 700 block of Anita, the 900 block of Royal Oaks, the 400 block of North Magnolia, and the 900 block of Norumbega.  Some of the mail stolen from Anita and North Magnolia was found in the street at Primrose and Scenic, indicating these cases may be related.  A witness to the thefts from Norumbega saw a suspect by the mailboxes at 4:00 p.m.  The suspect is described as a male, White, 40's, very short blond hair, wearing a white tank shirt.  The suspect vehicle is described as an older model, teal or dark colored Ford Bronco or Explorer.  Investigation continuing.

Why Monrovia Doesn't Have Parking Meters

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz on the benefits to the city of having free parking instead of meters. http://goo.gl/HZULY

Opinion: Amen! Preach it, Mayor!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Losing Green Dot Corporation in Early September

Green Dot Corporation, a leading provider of prepaid debit cards, will be moving out of Monrovia by Labor Day, September 3, according to a source who wished to remain anonymous. The company is reportedly moving to a building in east Pasadena, near the PetSmart/Best Buy shopping center on Foothill just east of Sierra Madre Villa. The company is currently located at the northwest corner of Huntington and Shamrock.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Member Becky Shevlin Joins Real Estate Firm

Monrovia City Council member Becky Shevlin joins Podley Properties real estate. http://goo.gl/s8IQJ

- Brad Haugaard

The Gold Line Environmental Impact Report and How to Comment on It

The Gold Line's draft environmental impact report has been released for the extension of the rail line to Montclair (assuming there is money for that part of the line). Here is the report, http://goo.gl/a6dar , along with details about how to comment on it.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Green Dot Working With Sallie Mae

Monrovia's Green Dot is providing prepaid debit cards for Sallie Mae,
the nation's main financial services company specializing in
education. http://goo.gl/wdxsB

The company's stock took a 10.55% jump. http://goo.gl/lzC0f

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino's Vanity Plate Bill Goes to Governor

A bill by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of
Monrovia) to eliminate cut-rate prices for legislator's vanity license
plates has been unanimously approved by the Assembly and sent to
Governor Jerry Brown. http://goo.gl/F03LV

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Demands 710 Freeway be Stopped

Assembly ember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is
demanding that any further work on the 710 freeway project be stopped.
http://goo.gl/xBf9I

- Brad Haugaard

Free Monrovia Leadership Training

Free six-week Monrovia Area Partnership Leadership Academy. It will
guide you through local government, community resources and your
potential as a leader. http://goo.gl/Rhk9w

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Consolidates Manufacturing in Monrovia

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical is consolidating its manufacturing in Monrovia, leasing a 26,000 square foot building immediately adjacent to its current facility to accommodate the consolidation and as provide for growth. The lease is for eight years, beginning approximately at the end of November 2012, assuming all contingencies are met. STAAR Surgical makes implantable lenses for the eye. http://goo.gl/JB9PE

- Brad Haugaard

Dry Lightning Possible Tonight To Wednesday Evening

Red flag warning in effect from midnight tonight until 5 p.m. Wednesday for dry lightning and gusty winds. http://goo.gl/Y7RvY

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Will Look for Other Money to Complete Rail Line | Full Freeway Closures Ahead | Huff Supports Film Industry Tax Relief

~ Gold Line Construction Authority Habib Balian reports that for the Azusa to Montclair phase of the rail line, "the Construction Authority will seek out other funding sources as we advance the preliminary engineering, planning and design." Other sources would be required, he said, because it appears Measure R funds will not be used for that purpose. In preparation, he said the Authority has released a draft environmental impact report on the the Azusa to Montclair phase of the line. Source: press release

~ The eastbound and westbound 210 will be completely closed August 28 and 29 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Also, the eastbound will be fully closed August 30 from midnight to 5 a.m. The closures are to begin the process of removing the temporary supporting structure for the bridge. There will be 20 full eastbound freeway closures in the next six weeks. Source: press release

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) supports a two-year extension of tax credits for the film and television industry to persuade them do do filming in California. http://goo.gl/xrnKF

- Brad Haugaard