Gold Line Construction Authority spokesman Habib Balian writes:
"Earlier today Governor Brown signed AB1600 into law, amending the Construction Authority's enabling legislation to extend the Foothill Extension project boundaries to Montclair in San Bernardino County. The changes also make Montclair an "Extension city" and the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) a non-voting member of the Authority board of directors. This is good news - and very timely - following last week's publication of the Draft EIR for the Azusa to Montclair segment for public review and comment."
Source: press release
Comment: If I understand this correctly, this is a necessary legal change, but the problem of not having any money to build past Azusa remains.
- Brad Haugaard
Free Coffee at Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley
The women's club, Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley, is having a free Meet-and-Greet Coffee on Wednesday, September 5, from 10 a.m. to noon, in Arcadia.
The club is for women who are new to the area, or have had changes in their lives, or are looking for fun and interesting daytime activities and making new friends. For more information, please visit www.sgvnewcomers.com.
This Newcomers chapter has existed since 1965 and has one hundred members.
- Coffees are held the first Wednesday of each month, September through June, at 10 a.m. at various members' homes. Members and guests socialize and attend a general meeting.
- Luncheons are held the second Wednesday of each month, September through July, at various local restaurants throughout the San Gabriel Valley, usually followed by an informative or entertaining program.
- Tours are often held the fourth Wednesday of each month. Groups visit local, interesting, and fun places throughout the San Gabriel Valley and the greater Los Angeles areas.
Activity groups provide members an opportunity to meet people who share a common interest in a small group setting. Current activity groups include: Book Club, Bridge, Bunco, Golf, Hiking, Day Trips, Lunch Bunch, Mahjong, Movie Goers, Pinochle, Scrabble, Travel, Wine Club.
Newcomers & Friends of SGV has an annual tea in May - hats are encouraged - and a holiday luncheon in December.
Members receive a monthly newsletter ten months of the year, a membership directory, access to all membership activities, the opportunity to serve in leadership positions, and affiliation with a supportive group of women.
For more information, please contact Chris Kucma, 626/755-6676, ckucma@gmail.com, President.
Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
The club is for women who are new to the area, or have had changes in their lives, or are looking for fun and interesting daytime activities and making new friends. For more information, please visit www.sgvnewcomers.com.
This Newcomers chapter has existed since 1965 and has one hundred members.
- Coffees are held the first Wednesday of each month, September through June, at 10 a.m. at various members' homes. Members and guests socialize and attend a general meeting.
- Luncheons are held the second Wednesday of each month, September through July, at various local restaurants throughout the San Gabriel Valley, usually followed by an informative or entertaining program.
- Tours are often held the fourth Wednesday of each month. Groups visit local, interesting, and fun places throughout the San Gabriel Valley and the greater Los Angeles areas.
Activity groups provide members an opportunity to meet people who share a common interest in a small group setting. Current activity groups include: Book Club, Bridge, Bunco, Golf, Hiking, Day Trips, Lunch Bunch, Mahjong, Movie Goers, Pinochle, Scrabble, Travel, Wine Club.
Newcomers & Friends of SGV has an annual tea in May - hats are encouraged - and a holiday luncheon in December.
Members receive a monthly newsletter ten months of the year, a membership directory, access to all membership activities, the opportunity to serve in leadership positions, and affiliation with a supportive group of women.
For more information, please contact Chris Kucma, 626/755-6676, ckucma@gmail.com, President.
Source: press release
- Brad Haugaard
August 29, 30 - Full Nighttime Closure of 210
Full closure of 210 Freeway tomorrow, Tuesday August 28 and Wednesday, August 29, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. both days. Except the August 28 closure may not include the westbound lanes. But then again, maybe it will.
Also, August 30, there will be a full closure of the eastbound 210 from midnight to 5 a.m.
SoCal Edison crews will be relocating power lines.
Source: Gold Line press release.
- Brad Haugaard
Also, August 30, there will be a full closure of the eastbound 210 from midnight to 5 a.m.
SoCal Edison crews will be relocating power lines.
Source: Gold Line press release.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Arrest for Desertion from Marine Corps, Leave Front Door Unlocked and Get Burglarized, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 23-26. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Residential Burglary
August 23 at 12:24 p.m., police were dispatched to a residential burglary that occurred in the 200 block of North Mountain. The victim left his residence at about 8:00 a.m. that morning and was sure he had locked everything at the home. When he returned just after 12:00 noon, he noted several slats from the vertical blinds covering the front slider were pushed to the side. When he went in and walked around the house, he discovered a jewelry box, a coin bank and some electronic games were missing. There were no signs of forced entry. Investigation continuing.
Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
August 24 at 3:45 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported at the intersection of California and Huntington. Police responded and determined the motorist was driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and taken into custody. The other driver involved complained of pain to her hand.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence / Obstructing and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested
August 24 at 11:40 p.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported at a parking lot in the 700 block of West Huntington. A male suspect approached a taxi cab driver and asked for a ride. He told the taxi cab driver he had just been in a collision. The suspect left and the taxi cab driver called police. Officers arrived and detained the suspect, who was uncooperative with the officers. The suspect's vehicle had major collision damage and the front bumper was missing.
Officers searched the area and discovered the suspect had struck a large plastic sand bucket on the 210 Freeway at Myrtle. His front bumper, with the license plate attached, was still on the freeway. Through investigation, officers determined the driver was under the influence. He was arrested for driving under the influence, hit and run and obstructing an officer.
Residential Burglary
August 25 at 8:42 a.m., police responded to a residential burglary in the 200 block of Poppy. The resident left her home at 6:00 a.m., leaving her front door unlocked and no one at home. She returned home at 8:30 a.m. and discovered her bedroom had been ransacked. Her purse and been taken, containing cash, a set of keys and a book of personal checks. She immediately called police. Investigation continuing.
Bear Problem
August 26 at 11:26 a.m., a female resident who lives on Hidden Valley called to report that she heard noises coming from her kitchen and when she went to investigate, she saw a small bear in her refrigerator. The bear ran out and to the back of the property. An animal control officer responded to the call and the bear was encouraged back up into the hills.
Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity
Warrant - Suspect Arrested
August 22, Special Enforcement Team Officers saw a known gang member that had an outstanding warrant, loitering in the 200 block of East Maple. He was detained and arrested for the warrant.
Warrant - Suspect Arrested
On August 22, Special Enforcement Team Officers ran a license plate to a suspicious vehicle near Mayflower and Walnut. The registered owner of the vehicle had a federal warrant for desertion from the Marine Corps. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested for the warrant. Personnel from the United States Marine Corps responded and took custody of the subject.
First Day of School in Monrovia | Produce in the Park
~ Drive safely! First day of school. http://goo.gl/JPKem
~ Gardeners and others, you are invited to Produce In The Park on Saturday, September 1 from: 9-11 a.m. in front of the Mark Twain statue bench at Monrovia Library Park. Bring produce to share if you have it, but come even if you don't: "We gardening enthusiasts have more than enough to share."
- Brad Haugaard
~ Gardeners and others, you are invited to Produce In The Park on Saturday, September 1 from: 9-11 a.m. in front of the Mark Twain statue bench at Monrovia Library Park. Bring produce to share if you have it, but come even if you don't: "We gardening enthusiasts have more than enough to share."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Refrigerator Bear
A Monrovia refrigerator bear makes it onto TV. Unfortunately, not video of the baby bear. http://goo.gl/EkjJH
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board: Paying Itself, Use of School Facilities
At its August 29, 7 p.m., meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/0spCE ), the Monrovia School Board will consider ...
~ a policy setting its own pay increases at a maximum of five percent: "On an annual basis, the Board shall increase the compensation of Board members beyond the limit delineated in Education Code 35120 in an amount equal to the percentage given to employees, and not to exceed five percent based on the present monthly rate of compensation." http://goo.gl/sGqIW
~ various policies regarding non-school organizations using school facilities.
- Brad Haugaard
~ a policy setting its own pay increases at a maximum of five percent: "On an annual basis, the Board shall increase the compensation of Board members beyond the limit delineated in Education Code 35120 in an amount equal to the percentage given to employees, and not to exceed five percent based on the present monthly rate of compensation." http://goo.gl/sGqIW
~ various policies regarding non-school organizations using school facilities.
- Brad Haugaard
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
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
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
- 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
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
- 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
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
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
- 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
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
- 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
- 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
- Brad Haugaard
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