Monrovia's AeroVironment, which makes small drones, and New Mexico State University's Physical Science Lab, have studied the safety of flying small drones at night in American skies and concluded that it's safe. http://goo.gl/lp6e5
- Brad Haugaard
More Filming for Monrovia?
Monrovia is hoping to make filming in town easier by entering into a contract with Film LA, a firm that "helps film companies with obtaining permit fees and other tasks," according to the latest issue of Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's newsletter, Preservation Conversation.
From the newsletter: "It is felt that such an agreement would facilitate making the process easier and less time-consuming for the film companies. Because many of the film companies in Los Angeles prefer to shoot on locations within 30 miles of the studios (which Monrovia is), the city could once again become a mecca for filming."
The report adds that Film LA plans to be at an April City Council meeting.
- Brad Haugaard
From the newsletter: "It is felt that such an agreement would facilitate making the process easier and less time-consuming for the film companies. Because many of the film companies in Los Angeles prefer to shoot on locations within 30 miles of the studios (which Monrovia is), the city could once again become a mecca for filming."
The report adds that Film LA plans to be at an April City Council meeting.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Library: Calling All Book Scribblers!
Monrovia Public Library is conducting a study of "marginalia." (That's a fancy word for people scribbling in the margins of their books.) If you would like to participate in the survey, click here: http://goo.gl/0u8k3
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Opinion: Patch's Push to Modify Legal Ads Law is a Good Thing
If you have followed MonroviaNow for a long time, you may recall me expressing serious doubts about the ability of AOL's Patch chain of local-news websites - including Monrovia Patch - to survive. I still have doubts, but in reading this article ( http://goo.gl/6iheU ) I find that AOL is pushing to have an antiquated law changed, and if it succeeds I think the California Patch websites could survive and maybe even thrive. Years ago I wrote my assemblyman urging just such a change, but maybe with AOL's clout something will happen.
This antiquated law requires that legal notices (those tiny-print columns of text that you used to skip over in the back of your newspaper when you used to read a newspaper) must be printed in a newsPAPER. The logic, which was probably good in the 1800s, was that there is certain information that businesses and local governments must put in front of the eyes of the public, and so those businesses and governments must buy advertising to do that. And that, of course, is a nice source of revenue for newspapers.
But today, newspapers are declining and online news is growing, and it is increasingly reasonable that online-only publications be allowed to accept legal advertising if they can show they have adequate readership.
Obviously, this would benefit Patch and other local online-only media (maybe even MonroviaNow), but I suspect newspapers will have a conniption fit as that is probably one of the few revenue sources keeping their paper versions alive. But newspapers could still run legal ads (in paper or online), so the only real difference is that newsPAPERs wouldn't be the ONLY venue for running the ads.
Now, a related argument is this: Why require legal ads at all since a government database can make the information just as easily available to the public as if it was published in a local news outlet?
Hmm... good point. The only arguments I can think of in reply are that the government may see value in pushing the information out there where it is in people's faces, or it may see value in supporting local news media, but I gotta admit, those responses are pretty weak.
- Brad Haugaard
Power Tower Construction Above Monrovia - Good Roads, Too
What appears to be a recently-dug footing for a new power tower.
If you happen to see helicopters buzzing around in the hills above Monrovia, the reason is that Southern California Edison is putting up additional power transmission towers and lines above Monrovia as part of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project. The project will bring electricity from solar and wind plants in the Tehachapi area into the LA area ( http://goo.gl/ODop3 ). The cool thing if you are a mountain biker is that Edison has graded the road from White Saddle up to, and including, Rincon Road. Silky smooth. Before it was rutted, rocky and loose.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Schools: Flat Enrollment After Years of Declines?
Among other things, at its March 27, 7 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/G90IE ), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...
~ hear a report saying: "For 2013-14 the student enrollment is projected to remain unchanged from 2012-13 at 5,951. After a decade of declining enrollment, district enrollment may have stabilized due to the graduation of the large kindergarten classes of the 1990's." But still, the district is estimating it will need a net of one fewer staff member (down one at Bradoaks and one at Clifton and up one at Monroe). http://goo.gl/mPPgm
~ approve funding for making the MHS Band and Choir Room safer in an earthquake.
~ hear a report on expenditures for maintenance, and another on expenditures for facilities.
~ consider approving a contract with Moss, Levy & Hartzheim, LLP to do the district's audits.
- Brad Haugaard
~ hear a report saying: "For 2013-14 the student enrollment is projected to remain unchanged from 2012-13 at 5,951. After a decade of declining enrollment, district enrollment may have stabilized due to the graduation of the large kindergarten classes of the 1990's." But still, the district is estimating it will need a net of one fewer staff member (down one at Bradoaks and one at Clifton and up one at Monroe). http://goo.gl/mPPgm
~ approve funding for making the MHS Band and Choir Room safer in an earthquake.
~ hear a report on expenditures for maintenance, and another on expenditures for facilities.
~ consider approving a contract with Moss, Levy & Hartzheim, LLP to do the district's audits.
- Brad Haugaard
AeroVironment Drone Tracks Sea Lions | Corn Toss
~ University of Alaska uses drone from Monrovia's AeroVironment to study sea lion populations. http://goo.gl/ABTI3
~ Monrovia High's Big M Boosters will hold a corn toss fundraiser. A corn toss is "similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called Corn Toss platforms and corn/bean bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes." Details: http://goo.gl/EHBzE
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia High's Big M Boosters will hold a corn toss fundraiser. A corn toss is "similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called Corn Toss platforms and corn/bean bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes." Details: http://goo.gl/EHBzE
- Brad Haugaard
Registered to Vote? | Who Gave to Each Monrovia Council Candidate
~ If you want to vote in the Monrovia municipal election, make sure you are registered by this Monday, March 25. Info here: http://goo.gl/934a5
~ Three lists of who gave to each of the three Monrovia City Council candidates, from Patch:
- Alexander Blackburn http://goo.gl/acV1z
- Robert Parry http://goo.gl/n9pVY
- Larry Spicer http://goo.gl/7lGIr
- Brad Haugaard
~ Three lists of who gave to each of the three Monrovia City Council candidates, from Patch:
- Alexander Blackburn http://goo.gl/acV1z
- Robert Parry http://goo.gl/n9pVY
- Larry Spicer http://goo.gl/7lGIr
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Max's Mexican Cuisine
Had lunch at Max's Mexican Cuisine, which is apparently in Monrovia though right across from Sonic - I thought it was Duarte. Got carnitas taco with noodle soup from the lunch menu with ice tea. For two of us, $20.82 plus tip. Bright atmosphere, good service and really good tacos. Meat tender and nicely seasoned.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Details on Monrovia's Five-Year Plan
The Monrovia City Council will hold a study session on Tuesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. at City Hall to discuss how to implement its five-year plan priorities: Long-Term Fiscal Responsibility, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Facility Maintenance, Historic Preservation, Public Safety, Environmental Stewardship. Here is the 71-page document the council will be working from if you are low on reading material: http://goo.gl/z7NgT
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Doubt About Kurt Scoby Playing Football for Monrovia
Hmmm. Some serious doubt about whether Kurt Scoby will play football for Monrovia. http://goo.gl/tfZMo
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Firefighters to Climb 1,400 Stairs | Drunk Driver Stoppers | Egg Hunt
~ At the instigation of Firefighter/paramedic Jason Norton, on April 6, nearly a dozen Monrovia Firefighters will participate in the American Lung Cancer's 2013 "Fight for Air Climb" by ascending 1,400 stairs at the 850-foot AON Center - the second tallest building in downtown Los Angeles - in full firefighter gear. You can donate here: http://goo.gl/VFdHb
~ Mothers Against Drunk Drivers has recognized Monrovia Police Officer Gerald Dehart for 25 DUI Arrests in 2012. MADD also recognized Reserve Officer Fred Hirigoyen and volunteers Jerry Ferguson and Keith Green, who received the Team Award for overall support of DUI enforcement with more than 25 assists each.
~ Annual Spring Egg Hunt and Healthy Kid's Day Event on Saturday, March 30, at 10 a.m., at Recreation Park. Registration for all egg hunts for kids ages 0-16 begins at 9:45 a.m.
Source: My Monrovia newsletter - http://goo.gl/1p3V5
- Brad Haugaard
~ Mothers Against Drunk Drivers has recognized Monrovia Police Officer Gerald Dehart for 25 DUI Arrests in 2012. MADD also recognized Reserve Officer Fred Hirigoyen and volunteers Jerry Ferguson and Keith Green, who received the Team Award for overall support of DUI enforcement with more than 25 assists each.
~ Annual Spring Egg Hunt and Healthy Kid's Day Event on Saturday, March 30, at 10 a.m., at Recreation Park. Registration for all egg hunts for kids ages 0-16 begins at 9:45 a.m.
Source: My Monrovia newsletter - http://goo.gl/1p3V5
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Top Priorities
On Feb. 9, the City Council named the City of Monrovia's top priorities for the next five years:
- Long-Term Fiscal Responsibility
- Economic Development
- Infrastructure and Facility Maintenance
- Historic Preservation
- Public Safety
- Environmental Stewardship
Source: City newsletter
- Brad Haugaard
- Long-Term Fiscal Responsibility
- Economic Development
- Infrastructure and Facility Maintenance
- Historic Preservation
- Public Safety
- Environmental Stewardship
Source: City newsletter
- Brad Haugaard
Weinermobile Comes to Monrovia
Pictures of Oscar Mayer Weinermobile making a visit to Monrovia. http://goo.gl/qJiAp
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: One Price-Switch Too Many, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 18-20. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 480 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.
Residential Burglary
March 19 at 12:16 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 100 block of North Grand. The victims left for the weekend on Saturday, March 16, at 5 p.m. They returned home on March 19 around 12:00 a.m. to discover their residence had been burglarized. The home was ransacked and several items were missing, including a computer and miscellaneous jewelry. The investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
On March 14, the Monrovia Police Department took a burglary report at a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain involving a suspect seen switching price tags. The suspect switched the price tag on a higher-priced welder, took it to the cashier, and paid a lower price for the item. He was seen the day before attempting this same crime at the Glendora store, but an alert cashier recognized the discrepancy and stopped the transaction until she could verify the price. The subject walked out of the store, indicating he would return, but did not. A flyer with a photograph of the suspect was issued by the business.
On March 19 at 1:11 p.m., the suspect went to the Monrovia store again. He was seen switching the price tag on a welder and placing a homemade barcode that indicated a lower price on the item. Officers arrived as the suspect was paying for the merchandise at the lower price, and he was detained. The officers recognized the suspect from the flyer. He was arrested and taken into custody.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblymember's Bill Turns Violence Fine into a Violence Fee
Assembly Bill 139, by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, was approved today in the Assembly. It strengthens penalties abusers are required to pay to ensure that more funding is available for domestic violence shelters.
AB 139 - the first piece of legislation heard on the floor this session - provides more funds for domestic violence shelters by stipulating that those convicted of domestic violence must pay a minimum $500 fee - not a fine - before they are granted probation. This clarification is important because it would ensure the Legislature's intent to use portions of the $500 fee to generate funding for local domestic violence programs.
"Since state courts differ in their interpretations of whether the payments are actually fines or fees, counties are unable to distribute domestic violence funds accurately and that means short-changing the shelters and the women they serve," explained Assemblymember Holden. "This bill will help clear up the confusion and the revenue stream. Who knew a technicality could make such a difference?"
The bill came out of a California State Audit conducted over four years that analyzed the distribution of payments used to support domestic violence shelters. The report revealed that many counties left a significant portion of payments uncollected due to the confusion about whether the payments were classified as fees or fines.
Source: from Holden press release
- Brad Haugaard
AB 139 - the first piece of legislation heard on the floor this session - provides more funds for domestic violence shelters by stipulating that those convicted of domestic violence must pay a minimum $500 fee - not a fine - before they are granted probation. This clarification is important because it would ensure the Legislature's intent to use portions of the $500 fee to generate funding for local domestic violence programs.
"Since state courts differ in their interpretations of whether the payments are actually fines or fees, counties are unable to distribute domestic violence funds accurately and that means short-changing the shelters and the women they serve," explained Assemblymember Holden. "This bill will help clear up the confusion and the revenue stream. Who knew a technicality could make such a difference?"
The bill came out of a California State Audit conducted over four years that analyzed the distribution of payments used to support domestic violence shelters. The report revealed that many counties left a significant portion of payments uncollected due to the confusion about whether the payments were classified as fees or fines.
Source: from Holden press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Candidates Interviewed | Liu Looking for Artists
~ Video: KGEM host Ralph Walker interviews the three candidates for Monrovia City Council:
- Alexander Blackburn http://goo.gl/xklPd
- Robert Parry http://goo.gl/Gpbvg
- Larry Spicer http://goo.gl/dUmIW
~ Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, is looking for artists from her district to submit artwork to be displayed in Sacramento. http://goo.gl/7Ie2r
- Brad Haugaard
- Alexander Blackburn http://goo.gl/xklPd
- Robert Parry http://goo.gl/Gpbvg
- Larry Spicer http://goo.gl/dUmIW
~ Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, is looking for artists from her district to submit artwork to be displayed in Sacramento. http://goo.gl/7Ie2r
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Schools to Hire Headhunter Firm to Get Replacement Superintendent
This Friday at 8 a.m. the Monrovia Board of Education will hold a special meeting to consider which headhunter firm to employ to get a new superintendent. (Current superintendent, Linda Wagner, is moving on to take over the Anaheim schools.) Here's the agenda: http://goo.gl/9BT8J
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Construction Report on Time Warner Cable
Video: Time Warner Cable Local Edition host, Brad Pomerance, interviews Habib Balian, CEO of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority about progress on rail construction.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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