Monrovia Assemblyman Disappointed in Supreme Court Decision

A statement by Assemblyman Chris Holden:

"I am disappointed by today's Supreme Court Decision to invalidate the formula used to assess states' and counties' application of the 1985 Voting Rights Act. The Court focused its decision on the fact that the "racial gap in turnout" had been reduced in states subject to oversight since the 1980's.

I believe this is evidence that the Voting Rights Act has been working as intended and should have been left alone. The court's dissent noted that 700 state and local voting changes were rejected by the Department of Justice between 1982 and 2006-strong evidence that the coverage formula and federal oversight has averted minority voter suppression of various forms.

I certainly believe that the future of the Voting Rights Act is at risk. I call on Congress to set aside partisan difference and come together to redraft the coverage formula to restore this important piece of Civil Rights Legislation."

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library: More Computer Users Than Book Readers

Went to the adult section of the Monrovia Library this afternoon and took a flash count - 33 people using computers and 11 with a book, magazine or newspaper. And that 11 would have been even lower if it wasn't for students studying textbooks. I wonder where libraries are going.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Offers Dog Poop Disposal as an Advertising Opportunity

The City of Monrovia's Recreation Division has an advertising opportunity for local businesses - sponsor a dog-poop disposal-bag dispenser box. $425 to sponsor a "Mutt Mitt" box for one year. Details (bottom of page): http://goo.gl/OSLmn

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Driving Under the Influence; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 20-23. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Drugs – Suspect Arrested
June 20 at 11:27 p.m., police received a call from a citizen reporting a possible drunk driver in the area of Myrtle and Foothill.  Officers responded and observed the driver swerving on the roadway and conducted a traffic stop.  Through investigation, officers determined the driver was under the influence; the driver was suspected of being under the influence of both alcohol and prescription medication.  She was arrested and taken into custody.

Unlicensed Driver / Possession of a Dangerous Weapon / Carrying a Concealed Firearm in Vehicle / Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
June 21 at 8:52 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of California and Monrovista conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle code violation and discovered the driver was unlicensed.  As he was conducting an inventory search to store the vehicle, he located a baton, a loaded semi-automatic pistol under the driver's seat, and a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine.  The driver was subsequently arrested for the above listed charges.

Drones Spread from Military to Civilian Use

An article on drones in general and Monrovia-based AeroVironment in particular. http://goo.gl/iHMNL

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: Monrovia, Please Don't Ban Plastic Bags

A Monrovia woman is planning to ask the City Council during its July 2 meeting to impose a ban on plastic bags in the city, according to a posting in the Nextdoor.com system.

Opinion: I really hope the Monrovia City Council does NOT do this. Why? 1. Because I don't think it is any of the city's concern if a business wants to use plastic bags and I don't like the current wave of governmental butting in to people's lives. 2. I have heard complaints by people who shop in Pasadena about its ban. If they are out and want to buy some stuff and they forgot to bring their tote-bag, tough, or they have to buy a bag. 3. There are health concerns with banning plastic bags because the alternative, re-usable bags, may spread disease. From a study of San Francisco's ban: "There is evidence, however, that reusable grocery bags, a common substitute for plastic bags, contain potentially harmful bacteria, especially coliform bacteria such as E. coli." http://goo.gl/dLYFX

- Brad Haugaard

Do We Have a Monrovia Schools Superintendent Candidate?

The Monrovia Board of Education will hold a special, closed meeting this Monday, June 24 ( http://goo.gl/ooSEq ), to discuss contract provisions for a new superintendent. After the closed session the board will publicly announce what it did in the closed session. Comment: Hmmm. Just guessing, but I wonder if the board has a candidate now and will make that person a contract offer in the closed meeting.

- Brad Haugaard

Layoffs at Monrovia Schools, Compensation for Teachers, Rules for Students, The Budget

At its Wednesday, June 26 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/INH9U ), the Monrovia School Board will consider, among other things ...

~ Laying off 10 part time classified employees (equivalent to 6.66 full timers) for lack of work ( http://goo.gl/Mzgll ), and hiring one new full time person in food services ( http://goo.gl/sRvYh ).

~ A compensation package for Monrovia teachers. Basically, it appears the teachers will get a boost in their health/welfare plan, but nothing else. For 13-14, 4.67%, for 14-15, 4.46%, for 15-16, 4.27%. http://goo.gl/q8NQo

~ A board policy for student conduct. A couple interesting items: no laser pointers except for instructional purposes, and no using electronics in class. http://goo.gl/yyao9

~ A board policy on nondiscrimination and harassment ( http://goo.gl/eo3QT ). Comment: I've always been wary of these things going overboard and essentially outlawing free speech and criminalizing disagreement, but this policy seems to limit violations to "severe" problems. Still, I would like to see a line that says something like, "Nothing in this policy shall be deemed to prohibit non-threatening discussion or disagreement."

~ The 2013-14 budget. http://goo.gl/mfeVS

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Gets Prison for Bomb Threat

Monrovian Gerardo Cortez, 25, sentenced to 16 months in prison for making bomb threat in Pasadena. http://goo.gl/qRcFL

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Hon Sushi

Lunch at Hon Sushi in the Pavilions center. Got the $10.50 Lunch Box Special with chicken teriyaki and spicy tuna roll, and an iced tea ($1.50). Plus tax and tip. Comes with miso soup. Friendly service and nice food.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Meringue Bakery Anniversary

Meringue Bakery and Cafe (110 E. Colorado) fifth anniversary party on June 23, 1 p.m. Potato balls and sangria, and a free slice of Cuban cake. Details: http://goo.gl/pxgnZ

- Brad Haugaard

23 New Youth Leaders for Monrovia

Monrovia Area Partnership Graduates 23 New Youth Leaders. Details: http://goo.gl/2VG62

- Brad Haugaard

All-Day Session on Becoming Involved in Monrovia

The free Fourth Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference will be held Aug. 10. A full day of 23 conference classes on how to get to know your neighbors, become more involved and meet great people. Classes include Mayor's Bus Tour of the City, becoming active as a neighborhood organizer, preventing bullying, and the heart of great leadership. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

Details in flyer here: http://goo.gl/T84MO

Video and registration here: http://goo.gl/T4SUi

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Trustee Accused of Nepotism

Accusations of nepotism against Citrus College trustee Ed Ortell. Citrus College servers the Monrovia area. http://goo.gl/Yf0k1

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Hit and Run Suspect Turns Self In, Busting Car Window for an Empty Box, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 17-19. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 537 service events, resulting in 91 investigations.

Vehicle Burglaries

On June 17, several vehicles were burglarized during daytime hours. In all of the burglary incidents, the suspect(s) smashed a window on the vehicle to steal property that was left inside. The burglaries occurred in the 100 block of McKinley, 500 block of West Palm, and three vehicles in 1100 block of Sesmas. It is unknown if these burglaries are related.
During the burglary on McKinley, a neighbor observed the crime. The suspect smashed the left rear passenger window, reached in and stole an empty neoprene headphone case. The suspect then fled in his vehicle south on McKinley, out of sight. The suspect in that incident is described as a male White in his twenties, 5'8" tall, 170 pounds, short blond hair, wearing a light colored T-shirt and baggy shorts. The suspect vehicle is described as a newer model, 2-door, import-type vehicle, possibly a Honda or similar make. The investigations are continuing.

Burglary

June 17 at 7:24 a.m., a burglary was reported at a construction site in the 1600 block of South California. Suspect(s) forced open two metal storage boxes. The suspect(s) unhooked the transmission linkage on a truck parked in front of the boxes, moved the truck, and then removed a very large roll of copper wiring with a value of over $10,000. They cut the wiring into smaller pieces to remove it more easily. A pry tool was used to enter the boxes, as the locks were in place. Chainsaws and other tools were stolen, also. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft

June 18 at 2:36 a.m., a grand theft was reported in the 100 block of California Street. The victim is doing construction at a church. At 10:00 p.m., he took his tools and material from his truck and pulled down the sliding door, but did not lock it. When he returned to his truck at approximately 2:30 a.m. and lifted the door, he noticed several large spools of copper wire were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft

June 18 at 10:18 a.m., police responded to the report of a grand theft in the 800 block of West Walnut. The suspect(s) took tools from the victim's backyard and the bed of his truck. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

June 18 at 3:14 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 1300 block of South Fifth. The residents left around noon and returned home three hours later to find their home had been ransacked. The suspect(s) used the rear door to enter the house. The only known loss was cash. The investigation is continuing.

Distracted Driving / Suspended Driver's License / Warrant – Suspect Arrested

June 18 at 3:39 p.m., an officer observed a driver talking on her cell phone while driving and stopped her. Through investigation, he determined she had a suspended driver's license and had prior knowledge that her license was suspended. She had numerous failures to appear for court and an outstanding warrant. Her boyfriend is the registered owner of the vehicle, and he told the officer he knew she had a suspended license. The female driver was arrested, the registered owner of the car was cited, and the vehicle was stored.

Warrant for Hit & Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested

June 19 at 4:29 p.m., a male suspect wanted for felony hit & run by the Monrovia Police Department walked into the police lobby and turned himself in to police; He was arrested.
The hit and run incident occurred on June 14 at 3:41 p.m. A red pickup truck was southbound on Mayflower and turned into the path of a vehicle that was pushed onto the front yard of a residence on Diamond. The suspect vehicle fled the scene of the accident, west on Diamond to Los Robles, where the driver and passenger abandoned the vehicle. As the driver and passenger were fleeing from the vehicle, a witness took their picture with a cell phone. Officers recognized the passenger from the photo and went to the passenger's residence. The driver was identified and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up: Felony Vandalism Charges Filed

On May 28, a subject who has been arrested multiple times for vandalism, assault, and other crimes was arrested again for felony vandalism at a business in the 600 block of West Huntington for destroying property. After evaluating the suspect's progressive behavior and the police department's extensive history with him, the District Attorney was compelled to file the charge of felony vandalism again

- Brad Haugaard

Valley Cities Say: Finish Gold Line

Foothill cities want Azusa-to-Claremont segment of the Gold Line completed. http://goo.gl/QWbW7

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senator's Forum: Insurance in an Era of Climate Change

On Friday, June 28, State Senator Carol Liu, who represents Monrovia, will host a public forum titled "Insurance in an Era of Climate Change" with keynote speaker Dave Jones, California Insurance Commissioner. From 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Donald R. Wright Auditorium, Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. Pasadena. Register here: www.ucsusa.org/insuranceca

Panelists will discuss the latest climate information, its impact on California homeowners insurance in high-risk areas, and how insurers, policymakers, and consumers can identify the best methods to resist the impacts of climate change.

Forum speakers include:

- Susanne Moser, Ph.D., Director and Principal Researcher of Susanne Moser Research & Consulting in Santa Cruz.

- Anthony L. Westerling, associate professor in the School of Engineering at the University of California, Merced.

- Stephen Bushnell, product director at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.

- Andrew Logan, director of Ceres' Oil & Gas and Insurance Programs.

Source: Liu press release

- Brad Haugaard

What's Up With the Aztec Hotel?

It appears there has been a management change on the Aztec Hotel refurbishing project.

I had heard the new Mayan Bar and Grill at the Aztec Hotel would open a while ago, but then things seemed to come to a halt. The restaurant manager announced on Facebook that he had been let go, and city Planning Division Manager Craig Jimenez tells me that the company refurbishing the building has hired a new general manager for the project. He adds that the city hasn't heard much lately but there does seem to be some progress as, "A building permit was issued to construct a new wall along the north property line and building and mechanical plans for the public restrooms have been submitted into plan check."

- Brad Haugaard

Highest Sales Tax Revenue Ever for Monrovia | Goodbye Animal Control? | Counselors for Oklahoma

~ Monrovia City spokeswoman Jennifer McClain writes on Twitter that the city Finance Department "reports highest sales tax revenue generated ever last year" at $9.44 million.

~ Monrovia Police could eliminate its animal control division. http://goo.gl/Y6CMA

~ Monrovia-based World Vision will provide counselors and play therapists to work with child survivors of last month's deadly tornados in Oklahoma. http://goo.gl/8L3n8

- Brad Haugaard

Does Patch Face a 'Do-or-Die" Year?

Financial news provider, Bloomberg, reports that AOL's Patch local news websites, which would include Monrovia Patch, may face a "a do-or-die year in 2013," and if it has a chance to succeed it may require sharp cuts and dramatic income increases. Patch has shown revenue increases, but will it be enough? http://goo.gl/9m1pp

Comment: I wish you well, Patch. AOL is the only company doing large-scale local news, something the country needs. And besides, what fun is it playing baseball if there isn't another team for me to play against.

- Brad Haugaard