Monrovia Hires New Public Works Director

After a lengthy recruitment process, the City of Monrovia has hired a new Public Works Director: Carl E. Hassel, P.E.  Mr. Hassel has over 22 years of experience in civil engineering and public works and has spent the last six years as the Assistant Director of Public Works and City Engineer in the City of Azusa.

Hassel's career focus has been on service to the community and building projects.  His expertise lies in major and complicated economic development projects and the facilities work that goes along with them.  He also is an expert in dealing with the Metro Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority, having successfully competed for a $5 million Metro grant for Azusa to improve the overall traffic signals and transportation systems, and managing Gold Line improvements similar to the construction underway in Monrovia.

Hassel has also developed and managed long-range capital improvement projects as well as street management plans.  During his time in the City of Azusa he managed and coordinated multiple paving projects in the City using environmentally friendly technologies for road reconstruction projects, and developed and oversaw the Azusa Sewer Master Plan, completing a 10-year Sewer Capital improvement program in one year; using trenchless technology.

Prior to his work in the City of Azusa, he has 16 years' experience working as a private consultant for firms in Southern California.  Mr. Hassel is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.  He received a Bachelor's of Science in Civil Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in 1991 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of La Verne.  He is a member of the American Public Works Association and is the past-chair for the Technical Advisory Committee for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.

Mr. Hassel's begins work in Monrovia on January 6, 2014.  Mark Carney, Deputy Director of Public Works, has been serving as the Interim Monrovia Public Works Director over the past several months.  Former Director Ron Bow is currently serving as the Public Works Director for the City of Monterey Park.

Hassel was born in Arcadia, CA, he now lives in the City of Glendora with his wife of 22 years and his three children.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Native American Metate Found in Monrovia is Now in Historical Museum

This metate, or grinding stone, was found recently when a resident of Oakglade Drive was digging a trench for a flower-bed wall, according to Mark Still, curator at the Monrovia Historical Museum.

Still writes that the stone was probably placed there by Native Americans for when they visited the area to harvest acorns. He said the acorns were ground, then leached in the waters of Monrovia Canyon to remove the tannin and the bitter taste.

The metate is on display at the museum, at 742 E. Lemon Ave. It is open Thursdays-Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

Thanks to the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group for this information and picture.

- Brad Haugaard

Construction Proceeding on Monrovia Debris Grate

Construction seems well under way on a debris grate at the top of Highland Place. This is right below the burned-off area from the last fire.

-Brad Haugaard

Happy New Year, Monrovia!

A lousy photo of the Thunderbirds as they switch off their smoke trails over Monrovia this morning after buzzing the Rose Parade. I gotta use a real camera! Here are some much better photos of the pre-parade flyover from yesterday from Gem City Images. About the same thing: http://goo.gl/y3uPU3

Anyway, Happy New Year!

- Brad Haugaard

Maybe See F16 Fighters Over Monrovia New Year's Morning

If you would like to see the Thunderbirds F16 fighters that begin the Rose Parade, I'm guessing that their overflight of the parade will extend to Monrovia. The parade starts at 8 a.m., so the planes should appear overhead about that time.

- Brad Haugaard

New Year's Eve Party on Myrtle

Good live music (The Lance and Gary Show), food, beer, wine, Mexican coffee, moon bounce for kids. Lots of things at the Monrovia New Year's Eve party. And a ball that will drop at midnight. 

- Brad Haugaard

No Shootin' Tonight! | Computer Upgrade of Sorts

~ Sheriff's Department says no shootin' in the air tonight.

~ Angeles National Forest website says: "Please be advised that due to a computer systems upgrade Angeles National Forest will only accept CA$H for the purchasing of Adventure Passes & America the Beautiful Passes till further notice." Comment: Hmm. Sounds more like a computer downgrade to me. http://goo.gl/cLf1rl

- Brad Haugaard

Two Ball-Drops Tonight in Monrovia

The midnight New Year ball drop on Myrtle tonight isn't the only ball drop in town. According to Councilman Tom Adams, the house at 750 Crescent Drive (a block north of Hillcrest just west of El Nido and the house that won the best-decorated K-Rail award) will also have a ball drop.

- Brad Haugaard

F16 Flyover This Morning? | Monrovia Party Tonight | Free Ride Home | Recycling

~ Monrovia Police report that this morning at 8 a.m., the U.S. Air Force F-16 Thunderbirds will conduct a pre-parade practice flight. I've noticed they often overshoot and come over Monrovia. You might keep an eye out. UPDATE: Yup! About six fighters. I kept my eye out but they surprised me while I was eating a bagel and instead of getting a picture of airplanes I got five beautiful pictures of blue sky. Hey! It's hard to work a camera and eat a bagel.

~ New Year's Eve party planned for Myrtle. 7 p.m. to midnight. Beer, wine, live music. Details: http://goo.gl/S8EOIE

~ AAA is offering its Tipsy Tow service to give a free ride and vehicle tow up to seven miles to drivers who have consumed alcohol on New Year's Eve. Available to members and non-members. Call 1-800-400-4222. http://goo.gl/A1TbWa

~ Electronic recycling event at Mt. Sierra College (Myrtle and Huntington) on Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Electronic devices that plug in or use batteries. But, not the batteries themselves, fluorescent bulbs or large appliances. Event will support Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center.

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia City Manager? | Drawing Straws to Vote | Station Square

At its Jan. 7 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Take a look at a "Station Square Public Improvements Concept Design" at 5:30 p.m. http://goo.gl/MiQRAf

~ Hold a closed session at 7 p.m. regarding, "Public Employee Appointment Pursuant to Government Code §54957: City Manager." Sounds like the council may be ready to appoint a new city manager but I've been fooled before. The government code reference, by the way, is just citing the legal justification for holding a closed session. http://goo.gl/x3g3kh

~ At the regular 7:30 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/XDgFa5 ), the council will consider a planned subdivision of 1323 S. Magnolia Ave. by Bowden Development "for a detached 21-unit, two-story planned unit development." Since a majority of council members have a conflict of interest in this matter, they'll draw straws to see who gets to vote on it. http://goo.gl/bBVvts

- Brad Haugaard

Wiring the Power Towers Above Monrovia

The unstrung new power towers above Monrovia are finally getting wired. The wiring appears to have come down as far as White Saddle. I think this is the end of the line; just south of White Saddle.

- Brad Haugaard

Deputies Shoot, Injure Two Suspects in Monrovia

Two injured in deputy-involved shooting in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/ziSYhg

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's New Year's Eve Party Recognized by KPCC

KPCC is featuring Monrovia's New Year's Eve party as a great thing to do that doesn't involve going to a club. http://goo.gl/K6tLX2

- Brad Haugaard

Some Farmers Market Vendors Selling Commercial Produce

Farmers market vendors - including some who have sold in Monrovia - found to be selling produce not grown at their farms. http://goo.gl/f4YFpu

- Brad Haugaard

Progress on Monrovia Rail Maintenance Yard

Progress on the Gold Line maintenance yard in Monrovia. Tracks will run parallel on both sides of these canopy columns.

- Brad Haugaard

Windy Sunday in Monrovia?

Strong winds this weekend? For the San Gabriel Valley the National Weather Service predicts "strong and potentially damaging winds late Saturday night through Sunday," and there will be a "wind advisory in effect from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST Sunday" ( http://goo.gl/uOgHyv ). The Weather Channel is guesstimating the winds will be up to 14 miles per hour. http://goo.gl/iTvjEC

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at BigShrimps

Had lunch at BigShrimps, on Colorado just east of Myrtle. I figured I ought to check it out since it has changed its ownership and its menu. There seems to be more of an emphasis on shrimp and they've replaced some of the booths with tables. I got the El Diablo shrimp ($12.95) and a soft drink ($1.75). Plus tax.  Six nice fat shrimp. Very tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia New Year's Eve Party | Sunny New Year's Day

~ Details on the New Year's Eve party on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/qRTV2S

~ Forecast calls for a sunny New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Monrovia, and a tolerable low of 45 degrees for New Year's Eve, which oughta be good for the party on Myrtle. http://goo.gl/tuoRrz

- Brad Haugaard

Art Inspired by China | Monrovia Winter Activities | Tree Recycling

Tributary of the Pearl by Sara J. Leadholm

~ "Kaiping: American Perspectives" - An exhibition of works inspired by Americans in China. January 18 through March 1 at Segil Fine Art. 110 West Lime.

~ See Monrovia's Winter Events and Activities brochure here: http://goo.gl/NRbvVd Soccer, skateboarding, Legos, exercise, art, wine tasting, senior trips, more.

~ Christmas tree disposal tips from Athens. http://goo.gl/thQmoj

- Brad Haugaard

Merry Christmas, Monrovia!