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Comment: Let's Not Overlook the Trades at Monrovia Schools

Recently I commented on some new tech-related courses at Monrovia High, saying, "Well, this is good, but it doesn't give me much confidence that there is any follow-through on the discussion before the election about science and tech not being for everybody. How about adding some classes for the trades: auto mechanics, electricians, etc.?"

Well, I got a response from a member of the district saying, if I may paraphrase, that the new Advanced Graphic Design, Web Development, and Game Development classes ARE trades because by taking them students can get good jobs without going on to college.

Okay, I suppose this is an acceptable definition of the "trades," but it was not what I was thinking about. Nor, do I imagine, is it what other people think about when they think of the trades. What I was thinking about was the traditional get-your-hands-dirty kind of jobs.

So why do I - who spent a career at tech companies - think the traditional trades are so important?

Well, suppose you are a computer graphic designer, web developer, or game developer. Who is your competition? I'll tell you who - Every other designer or developer in the whole big, wide, hungry world! Any job that can be done digitally can be done pretty much anywhere.

I know this because I've lived in the midst of it. I've watched programmers go from making well over $100,000 a year to being laid off. A nearby tech company I know recently laid off about a hundred programmers. At the same time the company is hiring programmers overseas.

So, these jobs are very easy to outsource to India or Ukraine, but also everybody and his brother's cat is being taught computer tech. I just saw an article called: "Coding for kindergarten." The concepts and tools for programming are being made simpler and simpler, which means more and more competition, even locally.

But suppose instead that you are a plumber, welder, or auto mechanic - someone who has to be physically at a location. Who is your competition? Probably nobody outside of maybe a 20-mile radius. You are NOT competing against the whole world. And when I talk to people in the trades they complain that they can't get enough workers.

So while I don't want to demean tech jobs, and I think, in particular, that the robotics teams in the Monrovia schools are really great, I think we are giving the trades - in the traditional sense - very short shrift, and I think in fairness to our students who do not want to go on to college that we should offer them training in skills that cannot be done in India or the Ukraine for a quarter of the cost they can be done here.

Rant concluded.


Update: Oh yeah, I wanted to add this joke:

Man gets a bill from his plumber.

Man: "$150 an hour! I'm a lawyer and even I don't make that much."

Plumber: "Yeah, I didn't make that much when I was a lawyer either."


- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Jake’s Roadhouse

Dinner at Jake’s Roadhouse. Got the Smoked Sausage for $13.95 and a small beer for $5.25. Very good and filling. Had to take some home. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Former Monrovia High Teacher Honored by Citrus College

Citrus College has awarded former Monrovia High teacher Sal Medina the honorary title of Distinguished Alumni for 2019, one of two people to receive the honor.

Medina graduated from Citrus in 1995, went on to the University of La Verne where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science (1998) and master's degree in education (2000), then accpeted a position as a political science teacher at Monrovia High School, where he was known for his engaging style and ability to motivate students. In addition to teaching, he coached the girls' volleyball team and served as adviser to the Key Club.

In 2007 he launched his own business: Packing House Wines. In its first year, Packing House Wines was recognized as the Claremont Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year." Since then, it has developed from a small boutique to a full-sized wine bar and restaurant located in the Claremont Packing House.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Instructor Featured on Radio

Monrovia Unified School District's Director of Performing Arts, Patrick Garcia, was featured on California School News Radio.

Garcia discusses Monrovia Days, a three-day civic celebration that highlighted the district’s visual and performing arts programs. Listen on iTunes. https://buff.ly/2Z4WMix

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Is Hartford, Connecticut, Interested in Monrovia's Idlewild House?

The Hartford Courant - the newspaper for Hartford, Connecticut - apparently finds Monrovia real estate an interesting topic. This story in the Courant is about Monrovia's Idlewild house: https://is.gd/x3vHmK

Actually, my guess is that because Monrovia Nursery (home office in Azusa) has a nursery in Hartford County, Connecticut, the newspaper's computer picked up the story and ran with it simply because the word "Monrovia" appeared in it. Computers gone goofy.

- Brad Haugaard

ABC7 Reports on Monrovia Eagle Scout John Maines

ABC7 News recently reported on Monrovia Eagle Scout John Maines, whose Eagle Scout project was raising money for an instrument rack for the violins and the violas for the music program at Monrovia High. Also, Maines recently wrote a suicide awareness PSA that was rated best PSA on this topic in all of California. https://is.gd/1riL69

- Brad Haugaard

Problems at the Monrovia Weekly

According to an article in the Monrovia Weekly, the paper has undertaken a transformation that "involved consolidating our news and information resources and devoting more space to regional news, albeit at the risk of scaling back our local coverage."

But apparently Monrovians were not wild about the change. The article continues: "[I]t has become abundantly clear that you want and need LOCAL Monrovia news each week in our newspapers. And you want it NOW." So the paper is planning a community forum (no date set yet) "to discuss these very issues." https://is.gd/dgHgO1

- Brad Haugaard

Study Session on What to Do About Development and Traffic in Monrovia

Monrovia is growing and what do we do about the resulting traffic? There will be a Special Joint Study Session of the Monrovia City Council and the Monrovia Planning Commission to discuss development trends and proposed traffic mitigation plans on Monday, June 3 at 6 p.m. in the Monrovia Public Library's Community Room. https://is.gd/Z5yffd

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs and Alcohol and Shoplifting; Thefts from Cars; and So Forth

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 23-29. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 417 service events, resulting in 98 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 4:20 p.m., a possible drunk driver was reported in the 200 block of E. Greystone. The vehicle was observed driving on the wrong side of the road. Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle. The driver was contacted and he displayed symptoms of being under the influence. The driver was arrested for DUI.

Shoplifting
On May 23 at 6:21 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. A male suspect selected various items and exited the store without making any attempt to pay for the merchandise. The suspect dropped three of the four items prior to leaving the scene. Officer’s arrived, but were unable to locate the suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 7:32 p.m., officers witnessed a subject illegally dumping trash from her vehicle in the area of W. Central and Mayflower. They initiated a traffic stop and discovered the subject also had a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested per the authority of the warrant.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 9:13 p.m., officers responded to the area of Madison and Colorado regarding a subject who was possibly intoxicated. The subject was located and found to be too intoxicated to care for his own safety. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
On May 23 at 10:33 p.m., officers made contact with a male and female subject at a business in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The subjects consented to a search of their persons. The female was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and the male subject was in possession of controlled substances. The male subject also had an outstanding warrant. Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On May 23 at 11:40 p.m., an officer saw a male subject using the electricity from a business in the 700 block of W Huntington. The subject was contacted and the officer began an investigation. The subject was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
On May 24 at 12:08 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of S. Shamrock regarding two parked vehicles that were struck by a third vehicle. Officers conducted an area check and located the suspect vehicle. No driver was found in the vehicle, but the registered owner was contacted. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 24 at 1:27 a.m., officers made contact with a male subject at the rear of a closed business in the 700 block of E. Huntington. He was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 24 at 1:33 p.m., an employee of a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a male subject was being detained inside their store for shoplifting. Officers arrived and, after an investigation was conducted, the subject was arrested and taken into custody. The stolen property was returned to the store.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 24 at 5:49 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of Stedman called police to report a suspicious female subject walking on his street and behaving strangely. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who immediately dropped a bag of methamphetamine on the ground. The officers determined the subject was under the influence of methamphetamine. She was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On May 24 at 9:43 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Elfwood regarding a suspicious vehicle. The caller said a person in the vehicle knocked on her door and then fled when she answered. Officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. A computer check of the subjects in the vehicle revealed the male passenger had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft From a Vehicle
May 25 at 1:41 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported at a business parking lot in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The victim had parked in the lot and went into the gym. When he returned to his vehicle, he discovered someone had entered his unlocked vehicle and stole his wallet, which contained several credit cards and his driver's license. This investigation is continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
May 25 at 1:49 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of Genoa walked outside her home to her vehicle and found that someone had entered it and took vehicle documents. Her AAA card and two pairs of sunglasses were stolen. The vehicle was not locked. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 25 at 10:09 p.m., officers responded to a complaint of an intoxicated subject near the area of Walnut and Monterey. The subject was located and found to be on parole and in possession of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary
May 26 at 12:55 a.m., a caller reported that items were missing from his residence in the 300 block of Wildrose after returning from vacation. Officers responded and the investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 3:15 a.m., a caller reported an intoxicated subject near their residence in the 400 block of W. Duarte. Officers responded and found the subject in the caller’s backyard. Officers determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
May 26 at 12:50 p.m., a caller reported her vehicle was broken into while parked in the 900 block of S. Shamrock. Her purse was taken and one of her credit cards had been used at a local business. Officers responded and the investigation is ongoing.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 26 at 10:30 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist for a vehicle code violation in the area of Peck and Longden. The investigation revealed the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
May 27 at 3:37 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of S. Fifth regarding a male and two females smoking a controlled substance in a parked vehicle. Officers made contact with the three subjects and the investigation revealed the male subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and released on a citation to appear in court on the charge.

Theft From a Vehicle
May 27 at 10:55 a.m., a caller reported that his vehicle and another vehicle were entered during the night and miscellaneous property was taken. The vehicles were parked in the 400 block of Scenic Drive and were unlocked. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 28 at 7:06 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of Monrovista. The victim stated that while her vehicle was parked on the street during the night, a window had been broken and property was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
May 28 at 7:42 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 800 block of W. Huntington and saw a vehicle that appeared suspicious. A computer check revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen. The vehicle was recovered.

Vandalism
May 28 at 10:04 a.m., employees working at a business in the 1800 block of S. Myrtle heard their front glass window shatter. None of the employees saw what happened. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
May 28 at 1:01 p.m., a caller reported his vehicle was broken into in the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue and that personal property that was inside the vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Battery
May 28 at 7:58 p.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance between a father and son in the 400 block of Hurstview. Officers arrived, but the father had left the location. The investigation revealed the father had committed domestic battery against the mother. Officers were unable to locate the father for his statement. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
May 29 at 3:18 p.m., a caller returned home to the 200 block of Highland and discovered two male subjects inside her residence. She called police. Officers arrived, but the subjects had already fled the location in a vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
May 29 at 9:05 p.m., officers responded to a report of shoplifting at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. They arrived and detained a female subject. She was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and had an open wound from a recent injection. She was arrested and released on a citation. Monrovia Fire Paramedics were called to treat her open wound.

Soapbox Derby May Make Comeback in Monrovia; Sidewalk CPR; Etc.

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~ Monrovia resident Jeff Hunt is working to revive the Soapbox Derby, in partnership with  Hot Rods Forever, which coordinates an annual Monrovia car show. The event will be a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills and is planned for Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.  For more information, contact Soapbox Derby, LLC, at 205-4786.

~ Sidewalk CPR Day Thursday, June 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Library Park. Learn Hands-Only CPR in just five minutes from the pros.  For more information contact Captain Chris Huson at 256-8119 or chuson@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

~ The city's public works inspector, engineering technician, and senior administrative assistant will now have office hours instead of only being available by appointment. The new hours, starting Monday, June 3, are: Mondays and Thursdays - 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays - 1 to 2 p.m.

~ The City Council will hold a budget study session today, Wednesday, at 5 p.m. to review  proposed 2019/21 spending.

~  New GoMonrovia pricing begins June 1 - $2.50 shared rides, $5 classic rides, and still 50 cents to and from the Gold Line and Old Town Monrovia.

~ The fourth Neighborhoods Treasure features Japanese Americans in Monrovia. Families like the Uyedas, Tsuneishi, Asanos, Kurimiyas and others built strawberry farms, grocery stores, fruit stands, and more. The celebration and block party will be Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. at 300 W Cypress. Art unveiling, free food, games, giveaways, city booths. RSVP here: https://is.gd/eyCyT7 or call the City at 932-5563.

- Brad Haugaard

Heros at Heart: Coffee with a Cop

Thursday, May 30, 10-11 a.m. at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, at the corner of Myrtle and Foothill. Meet and greet local police officers who serve the community. Proceeds from the sale of Heroes at Heart Coffee and Tea go to benefit California Peace Officers Memorial, which provides financial assistance, scholarships and support for families of fallen officers. Free coffee and tea samples, raffle entry with any Heroes at Heart purchase.

- Brad Haugaard

Sir Jamie Looking for a New Home

Sir Jamie (A475591) celebrated Memorial Day this year by attending the La Cañada Flintridge Memorial Day parade. He went with the Pasadena Humane Society’s Wiggle Waggle Waggin’ volunteers and a few other dog buddies. Despite his regal demeanor, he enjoyed the festivities. He particularly liked being petted by tons of new people who thought his wrinkly Chinese Sharpei face was adorable. Sir Jamie is a 4-year-old who was found roaming around Glendale about a month ago. He’s now at Pasadena Humane looking for a new home, with new trusting friends, so he can prove his loyalty.

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and- wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.  Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.  Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Learn Portrait Painting This Evening

Learn to draft a portrait using the same technique as Leonardo Da Vinci, Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. to Paint n Play Studio on Myrtle. Instructor will be Manuel Barillas, longtime commercial and fine artist based in Downey. For more information and to RSVP, please email christine@monroviafinearts.org. Free admission, refreshments served.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Bella Sera


Lunch recently at Bella Sera, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Lemon. Got the Bacon Stacked Scallops for $26 and my wife and I shared a bottle of sparkling water for $7. Delicious!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Sentenced to Life for Multiple Rapes

Monrovian Jason Chung Chien Yu, 43, has been sentenced to life in state prison after being convicted of 12 felony charges Thursday for the kidnappings, assaults and rapes of four women over a five-year period. link

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Historian Steve Baker Wins Statewide Award

Monrovian Steve Baker has just been notified that he will receive the 2018-2019 Waddingham/Doctor Award by the Conference of California Historical Societies, awarded to an individual who has given 25 years or more of consistent and outstanding service to a local historic society.

In Steve’s case, his service has been to four such groups -- MOHPG (the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group), The Duarte Historical Society, the Monrovia Historical Museum and the Monrovia Historical Society.

Steve is a fifth-generation Monrovian who was appointed the Official Historian for the City of Monrovia in 1991, was elected Monrovia City Treasurer in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, and 2017. He has been the Treasurer for the Duarte Historical Society and Museum for more than thirty years, he currently serves as President of the Citrus College Foundation Board of Directors, President of the Monrovia Historical Society, Treasurer of the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library, and as board member of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, ChangeMakers and the Santa Anita Family YMCA.

In the past he has served as chair of the Santa Anita YMCA Board of Managers, President of the Monrovia Historical Museum, Treasurer of the Friends of the Duarte Library, member of the Historic Preservation Commission, and Treasurer of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He was also the Executive Secretary of the Rotary Club of Monrovia for seventeen years.

Thanks to Sandy Burud for this information.

- Brad Haugaard

New Starbucks Open




The new Starbucks at the corner of Huntington and Magnolia is open. Very open, lots of seating inside and out, plus a drive through lane. Very nice. The Starbucks further to the west on Huntington, next to Armstrong's, has closed, so this is not an increase in the number of Starbucks.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Car-Window Smashing Burglaries; Two Women Assault Boyfriends; Police Pursue Driver into El Monte; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 16-22. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 388 service events, resulting in 77 investigations.

Driving Without a License/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 16 at 9:01 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the 1400 block of S. Mountain. A computer check revealed the driver was driving without a license and, during a consent search, drug paraphernalia was found inside the vehicle. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
On May 16 at 5:06 p.m., a grand theft incident was reported at a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Two suspects entered the business and asked questions about a new phone. Then they forcefully removed three phones from a display case and ran out of the store. They fled the area in a black BMW. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
On May 16 at 9:34 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of N. Ivy called police to report a vandalism to his residence. He left for a short period of time, and when he returned, he saw a hole in the front window of his residence. He found a soccer ball inside his residence that appears to have caused the damage. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
On May 17 at 2:22 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1200 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a female subject, walking alone, who appeared to be having difficulty maintaining her balance. The officer stopped and checked on the subject’s welfare. The subject was heavily intoxicated and could not care for her own safety or the safety of others. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Package Theft
On May 17 at 7:09 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Canyon walked outside his home and discovered a package that had been delivered that morning on his front porch had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Paraphernalia Found
On May 17 at 7:42 a.m., an employee of a store in the 700 block of W. Huntington found a used syringe in front of a neighboring store that is no longer open. The caller requested extra patrol. An officer responded, collected the syringe and disposed of it properly.

Non-injury Traffic Collision
On May 17 at 10:05 a.m., a caller reported that two motorists collided into one another in the 1200 block of S. Myrtle. Officers responded and found that no one was injured. Both parties did not want a police report filed, but instead only wanted to exchange information.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 17 at 7:15 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 700 block of W. Huntington when he saw a suspicious person in a hotel parking lot. The officer contacted the subject and a computer check revealed he had outstanding warrants for his arrest. A search incident to arrest located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in the subject’s possession. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On May 18 at 1:13 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle when he saw a subject in a park after closing hours in violation of the City Municipal Code. The officer stopped the subject, and the subject consented to a search of his person. The officer located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in the subject’s possession. The subject was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On May 18 at 2:05 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 2600 block of S. Myrtle when he stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. During the stop, the driver displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the subject was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
On May 18 at 12:18 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of N. Canyon reported her vehicle had been burglarized. Her vehicle was parked on the street. She witnessed a male and female subject break her car window. The suspects stole her purse, which was on the front seat, and fled the area in their own vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
On May 18 at 6:25 p.m., officers responded to a residential burglary alarm call in the 500 block of N. Alta Vista and confirmed a burglary had occurred. Officers discovered the point of entry, which was an open second story window. No suspects were located and the investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On May 19 at 2:30 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the 1400 block of S. Myrtle. During the stop, the driver displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the subject was arrested for DUI and held for a sobering period.

Traffic Violation/Vehicle Pursuit – Suspect Arrested
On May 20 at 6:38 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1500 block of S. Shamrock when he saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle continued onto the 210 Freeway. The vehicle failed to yield for several miles, so the officer initiated a pursuit. The pursuit continued into the City of El Monte. The vehicle eventually stopped and the driver was arrested.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
On May 21 at 4:11 p.m., multiple callers reported a female subject hitting a male subject in the 900 block of Monterey. Officers arrived and detained both subjects. The investigation confirmed the female had assaulted her boyfriend, causing visible physical injuries. The female subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Battery – Suspect Arrested
On May 21 at 10:01 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Myrtle called police to report his girlfriend was hitting him. He left the apartment and waited outside for the officers. The female subject retreated into the apartment and would not exit for some time. Officers were eventually able to convince the female to exit. The investigation revealed the female was the primary aggressor in the fight and she was arrested for domestic battery.

Vehicle Burglary
On May 22 at 7:14 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 1100 block of E. Huntington. The victim called to report his vehicle was broken into while he was eating at restaurant. The victim walked outside to return to his vehicle and found a window had been smashed and personal property was taken from inside. Investigation continuing.

Monrovia Transit Program Unpopular With Disabled; Upgrades to Lucinda Garcia Park?

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~ In addition to its Lyft program, the city has a transportation program for the disabled, but they don't like it.  Chi said the "surprising news" from users is that they don't like the smaller vans, though they're easier to get in and out of. So the city is thinking of "bringing in a different type of ADA accessible vehicle" and also addressing some "minor complaints regarding the dispatch operation," which he said, should be "fully resolved here within the next few weeks."

~ The state has $254.9 million available for park and recreation facilities in underserved communities and Monrovia's Lucinda Garcia Park (Olive just west of Mayflower) could qualify. Monrovia will apply for some of the money to: expand the park into adjacent open space, upgrade play equipment, add safety surfacing at the playground area, add exercise equipment, repair the pathway and upgrade the landscaping, among a few other things.

- Brad Haugaard

Officer Montes Appointed Monrovia Schools Resource Officer

Officer Thomas Montes, who has served the city of Monrovia since 2006, has been appointed as Monrovia's new School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2019-20 school year.

Montes is well-known at Monrovia Unified, having worked closely with many of the District's site administrators in the past, ensuring that Monrovia schools remain a safe and nurturing learning environment for students.

"Officer Montes has been a support to Monrovia Unified schools in his career as an officer, and he has responded to calls from various schools to provide support and guidance during difficult situations," said Jennifer Jackson, Clifton Middle School principal. "He is a professional, calm, and a asset to students and their families, and we are excited for him to serve as our new School Resource Officer."

Montes has a background in psychology and knowledge and experience working with individuals of all ages.

"We are excited to welcome Officer Thomas Montes to Monrovia Unified," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "We are positive that he will provide excellent support to our schools and to our students."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard