New Monrovia Police Chief 'Soon' | Gold Line Deal Not Done | Redevelopment Law Challenge | State Government 'Frightening'

In his weekly report ( http://goo.gl/HGju5 ), Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa ...

~ Says the city should have a new police chief very soon. He said the city is now down to three candidates. "I think Monrovia will be well-served by this process and we will have our new Chief seated very soon."

~ Adds a bit of caution to reports that Monrovia and the Gold line have reached a land-sale agreement. He writes: "I must note that there can be no deal until and unless the Monrovia City Council / Redevelopment Agency Board agrees to the transaction. Considering the position all cities and redevelopment agencies are in because of the State budget, Monrovia cannot consider this matter until early September - at the earliest."

~ Lays into the state government again. He said the state's new redevelopment law ("AB 1X 26 and AB 1X 27, commonly referred as the redevelopment 'elimination and extortion' bills") are being challenged in court.

~ Says it is "frightening" that the "State Legislature seems overcome with a need to control the entire apparatus of government in California. They appear to be desirous of making policy at every level, for every level. Today, the State effectively controls school districts and counties" and, he said, the state is becoming "increasingly aggressive" towards cities.

- Brad Haugaard