From City Manager Oliver Chi's his weekly update ...
~ Monrovia's Home Security Rebate Program has been approved and the city will begin accepting applications in January. The program will rebate you up to $250 when you install a home security system. If you are interested send an email to securityrebate@ci.monrovia.ca.us. You'll be notified when the City begins to accept applications.
~ Congratulated the fire department and other personnel who jumped on the Norumbega fire and doused it so quickly. Comment: Yes! Much appreciated.
~ Just as other fire agencies helped Monrovia, Monrovia has also been sending firefighting support for the fires in the San Diego and Santa Barbara areas.
~ In case of future evacuation orders, "the City will always utilize law enforcement personnel to start knocking on doors to personally notify residents of the need to evacuate."
~ Monrovia's RED Program is designed to help elderly and disabled citizens who may not be able to help themselves in critical and life-threatening situations, such as evacuations. To sign up for the program, contact the Monrovia Fire Department at 256-8181, or visit Fire Station 101 (141 East Lemon Avenue).
~ As part of Monrovia's response to its huge unfunded retirement problem the city wants to raise the bed tax on hotels from 10 to 12 percent. It will have to go on the ballot of a special election in June 2018. Chi said "Staff has spoken with the DoubleTree, Courtyard Marriott, and the developer of the proposed Marriott TownePlace Suite hotel about the proposed 2% increase" and they're okay with it.
~ Horse-drawn carriage rides for $5 on Thursdays and Sundays this month in Old Town. Thursdays, Dec. 14 and 21, from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, from 3-6 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
I can't properly express how grateful I am for our Fire and Police Departments. I know I still have a house today because of them. I still have no idea how they got that fire out so quickly, but thank goodness they did.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I want to implore my fellow Monrovians to be more thoughtful the next time this happens. I realize it's really interesting and fun to look at, but please don't try to drive as close as you can to the fire. The streets up in the hills are very narrow and don't always handle two-way traffic very well.
And please just obey the police officers trying to keep a clear road for the fire equipment and those who are evacuating. One person refused to turn left towards Foothill at Greystone and Shamrock and instead decided to argue with the officer, all the while 17 cars trying to get out of the neighborhood got stuck behind them.
Evacuating is crazy stressful and it's difficult to keep an eye on all the pedestrians wandering in the street. So please be mindful that you are surrounding a stressed out population who first concern isn't necessarily for you at that moment.