The Monrovia Department of Community Services has a whole catalog of Spring events and classes planned - including, uh, Zumba?
Click here for catalog: http://goo.gl/yAqAv
Click here for registration form: http://goo.gl/dKV9R - Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Lawsuit / Women Who Rock / Monrovia High Students Honored
~ Property owner sues Monrovia over planned sale of land for Gold Line yard. http://goo.gl/xR539
~ On March 29th at 6:30 p.m., the Monrovia Public Library will present Women who Rock, featuring five women artists. For information, call the Youth Services Reference Desk at (626) 256-8256. http://goo.gl/6s8Wy
~ Rotary Club honors Monrovia High students for ethics essays. http://goo.gl/jCf6F
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Church Raises Money for Japan
After another offering on Sunday, Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church has raised $2,475 for for disaster relief in Japan. The money will go through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund to provide food, blankets, radios, batteries, sanitation kits, clean water and fuel. http://goo.gl/Yxb1P
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Birthday Schedule
Here is a schedule of Monrovia Day activities for Monrovia's big 125th birthday.
- Brad Haugaard
Mayor Lutz: There's Only One Mayor in Monrovia
At tonight's special City Council meeting (March 22), Mayor Mary Ann Lutz responded to Councilman Tom Adam's criticisms of her and of the proposed $39.6 million land sale - which he had stated earlier in a letter ( http://goo.gl/heLVN ) because he could not attend the meeting - by reading this prepared statement:
"I'm sorry that Mr. Adams is not present with us this evening. And I am equally sorry and disappointed that he chose to write a letter that was cc'd to the press - but to none of his Council colleagues - to protest our special meeting tonight.
"As the Mayor, I feel I need to respond to portions of his letter.
"Mr. Adams' letter refers to this special meeting as 'rushed' and even comments that the proceedings, in his opinion, are less than transparent. He seems to divorce himself from the fact that he has been a party to all of the Council discussions leading to this point. He believes that the value for the land, which we are considering tonight, is too low. He also has some choice words for me, as Mayor.
"Truly, I am the Mayor. And as Mayor, I have to try to lead this Council the best way I know how. We don't always agree on this dias, obviously. But we have always prided ourselves on knowing how to disagree; that is, what has historically set Monrovia apart - in my opinion - is that over the years diverse groups of people have been able to overcome personal differences and work toward the common good."
[Lutz diverged from her prepared statement at this point to say that Adam's comment about asking neighboring cities to help bear the financial burden "was never said and is not realistic." She said Monrovia is negotiating with the Gold Line about the land sale, not other cities.]
"Mr. Adams disagrees with the direction of the Council on this matter, and he is surely entitled to do so - as long as we all understand that there is a difference between his opinion and our reality. He's upset with me personally, and that's ok too. But Monrovia doesn't need petty squabbles, it needs leadership. Even more, it needs teamwork - healthy disagreement and honest debate, for sure - but teamwork, most definitely.
"That's all I'll say about Mr. Adams and his letter tonight.
"These are nearly unprecedented days we are living in California and Monrovia, and I don't believe that we have time for two sets of facts, or two policies for every issue, or two Mayors for this Council. I think Monrovia deserves better.
"Now, let's move on..."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Council Delays $39.6 Million Property Sale
The Monrovia City Council put off until its regularly-scheduled April 5 meeting a decision about whether to sell a plot of land to the Gold Line Construction Authority for $39.6 million after City Manager Scott Ochoa said that staff found it "difficult to recommend wholeheartedly the contract before you."
Also, an attorney for one of the property owners whose land would be affected by the project objected that:
- agenda materials for tonight's meeting (March 22) were not available as early as required by law.
- if the issue will be discussed at the April 5 meeting, then the proposed contract and other relevant materials for that meeting should be available tonight, two weeks prior to the meeting.
- the city has 2004 agreement with the property owner not to use - or cause to be used - eminent domain to acquire his land.
Ochoa agreed that the city has an agreement with the landowner, but didn't think it applied in the current situation.
Also, Ochoa agreed with Mayor Mary Ann Lutz that there is a danger in delay; that the state may act in a way that would endanger the city's ownership of the property.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Color Guard is Tops
The Monrovia High School Color Guard is the number one color guard from among 97 other schools in its division. The color guard will compete in its final preliminary tournament of the season this Friday evening, March 25th at Arcadia High School. Source: http://goo.gl/rvwK7 - Brad Haugaard
Harlem Wizards Basketball at Monrovia High
The Harlem Wizards basketball team will take on Monrovia School District staff this Saturday (March 26) for an evening of "funny, theatrical and exciting tricks, hoops and alley oops! Come out to see the Harlem Wizards show off their great skill, teamwork and crazy slams."
All are welcome!
The fundraising event will be held at 7 p.m. on March 26 at the Monrovia High School Gymnasium. Advance Tickets: $10 for Students and Seniors, and $12 for General Admission. Tickets at the Door: $12 for Students and Seniors, and $15 for General Admission.
Advance tickets can be purchased at Monrovia High Student Affairs Office, or at the following link: http://goo.gl/cF30U
For questions, call Mr. Paul Dols at (626) 471-2800, or PDols@monrovia.k12.ca.us
- Brad Haugaard
Angry Adams | Monrovia's Bull's Eye Bar
~ I suggested in the previous post that Monrovia City Councilman Tom Adams was unhappy with Mayor Mary Ann Lutz. Maybe I should revise that to "hopping mad" since this morning I find he has linked one of his own Twitter posts to an article that says he "Lashes Out" at the Mayor. (See above.)
~ Story of the revamping of the bar at Monrovia Black Angus into the Bull's Eye Bar. http://goo.gl/0TNQb
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Councilman Adams Objects to Gold Line Property Sale
[This item refers to the previous post, about the Monrovia City Council considering a sale of property to the Gold Line for $39.6 million. Councilman Tom Adams objects to the idea (and appears a bit unhappy with Mayor Mary Ann Lutz) but as he can't attend the meeting, he asked for the following letter to be read into the minutes of the Tuesday night meeting. - Brad Haugaard]
First, I want to apologize for not being here for this special meeting. I do my best to coordinate my personal life around city business but at times when meetings are called outside of the normal calendar I find that I must be absent. I noticed the City Manager that I could not attend this meeting but more importantly neither will most of Monrovia because they don’t know about it. I know we are told there is danger, danger that the State could take this land and block the Gold Line from coming. I would rather risk what the state could do than rush this through in an off cycle meeting at an inconvenient time that seems to be less than transparent.
Second, I’d like to say that I am 100% in favor of the Gold Line moving forward. Looking into our history cities lived or died based on their location close to transportation and the Gold Line is the right thing at the right time.
My objection is not about the placement of the yard but at what cost? Monrovia did not start out wanting a maintenance yard, we decided to offer it when no one else would take it, or so we are told. One question is what if no one would take the yard? Would the Gold Line never come? Are the rest of the cities along the line so uncaring about the Gold Line that they would see it go?
Being a good neighbor, Monrovia offered the property to the Gold Line Authority for $80 million dollars. That was based on the current value of the land and the future loss of revenue due to several factors including the fact that once this is transferred to the Gold Line the property will never again generate tax revenue. NEVER AGAIN, for ever. Most of the decisions the council makes are temporary, buildings can be torn down and rebuilt, zoning can change, but this is one of the few that are for ever. All the more reason why this decision should not be made in a special meeting, this should be decided at a regularly scheduled meeting that people attend! As for the money, I have asked repeatedly in our closed session meetings for our representative to the Gold Line, the Mayor to ask our neighboring cities to help bear this burden. Every city along the Gold Line will benefit from the Yard yet we are the only ones taking a loss from the transfer of our land to the Gold Line, which is wrong. It is wrong because our Mayor never asked, or at least there is no evidence that the Mayor asked and it is wrong because the people of Monrovia will be taking the economic hit for this decision. Money that could have been used for a park on the south side of town is still in the hands of our neighboring cities that will not help because they were never asked. Money that could have been used in Monrovia to make a difference, money that Monrovia will never see because our representative never asked.
The Mayor told the press on January 20th and I quote, “Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said that the city has a deal in place with the construction authority and is waiting for Gold Line officials to secure additional land before the council officially executes the deal.” What this means is that it would be unlikely to make a better deal after this announcement, our position has been declared, or so it would seem.
This is beginning to look a little like the city logo, the Mayor knows what the council approves before the council has an opportunity to approve it. The Mayor needs to be reminded that each seat has but one vote and each vote is as important as the rest.
I know that by not being here I have no vote but I hope by submitting this letter I still have a voice.
Monrovia Council to Consider Sale of Property to Gold Line for $39.6 Million
At its Tuesday, March 22, meeting, the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency (the City Council wearing a different hat) will consider selling the property bounded by Evergreen Road, Shamrock Avenue, Duarte Road and California Avenue, to the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority for $39,627,818. http://goo.gl/R1OhY - Brad Haugaard
Bark Pix / No Climbing / Monrovian: Woman of Year / AeroVironment CEO /Carden
~ Cute pictures from the Bark for Life anti-cancer fundraiser. http://goo.gl/oGK4W
~ "No climbing" sign installed at waterfall. (Good idea!) http://goo.gl/tsCl3
~ Monrovian Beth Costanza named 44th Assembly District's Woman of the Year. http://goo.gl/0eiKU
~ Nice profile in LA Times of Timothy Conver, CEO of AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/jqVq4
~ Carden of the Foothills School is sponsoring a golf tournament to raise funds for the school. http://goo.gl/eAavs
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia MAP Program a Finalist
Monrovia's "Monrovia Area Partnership" (MAP) program is a finalist - competing with cities across the nation - in two categories in an awards program sponsored by Neighborhoods USA: "Neighborhood of the Year Award," and "The Best Neighborhood Program Award." http://goo.gl/1bLzG
- Brad Haugaard
Endorsements for Monrovia City Council: Tom Adams & Becky Shevlin
On April 12 Monrovians will select two of five candidates to serve on the Monrovia City Council. (Actually, two of four, since candidate Joe Espinosa has withdrawn, though his name will remain on the ballot).
I think the best choices are the two incumbents, Tom Adams and Becky Shevlin.
My reasoning is that the overriding concern for Monrovia today is the city budget, and Shevlin and Adams have the focus and experience to deal with that.
At the candidates' forum I attended this seemed to be the main issue for both of them. Both talked about the city fixing its pension system and both spoke of attempts by the state to extract even more money from local government.
That was exactly the focus I wanted to hear.
Now I'm sure the challengers don't want to blow the budget either, but the incumbents are familiar with the problem and have been wrestling with it, and however competent the challengers may be, there is always a learning period before people become effective in a new position. But the situation is critical and I don't feel there is time for on-the-job training. We already have two competent people who understand the problem and are working on it - Tom Adams and Becky Shevlin - and I think we should stick with them.
I welcome other opinions.
[UPDATE: Please see responses by clicking the Comment link to the right, below.]
- Brad Haugaard
Association of Schools Visits Monrovia School
The Monrovia Adult School is welcoming a visiting team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. (That's the group that accredits schools, so it's important.) http://goo.gl/7lx91
- Brad Haugaard
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