City of Monrovia to Take Over Dead Redevelopment Agency
With the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency killed off by the State Supreme Court - along with all the other redevelopment agencies in the state - the City Council will consider at a special Jan. 11 meeting whether to designate itself as the entity to take over its accounts and duties. http://goo.gl/ETK5z - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman Introduces Whistleblower Law for State Legislature
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has introduced a law to protect staff members of the California Legislature from retaliation if they report illegal activity. Currently, he said, the legislature exempts itself from the whistleblower law that it requires others to obey.
Here is the press release from Portantino's office:
Each year, thousands of Californians do the right thing by reporting waste, fraud, violations of law, and political corruption. When they do the right thing, they are protected from retaliation under the California Whistleblower Protection Act. In most state houses in the nation those who witness and report these abuses are also covered with protection. Not in California. Folks who work for the State Legislature have no such protection.
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) is introducing legislation to change this disparity and offer the same protections to Legislative staffers as those offered to employees in the Governor’s office, other state agencies and appointees to state boards or commissions.
“This is another self-serving protection that the legislature enacted that needs to be repealed. Workers should know that when they do the right thing they won’t have to face the threat of retaliation. Repealing this exemption show’s we are serious about finding waste and fraud. It’s the right thing to do,” commented Portantino.
AB 1378 marks the first time legislative employees will have legal protection from reprisals for reporting government wrongdoing. It’s part of Portantino’s broader efforts to ensure openness, transparency and accountability in state government.
According to the Wall St. Journal, 34% of working Americans have seen “wrong-doing” at their jobs. But, it has only been in the last few decades that workers have been able to come forward and report that wrong-doing without fear of losing their jobs.
AB 1378 would require the Rules Committees of both the Assembly and Senate to designate an officer to receive written complaint and the state Auditor will investigate complaints. Those found guilty of retaliation could face fines up to $10,000 and a year in county jail. The bill will be heard Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Assembly Judiciary Committee.
- Brad Haugaard
Windstorm Gives Workout to Monrovia Service Club's Emergency Database
The recent windstorm gave a workout to a new database designed to help city officials check on disabled Monrovians during an emergency, according to Quota Club member Charlotte Shamadan.
She said the club collected 50 disabled people's names and addresses through a form in the city's Monrovia Today newsletter as part of the service club's Disaster Recovery and Safety program. (Someone, she said, even sent in his or her house keys.)
When the storm hit, the city was able to check on every person on the list.
Shamadan said the Quota Club is working on having a computer program and database created that will simplify checking on the disabled.
The database is now maintained by Shamadan, with a copy at the Fire Department. The information, she said, is completely private.
- Brad Haugaard
New Monrovia News Weekly | FD vs PD | Odd Females | Doctor Buggy | 'Worst Case' Ruling | MHS Landmark?
A few items from today's Monrovia Coordinating Council:
~ Monrovia is getting a new paper news weekly starting Feb. 2, the Route 66 Weekly, which will be distributed in restaurants for people to read while waiting for their food. Publisher Shawn Davis says it will be light reading, with a mix of local and national information, and humor. It is starting in Monrovia but he plans to extend it to other communities soon. http://goo.gl/Kznes
~ The Monrovia Youth Baseball League is thinking of putting together a Monrovia Fire Department vs. Police Department baseball game, according to league representative Roger Llamas.
~ The Odd Couple play (Jan 12, 7:30 p.m. at Monrovia High) will be "The Odd Couple - Female Version," according to School Board Member Ed Gililland.
~ The Monrovia Historical Society has obtained a doctor's buggy, which has been used in parades.
~ Monrovia City Council member Becky Shevlin said that the California Supreme Court's redevelopment decisions were "the worst case scenario," with "a wrench thrown in everything." She said the sale of land to the Gold Line will happen, but the decision "affects what we are going to get out of the deal."
~ Monrovia preservationist Jim Wigton makes the case for designating the main Monrovia High building as a landmark.
- Brad Haugaard
Freeway Closures Through Jan. 21
There may be closures of the 210 eastbound near Santa Anita between now and Jan. 21. Closures will begin no earlier than 10 p.m. and close no later than 1 p.m. the following day. - Brad Haugaard
Dream Act Repeal Initiative Fails to Get Enough Signatures
An initiative to repeal the Dream Act has failed to gather enough signatures to get on the ballot, according to Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia. He may try again later. http://goo.gl/llVLg
- Brad Haugaard
Lawsuit vs. Monrovia Assemblyman's Gun Law | McCarthy College Announcement
~ Lawsuit filed against Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's law outlawing the open-carry of firearms. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/FXd0f
~ More on the expected college announcement of Monrovia High defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy. Leaning towards Cal? http://goo.gl/HRRcx
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School Board to Declare Jan 12 'Monrovia Varsity FootballWildcat Day'
At its Jan. 11 meeting (agenda here: http://goo.gl/59TpA ) the Monrovia School Board will consider whether to declare Jan. 12 as "Monrovia Varsity Football Wildcat Day" ( http://goo.gl/LTv0q ), with a victory parade and rally. Hmm. I'd say the odds are high that the board will approve this measure.
The parade, by the way, will start at Monrovia High, travel east along Colorado, then north on Myrtle to Library Park, where it will be welcomed by the Monrovia City Council, School Board, high school band and Wildcat fans. The city is asking Monrovians to line the route and join the festivities at Library Park at approximately 5:30 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
New Monrovia School Board Officers - Wong, Rich, Zucco
I missed this earlier, but at its Dec. 15 meeting, the Monrovia School Board elected new officers ( http://goo.gl/GXAo5 ):
Bryan Wong - President
Chris Rich - Vice President
Alex Zucco - Clerk
Congratulations!
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman's Fight Results in Release of State Assembly's Financial Data
The California State Assembly today complied with a court order and released financial data for its members that it tried to keep hidden. The lawsuit which caused the information to be release was prompted by a fight between Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, and Assembly Speaker John Pérez. http://goo.gl/7myVK
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Tommy's
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's McCarthy Expected to Announce College Pick
Monrovia High defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy expected to announce his college pick at Saturday's Army Bowl. http://goo.gl/PJaqL
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Xencor Gets Patent on Antibody Technology
Xencor, Inc., of Monrovia, has received "a broad patent covering optimized monoclonal antibody variants and their application for extending in vivo half-life of antibodies." Opinion: I suppose those who need to know understand what that means, but I think it means Xencor has figured out a way to keep antibodies alive and working in people's bodies for longer. http://goo.gl/vueIE
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Senator Calls Governor's Budget 'A Good First Step'
Republican State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, responded to Governor Jerry Brown's proposed 2012-2013 budget:
“The Governor’s plan is a good first step but relies far too much on a $7 billion tax hike that voters are likely to reject. More: http://goo.gl/RMrBA
UPDATE: And the Star-News says Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, representing part of Monrovia, "had cautious praise for the governor's overall approach." http://goo.gl/0qQqS
- Brad Haugaard
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