Monrovia Representatives on Budget | Music | Friends Cafe

~ Videos: Senator Bob Huff - who represents Monrovia - attacks an "irresponsible budget" that "relies upon the assumption that voters will approve a massive $47 billion tax hike" ( http://goo.gl/8vcJw ). Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, doesn't like it either: http://goo.gl/qSFdI

~ Windy Ridge Bluegrass Band and Kattywompus String Band (traditional folk and international music), Saturday, June 30, 7-9 p.m. 412 S. Myrtle in Old Town.

~ Monrovia Coffee Co. in Old Town is becoming Friends Cafe and holding a grand opening this weekend, June 30-July 1, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. "Ice blended coffees, smoothies, desserts."

- Brad Haugaard

No Money to Build Gold Line Past Azusa?

Gold Line Extension spokesman Habib F. Balian said the Metro board has indicated that there will be no more money to complete the rail line past Azusa, even if the Measure R sales tax passes.

He writes:

"This is extremely disappointing since the San Gabriel Valley legislators worked hard in 2008 to define the project to Claremont, and Metro staff helped sell Measure R to voters by specifying the project to Claremont in their materials."

"On several occasions of late," Habib writes, "Metro has misinterpreted our request to be included in the expenditure plan. The misconception voiced by Metro is that we are insisting on funding the remainder of the project exclusively using Measure R funds. Not true. We are simply requesting to be treated like every other under-funded Measure R project. We ask that they include the true total cost to complete the Foothill Extension to Claremont in the expenditure plan, and provide a strategy for funding project completion through a combination of federal, state and local funds - like every other project. Not special treatment, just funding commensurate with the dictates of the Measure R promises; not more, and certainly not less."

Also, good story on the issue by San Gabriel Valley Tribune writer Steve Scauzillo: http://goo.gl/RP0uC

Opinion: Welll, I'm not sure I see any reason why anybody in the San Gabriel Valley should vote for Measure R.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Has New Marketing Program | Cushman Graduates From Air Force Training

~ Monrovia's STAAR Surgical is launching a new online marketing program and website to market its implantable eye lenses throughout the world. http://goo.gl/JMM5H

~ Monrovia High grad, Airman Jonathan R. Cushman, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. http://goo.gl/w60zd

- Brad Haugaard

Armed Man Barricaded in Monrovia House; Surrenders After Tear Gas

Man barricaded in house on Duarte Road. http://goo.gl/oudNI

UPDATE: Gives up after tear gas used. http://goo.gl/CblyJ

- Brad Haugaard

AeroVironment Profits Up | Monrovia School Closures Unlikely | Thoughts on Myrtle | Huff on Open Enrollment

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment reports fiscal fourth quarter profits up. http://goo.gl/OKEfZ

~ Monrovia School Board president Bryan Wong says although the possibility of closing schools is in the district's contingency plan, it is a remote possibility. http://goo.gl/SOFX7

~ Some photos and thoughts about development along Myrtle Ave. http://goo.gl/8RyV3

~ Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, tells how his open enrollment measure works. (Sounds more like something parents living outside Monrovia need to know, however). http://goo.gl/PJZqh

- Brad Haugaard

Register for Free Monrovia Neighborhood Conference

The Monrovia Area Partnership is hosting the annual MAP Neighborhood Conference on Saturday, August 11th from 10am â€" 3pm at Monrovia Community Services Center.

While the MAP Neighborhood Conference is being offered free of charge, pre-registration is required and can be found online at cityofmonrovia.org, at the front counter of City Hall or by calling Neighborhood Services Staff at (626) 932-5563.

The MAP Neighborhood Conference will feature hands-on workshops covering material regarding community safety, programming skills, character development and ways to connect in the community.

These workshops and activities have been designed for a diverse set of participants and that's why this Neighborhood Conference is the perfect day of casual training and networking for employees, volunteers, employers, board members and all residents looking to be an effective leader.

Participants will also enjoy free breakfast and lunch, closing the day with an ice cream social and raffle prizes. During these activities, participants will have the unique opportunity to casually network with City staff, local resource representatives, community service clubs & agencies and other residents wanting to partner efforts to lead the community into a bright future.

Groups who pre-register with 10 or more participants will receive recognition at the Conference and Groups with 15 or more will receive a certificate and recognition at the following City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 4th.

This event only comes once a year and it’s not to be missed. Be sure to save your spot by registering early and tell your friends to do the same. Let’s keep growing together!

Source: City press release

- Brad Haugaard

'Long Gun' Measure by Monrovia Assemblymember Portantino Passes Senate Committee

A measure by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino - who represents part of Monrovia - to expand on last year's ban on openly carried handguns, has passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on a vote of 4 to 2. AB 1527 would outlaw the open carry of unloaded long guns â€" such as rifles or shotguns.

Portantino writes: "Last year, we tried to craft a narrow bill to close a loophole in the hopes that gun enthusiasts would support ending this dangerous practice. Unfortunately, the open carry folks reacted by carrying rifles and other long guns, alarming the public and creating a potentially dangerous situation. As law enforcement officials tell us, it not only creates a tense situation, but wastes time and money when police have to roll out and respond to these unnecessary calls."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Area Democrats to Vote on 'Fracking'

According to its Facebook page, Monrovia's Foothill Community Democrats will vote at its Thursday meeting on whether to urge the LA City Council to ban "fracking," a new method of extracting oil from the ground.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia UPS Store Has New Location

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce reports on its Facebook page that The UPS Store, that has been in Monrovia for about twenty years, has recently relocated to a new location at 710 S. Myrtle Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Sleeping Driver Arrested, Burglary, Auto Theft

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 21-24. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Commercial Burglary

June 21 at 7:26 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of West Foothill regarding a break-in.  The business was broken into sometime during the night.  The suspect(s) pried open the rear door, which faces an alley, made entry, and stole merchandise from the business.  Investigation continuing.

 

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

June 21 at 8:54 p.m., a witness called police to report a possible drunk driver who ran a stop sign at Fifth and Colorado.  The witness followed the vehicle to Monterey and Chestnut, where the driver pulled over and slumped her head against the steering wheel.  Police arrived and contacted the female driver, who was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

 

Grand Theft Auto

June 22 at 10:32 a.m., a reporting party came to the police department lobby to file a grand theft auto report.  The vehicle belongs to a friend who is presently in Korea, but was having the reporting party watch the vehicle for him.  The vehicle was taken sometime between the evening of June 20 and the morning of June 22.  The vehicle is a black, 2000 Honda Civic.  Investigation continuing.

Clean Up Day in Monrovia | Dinner Theater | Art Walk

Mayor Lutz Cleans Up

~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz thanked Council Member Becky Shevlin, Monrovia Kwainis and Rotary Clubs for sponsoring clean-up day. She writes on Facebook: "We cleaned Old Town and Recreation Park! Thank you to all that helped!"

~ Summer dinner theater featuring the Fantastick Patrick Show: comedy, juggling, face-balancing, plate-spinning and a 10-foot unicycle. June 28, 7 to 7:45 p.m. at the Library Park Bandshell. Bring dinner and a blanket or chair. http://goo.gl/KOWjp

~ Summer Art Walk June 30 from 7-10 p.m. along Myrtle in Old Town. Art and live music. http://goo.gl/NMvR8

Burglars Make off With Monrovia Salon's Shampoo and Conditioner

About $6,000 of hair products were stolen from Monrovia hair salon, The Long Hair Company.

- Brad Haugaard

Retirement Party for Foothill Unity Center Executive Director, Joan Whitenack

On Thursday, June 28, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monrovia a retirement party will be held to honor and celebrate the 17 years of hard work and dedication that Joan Whitenack has given to the community as Executive Director of the Foothill Unity Center, Inc. Appointed as the Center’s Executive Director in 1995, Joan took a small, non-profit to an organization with a $3.5 million cash and in-kind budget working from of three different sites in Monrovia and Pasadena, and serving more than 12,000 unduplicated individuals from eleven different cities.

Volunteers, supporters and other friends of the Center are all invited to this event to say thank you to Joan for her long years of service and leadership to the community. For further information and reservations ($10 per person), please contact Barbara Rolf at the Center, 626.358.3486 or email her at barbara@foothillunitycenter.org.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Budget Woes, Labor Contract, Borrowing to Pay the Bills

Among other items at the Monrovia School Board's June 27 meeting meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/5bZZh ) are these ...

~ Here's the proposed budget for the school district. It assumes, perhaps a bit optimistically, 'flat' state funding and warns of a $2.5 million shortfall if the state tax proposal should fail. http://goo.gl/W9eLz

~ In the tentative labor contract with the Monrovia school district's non-teachers, employees will get a .47 percent increase in benefits, all in healthcare, over the next three years. The district will increase its contribution from $11,959.50 to a maximum of $12,423.90. http://goo.gl/Usnpr

~ The board will consider allowing the district to borrow from various district funds ( http://goo.gl/e6Wzx ) and from the LA County Treasurer ( http://goo.gl/BAB4H ) if necessary because a certain deadbeat state government (that's my opinion, by the way) is not paying its bills on time.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Closures and Firings if Tax Measure Fails?

What will happen to Monrovia schools if the November tax measure should fail?

According to a report to be discussed at the School Board's June 27 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/5bZZh ) the district needs to be ready for that, so the board will consider a contingency plan, which proposes these possibilities:

Since the district is paid by the state on Average Daily Attendance, the district might increase its revenue by improving attendance, adding Saturday school for (I think) students to make up missed days, and trying to attract international students.

Also, it would have to cut. Possible cuts include "school closure," letting go up to 14 employees go, reducing use of materials, energy, and transportation, cutting board meetings to once a month, eliminating contributions to "secondary" athletics, and maximizing class size. http://goo.gl/rdFj4

- Brad Haugaard