- Brad Haugaard
Petition Seeks to Undo Portantino's Ban on Open-Carry of Guns
A petition is being circulated that would overturn a law that bans the open carrying of firearms, a law authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/L685w
Gunman Forces Monrovia Woman from her Apartment
On Thursday, December 15, 2011, at approximately 11 p.m., in the 300 block of West Central, a woman answered a knock at her front door. The male on the other side of the door asked for a name she did not recognize. When she opened the door the male suspect pulled a revolver from his waist band and tried to force his way in the apartment. The woman screamed and the suspect pulled her from her doorway and onto a landing outside of her apartment. The victim fell to the ground causing abrasions to her hands.
As the victim continued to scream the suspect fled. The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic, 5’8”, medium build wearing a denim type, collared shirt and dark pants. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Monrovia Police Department at (626) 256-8000
The Monrovia Police Department would like to remind everyone to be alert to their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police.
- Brad Haugaard (from Monrovia Police press release)
Lunch at Taisho Teriyaki Grill
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Greeting Card | Shop Locally | Lobbyists Help Portantino
~ This holiday snow-globe from the Gold Line folks includes the cheery information that the Pasadena-to-Azusa segment of line should be completed by 2015.
~ Star-News columnist Steve Scauzillo suggests local Christmas shopping, like in in Monrovia's Old Town, but, he adds, no pepper spray. http://goo.gl/6WIcN
~ Lobbyists helping Portantino in congressional race. http://goo.gl/vyU1i
- Brad Haugaard
Montgomery New Citrus Prez | Monrovia Kiwanian on Rose Float
~ Joanne Montgomery is new president of Citrus College board. http://goo.gl/skF2L
~ Monrovia Kiwanis reports that member Don Yost will be riding on the Kiwanis Rose Parade float on Jan. 1.
- Brad Haugaard
A Temporary Replacement for Shaw? | Friday Night Live | Rental Inspections | Recycling | Street Fair
A few items on the Monrovia City Council agenda ( http://goo.gl/J14C3 ) for Dec. 20:
~ Consider whether to find a temporary replacement for Councilman Clarence Shaw during his active duty for the Army. http://goo.gl/dOJrH
~ The City Council will hear a report on an experimental Friday Night Live program designed to reduce the number of youth loitering problems during the street fair and consider whether to continue it. Opinion: The data ( http://goo.gl/D1Iol ) seems ambiguous. Also, the city increased police bike patrols at the same time as it added the youth program, which makes it a harder to untangle cause and effect. Change one variable at a time.
~ Consider a pilot Rental Housing Inspection Program in the 700–900 blocks of West Walnut and Olive Avenues. Rental properties result in the most service calls. Maybe more inspections will help. http://goo.gl/rFOoN
~ Some reports on recycling. http://goo.gl/o6AW5 and http://goo.gl/MM3rc
~ Consider a three-year contract with Family Festival Productions to continue putting on the street fair. City staff recommends approval. http://goo.gl/Tq9Jt
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Finances: Better But Worse
Despite some bright economic news, Monrovia calculates that it will have $137,536 less money to work with this fiscal year, according to a report to the City Council by Mark Alvarado, Director of Administrative Services.
The good news: In the first five months of the 2011-12 fiscal year there has been an increase in sales and property taxes, and city staff expects this to continue. "Revenue from auto sales and leasing are strong again," Alvarado writes, "after two years of huge decreases. Building and construction activity is still flat, as the housing market muddles through more foreclosures and high unemployment."
Earlier, the city projected a 5 percent increase in sales tax. Now it's thinking it'll be 8 percent.
Also, property tax revenue is up about 4 percent from last year, but - and here's the main problem - last year the city expected more revenue but got less, so it is behind by $289,147.
And the other negative is the state. In an attempt to balance its own budget, the state is not passing through $110,000 in motor vehicle license fees the city usually gets.
Lots more details here: http://goo.gl/tuHZY
- Brad Haugaard
Will Monrovia Move to Merit-Based Pay System for Employees?
Monrovia needs to switch to a merit-based, rather than seniority-based, compensation system for its employees, according to a report to the City Council by Mark Alvarado, Director of Administrative Services.
He writes:
The focus must also be on restructuring the current compensation model so that the City pays only what it can afford. As a service delivery organization, personnel is the largest cost factor in the operating budget. Compensating employees for a job well done, as opposed to how long they have been employed, is a sound financial model to follow. All current labor contracts expire no later than the 2012-13 fiscal year. All future budget projections regarding labor costs are based on pension cost sharing and reasonable merit salary increases.
The City Council will decide on his recommendations at its Dec. 20 meeting.
Source: http://goo.gl/tuHZY
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Bean Bag Motivates Mountain Lion, Burglary, Grand Theft Lexus and Silverado
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for December 12-14 – Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, December 8-14, 2011, the Police Department handled 496 service events, resulting in 96 investigations.
Residential Burglaries
On December 13 at 8:23 p.m., two residential burglaries were reported that occurred on a lot in the 500 block of West Maple. In both cases, the unknown suspect(s) gained entry by prying open the rear door of the residence. The front house was ransacked and jewelry was stolen. There was minor ransacking in the back house, but nothing was taken.
Mountain Lion
On December 14 at 2:37 a.m., police received a call reporting a mountain lion in the 800 block of East Lemon. Officers responded and found an adult mountain lion, possibly a female, in a yard in the 800 block of East Lemon. It appeared to have an open wound next to its left eye. The officers fired two beanbag rounds, which motivated the mountain lion to move back into the hills.
Drug Violations
On December 14 at 2:56 p.m., Monrovia Special Enforcement Team officers on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. This encounter led to the officers conducting a search of the vehicle, which revealed hidden drug contraband under the pad of a child seat. The driver was arrested and booked for numerous drug violations.
Grand Theft Auto
On December 14 at 5:51 p.m., police responded to Mckinley Place and Foothill regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim reported that he parked his vehicle on the street. When he returned to where he had parked it, the vehicle was not there and he could not find his keys. The vehicle is a white, two-door, Lexus SC300. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft Auto
On December 14 at 6:12 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 700 block of East Central on the report of a stolen vehicle. The theft occurred between 6:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The victim parked and locked his vehicle on the street and went into work for the day. When he returned at the end of the day, his vehicle was missing. The vehicle is a black, 2004, Chevy Silverado pickup truck. The victim reported that there was an unloaded handgun in the vehicle at the time it was stolen, but there was no ammunition in the truck. Investigation continuing.
Downtown Mountain Lion | $10K Reward in Arcadia Killing
~ A Twitter report by Nancy Casanova says that a Mountain Lion has been spotted near Lemon and Mountain. Careful.
~ Antonovich offers $10k reward for information on killer of Arcadia father. http://goo.gl/TYKDN
- Brad Haugaard
Santa Tours Monrovia | Unity Center Needs Helpers
~ Santa makes the rounds in Monrovia. It's not every day you see a pickup truck with antlers.
~ Foothill Unity Center, of Monrovia, is still short of volunteers (adults only) for its Holiday Distribution for families this Sunday, December 18, in Ayres Hall at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. If you'd like to help, email raina@foothillunitycenter.org for a sign-up form.
- Brad Haugaard
Progress in School-Baseball League Negotiations; New MYBL Initiatives
Monrovia Youth Baseball League board vice president, Jack Taylor, says he believes the MYBL and the Monrovia School District are making "good progress" and will successfully complete fee negotiations for field usage by February, when the league's season opens.
Previously, he said, the league was able to use the fields for free, and he'd like that to continue that for community groups such as MYBL, but he also understands the district is in a tough financial position. But, then, so is the MYBL. He said he has met with numerous school and city and officials and feels everyone is trying to be helpful.
If there must be fees, he said, he hopes they can be offset by work that the league could do at the schools, such as reseeding the fields.
Taylor said the league also has several new initiatives:
- Instituting a curriculum and increasing the number of training classes for coaches at each of the league's five levels, both in technical aspects of the game and in management of players and - ahem! - parents. The goal is for the players to be able to move directly to high school baseball when they graduate from MYBL.
- Recruiting a lot more Monrovia district students - at least 10 percent - to increase league membership to about 500, up from the current 370. Taylor said scholarships are available for students who cannot afford the fee.
- Developing tighter relationships with the Monrovia community. He said MYBL is making a more determined effort to distribute flyers at schools, participate in the street fair, in Chamber of Commerce events, and develop relationships with city and school officials and civic organizations and give priority to Monrovia businesses. At its opening day fair, for example, he said the league wants Monrovia businesses to have the first crack at displaying their services and goods.
For more information about MYLB: myblpony.clubspaces.com
- Brad Haugaard
Former Monrovia Newspaperman Dies | New Senior VP at AeroVironment
~ Former Monrovia newspaperman, Stuart Bonham, dies. http://goo.gl/GP5xZ ~ Wahid Nawabi, an executive from the power technology industry, has joined Monrovia's AeroVironment as senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems. http://goo.gl/LRJFh - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Robocats in the Finals | Townloop
~ Despite a broken lifter, Monrovia High's Darkmatter robot battled its way into the finals at the LA FTC Robotics Championship Tournament held at MHS. The Robocats hosted 37 other teams. The Cats other 'bots were Thundercat and Banana Pudding. http://goo.gl/lhgMe
~ Townloop (started in Pasadena by a friend) now has what I believe is its first deal with a Monrovia company, BigShrimps. The deal is you buy a discount coupon for a meal at BigShrimps and a school of your choice gets a kickback. http://goo.gl/zVmve
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Football Parade Postponed | Collecting Canned Goods
~ A report that the Wildcat victory parade will be postponed due to rain. http://goo.gl/YVQCZ
~ Monrovia Municipal Employee Association is collecting canned food for needy families. Donations can be brought to City Hall. For more information call 932-5550 during regular business hours Monday-Friday. See flyer: http://goo.gl/LiJej
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Dog Breaks Woman's Wrist, Pistol Robbery, Suicide Prevented, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Dec. 8-11. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website at www.cityofmonrovia.org and click on the crime mapping link.
Dog Bite
On December 8 at 10:27 a.m., an animal control officer responded to a residence in the 100 block of Encinitas on the report of a dog bite. During the power outage on December 1, an 80-year-old female subject was in her front yard when a dog approached her and bit her on the arm. The dog owner tried to stop the dog, but failed. The woman fell to the ground and was assisted by the dog owner. The woman refused medical attention and no call was made to police to report the incident. On December 8, the woman was taken to a doctor and discovered she had sustained a broken wrist. The woman's daughter then called police to report the incident. An animal control officer was dispatched to investigate.
Robbery
On December 8 at 10:30 a.m., a male victim was walking in the 1100 block of Norumbega when a dark colored sedan stopped ahead of him and a male suspect exited the vehicle. The sedan drove up the street and the victim continued walking. The suspect then approached the victim and pointed a black handgun at him and demanded his property. The victim handed over his binoculars. The suspect demanded the victim's wallet and then reached for the victim's rear pocket, but the victim slapped the suspect's hand away. The suspect then fled south on Norumbega and got back into the sedan, which was waiting down the street. The vehicle was last seen heading south on Norumbega out of sight. The victim did not call police until 5:00 p.m. that evening, after being encouraged to report the incident by family members. The suspect is described as a male Black, 20 years old, 6'1", weighing approximately 200 pounds. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
On December 9 at 4:09 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of West Cypress regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim parked his car at approximately 6:00 p.m. and went to work with his co-worker. On his return at about 4:05 a.m., he discovered a window on his vehicle smashed and his stereo missing. A screwdriver was found on the front seat. Investigation continuing.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On December 11 at 2:33 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a subject drive through a stop sign at Myrtle and Walnut. The officer stopped the driver and noticed a strong odor of alcohol and, after investigation, determined the driver to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested.
Traffic Collision - Vehicle Versus Pedestrian
On December 11 at 6:04 a.m., a woman was walking to work and crossing in the crosswalk on a green light when she was struck by a driver whose windows were fogged up. The driver did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk. The pedestrian complained of pain in her arm and side and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Stolen Bicycle Recovered - Suspect Arrested
On December 11 at 7:21 p.m., an officer took a report on a bicycle that was stolen from the 700 block of West Walnut. At 8:11 p.m., another officer stopped a bicyclist in the 100 block of West Maple for not having a light during darkness. The bicyclist had a warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody; the bicycle he was riding was brought to the police station. The officer who took the stolen bicycle report noticed that the bicycle matched the description of the victim's stolen bicycle. The victim came to the police station and positively identified the bicycle. The suspect was additionally charged for receiving stolen property. He claimed the bicycle belonged to a family member and he borrowed it without their knowledge or permission.
Outside Assist - Possible Attempt Suicide
On December 11 at 10:20 p.m., the Monterey Park Police Department called to report a suicidal female subject, possibly driving a black Honda in Monrovia. The female was text messaging her boyfriend in Monterey Park and told him she took 30 sleeping pills because she wanted to die. The female told her boyfriend she was in the 400 block of East Evergreen. The boyfriend called Monterey Park Police Department and reported the incident. Monrovia officers searched for the female, but she was not found. Approximately two hours later, Monterey Park police called back and reported the female was now possibly in the 300 block of North Myrtle. Monrovia officers began a second search and an officer eventually located the female subject in the 300 block of North Melrose. She claimed to have taken 20 sleeping pills and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
Monrovia's Assemblyman Proposes Disaster Requirements for Utilities
In the wake of the recent windstorm that caused major damage throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) has proposed legislation to require each utility to report with every county in its service area every two years to review, update and improve their emergency disaster and preparedness plans. Portantino's proposal would also have the California Public Utilities Commission set preparedness standards
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)
Celebration for Victorious Monrovia Wildcats
Monrovia will hold a football championship celebration tomorrow, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz reports on her Facebook page.
She says the celebration will be Tuesday the 13th (that's tomorrow) at 6 p.m. Like last year, a procession of the football team and coaches will start at Monrovia High and continue east on Colorado to Myrtle, and end in front of Library Park. The Celebration at Library Park should begin about 6:20 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Centre Stage Students Perform 'The Gift'
The vocal students of Monrovia's Centre Stage will perform "The Gift," an evening of classic and new carols, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20 and 21 at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene, 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena. Tickets $15. Call (626) 533-4919 to order.
- Brad Haugaard
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