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Photo Of Pistols Causes Concern Among Monrovia High Community

A photograph circulating on social media of four pistols with the caption, "I've had enough get ready for Monday MHS," has caused a lot of concern, but Monrovia School Board member Rob Hammond has posted that, "Rumors are running rampant. There is no lock down on any of our sites. There is no unusual activity and aside from rumors it is business as usual." He adds that, "If there were the potential of any of your children being hurt the school board, district office, and the school site would have contacted you and if need be closed the campus. The safety of the people on campus is our first priority."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayoral Race: Statement of Candidate Mark Harris

I asked both candidates for mayor - the one contested office in the upcoming Monrovia city election - to submit a statement about their candidacy. Following is the statement I received back from the challenger, Mark Harris. - Brad Haugaard

I love the "any-town USA" feel about Monrovia. My wife and I love walking through Old Town and visiting the many shops and restaurants. Over the last couple of years, Monrovia has seen a twenty percent increase in crime, rise in the homeless population, and the once proud feeling of an "All America City" start to slip away. I think it's time for a change and "A Fresh Start". My main goal in running for Mayor is to make a positive difference for the City of Monrovia and help us become a greater place to live work, and raise your family. I have only the best interests in the residents and business owners of Monrovia on my agenda, I am not a career politician just a Monrovian wanting to make a change for the City.

I have been married for 22 years to my wife Stacy and I have one son Blake who goes to Arizona State University.

Since 2006, I have worked with my twin brother in the celebrity brand marketing integration industry providing celebrity product placement for award shows including charity events, the Grammy's, the Oscar's, the Emmy's ABC, Miss USA, Miss America, and many more. I currently co-host a radio show with my brother and have appeared on reality TV including "Storage Wars" on the A&E Network. Previously I worked in the banking industry for twenty five years where I managed the customer advocacy department at the eighth largest mortgage company in the United States. My schedule gives me the flexibility and time to commit to the issues and concerns of the city of Monrovia.

One of the first items on my agenda is to look into addressing the Homeless issue and coming up with a comprehensive plan to solve the issue. I will start by reviewing the cities Homeless in the Park committee results and see what plan the City currently has in place and what their remedies were ? as it appears the situation has not improved since the committee was organized.

In regards to the rise in Crime in the City I will review the cities current budget for the Police Department and review to determine if the city is properly staffed to handle the current situation. I also would like to review well known crime areas and look into possible lighting for areas that may encourage crime in addition to reviewing the cities policy on city-wide cameras and actively encourage additional neighborhood Watches.

I would also like to create a Eco-Green City-Wide Policy to encourage and or create Green Practices and provide efficient city-wide recycling, Automobile Charging Stations, Solar panels and clean transportation options. Promote the Myrtle Avenue district and make it a "Destination", create Monrovia Volunteer programs and more including city-wide Transparency.

It will be my priority to make Monrovia a town you will be proud to call home and I appreciate your support. My name is Mark Harris and I'm running for Mayor.

Monrovia-Duarte Quota Club Disbands


After nearly 63 years of service to our communities, Quota International of Monrovia-Duarte has voted to turn in its charter.

Our members’ work over these many years has been a blessing in many ways to ourselves, and those we served. Our members are grateful for the opportunity to serve where needed, providing help as requested and to make many long-lasting friendships within our cities. Although we will no longer be working or planning philanthropic giving, we will, as individual members, continue to support our community.

Over the years, Quota Club has provided food and financial assistance for the needy, bought hearing aids and otologic exams for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and contributed to the surgical re-building of an outer ear when deformity inhibited the ability to hear.

We helped hundreds of students from local public and private high schools move on in their collegiate and post-graduate careers with scholarships. In the 50s, 60s and 70s, Quotarians were the main benefactors for a local school for developmentally delayed children, and now, years later, those former students remain our friends as adults.

We were a major force in starting training and advocacy classes for teaching teenagers and their families life skills; in recent years we were a benefactor to the John Tracy Clinic in Los Angeles aiding the youngest deaf children (newborn through infancy) to get a strong start in living their lives amidst the challenges of deafness.

Through Quota International, we’ve contributed to building homes for destitute women and children in India and Southeast Asia, and provided an ambulance and caregiving items for newborns in Central America.

Locally, we created and helped train fire and emergency personnel to give special needs assistance to the disabled and elderly in event of natural disasters. And, we’ve joined with many other local service groups to support areas of special concern to benefit many local residents' causes.

Among our blessings are the many friendships given to us by you, the communities of Monrovia and Duarte. Your generosity, respect and willingness to support what we’ve done over the years was a ray of sunshine and a beacon of hope in Quota’s quest to create a better tomorrow for those we served.

With gratitude,

Laurie Orvis
Secretary
Quota International of Monrovia-Duarte


Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Los Gueros



Dinner at Los Gueros, on the north side of Huntington just west of Magnolia. Got the Enchilada and Chile Relleno for $10.85 and an iced tea for $3. Good. Also, I can recommend the made-at-your-table guacamole. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Mayoral Race: Statement of Candidate Tom Adams

I asked both candidates for mayor - the one contested office in the upcoming Monrovia city election - to submit a statement about their candidacy. Following is the first statement I received back, from the incumbent, Mayor Tom Adams. - Brad Haugaard

Almost two years ago Monrovia gave me an opportunity to change the direction our city was headed in and I thank everyone for their trust. The time has passed quickly and now I ask for your trust again for there is much to do.

I am very proud that working together with the City Council and our staff these things are being addressed. We have our plan to Renew Monrovia in place and work is being done to bring our water systems, sewer systems, roads, curbs and gutters up to par.

We set out to talk to all of you to find out what you wanted in your neighborhood. As a result of that we have had the first major change of our zoning codes is years and now offer more protection to keep neighborhoods as the neighbors want them. You have a City Council that listens, listens to the needs of the community.

For the first time in over 6 years we are having regular meetings with our counter parts on the Monrovia Unified School Board. Our schools educate our children and we need to be able to work together with them, proudly, we now do.

At this point, Monrovia has more good things happening than it has had in years, more jobs, and better infrastructure, better working relationships with our community partners and stronger protection in our neighborhoods, securing a bright future. All you need to do is look around you and you can see the vast improvement in place. I would hope that we can keep this positive momentum moving, we will all benefit from it.

I respectfully ask you to allow us to continue this work and your vote!

Monrovia Company Chosen to Supply Volvo With Electric Car Chargers

Monrovia's AeroVironment, maker of drones and electric vehicle chargers, has been selected by automaker Volvo to develop Volvo's first custom global charging station. https://goo.gl/IHfJDM

- Brad Haugaard

Urinetown Opens Tonight

The Monrovia High play "Urinetown," opens tonight, with two more performances, tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday. Details: https://goo.gl/FTPPXq

Monrovia Police: Three More Catalytic Converters Stolen; Bicycling While Drunk; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 6-8. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 413 service events, resulting in 78 investigations.

Grand Theft
March 6 at 8:55 a.m., a grand theft incident was reported in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia. The victim reported that someone stole her catalytic converter from her parked vehicle during the early morning hours. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 6 at 12:25 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of E. Cherry Avenue regarding a disturbing family member who was refusing to leave. A computer check revealed an outstanding warrant for the subject. He was arrested and later released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
March 6 at 1:55 p.m., a citizen called police to report a vehicle driving erratically in the area of Mayflower and Huntington. An officer responded to the area and stopped the driver for vehicle code violations. The investigation revealed the driver also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrant and during a search, narcotics were located. The suspect was arrested and later released with a citation to appear in court.

Commercial Burglary
March 7 at 12:44 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington regarding a burglary alarm activation. Upon arrival, they discovered a broken front window to the business. Officers searched the business, but did not locate any suspects. A responsible person arrived and it appears that there was no loss from the business. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
March 7 in the early morning hours, two grand thefts of catalytic converters were reported to police. Both thefts occurred sometime overnight. The thefts occurred in the 200 block of W. Cherry Avenue and the 1200 block of S. Primrose Avenue. The investigations are continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 7 at 3:18 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a subject riding in and out of traffic in the middle of the street on a bicycle. Officers arrived and located the subject still riding in and out of traffic. The subject was determined to be intoxicated and he was arrested. He was held for a sobering period and later released with a citation to appear in court.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
March 7 at 4:47 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington Drive called police to report several subjects inside the location concealing merchandise. Officers arrived and confronted the suspects. One of the suspects was uncooperative and struggled with officers. He was eventually taken into custody. All three were arrested and later released with a citation to appear in court.

Suspicious Vehicle / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 8 at 2:13 a.m., officers responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle parked in the area of Mountain and Lemon. Officers arrived and contacted two subjects. A computer check on one of them revealed a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Masterworks Concert on April 8

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company will present Masterworks, on Saturday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Luke's Church, 122  S. California Ave. This is a choral concert featuring Requiem by Gabriel Fauré and Salve Regina by Arvo Pärt. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and students, and $5 for children under 12, available online at http://www.sgvccsingers.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Choral Company Looking for Young Singers

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company is looking for young performers for Requiem, by Gabriel Faure, on Saturday, April 8 during the "Masterworks" concert at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Monrovia. The company is seeking 1, 2, or 3 young people in grades 2 through 8 to sing the "Pie Jesu" with organ accompaniment. Audition date: Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m. at St. Luke's Church in Monrovia, 122 S. California Ave. Requirements: Must audition on Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m. at church; must be able to perform "Pie Jesu" from memory at the time of the audition; must be available for performance on Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.; must be available for the dress rehearsal on Friday, April 7 from 7-8 p.m.; must be available for a coaching on Tuesday, March 4 at 4 p.m. at church. Singers may register in person at the audition or in advance by contacting Dr. Zanaida Robles at drzanaidarobles@gmail.com or 487-9862.

Monrovia's AeroVironment Loses Less - Stock Jumps Up

Monrovia's drone-maker, AeroVironment, lost less in its third quarter than anticipated, so its stock has jumped up almost 7% at the moment (  https://goo.gl/AG6C7O ). The company press release says: "Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was $53.2 million, a decrease from third quarter fiscal 2016 revenue of $67.6 million." https://goo.gl/EKDpVv

- Brad Haugaard

Holden Bill Would Allow Some Disabilities Service Providers to Charge More

Assembly Bill 279, by Assembly member Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, would allow developmental disabilities service providers to charge more in order to pay their workers whatever minimum wage requirements they face. "Without an increase to reimbursement rates to meet local mandates, many developmental disability service providers may have to shut their doors," said Holden. The bill has passed the Assembly Committee for Human Services on a 6-0 vote. https://goo.gl/lrsNZM

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Steve Baker Retiring From Monrovia Historical Museum Board

Steve Baker, Mr. Monrovia History, is retiring from the board of the Monrovia Historical Museum, which he helped found.

According to Pam Barkas, writing in the Museum's newsletter ( https://goo.gl/i8nJGC ), Steve "will be involved with the Legacy Project organizing and preserving his collection of Monrovia
memorabilia as well as the knowledge of early Monrovia people and events."

- Brad Haugaard

Albertson's Becoming 'Monrovia Landing'; Invasive Mussels; Fire Trucks; Montgomery Honored

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ Staff at Metro is interested in Monrovia's proposal to let people use the Metro parking garage during non-peak hours and will take the proposal to the full Metro board. Chi estimates the program could be in place by late this summer.

~ Monrovia will participate in the National League of Cities 6th Annual National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Individuals who enter the contest could win a new Toyota Prius. You can enter the contest here: https://goo.gl/KlCCrC

~ The former Albertson's Center will be renamed as Monrovia Landing. The planned Aldi Supermarket, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods should open this October.  [Comment: I guess "Landing" is appropriate since it is near the site of the old Monrovia airport.]

~ The invasive mussel species Quagga and zebra have been detected in the California water supply. The mussels attach to hard surfaces and can damage water delivery systems. Fortunately, the problem appears to localized and Metropolitan Water District and the state are keeping an eye on the situation.

~ Monrovia is planning to replace worn out Fire Truck 101. Ordering an building a new truck can take a year and a half.

~ And speaking of fire trucks, if you want to help refurbish the 100-year-old Seagrave fire engine that began its life serving Monrovia, you can contribute here: https://goo.gl/C107vS

~ Monrovian Gayle Montgomery has been selected by Assembly member Chris Holden as Monrovia’s Woman of Distinction for her service in the community.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Race Now Uncontested - Only Choice is for Mayor

A lightly contested Monrovia City Council race has now become uncontested. Challenger Clifford De Costa has dropped out ( https://goo.gl/NEybTB ). The only contest now is on the mayoral side of the race, with incumbent Tom Adams facing challenger Mark Harris.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Drugs and Fighting; Wouldn't Pay for Dinner; Bathing And Counterfeit Money; Vehicle Vandalism

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 2-5. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Battery / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrants – Suspects Arrested
March 2 at 5:29 p.m., dispatch received several calls reporting two male adults fighting in the 100 block of Norumbega Drive. Officers arrived and located one male adult, and while speaking with him, discovered he was on probation. During a pat-down search, he was found to have drug paraphernalia in his possession. Another officer located the second male suspect nearby, who was found to have several warrants. While speaking with the second suspect, a female approached. She was found to have several warrants and had methamphetamine in her possession. All three suspects were arrested.

Theft From a Vehicle
March 2 at 7:25 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 900 block of Crescent. The vehicle was parked in the victim’s driveway with the doors unlocked. The suspect entered the vehicle and took a backpack containing miscellaneous school supplies and a bag containing clothing that was going to be donated. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 3 at 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the report of a male adult slumped over the wheel of a parked vehicle in the 200 block of Linwood Avenue. Officers located the vehicle and an adult male inside, who was unresponsive. The officers made entry into the vehicle and saw a loaded syringe sticking out of the inner thigh of the driver. Officers were able to revive the subject, who admitted to being addicted to heroin. The suspect was arrested and the vehicle was stored.

Defrauding an Innkeeper
March 3 at 10:14 p.m., a male subject ordered a dinner meal at a restaurant in the 800 block of W. Huntington and then left the location without paying. The investigation is continuing.

Defrauding and Innkeeper
March 3 at 11:27 p.m., a male subject ordered food at a restaurant in the 1100 block of E. Huntington and was unhappy with the order. He was given a discount on his bill, but still left the location without paying. The investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Subject / Warrant / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
March 4 at 12:54 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of W. Huntington regarding the report of a suspicious subject in the area. They arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant and he was arrested. While searching the suspect, he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Weapons Offense
March 4 at 11:13 a.m., a security guard from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill flagged down an officer who was driving by on Myrtle. He informed the officer that a subject in a silver Charger had just sped through the parking lot and almost hit him. The officer turned into the parking area to look for the vehicle and was stopped by a patron, who reported that the same subject in the silver charger had tossed a handgun out of the vehicle window as it sped through the parking lot. The officer recovered the weapon, which was not registered, and an extensive search was conducted for the vehicle, but it was not located. Neighboring agencies were contacted to see if they had any reports of a recent shooting. The investigation is continuing.

Battery / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested
March 4 at 3:04 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Norumbega on the report of a family disturbance. Officers arrived and separated three adults and spoke with them. They were all disruptive and combative with each other. One subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and a second was arrested for battery.

Counterfeit Currency / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 4 at 4:13 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of W. Huntington on the report of subjects bathing outside. The officers arrived and located several subjects possibly involved in the reported activity. While speaking with the subjects, the officers located counterfeit U.S. currency belonging to one of the subjects. He was arrested and taken into custody. He was also found to have an outstanding warrant.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 4 at 10:07 p.m., an intoxicated female in a vehicle was reported at a business parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers arrived and located the subject. After investigation, the female driver was arrested for driving under the influence and was taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
March 5 at 12:24 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The victim parked her vehicle in the parking lot and when she returned, she found the driver side window had been shattered and her purse, which she left in the vehicle, was gone. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 5 at 6:15 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1600 block of Royal Oaks. The resident parked and locked her vehicle in front of her home. She looked out the window and noticed a subject standing by her vehicle and pulling a toolbox from the back seat. The suspect fled in a vehicle. The victim went out to her vehicle and found the rear window had been smashed, allowing the suspect to gain access. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
March 5 at 12:19 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Myrtle called police to report a vandalism incident. Sometime during the early morning hours, an unknown suspect shattered the front passenger side window of his parked vehicle. No property appeared to have been taken. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
March 5 at 12:55 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Foothill parked his vehicle in front of his apartment complex and went in for the night. When he returned in the morning, he found one of his tires had been slashed with a sharp object. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 5 at 7:57 p.m., a traffic collision was reported at Myrtle and Duarte Road. The two vehicles involved were traveling north on Myrtle, approaching Duarte, when the lead vehicle slowed down for the red light and was rear ended by the second vehicle. The drivers pulled into a parking lot to exchange information. Officers arrived and contacted the drivers. The driver who rear ended the other vehicle was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication
March 5 at 9:21 p.m., a caller reported a male subject at Myrtle and Central trying to get into vehicles in the area. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was determined to be extremely intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. He was arrested for public intoxication.

Vandalism
March 5 at 9:24 p.m., a vandalism incident was reported at a residence in the 400 block of Almond. A white, late 1990's Jeep Cherokee was seen pulling up to the home and two teenage male suspects exited. They walked up to the victim's truck and broke a window, then walked up the driveway and broke a window on the victim's Toyota Camry. They fled in their vehicle. The suspects never tried to get into the vehicles to take anything. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia to Developers: One-Time Fee or Regular Tax? Pick One

At its Tuesday, March 7 regular meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/rW4drs ), the Monrovia City Council will consider a proposal by city staff to give developers of residential units the option to opt out of the one-time Art in Public Places and Fire Services fees "if the developer forms and elects to be a part of a CFD [Community Facilities District] to fund ongoing City services into the future." So, as I understand it, they could get out of one-time fees by agreeing to a permanent tax. https://goo.gl/WbYjjP
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council To Study Marijuana

The Monrovia City Council will study marijuana at a special 6 p.m. session (agenda https://goo.gl/GaJNZA) before its regular session this Tuesday. More specifically, it will get an update on Proposition 64 and consider "possible next steps." Prop 64, as a reminder, Proposition 64 made it legal under California law for adults to use and grow marijuana, with the sale of marijuana to go into effect January 1, 2018. https://goo.gl/Bc9tCk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Clifton School Is 'A School to Watch' | Yuille Honored | School Finances Okay

At its Wednesday meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will, among other things ...

~ Honor Principal Jennifer Jackson and the teachers and staff of Clifton Middle School for being named a “School to Watch,” by the California Distinguished Schools Association.

~ Honor 2017 Golden Apple recipient Joannie Yuille, for her service to the community and students.

~ Certify, as required by law, that it can meet its financial obligations. The board is going to say that yeah, it can, that "we are able to meet our financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years."

- Brad Haugaard

Pajama Game Performances This Month At Monrovia High

The Pajama Game will be performed this month at the Taylor Performing Arts Center at Monrovia High. Performances are Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 26 at 5 p.m. Seats are $30 ($15 for children under 12). The performance is The Shakespeare Club's 70th Annual Benefit Production.

A union strike at a pajama factory generates plenty of steam heat in this toe-tapping, comedic love story. The Pajama Game features songs and dances that have become musical theatre standards, including "Steam Heat," "Hey There," and "Hernando's Hideaway." Proceeds will provide scholarships for graduating seniors in the Pasadena Unified School District. Tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2710430

- Brad Haugaard