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Monrovia Mayoral Candidate Forum Focuses on Housing, Environment


The Monrovia mayoral candidates, from the left: challenger Stephen Grollnek, incumbent Tom Adams, challenger Melissa Taylor. 


At the mayoral candidate forum, the topics were mostly housing and the environment. 

Melissa Taylor focused on housing for the homeless. She has an urban regional planning background and said she would work for "bold change" and a "more inclusive community." She said she'd like to bring back trolleys to transport people from Station Square to Old Town. Also, she said the city is not representative of the population. For example, the city does not celebrate Cesar Chavez Day.

Stephen Grollnik 
said he does not expect to win, and said he and Adams are the old generation and Taylor is the new.

Tom Adams focused on his record. He said that when took over as mayor the city had 180 water leaks a year, but that problem is being fixed by "the largest public works project in Monrovia history." He added that the city has raised its bond rating to AA, second best, and asked voters to make a choice between "a steady hand on the wheel" and inexperience. 

Housing

Adams said the price of housing is a result of supply and demand, and we need more supply. To minimize traffic congestion, he said, the new housing is being built near the train station. He added that  the city has provided housing for 23 homeless individuals, and "everyone has been offered" housing. The problem, Adams said, is that housing facilities have rules and some homeless people don't want to accept the rules.

Grollnik said we should keep  Monrovia a small community. The Asian population moving in has raised prices, and thus raised property tax. Regarding a question about providing low income housing, he said, "I don't believe in giving anything free to anyone." He said traffic is bad and he doesn't want Monrovia to be like "Temple City or Arcadia," and "I'm not a bigot," he added. Regarding providing homes for the homeless, he said, the city should get three trailers with beds and showers and park them in front of the police station.

Taylor said the city should focus on affordable housing and needs to reexamine its zoning to provide that housing. The city needs to add housing and needs more than 10 percent of it to be affordable. Monrovia needs to think strategically and have a traffic plan and battle gentrification.  Everybody, she said  deserves housing, that it is a human right.

Does the candidate favor low income housing, and would he or she commit to at least 10 percent low income housing?
Grollnek: "No and no."
Adams: If you want low income housing, the trade-off is more units per acre.
Taylor: She would commit to 20 percent low-income housing, not just 10 percent.

What about mansionization?
Taylor: Maintaining historic housing comes down to affordable housing.
Grollnek:  "Keep the city the way it is."
Adams said he called for a moratorium on tearing down old houses until  new rules were put in place.

Environment

Do you take climate change into consideration in every decision?
Grollnek: "I don't believe in climate change."
Adams: Not when he puts on his shoes, but he wants to switch the city to electric vehicles where possible.
Taylor: The city should be out front in taking climate change  into consideration, just as it was in banning plastic bags.

How can the city be more green?
Adams:  "Being green is great as long as it is economically viable."
Grollnek: "I don't care. The plastic bag ban was the dumbest thing I ever heard."
Taylor: Being green is a "huge" issue and the city needs to focus on it.


Vision for Old Town
Taylor: A lot of business are moving out and the city should be recruiting new businesses.
Adams: The city does recruit, but some landlords have "reached too high on rent." He said there are a couple owners who are adamant about what they want to charge and the city "can't force them to rent cheaper."  Also, online retail is a big factor.
Grollnek: Chinese buying properties is having an effect.

Gun Violence and Lighting
Grollnek: Monrovia is doing "pretty good." There has been gang violence in south Monrovia, but the police have done a good job with that.
Taylor: The city should work on this. She knows of a woman who was hit crossing the street near Kohl's, and suicide by firearms is a serious problem.
Adams: Some residents don't want street lights. They have been offered them and have declined in order to keep their streets feeling more rural.

Candidates' Major Donors
Taylor: Herself, husband, family, friends, various Monrovians.
Adams: Sergio Jimenez, who gave $1,000.
Grollnek: "Nobody. I haven't asked. People wouldn't give to me anyway."

Watch the whole thing here:


- Brad Haugaard

Frost Warning Tonight

Bring your sensitive plants - and of course, your pets - inside tonight. National Weather Service frost warning for 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday for San Gabriel Valley. Temperatures as low as 33 expected. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Hattie - Pet for Instant Purring

When Hattie was found as a stray, she had an injury to her chest and needed surgery. Now, the only evidence that was ever hurt is her shaved patch of fur and her fashionable cone. But this gorgeous kitty hasn’t let her injury hold her back from craving petting and affection! This ten-year-old sweetie loves being petted on her head and will start purring immediately. If you stop petting her, she’ll gently rub a tooth on your hand to let you know that you must have accidentally stopped petting her. Also, her fur is really, really soft, so why would you ever stop?
 
The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.
 
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
 
- Brad Haugaard 

Bartlett Memorial Fixed; Will Be Reinstalled This Month

The Mayor Bob Bartlett Mosaic at Station Square was damaged a few months ago, but has now been restored and will be reinstalled this month. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Black History Month Luncheon Feb. 15

The Annual Black History Month Luncheon, sponsored by the Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association will be held  Feb. 15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm. Speakers are Eugene Washington and Martin A. Gordon with a performance by The Church Boys. https://is.gd/f7IZBw

- Brad Haugaard

Community Services Director Explains Why Empty Shelves at Library

Community Services Director Tina Cherry explains why the Library has empty shelves:

"Yes, we have some empty shelves right now. These are due to several processes happening at once. We are currently weeding the collection of damaged, out of date, and inaccurate materials which has freed up some shelf space. This has allowed us to shift the various collections to create a more user-friendly experience.

"For example, we have moved the Adult Spanish collection to the front shelves next to fiction so it’s easier to find, moved the Large Print collection so the books are shelved on waist-level and higher shelves that don’t require squatting to find books, and moved the entire Adult nonfiction collection forward so it can fit on one side of the Adult Services Area.

"We have about 95,000 books so as you can imagine, shifting and moving collections takes time. We do have signs posted on some of the empty shelves explaining that collections are being moved. We’re hoping that by making collections easier to find, our circulation will continue to grow."

- Brad Haugaard

Ideas on Improving Monrovia Education? Here's Your Opportunity to Share

Monrovia Schools will hold meetings for input on its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) on Feb. 24, from 7-8:30 p.m., and Feb. 25, from 6-7:30 p.m. Both meetings in the Board Room of the District office at 325 E. Huntington. Spanish translation provided. And what's an LCAP? The California Department of Education says "The LCAP is a tool for local educational agencies to set goals, plan actions, and leverage resources to meet those goals to improve student outcomes."

- Brad Haugaard

January Update from Monrovia School Superintendent

It has been a very productive start to the new year, and it was a delight to witness our students return to school after the holiday break, eager to get back to learning.

We started the month celebrating Monrovia High School’s academic pathways and campus life during the annual Open House Showcase. Our high school students shared their excitement about their classes and activities while our future Wildcats and parents learned all about what Monrovia High has to offer.

During the showcase, club life, elective classes, student leadership, and extracurricular activities were well represented, and our students and faculty did a wonderful job detailing a diverse array of campus aspects.

At the middle school level, our Clifton Middle School Hippie Bots robotics team jumped into the spotlight after it was asked to compete in a robotics competition in Vic, Spain. The Hippie Bots will be the sole representative of the U.S. in next month’s contest. It is truly impressive to see the Hippie Bots advance to this level and we wish them luck in the competition, which includes some high school teams.

At Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School, the District’s college-going culture is being emphasized with the opening of a Paxton Patterson Lab, which will offer our students a hands-on instruction connected with career technical education (CTE) pathways. The lab will help students build skills in problem solving, teamwork, creativity, and responsibility.

At Bradoaks Elementary School, students are diving into a strong science curriculum. On Jan. 24, the school hosted its first-ever Science Day. Parents were invited to take part in science-related activities with their children and learn more about the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

On Jan. 28, Monrovia Unified celebrated 100 days of school. At Monroe Elementary, students, teachers, and staff dressed up as if they were 100 years old and our students’ grandparents were invited to visit classrooms and participate in a special 100 days of learning activity.

Monroe Elementary students enjoyed stashing away mementos into a time capsule that will be placed in the library until it is opened in 2030.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian, Superintendent

Learn Basics of Drawing, Feb. 15 at Library

Learn the basics of drawing, Feb. 15, Saturday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Library's Community Room. For ages 16 and older. In this 2-hour workshop, artist Chris Allec will teach tips and tricks to take your drawings and sketches to new heights. For new and experienced artists. All materials are provided. Register: https://is.gd/ZV13PG

- Brad Haugaard

Mayoral and City Council Candidate Forums This Week and Next

Mayoral Candidate Forum, this Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6-8 p.m. in the Monrovia City Hall Council Chambers. https://is.gd/34qkXP

City Council Candidate Forum, Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Monrovia City Hall Council Chambers. https://is.gd/MkrObe

Both forums are sponsored by the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters.

For questions call 358-1159.

To submit a question for the candidates, call 932-5550.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library - Not So Many Books :-(


Kind of sad to see the library with so many empty shelves. Even when they’re not totally empty (above), they’re pretty thin (below). But I guess the world is going electronic. And I guess it’s as much my fault as anyone else’s. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Learn Bead Fusion at the Library, Feb. 13

Create your own designs with iron melting beads. Keep for yourself or make a Valentine gift. For more information, email asimpson@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8269. Feb 13, Thursday, 3-4:30 p.m. in the Library's Story Room. https://is.gd/nJl4mg

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at T Phillips

Dinner at T Phillips, at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Colorado. Got the Buffalo Chicken Salad for $14 And a beer for $4.50.  Very good salad and great, prompt service. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Public Works Yard Accepting E-Waste


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia City Council Plans Zoning Change to Allow 436-Unit Apartment


At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/AlZxLh) the Monrovia City Council will consider changing the zoning of a 9.6 acre area near the train station to allow the development of a 436-unit, five-story apartment complex and a seven story (eight level) parking structure with 798 stalls.

The property is a full city block, bounded by West Evergreen Avenue to the north, the Gold Line Light Rail tracks to the south, South Magnolia Avenue to the east, and South Mayflower Avenue to the west. https://is.gd/kZJgb5

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Car Hits Skateboarder; Expensive Perfumes Stolen; Gardener Punched After Avocado Argument; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 23-29. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 376 service events, resulting in 65 investigations.

Grand Theft From an Unlocked Vehicle
January 23 at 10:07 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Lemon called police to report a theft from her vehicle. Sometime between 2:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., someone entered her unlocked vehicle and took her wallet, which contained U.S. currency and two cashier's checks. Investigation continuing.

Battery
January 23 at 10:58 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of W. Colorado called police to report a battery incident. She said was involved in a physical altercation with another female adult. The reporting party suffered minor injuries, but declined to be treated by Monrovia paramedics. The other female fled the scene prior to officers arriving. Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
January 23 at 11:54 a.m., an employee from a business in the 3000 block of S. Peck called police to report the business had purchased a vehicle they now believed to be stolen. An officer responded and confirmed the vehicle was, in fact, reported stolen. The business had already sold various parts off the vehicle before discovering it was stolen. The vehicle was recovered and the investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
January 24 at 7:15 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 300 block of Jasmine. A resident called to report that sometime between January 22 and January 24, the driver-side front window of his vehicle was shattered. Nothing was taken from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Warrant / Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
January 24 at 12:24 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 500 block of W. Huntington when he saw a subject he knew had outstanding warrants for his arrest. The officer detained the subject and confirmed the warrants. The subject was arrested for the warrants, and a search incident to arrest revealed the subject was also in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
January 24 at 12:40 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Melrose regarding a battery incident. A male subject called police and reported he had been punched in the face. The victim is a gardener for a resident in the area. The resident accused him of stealing her avocados. The victim said he threw the avocados away because a rodent had eaten a portion of them. A friend of the resident overheard the conversation, approached the victim and punched him in the face. The victim desired a citizen's arrest and the suspect was arrested.

Injury Traffic Collision
January 24 at 1:09 p.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Primrose and Huntington. A motorist was traveling south on Primrose and entered the intersection without yielding to oncoming traffic, colliding into a motorist traveling east on Huntington. One of the drivers complained of pain to her neck and was treated at the scene by Monrovia Paramedics. The party at fault was issued a citation.

Residential Burglary
January 24 at 9:28 p.m., police dispatch received a call from and alarm company reporting an alarm activation at a residence in the 700 block of Valley View. Officers responded and discovered the rear, sliding glass door had been shattered and the front door was open. Additional officers arrived, and the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter responded to the area to assist. A check of the interior revealed the suspects had gone through some drawers in the upstairs master bedroom, but no suspects were located. The victim was notified and the investigation is continuing.

Warrant / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
January 25 at 3:54 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Colorado called police to report he could smell marijuana, but he was not sure where it was coming from. He thought possibly the top of a parking structure. Officers responded and located a male subject inside a vehicle at the top of the parking structure. A computer check revealed the subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested for the warrant, and a search incident to arrest revealed methamphetamine inside the vehicle.

Vandalism
January 25 at 9:27 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 200 block of W. Palm. The victim reported that sometime during the night or early morning hours, someone threw a rock through his front bedroom window. Investigation continuing.

Warrant / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
January 25 at 9:31 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of Norumbega called police to report a suspicious subject in the area. The resident said he appeared to be casing the neighborhood. Officers arrived and located the subject, and a computer check revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrants, and a search incident to arrest revealed the subject was in possession of a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine.

Grand Theft
January 25 at 12:40 p.m., an employee from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington called police to report a large amount of high-end perfumes had been stolen from the store the previous day. An officer was dispatched to take a report and the investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft From Unlocked Vehicle
January 26 at 8:52 a.m., a resident walked outside his home in the 100 block of N. Ivy and found his unlocked vehicle had been ransacked and items were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Person / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
January 26 at 10:29 a.m., a caller reported a suspicious female subject banging on the glass window to the historical train station in the 1600 block of S. Primrose. Officers responded and found she had not caused any damage. A computer check revealed she had four warrants for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
January 26 at 5:01 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Alta Vista found minor damage to their vehicle that was parked on the street. Officers responded and determined the parked vehicle had been hit by another vehicle, which failed to stop. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Battery / Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
January 27 at 9:30 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of Encino called police to report her ex-boyfriend was at her home in violation of a restraining order. He had initiated an argument with her and then battered her. Officers arrived and, after investigation, arrested the suspect for violating the restraining order and domestic battery.

Injury Hit & Run Traffic Collision
January 27 at 1:55 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of N. Mayflower when she saw a skateboarder limping along the sidewalk. The officer stopped to see if he needed assistance. The subject said he was skateboarding and a car hit him, causing him to fall. He said the car then fled the area. Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital for minor injuries. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
January 28 at 8:25 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 100 block of W. Colorado. A caller reported a motorist had just collided with a pedestrian. Officers responded and took a report. The involved pedestrian was not seriously injured.

Assault
January 29 at 2:32 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of S. California called police to report an assault incident. She said a family member was visiting her home when he became angry. He began to strangle her and then pushed her into a metal railing, causing visible injuries. A couple neighbors saw what was happening and came to the victim’s rescue. The suspect fled the area. Officers searched the area, but were not able to locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Missing Person Located
January 29 at 4:02 p.m., an elderly man was reported missing in the 200 block of S. Myrtle. He was in the car with his wife, when she went into a bank for about 15 minutes, leaving him in the car. When she returned, he was gone. She worried he was lost because he suffers from memory loss, so she called police. Officers immediately searched the area and located missing subject nearby. He was returned to his wife.

Coronavirus Notice: Don't Send Sick Children to School

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

On Jan. 21, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the first case of the new coronavirus found in the United States and, since then, two cases have been confirmed in California. Reports confirm that the two known California patients are receiving treatment in the hospital.

Though the CDC has labeled the virus low risk, our district nurse immediately contacted the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for any additional information they could provide. Their recommendation, which we have since shared with all staff members, is to watch for symptoms which include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

According to the LA County Department of Public Health, "there is no immediate threat to the general public, no special precautions are required.”

The LA County of Public Health is working alongside the CDC, ensuring travelers who recently visited Wuhan, China and who are experiencing a fever or respiratory illness symptoms are tested for the virus and receive care. The CDC advises those traveling to China avoid contact with sick people, to avoid animals, animal markets, and to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

If you have recently visited Wuhan City, it is recommended you contact a healthcare provider and receive care if you become ill within 14 days of your return. While there is no cure for the virus, healthcare providers can treat the symptoms and minimize the transmission.

While attendance is important for student success, our priority is health and safety. As always, we advise parents to not send their children to school if they are sick. This ensures your child is able to get the proper care and rest they need and protects the health and wellness of our students and staff.

We will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates should any new information come to light.

For more information on the coronavirus, visit: U.S. Centers for Disease Control Prevention: cdc.gov/wuhan and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: http://publichealth.lacountry.gov/media/Coronavirus.

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Book Club Discussions at the Library

Enjoy reading? The Novel Ts Book Club meets at the Library on the fourth Tuesday of every month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Library Community Room, for a book discussion. Here's what's coming up:

January 28 - To The Lighthouse by Virginia Wolf
February 25 - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
March 24 - There There by Tommy Orange
April 28 -  The Winter of our Discontent by John Steinbeck

- Brad Haugaard

Khufu: Statuesque Beauty and No Barking - Just Snorting

Khufu was named after an Egyptian pharaoh, and you can see why – she’s got the statuesque beauty of a sphinx! She’s such a sweetie, and loves when people sit on the floor and talk to her. And although she loves walks, she’d be happy to be your couch potato buddy. The cutest thing about her might be that she doesn’t really bark, but she makes adorable snorting sounds. If Khufu sounds like the perfect dog, it’s because she is!

The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before going to their new home.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Open House Showcases Various Student Pathways

Monrovia High School hosted its annual Open House while showcasing scholastic academies, career technical education (CTE) pathways, visual and performing arts programs and extracurricular activities on Jan. 15, giving Monrovia Unified students and their parents a comprehensive overview of what it means to be a Wildcat.

"If you have a passion, we are here to help you connect to it," Principal Kirk McGinnis said. "You will always be a Cougar or a Cub, but when you come to Monrovia High, we are all Wildcats. We all work together to succeed."

Families spoke with teacher and student representatives from Monrovia's Math and Science, Humanities and Digital Arts academies, Theater Arts Conservatory, Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Advanced Placement and eight CTE programs.

Club life, elective classes, student leadership and extracurricular activities were well represented, with students and faculty detailing a diverse array of campus life - including robotics, dual immersion, Renaissance leadership and band.

"Monrovia's Open House is a way to make our new students feel welcome, meet their new classmates, and lessen the anxiety of beginning high school," Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. "It also gives our high school students a chance to show their leadership skills by promoting the classes and activities that resonate with them."

Monrovia junior Marc Altamirano pitched the perks of enrolling in French class and joining the French club, which includes celebrating the French Epiphany - the date of the Three Kings - and eating traditional French pastries such as Galette des Rois.

"French class is really fun; I highly recommend it," Altamirano said. "The focus is on comprehension and immersion. We listen to a lot of French music and watch French New Wave cinema. Each week we come in and try to describe our weekend entirely in French."

The Open House was the first step in preparing incoming freshmen for high school. On Jan. 16-17, MHS reps traveled to Clifton and Santa Fe middle schools to make program presentations. A campus tour for all eighth-graders is scheduled for Feb. 4. Fall registration begins July 15 and new freshman orientations will be held Aug. 10

"The Monrovia High Open House is a community event, and it's not unusual to see MHS alumni here with their children, talking with their former teachers and just as excited as their kids," Board of Education Vice President Bryan Wong said. "Our mission is to provide equity and opportunity to every student and encourage them to find the academic path that will help them to become lifelong learners."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard