Monrovia Fairly Happy According to City Survey


Results of Monrovia's survey of residents' s satisfaction with the city.

Monrovians generally seem to be fairly happy with their community, according to the city's Neighborhood Survey.
The survey rates the city on Safety, Appearance, Services, and Community. Click here ( http://goo.gl/lZwKs ) to see the full report, and information about your neighborhood.
Here are a few highlights on the 1-10 ratings:
- The city scored an overall 7.26, which falls in the Healthy category.
- Overall, Safety was rated 8.39, or "Thriving,"  and was the highest rated category by respondents in almost every area of the City.
- Community was the lowest rated (6.28), though that still falls in the "Healthy" range.
- Traffic issues, especially speeding, were are one of the main concerns.
- 90 percent of people feel safe in their neighborhoods during the day. 19 percent feel unsafe at night.
- 68 percent feel police and fire respond quickly and 65 percent believe safety officers treat people with dignity.
- 20-25 percent report public drug sales or use.
- Only 33 percent said that they often participate in social or recreation activities with neighbors.
- Just over 70% agreed that neighbors are friendly with one another.
If I could generalize, it appears the north end of town is a bit happier than the south end. In the south part of town are several neighborhoods rated "Stable," a level just below "Healthy."
- Brad Haugaard

Defending Monrovia's AeroVironment | Green Construction | Testimony in Sex Abuse Case

~ In an editorial, the Star-News defends America's use of the drones developed by Monrovia's AeroVironment against terrorists, but thinks America needs to "do a better job of explaining [to the world] the philosophical underpinnings of this kind of defense." http://goo.gl/FuoBd

Opinion: Oh, Pish! Nobody hates us because of drones. People who hate us hated us before drones and they'll hate us after drones. So why do they whine about drones? Because they work.

~ A seminar on environmentally friendly construction. At the Monrovia Public Library, July 15 and 22. http://goo.gl/QMR6F

~ Girl testifies in case of Monrovia man accused of sexual abuse. http://goo.gl/p5vkP

- Brad Haugaard

Former Monrovia Mayor Bob Bartlett Honored


Former Monrovia mayor Bob Bartlett - along with community supporter Robin Salzer, owner of Robin’s WoodFire BBQ in Pasadena - will receive Heart in Hand Humanitarian Awards at Foothill Unity Center's 13th Annual Golden Plate Awards. The award honors local people who have made an outstanding impact on the quality of life in their communities and beyond.
Bob Bartlett was born and raised in Monrovia and ran for City Council because he saw his hometown floundering while other cities were progressing. First elected in 1974, he became a major force behind the city’s extensive redevelopment projects. In 1976 he became the last Monrovia mayor appointed by the City Council and the city’s first African American mayor, serving a two-year term. In 1988, he was elected to the office, and served for another thirteen years. Many residents cite Bartlett’s strong leadership and vision as the key to Monrovia’s transformation from a blighted, gang-infested location to the prospering city it is today.
During his tenure, Bob served as the President of the California League of Cities and the Southern California Association of Governments as well as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the National League of Cities. He also played a major role in creating the Foothill Transportation Zone and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, among many other achievements. He also served as president of the board of Foothill Unity Center.
In March of this year, Bob received the 2011 Life Changers Achievement Award for his many contributions to the community at the San Gabriel Valley Gospel Expo in Monrovia. In praising the event for bringing people together, he made an observation that could describe his own career. “It’s not only redeveloping the buildings and edifices that’s important,” he said. “You have to change the hearts and minds of people.”
Tickets to the Unity Center event, the Center’s only major fundraiser of the year, are $75 per person. The evening will include silent and live auctions, al fresco trackside dinner, live entertainment and more. Sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000 Bronze to $10,000 Platinum packages, each with special recognitions including ads in the Tribute Program. Ads may be purchased separately.
The Center is also seeking items for the evening’s silent and live auctions. Donations valued at $50 or more will be acknowledged in the program. For more information, visit www.foothillunitycenter.org or contact Gerald at the Center, (626) 358-3486.
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Gold Line Bridge Construction Begins

Here is a video update of the construction of the new 210 Freeway bridge near the eastbound Santa Anita offramp. It's starting around now and will take about a year to build. http://goo.gl/B4hjw

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Street Repair - West Side Huntington Oaks | Unions Oppose Huff Measure

~ Street repair today along Monterey Avenue south of Huntington Drive. (That's on the west side of the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center). http://goo.gl/mkmJf
 
~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, said legislation he authored that would allow "school employee volunteers to provide emergency medical assistance to pupils with epilepsy who suffer a seizure while on campus" is being opposed by school unions. http://goo.gl/bTH1g
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fourth of July Fireworks



Big crowd for fireworks. Along Myrtle from north of Palm to south of Lime. Filling the front of Library Park. Maybe 8,000? Mayor Lutz said it's bigger than last year. Yeah, easily. Fabulous show. I think there were some slow fuses for the finale, which went on for several minutes even after the lights went on. Still, I'll bet it is one of the best fireworks displays in the valley, and free is certainly the right price.

The show sponsors deserve some credit: Green Dot Corporation, Old Town Merchants Association, and Mayor Mary Ann and Corey Lutz. Thanks, folks, for a great time!

UPDATE: Oh, a much better picture of the fireworks than my cameraphone shots: http://goo.gl/Jt4Bu

-Brad Haugaard

City of Hope Bloodmobile in Monrovia


Help with summer blood shortages. The City of Hope Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of Citibank (237 S. Myrtle) this Thursday, July 7, from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, or schedule a time to give blood by calling Jill Schwartz at 626 471-7236 or email her at jschwartz@coh.org. Donate blood and get a free 30-day VIP pass at Foothill Gym, which includes classes and a free session with a personal trainer.

Happy Independence Day! | Loss of Former City Manager | Sena Open

~ Fourth of July Celebration tonight. Should be great fireworks. http://goo.gl/V4mdH

~ A letter from Pat Ostrye lamenting the death of former Monrovia City Manager Rich Beal. http://goo.gl/XHNTd

~ I have it on good word (a friend ate there) that the new Sena restaurant on Myrtle is now open and serves delicious food. http://goo.gl/9F8ir

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia al Quaida Story Spans Globe | July Four Celebrations

~ The story about al Quaida targeting AeroVironment has spread all over, from LA (KTLA http://goo.gl/r32Xw), to Sacramento (Sacramento Bee http://goo.gl/aYz4k), to India (Times of India http://goo.gl/S7FW3). 
 
~ More on Monrovia's Fourth of July celebrations. http://goo.gl/ih45I
 
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Massilia


Had lunch at Cafe Massilia on Lemon, just east of Myrtle. I had the Chicken Dijon. Tasty. Nice for a relaxed, special occasion. Oh, and the chocolate mousse is really delicious!

Monrovia Produce Swap | Huff Charges Wastefulness | Rising Football Star?

~ Swap produce (and "worm tea" and stuff) at the Library Park, July 1 (tomorrow, Saturday) from 9-11 a.m. http://goo.gl/L1Ved

~ State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, charges that the quasi-public California School Boards Association wastes money, with at least one "City of Bell-style" salary, association money spent at a casino, and allegations of kickbacks. http://goo.gl/4Uq5I


~ Monrovia High's George Frazier, a replacement for Nick Bueno? http://goo.gl/3NdWe 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Date Moved

If you are a Monrovia city council attendee, the July 5 council meeting has been put off until July 6. I assume it will be at 6:30 p.m. Here's the agenda: http://goo.gl/YjS0g

Big item on the agenda appears to be a hearing about the Gold Line property.

Also, staff is recommending the council take a stand on three state measures: oppose a bill making it harder for cities to go bankrupt; oppose a bill requiring an election before cities can contract out library services; and (tentatively) support a bill that would reform redevelopment. http://goo.gl/0dtz3

- Brad Haugaard

Al-Qaida threatens Monrovia's AeroVironment

Al-Qaida threatens 11 executives of Monrovia-based AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/xahLN

- Brad Haugaard

What Happened With Monrovia Pavilions Roof

The Fire Department reports that:

"At 4:45 p.m. on June 23, Engine 101 responded to a reported roof collapse at Vons Pavilions. Upon arrival, firefighters found a large area of ceiling tiles that were buckling or had fallen due to an HVAC unit that had broken loose from the supports."

"According to store personnel, additional solar panels had been recently added to the existing panels. ... Fortunately, a Vons facilities manager was local and he quickly dispatched a shoring company to stabilize the roof."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Sites Closed for the Fourth

~ Monrovia Public Library will be closed Friday, July 1, until Tuesday, July 5.
 
~ Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed from Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4.
 
~ City offices and the Community Center will be closed July 4.
 
Source: http://goo.gl/WtZ3O
 
- Brad Haugaard

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