Portantino Accused of Overspending Office Budget
The state Democratic leadership is accusing Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, of overspending his office budget, which is why it is being cut, not - they say - because he voted against the governor's budget. Portantino denies he has overspent his $550,000 a year budget. http://goo.gl/Joc3q Opinion: I thought $550,000 a year was a lot until I read that the Assembly spends $146 million on its 80 members each year, or an average of $1.8 million per member per year. - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Summer Events
~ Erica Silverman, author of the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series, will be in the Library's Community Room July 14, at 2 p.m. This event is perfect for early readers.
~ There is a weekly stretch class held every Monday at 1 p.m. at the Community Center for seniors and active adults. $2 per class. Isometrics, yoga, tai chi, balance exercises and breathing techniques. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel. Call (626) 256-8246 for more information.
~ The Senior Stompers meet Fridays at 9 a.m. at the Community Center for a half hour stretch and a walk. Free and open to seniors and active adults. Call (626) 256-8246 for more information.
Source: http://goo.gl/nPCtO
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblymen: Portantino - Democrats Punishing Him; Donnelly - California Run by Thugs
~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is charging the Democratic leadership in the Assembly with punishing him for voting against the state budget. http://goo.gl/tI56s
UPDATE: Mayor Mary Ann Lutz responds on her Facebook page: "This is WRONG on so many levels. Assembly Member Portantino supported his cities, voted according to his principles and this type of retaliation has no place in a democracy! Let Assembly Member Portantino know how grateful you are for his courageous stand! Thank him today!"
~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents the other part of Monovia, says that California is run by "lawless thugs." http://goo.gl/o01IO
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Fireworks Attendance Double Last Year | AeroVironment | Lawsuit
In his weekly report, Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that:
~ The crowd at the Fourth of July event was about 9,000 people, more than double the number who attended last year. Ochoa writes: "There were folks setting up their spots in Library Park at 10 a.m.! The Park and the 300 & 400 blocks of Myrtle were packed."~ When AeroVironment was threatened by terrorists, the city took "appropriate measures," but then, "Unfortunately - or fortunately, depending on your perspective - word about this threat was leaked to the media and a frenzy began." [Opinion: Well, I'll go with "fortunately." This was an important news story that needed to get out, frenzy or not.] ~ Regarding a lawsuit charging city councilmembers shouldn't be on the Gold Line board because it is a conflict, Ochoa says lots of regional agencies are arranged that way as long as it is "expressly allowed by law". So, he writes, if that's a problem, the law can just be changed to allow it. Source: http://goo.gl/nPCtO - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Concert Series | Football | Make a Basket
~ The Doo-Wah Riders performed in the Monrovia summer concert series at Library Park last night. Picture: http://goo.gl/FkRel . Next up, the Wonderelles (50s music), July 17 (this coming Sunday) at 7 p.m.
~ Football: Monrovia over Crescenta Valley, falls to Arroyo High. http://goo.gl/eB79p
~ Learn to make an African-style coiled basket. Teen area at Monrovia Public Library, Wednesday, July 13, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free. http://goo.gl/gLub7
- Brad Haugaard
WorleyParsons Hiring Oil and Gas Professionals
WorleyParsons - an international engineering firm with offices in Monrovia - is holding a job fair near the Ontario Airport to hire "Full-Time and Contract candidates with experience in the Oil and Gas Industry," according to a large ad by the company in today's paper Star-News. Nice to see somebody hiring these days. - Brad Haugaard
Toolbox is not a Bomb in Monrovia
Suspicious toolbox found on Myrtle Avenue parking lot in Monrovia is found to be harmless. http://goo.gl/RAiGx
- Brad Haugaard
Coffee-Table Book About Monrovia | Portantino Outraged Over Proposed College President Salary
~ Project One will be a coffee-table book documenting each of 52 weeks in a year of Monrovia's life with black-and-white photos by 52 photographers. http://goo.gl/oq3WJ ~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is hopping mad about a plan to give the new San Diego State president a $400,000 salary. http://goo.gl/QxKP7 - Brad Haugaard
Twice as Many People Need Monrovia's Unity Center
Foothill Unity Center reports: "The economic crisis has doubled the number of local people and families coming to us for food and help in the past three years." If you can help, the Center would appreciate it. http://goo.gl/B8X4T - Brad Haugaard
Work on Freeway Bridge | Gold Line 'Hopeful' it can Acquire Land forMaintenance Yard
Gold Line spokesman, Habib Balian, sends these photos, taken this morning, of construction that has just begun on the new Gold Line freeway bridge that will span the eastbound 210 Freeway just before the Santa Anita off-ramp. He writes: "Multiple lane closures have taken place over the last several nights, and I am happy to report that they have gone very smoothly."
Also, he reports that "the Authority remains in active negotiations toward acquisition of the 24 acres of public and privately-owned property [in Monrovia] required for the project's Maintenance and Operations Facility. At this time the Authority is reasonably hopeful that we will be able to complete the acquisitions in time to meet our schedule, and stay on track to complete construction of the Pasadena to Azusa segment in 2015."
- Brad Haugaard
Help Monrovia Cats Get to Carnegie
Help the Monrovia Wildcat Band and Colorguard get to Carnegie Hall. Have dinner Tuesday, July 12, at Rudy's Restaurant on Myrtle in Old Town. The restaurant will give back 30% on all purchases from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the attached flyer.
- Brad Haugaard
Lunch at Gene's Grinders
- Brad Haugaard
Gold Line Complication | Monrovia's McCarthy Likes Cal and USC | Doings of State Representatives
~ More on attorney charging Gold Line board members shouldn't also be officers in cities through which the line will run. (Hmm. I thought that was the whole point, so the views of the cities along the route are represented on the Gold Line board.) http://goo.gl/myqRD
~ Monrovia defensive tackle, Ellis McCarthy, says Cal and USC are his favorites. http://goo.gl/916kH
~ A rape-kit bill by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has passed a State Senate committee. http://goo.gl/MRytx
~ A measure by State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, to allow school employee volunteers to give emergency medical assistance to pupils who suffer epileptic seizures while on campus, has been approved by the Assembly Education Committee. http://goo.gl/NRBES
- Brad Haugaard
WorleyParsons Expanding in Monrovia | Mayor Keynote Speaker at Symposium
~ WorleyParsons to stay in Monrovia, and expand. http://goo.gl/QVVug ~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz will be a keynote speaker at the State of the San Gabriel River Watershed Symposium on this July 20, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. The symposium will discuss five years monitoring the land that drains into the San Gabriel River. She says, "The day should be very informative. All are welcome!" http://goo.gl/jejCv - Brad Haugaard
Monrovia PD: Thieves Drive BMW Getaway Car, Assault, Hit and Run, Etc
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 29 - July 6. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last eight-day period, the Police Department handled 615 service events, resulting in 88 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Grand Theft Auto
On June 29 at 7:50 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Evergreen regarding a stolen vehicle. The female victim reported her vehicle had been stolen some time during the night. The vehicle is a black, 1990 Honda Accord. The victim has accounted for all sets of keys. The vehicle has a damaged passenger headlight that has been taped, a driver side window that does not close all the way, a sunroof and chrome rims. Investigation continuing.
Residential Burglary
On June 29 at 1:13 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 100 block of East Colorado on a residential burglary call. The victim reported his apartment had been burglarized while he was out of town. A small amount of cash, a video game station, and several video games were taken. Investigation continuing.
Assault With a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested
On June 29 at 9:24 p.m., police received a call reporting a fight in front of a residence in the 200 block of East Cherry. Two male subjects at the location began to argue and one stabbed the other in the neck. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment and the suspect was arrested without further incident.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Solo Vehicle Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested
On June 30 at 10:28 p.m., a resident inside her home heard some type of collision occur on the street. Several residents went out to investigate and found that a parked vehicle had been struck. A gray compact vehicle was observed leaving the scene. Officers located a vehicle side-view mirror and a piece of car molding in the street. An area check was conducted, but the vehicle was not located.
At 11:08 p.m., a motorist witnessed a gray Honda Civic strike the center divider in the 300 block of East Huntington and called police. Officers arrived and found a solo occupant who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs. During the investigation, officers noticed the side-view mirror was missing from the vehicle, as well as a piece of molding. The officers compared the side-view mirror and molding recovered from the hit and run traffic collision and discovered it was a match. The driver was not injured and there was no damage to city property. The vehicle sustained moderate front-end damage, two flat tires, and the airbags deployed. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence, and also charged with the hit and run traffic collision.
Grand Theft
July 1 at 7:43 p.m., a male subject was inside a business in the 100 block of West Foothill using his laptop computer. Two male suspects entered the store. The suspects were seen looking around. They approached the victim from behind and quickly grabbed the computer and ran out of the store. The suspects were last seen getting into a light gray, 4-door BMW and traveling south on Primrose. The investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence / Solo Vehicle Traffic Collision
On July 3 at 11:02 p.m., officers responded to Foothill and Grand regarding a solo vehicle traffic collision with injuries. When officers arrived, they discovered the driver and his passenger had moderate injuries. The officers detected the odor of alcohol on the driver's breath. The driver and passenger were taken to a hospital to treat their injuries, and a blood sample was obtained from the driver. The driver was not arrested due to his injuries; however, DUI charges are pending, based on the results of the driver's blood alcohol level. The fire hydrant at the corner of Foothill and Grand was damaged. Public Works was notified and responded to inspect the fire hydrant.
Drug Activity / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
On July 4 at 12:11 p.m., an officer was dispatched to an alley in the 300 block of Valle Vista regarding a suspicious vehicle. When he arrived, he located the vehicle parked in a "No Parking" zone and blocking the alley. The vehicle was occupied by three male subjects. During a consensual pat-down search of one of the subjects, the officer found what looked like rock cocaine inside the subject's pants pocket. It was packaged in a clear plastic baggie, which was sealed. The subject was arrested without incident.
Suicide
On July 5 at 12:20 a.m., an officer responded to a location in the 600 block of West Lemon regarding a deceased male subject, 46-years-old, that had hung himself in his bedroom. The Coroner was notified and responded to the residence to take over the investigation.
Suicidal Subject
On July 5 at 1:19 p.m., an officer responded to the report of a suicidal subject. When he arrived, the subject drove off in his vehicle. A short pursuit ensued, which ended in the 600 block of West Duarte, where the subject crashed into a house. The suspect ran, but was quickly apprehended by officers on East El Norte. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and evaluation. There were no officers or citizens injured in the incident.
Burglary - Suspect Arrested
On July 6 at 12:04 p.m., officers went to an apartment in the 700 block of South Myrtle on the report of a burglary. The victim had locked his bicycles to a rack using a bicycle chain and lock. When he returned, the bicycles were gone, as well as the lock. The victim stated an ex-friend was probably the suspect, since he was one of two people who knew the combination to the lock. The officer contacted the ex-friend at home. They did not find the bicycles, but they did find a key fob for the apartment complex. The investigation determined that the named suspect, a juvenile, had stolen the bicycles and he was arrested. He was also charged with petty theft for the stolen key fob from the complex.
Residential Burglary
July 6 at 10:48 p.m., and officer was dispatched to the 800 block of West Hillcrest on a residential burglary call. The victim's husband was the last to leave the residence at 9:15 a.m., and he left the rear laundry room door unlocked. The victim returned at 10:45 a.m. and noted the door open and called police. Officers responded and cleared the location. The victim noted cosmetics, jewelry, and a camera missing. Investigation continuing.
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