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

Monrovia Fire Department: Christmas Tree Safety

Monrovia Fire Department reports that Christmas trees cause "a surprisingly low number of fires," but those fires cause a surprisingly high number of fatalities, about one in every 18 fires. So, tips on having a safe Christmas tree:

- Use a fire-retardant tree. Check that artificial trees are certified fire-retardant and that cut trees are fresh and adequately watered.

- Make sure lights are in good condition and used properly.

- Keep the tree away from heat sources.

- Don't let the tree or other decorations block exits.

 

Source: http://goo.gl/vP67x

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council May Choose a Temporary Member if Shaw Cannot Participate

Monrovia Councilman Clarence Shaw is on active duty and the City Council has left his seat open, but this resulted in a tie vote, so ...

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa writes that the "Council directed that the City Attorney and I consult with Councilman Shaw to determine definitively whether he can participate in Council deliberations during his tour of active duty. If he is precluded from participation, then the Council may reconsider the temporary appointment."

 

Source: http://goo.gl/vP67x

 

- Brad Haugaard

City Manager: Monrovia Best Responder After Windstorm

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa says he thinks Monrovia did better than any other agency during the windstorm:

I do believe that Monrovia responded faster and with more resources than any other agency affected by the windstorms. We kept field crews working all night, staffed the main City Hall switchboard so that folks could actually have a live person to talk to, and constantly updated all of our various media. Augmented by community members, such as our CERT volunteers and local contractor Steve Pokrajac's heavy equipment crews, Monrovia's clean-up efforts have been accelerated greatly!

But, he added, "I do worry that not enough of our homes are prepared to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours."

Source: http://goo.gl/vP67x

Opinion: Agreed! I think the city did a fabulous job. I know a city worker who was on the job even though his own home had serious damage. Also, I thought the giant bins around town for yard waste were a great idea. Suggestion - since we couldn't put palm fronds in those bins, maybe next time add a few bins just for palm fronds. 

- Brad Haugaard

Local Politicians and SoCal Edison

About SoCal Edison's ties with Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, and other politicians. Can politicians fairly investigate SoCal Edison when it gives them substantial money? http://goo.gl/lb0cx

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wins CIF Championship 53-14 :-)

The Monrovia Wildcats win the CIF championship - again.

 

San Gabriel beautifully played the Wildcats to a 14-14 standstill at the end of the first half, even leading briefly, but in the third quarter Monrovia exploded to a 36-14 lead, then in the fourth quarter pulled even further ahead to end the game at 53-14.

 

- Brad Haugaard

Brown Declares State of Emergency for San Gabriel Valley

Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for the San Gabriel Valley, which will allow local cities to recover some of the costs they incurred in responding to the windstorm. http://goo.gl/wLMyv

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center Short on Food

From the Center's Facebook page:

With just ten days to go, we’re short 500 turkeys, and 1,100 pies for our annual Holiday Distribution. Each year, hundreds of our client families register to pick up generous holiday food boxes at this two-day event. This year, we’re expecting over 1,500 families with 3,000 children, and we need your help! You can drop off turkeys and pies any weekday from 9 to 5 at either Center location, 415 West Chestnut Ave. in Monrovia or 191 N. Oak in Pasadena. Short on time? Help us buy birds and pies to fill the gaps by clicking the Donate Now button on our website. One more easy (and tasty!) way to donate pies: at participating local Coco’s, you can buy an extra pie and they’ll hold it for us to pick up. Thanks for sharing with local families in need!

 

Source: http://goo.gl/eH7aw

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Finances and Attendance Headed Down; Start Date;Advocacy

A few items on the Dec. 15 Monrovia School Board agenda ( http://goo.gl/6xbEN ): 

~ The Monrovia Unified School District projects that it will be able to meet its financial obligations for this year and the two years following, but after that, um, maybe not, because, well, who knows how much money the state will give to the schools. That would mean the schools would have to cut some more. http://goo.gl/ZsGJX

~ It appears that despite a nice little bump up in attendance from 2010-11 (5951) to 2011-12 (5961), Monrovia School District projects its enrollment will resume its decline - to 5886 in 2012-13 and to 5871 in 2013-14.  http://goo.gl/ZsGJX

~ If you want to plan a family vacation, note that school will start on August 27 in 2012, assuming the School Board approves this recommendation: http://goo.gl/TkTJV

~ Here is a list of "Board Advocacy" issues. Basically, appeals to the state for money ( http://goo.gl/Yyaz3 ) Opinion: I wonder if it would be possible for the state's school districts to create a separate taxing authority for k-12 education, separating its finances from the state's, as it used to be. I think the state government has demonstrated it is wretchedly irresponsible with money. Better to have separate bank accounts.

- Brad Haugaard

Randone Not Guilty of Murder of Monrovian Felicia Lee | Replace Shaw? | Chamber Open House | Freeway Closures | Tharpe

~ Brian Lee Randone found not guilty in death of murder of Monrovian Felicia Lee. Star-News: http://goo.gl/9KHT2 , Monrovia Patch: http://goo.gl/vJKsE

~ Monrovia City Council discusses temporarily replacing member Clarence Shaw, who has been called onto active duty in the Army: http://goo.gl/RTNi4

~ The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce is having an open house Dec. 14. Admission price is a $10 child's toy, being collected for Foothill Unity Center. http://goo.gl/PrNzS

~ Between now and Dec. 24 there may be partial freeway closures on the 210 eastbound for bridge construction. Closures will occur no earlier than 10 p.m. and end no later than 1 p.m. the next day.

~ Feature story of Monrovia businessman Joseph Tharpe.  http://goo.gl/gI3gK

- Brad Haugaard

Dog Dies in House Fire

Dog dies in Monrovia house fire. http://goo.gl/zehOJ

 

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Daphne's

Lunch at Daphne's at 915 W. Huntington. "California Greek" style. Got the chicken wrap with chips and hummus. Nice and fresh. Quick service, cheerful atmosphere.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Football - Blowout? | Volleyball | Wrestling | Parade Pix

~ Sportswriters say Monrovia vs. San Gabriel could be a blowout for Monrovia. http://goo.gl/xtmes

Prelim story: http://goo.gl/Oxxvo

Watch the game on-line: http://www.foxsportswest.com/pages/prepzone

 

~ All-Star volleyball in Monrovia Sunday. http://goo.gl/sHn4S

 

~ Indie film at Library. You gotta call for the title but it's about a volunteer wrestling coach. http://goo.gl/FLb2W

 

~ Some great pictures of the Monrovia Christmas parade. http://goo.gl/pV6Qz

 

- Brad Haugaard