Former City Manager Scott Ochoa's Housing Request

More on former City Manager Scott Ochoa's housing request. http://goo.gl/sojwv

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Troy Donut & Burger

Lunch at Troy Donut & Burger, on Myrtle about a block south of Duarte. I think it is under new management as last time I was here it was sooo dirty (chocolate shake all over the floor that nobody bothered to clean). Now it's clean. Got a chorizo burrito and Coke for just short of $6, and it was quite good! (I took a bite so you can see the inside.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Senior Activities: Ice Cream and Blood Pressure

~ Senior ice cream social Thursday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Community Center. Featuring The Tap Chicks (senior dance troupe) and a mini health fair from 11 a.m. to noon with health experts from Methodist Hospital, Walgreens, New York Life and other local agencies. Free but reserve a spot by Friday, July 13 by calling the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

~ Free high blood pressure screening for those 50 years and older, hosted by Methodist Hospital, on the second Tuesday of each month, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., at the Community Center. For more information, contact the Department of Community Services at (626) 256-8246.


Source: http://goo.gl/RgBPQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Department iPads | 'Off-Myrtle'

~ The Monrovia Fire Department will be buying iPads (thanks to a grant) that it will use for - among other things - fire inspections. "Instead of manually filling out forms to be later input into a database, all of the business information is updated electronically and automatically uploaded to the database."

~ City Manager Laurie Lile wants you to notice not only the businesses along Myrtle, but also the "Off-Myrtle" businesses, the "many great restaurants, shops and services on Walnut, Olive, Colorado, Lemon, Lime and Palm."

Source: http://goo.gl/RgBPQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Hillside Recreation/Preservation Area May Open in January

I am curious about what is happening about opening up the Hillside area (the preservation/recreation area the city purchased in the foothills), so I asked Monrovia's Director of Community Services, April Soash. Some questions and answers:

So, what's up with the Hillside area?

Currently staff is working with contractors to design the signage and gates for the various access points. The official opening of the access points will be once the gates and signage are in place. The timeline for the signage is approximately September for the design phase to be completed, then the signs will go into production. Each access point will be opened when all the work is completed, so some may open sooner than others.

Will the signs just be at the trailheads or will there be signs at various points on the streets directing people to the trailheads?

Per the minimalist plan adopted by city council the signs will only be located at each one of the access points/trailheads and along the trail where necessary to note information on the endangered species of Braunton’s Milk Vetch.

Roughly how long after the signs are designed will they be manufactured and installed?

Staff is estimating by January 2013 everything will be in place.

Is any parking being added (or subtracted - by posting No Parking signs) around the trailheads?

The City Council adopted the minimalist plan which did not include any new parking and it did not include any directive for no parking signs.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Ex-Girlfriend Threats, Armed to the Teeth, Stolen Car

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 2-4. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 488 service events, resulting in 66 investigations.

Grand Theft Auto – Suspects Arrested
July 2 at 12:37 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of West Duarte Road to take a stolen vehicle report. A 1997 Honda Accord was stolen from the residence sometime between 7:25 and 11:18 a.m. The West Covina Police Department made a traffic stop on the vehicle and found three occupants inside. While investigating, they were able to establish that the vehicle did not belong to the occupants. They contacted the victim, who confirmed the vehicle was in fact stolen. The suspects were arrested.

Criminal Threats
July 2 at 2:33 p.m., a male subject who lives in the 900 block of West Colorado called police to report he was being threatened by his ex-girlfriend. She left a recorded message in which she stated she was going to kill him. The investigating officer was able to listen to the message. The victim desires prosecution and said he feels threatened and is fearful she will make an attempt to harm him. A wanted person entry was made in the system for the suspect. Investigation continuing.

Attempt Robbery
July 4 at 10:56 p.m., an attempt robbery was reported in the 100 block of Fig. A male victim was leaving his girlfriend’s house when he was confronted by a male, African-American suspect who asked him for money. When the victim said he did not have any money, the suspect began grabbing at the victim’s pockets. The victim hit the suspect several times. The suspect continued trying to reach into his pockets and the victim was hitting his hands away when the suspect grabbed hold of the victim’s left hand and bit him. The victim yelled out to his girlfriend, who came over and hit the suspect several times until he let go of the victim’s hand. The suspect then left the area walking south to Central and out of sight. The victim was treated at a hospital for his injury. Investigation continuing.

Happy Fourth, Monrovia!

The fireworks begin.

Update: WOW! I believe that was the best show I've seen yet! Amazing work! Art in the sky. This cell-phone shot does not do it justice.

Claiming Spots for Fireworks

Here is Library Park at noon. People have been claiming spots since at least 8 a.m. Should be a big night.

Monrovia Power Outage

Southern California Edison predicts an unplanned power outage will be corrected by 11 a.m. today. 23 Edison customers are affected. http://goo.gl/nzjTu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Member Rob Hammond's Exploding Mailbox

Former mayor (and current school board member) Rob Hammond, reports that his mailbox was blown up. He takes it rather lightly, writing on Facebook: "To my knowledge our mailbox never had a bad thought or acted negatively towards anyone."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Councilman Spicer Apologizes for Criminal Record

Monrovia Councilman Larry Spicer apologizes for criminal actions from years ago and Councilman Tom Adams accepts his apology. http://goo.gl/TS2sy

Monrovia Church Sponsors Pink Flamingo Hit Jobs

If you see a flock of pink flamingos in someone's yard, it's a fundraiser by the First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia Youth Group for summer camp. Pay $20 to buy a "hit" on another member of the congregation, who will wake up to a flock of 50 pink flamingos on his or her front lawn (or 100 flamingos for $30 - volume discount). Or, everyone except the pastor can buy protection - they call it "immunity" - for $30. http://goo.gl/ktPX1

Comment: "Hey! Nice yard ya got here, buddy. Be a shame should somebody plant a flock of pink flamingos in it."

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Financial Reporting Bill Progresses in State Senate

A proposal by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) to update financial reporting for politicians and public officials was unanimously approved today by the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee.

Each year politicians and public officials must file a Form 700 â€" Statement of Economic Interest, which gives the public a way to keep tabs on their outside financial interests.

Portantino said, "These forms haven't been updated in more than 35 years and are way out-of-date."

AB 2162 calls for restructuring dollar ranges in the Form 700 from 4 for investments, property and income, to 8 levels for investments and real estate, and 10 levels for income ranges.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Disaster Prep Bill Works Its Way Through State Senate

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's bill to improve emergency and disaster preparedness was approved today in the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.

AB 1650 requires public utilities to hold disaster preparedness meetings every two years with the counties and cities they service to improve readiness and better prepare for natural disasters. In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission will set standards for each utility to meet.

The bill goes to Senate Appropriations before going on to the full Senate later this summer.

- Brad Haugaard

Neighbors Charge Monrovia Councilman with Threats, Slurs | Senator Huff on Mortgage Bill

~ Neighbors say Monrovia Councilman Larry Spicer made threats and racial slurs. http://goo.gl/D54AJ

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, speaks against a mortgage relief bill he says is badly crafted. http://goo.gl/GcLmB

- Brad Haugaard