Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 13, 2010

5

MountainViews-News Saturday, November 13, 2010 

Mayor 

Announces 
Intent to Run 
for 

Reelection

Casting Pound to Get $300,000 Makeover

Year-long Sheriff Anti-
DUI Program Funded

 


The city council voted in favor 
Monday night of renovating 
the Arroyo Seco Casting Pound 
awarding Altadena based 
Mallcraft the bid to repair the 
ageing facility. 

 The only no vote came from 
Councilmember Margaret 
McAustin who said residential 
impacts fees should go to new 
parks not upgrades of existing 
projects. 

 “That might be compliant with 
the letter of the law…” she said 
“But my belief is those park fees 
were intended to be used for 
new parks and new open space 
in the city.” 

 A motion made by 
Councilmember Steve Madison 
included utilizing $49,637 from 
the residential impact fees, 
designated for the citywide 
arroyo park projects, $50,363 in 
residential impact fee interest, 
and to return any savings 
identified from the $28,170 
contingency for the project back 
to the interest account after the 
completion of the project. 

 The renovation is expected to 
cost $312, 000 of which $139, 
000 would come from private 
capital, Prop 40 - State Urban 
Parks Grant, and Proposition A 
(Parks) grant funds. 

 Madison said he thought the 
project was a good use of the 
funds.

 The pond is used by the 
Pasadena Casting Club to 
practice fly casting city staff said. 
The organization’s website says 
they have over 300 members.

 The pound, built in 1955 is in a 
state of disrepair, staff explained.

 “It has been patched and minor 
repaired over the years,” said 
Loren Pluth, Project Manager 
for Parks and Landscape. “The 
existing pound has substantial 
leaks and the pound floor and 
perimeter are damaged. This 
project would be a complete 
renovation.”

 The project would include a 
new concrete layer making the 
pound less shallow, from 24 
inches to 18 inches Pluth said.

 There would also be a number 
of perimeter improvements 
including removal of asphalt 
surrounding the pound. The 
asphalt would be replaced with 
decomposed granite with small 
4 foot square steppingstones. 

 New benches, picnic tables 
and drinking fountains would 
also be put in according to staff.

 
A new $1.1 million traffic 
safety grant has been 
awarded to the Los Angeles 
County Sheriff’s Department 
(LASD) for a year-long 
anti-DUI program aimed 
at preventing deaths and 
injuries on public roadways. 

 Additional enforcement 
measures in place to combat 
impaired driving are coming 
as a result of this grant 
awarded by the California 
Office of Traffic Safety. The 
LASD said it’s dedicated 
to keeping our streets safe 
through both enforcement 
and education.

 The special DUI Enforcement 
and Awareness grant is to 
assist in efforts to reduce the 
number of persons killed 
and injured in alcohol and 
other drug related collisions 
in the community. The grant 
activities will specifically 
target impaired driving 
offenders as well as educate 
the public on the dangers of 
impaired driving. 

 
This will be done through 
the use of DUI/driver’s 
license checkpoints, warrant 
searches and stakeouts 
for repeat DUI offenders, 
saturation patrols, and court 
stings where DUI offenders 
with suspended or revoked 
driver licenses get behind the 
wheel after leaving court.

 Drunk driving is one of 
America’s deadliest crimes. 
In 2009, over 10,839 people 
died in highway crashes 
involving a driver or 
motorcycle operator with a 
blood alcohol concentration 
(BAC) of .08 or higher.

By Dean Lee

 Speculation ended 
Thursday night as Mayor 
Bill Bogaard confirmed 
that he is in fact throwing 
his hat in the ring running 
for reelection as mayor of 
Pasadena —a position he 
has held since 1999.

 “Early next week I will take 
out papers from the city 
clerk’s office relating to the 
election process,” Bogaard 
told this newspaper. “My 
intention is to return those 
papers before Dec. 10.”

 The deadline for filing 
nomination papers is Dec. 
10, at 5:30 p.m. that also 
includes Pasadena City 
Council district seats 1, 2, 4 
and 6, and Pasadena Unified 
School District Board of 
Education seats 2, 4 and 6. 

 Bogaard further said that 
until now he had only 
told a small group of loyal 
supporters his intent to 
rerun. Unconfirmed reports 
earlier this year said he 
was planning to step down 
something Bogaard said 
was partly true. 

 “Six months ago I was 
on the fence, uncertain,” 
he said. “I enjoy my work 
tremendously; I find it very 
rewarding to have a chance 
to participate in this lively 
process of governance of 
the city.” 

 He also explained that he 
never planned to run four 
times “When I was first 
elected, I never expected to 
continue on as I have.”

 Bogaard has yet to face any 
stiff competition winning 
the last two mayoral 
elections with more than 
85 percent of the vote. In 
1999 he beat current City 
Councilmember Chris 
Holden getting 60 percent 
of the vote. Holden said last 
year, at his annual block 
party, that he would, in 
March, again run for mayor.

 Bogaard also said that 
his decision came in light 
of being appointed, in 
September, second vice 
president of the League of 
California Cities. 

 “The bylaws of the league 
contemplate that the second 
VP becomes the first VP in 
one year and becomes the 
president a year after that,” 
he explained. “It would not 
have been appropriate for 
me to accept the nomination 
as the second VP if I weren’t 
planning to run.”

Urban Guerilla Astronomy Hits Old Town


By Dean Lee

 Morris Jones (pictured right) spent Friday 
night stopping people in Old Pasadena giving 
them the chance to look through his telescope 
to see the craters of the moon, Jupiter and other 
objects in the sky something he said he has been 
doing for the last two decades.

 Jones, along with his wife Jane, started the Old 
Town Sidewalk Astronomers based in Monrovia. 
Jones said they try to have about eight events a 
year, “We do these when the sky is clear and there 
is something to see. He said there was not any real 
“schedule.” 

 Along with Old Pasadena, Jones said they were 
set to have another event Saturday in Monrovia, at 
Myrtle and Lime Avenues. Jones said the Sidewalk 
Astronomers was founded in 1968 by well known 
astronomer pioneer John Dobson. 

 Dobson invented the large, portable, low-
cost Newtonian reflecting telescopes known as 
the Dobsonian telescope Jones said showing 
off his own version of the reflector telescope, 
autographed by Dobson himself. 

 Jones said Dobson was the person that got him 
involved with amateur astronomy when the two 
were living in San Francisco. 

 More information about the group, or events, 
can be found at: otastro.org.

Major Meteor Shower to be 
Seen During Unusual Dark Sky 

 Stargazers will be able to 
see shooting stars through 
Nov. 28, with peak activity 
occurring the night of Nov. 
17-18 at a rate of 15 meteors 
per hour for some viewers. 
This year, a half moon sets 
after midnight, allowing for 
a dark sky. Best viewing 
time will be just before 
dawn. thousands of meteors 
per hour can shoot across 
the sky. Scientists believe 
these storms recur in cycles 
of about 33 years, though the 
reason is unknown the last 
documented Leonid meteor 
storm occurred in 2002. 
Viewing tips and information 
on other upcoming meteor 
showers can be found at jpl.
nasa.gov/news. 

Citizen Journalism Meet-up

 

 

 

 The Pasadena Community 
Network and this newspaper 
are holding a workshop on 
Citizen Journalism. 

 This group is the place where 
aspiring journalists can learn 
from trained professionals 
and support their local 
community by covering 
what’s really happening in 
their neighborhoods.

 We will put the news in your 
hands. Learn how to find 
the story, the tools needed 
to capture the story and the 
means to tell the story using 
the power of video, audio and 
print along with online social 
media The next meeting will 
be Nov. 16 from 6 to 8p.m. at 
the Pasadena Community 
Network - Studio G, 2057 N. 
Los Robles Ave.

 For more info call 
626.794.8585 or visit 
pasadenan.ning.com.

 
Learn not just how 
to blog but how to 
report the news

A Noise Within Moves 
Closer Toward New Home

Second 
Community 
Police 
Dialogue to 
be Held

 A Noise Within, the critically 
acclaimed classical repertory 
theatre company, has received 
a $1 million, Patron To 
Patron challenge, a $200,000 
Eisner Foundation grant 
and a $500,000 Ahmanson 
Foundation grant during 
the last six weeks for its new 
theatre under construction in 
Pasadena. The grant money was 
announced this week by Board 
of Directors President Terry 
Kay. 

 A Noise Within is now also 
offering “Hard Hat Sunday,” 
public tours of the construction 
site on the second Sunday of 
every month, Kay added. A 
Noise Within’s new state-of-
the-art 33,000-square-foot 
facility is set for completion in 
fall 2011 for the company’s 20th 
Anniversary Season. 

 For free reservations 
(required), contact donors@
anoisewithin.org or call 818-
265-7959.

 This event is intended 
as an opportunity for 
police officers and 
Pasadena residents to 
discuss pertinent matters 
and promote greater 
understanding between 
the police department and 
the community which it 
serves. The dialogue will be 
facilitated by the Western 
Justice Center Tuesday at 
Marshall Fundamental 
High School 6 p.m. to 8 
p.m.

This is the second in a series 
of dialogues on police-
community relations and 
police/safety issues such 
as a collaboration needed 
to address gang-related 
concerns. The event is free.

 Spanish translation will 
be available. To RSVP, 
please contact: monya@
westernjustice.org, OR call 
626-584-7494

Nomination Period Opens 
For March 8 Elections

Independent Audit of County’s 
Pension Fund to be Looked At

 City Clerk Mark Jomsky 
announced Friday that anyone 
intending to run for office in 
the March 8, 2011, primary 
nominating election for 
Pasadena mayor, Pasadena 
City Council district seats 
1, 2, 4 and 6, and Pasadena 
Unified School District Board 
of Education seats 2, 4 and 6 
can obtain nomination papers 
at the Pasadena City Clerk’s 
Office, 100 N. Garfield Ave., 
Room S228 beginning Monday, 
Nov. 15. 

 The deadline for filing 
nomination papers is Friday, 
Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m. If an 
incumbent officer does not 
file nomination papers by the 
Dec. 10 deadline, the period to 
nominate any qualified person 
other than the incumbent 
is extended to Wednesday, 
Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m. for that 
incumbent’s office. 

 Jomsky will conduct identical 
candidate workshops Monday, 
Nov. 15, at 8 a.m. and 
Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 
p.m. in the Rose Conference 
Room (S228) at Pasadena City 
Hall . During the workshops, 
nomination papers will be 
issued to interested parties 
and Jomsky will review filing 
requirements and various 
regulations. Persons unable 
to attend may call (626) 744-
4124 to arrange an individual 
session.

 During the nomination period, 
the City Clerk’s Office will be 
closed Nov. 25 and 26 for the 
Thanksgiving holiday. 

 Additional election 
information is available at www.
cityofpasadena.net/cityclerk/
election or by calling (626) 744-
4124. 

 Supervisor Michael 
Antonovich introduced a 
motion Tuesday directing the 
County’s Auditor-Controller 
to hire an expert independent 
firm to audit and provide 
recommendations to the 
Board of Supervisors on 
accounting and actuarial 
methodologies currently 
utilized by the Los 
Angeles County Employee 
Retirement Association, the 
county’s pension fund.

 “In light of recent civil 
convictions being taken by 
the SEC against San Diego 
city officials, statements by 
Governmental Accounting 
Standards Board, and the 
increasing financial scrutiny 
placed on municipalities 
including Los Angeles 
County, it is prudent to 
double check the standards 
and practices that the 
County is adopting to arrive 
at the figures it is placing 
in its financial statements,” 
added Antonovich. “This is 
especially true with respect 
to the pension liabilities and 
unfunded Retiree Health 
Insurance Benefit Program 
which will reach nearly $26 
billion in the coming years.” 

 In June 2010, the (GASB) 
took a position that the 
portion of the pension 
obligation that is not covered 
by assets, the unfunded 
obligation, is a liability of 
government and meets the 
criteria for being reported 
in the government’s accrual-
based financial statements.

 Antonovich highlighted 
a recent decision by the 
Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC) 
to increase focus on 
transparency, reliability, 
and disclosure on employee 
pensions. 

 Los Angeles County’s 
pension fund contribution 
increased by $200 million 
in fiscal year 2010/2011 
bringing the total to $987 
million. 

Pet of the 
Week


PCC Veterans 
Honored by 
Rotary Club of 
Altadena

Community Meeting To Focus 
On 210 Freeway Sound Walls

 Seven PCC students were 
honored by the Rotary Club 
of Altadena at the Veteran’s 
Award Luncheon Thursday 
at the Altadena Town 
and Country Club. The 
Altadena American Legion 
Post #470 established the 
award in 2003 to support 
and facilitate the academic 
success of veterans and 
servicemen and women on 
active duty.

 The award recipients, 
Charles Hu, Detrick 
Hudson, Joshua Miller, 
Ryan Mills, Felipe Sanchez, 
Cameron White, and Jorge 
Zamora, were presented 
with a certificate of 
achievement and a $1,500 
scholarship. To qualify for 
the award, each student 
is either a veteran or on 
active duty in a branch of 
the United States Armed 
Services. They are also 
current or past residents of 
the Altadena or Pasadena 
area and maintain at least a 
3.0 GPA.

 The Pasadena Public Works 
Department will host a 
community meeting to 
discuss potential sound wall 
locations along the two-mile 
stretch of the 210 Freeway 
between Arroyo and Orange 
Grove boulevards. 

 The meeting is scheduled 
Thursday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 
p.m. in the Press Box (second 
floor) at the Rose Bowl 
Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr. 
Free parking will be available 
in Lot F. 

 City representatives will 
provide information about 
the potential placement of 
sound walls at six specific 
locations adjacent to the 210 
Freeway, answer questions 
and address community 
concerns. 

 The city of Pasadena recently 
completed a sound study to 
identify potential locations 
for sound walls along this 
segment of the 210 Freeway 
where existing traffic noise 
levels are 67 decibels (dBA) 
or higher and locations for 
the potential construction 
of sound walls to abate noise 
generated by traffic along the 
freeway. The 67dBA level is 
equivalent to standing next 
to a busy street intersection. 

 Six areas were evaluated: 
westbound 210 from Arroyo 
Boulevard to Lincoln 
Avenue, eastbound 210 
from Arroyo Boulevard to 
Lincoln Avenue, westbound 
210 from Lincoln Avenue to 
Mountain Street, eastbound 
210 from Lincoln Avenue to 
Mountain Street, westbound 
210 from Mountain Street 
to Orange Grove Boulevard, 
and eastbound 210 from 
Mountain Street to Orange 
Grove Boulevard. 

 For more information about 
the project, please call City 
Engineer Daniel Rix at (626) 
744-4267.

 Cookie, a beautiful, three 
year old, black and white cat is 
very outgoing and affectionate. 
She is very charming and 
will surely be a wonderful 
companion. Cookie was found 
stray and would love to be 
adopted today!

 The regular cat adoption fee 
is $70 which includes the spay 
or neuter surgery, microchip, 
vaccinations, and a free 
follow-up health check at a 
participating vet.

 Please call 626-792-7151 
and ask about A279014 
or come to the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA, 361 
S. Raymond Ave , Pasadena 
CA , 91105 . Our adoption 
hours are 11-3 Sunday, 
9-4 Tuesday, Wednesday, 
Thursday, and Friday, and 
9-3 Saturday. Directions and 
photos of all pets updated 
hourly may be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org

County Expects Rocky Future as 
State’s Deficit Keeps Growing

 In the wake of last weeks 
election, Supervisor 
Michael Antonovich made a 
statement Wednesday saying 
that with billions in deficit, 
those that were elected can 
expect a rough time ahead.

 “The announcement by the 
Legislative Analyst’s Office 
that the State’s projected 
deficit has ballooned to 
$25.4 billion -- much larger 
than legislative leaders had 
anticipated -- will severely 
impact every county, city and 
school district in California. 
This is a direct result of 
the State’s budget being 
built on a house of cards,” 
said Supervisor Michael 
Antonovich . 

 “We are all in for a rocky 
future -- especially if the 
State expects the federal 
government to come to its 
rescue by just printing more 
money. The State and all 
local governments will be 
forced to review all labor 
agreements, and commit 
to provide only funded, 
mandated programs, to 
avoid the quicksand that 
surrounds Sacramento.” 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com