Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 12, 2011

5

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, February 12, 2011 

Stories From The Best of Arcadia - Scott Hettrick

SANTA ANITA BOWLING GREEN CLUB

Photo and Story by Gene Plunkett

 After 20 plus years 
some of the trophies 
and plaques given for 
lawn bowling achievement 
have returned to 
the Santa Anita Bowling 
Green Club.

 Back in the seventies 
and eighties Michael 
Wurtz was one of the 
better bowlers at the 
Santa Anita club. He 
won many awards for 
the different tournaments 
he entered, and 
on February 8th his 
daughter Marge Butterfield 
and husband 
Dick returned them per 
Michael’s request. There 
were several trophies 
and plaques from Michael’s 
wife, Mary Dunn. The trophies and plaques were accepted 
with much pride by the Santa Anita Bowling Green Club President, 
Cheri Cabot. Michael’s daughter, Marge, presented Cheri a 
check in his memory. Michael died last year at the age of 94.

 Mrs. Butterfield was given Michael’s Completition of Training 
certificate that the club had posted for all to see. Dated November 
1973. It had hung in the outside display case for many years and 
was faded, a little ragged around the edges, and was returned to 
his daughter to keep with her memories of her dad.

 Mike’s trophies will be on display in the Santa Anita Bowling 
Green Club Room, along with many other awards.

TEACHER LAY OFFS - NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER -

THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF THE ARCADIA SCHOOL DISTRICT


Dick and Marge Butterfield presents 
Santa Anita Bowling Green 
President Cheri Cabot with a 
check and several trophies and 
plaques in memory of Michael 
Wurtz. Mike bowled for over 30 
years and the items returned will 
be on display in the Club Room 
at the Arcadia County Park

The Arcadia School Board is 
expected to approve sending 
out layoff notices to 60-70 
certified teachers and staff at 
the next board meeting on 
Feb. 22.

In a recent 14 1/2-minute 
video address to staff describing 
how the budget will 
impact them, AUSD superintendent 
Dr. Joel Shawn 
described the 60-70 notices 
a “horrific number,” and 
said the district hopes that 
only 20-25 of those who will 
actually be laid off. Unfortunately, 
the district is required 
by teacher unions to 
send layoff notifications by 
March 15, more than three 
months before the state budget 
is approved in late June, 
which has a huge impact on 
what funding the district 
will have to work with.

Therefore, Shawn said the 
district has to prepare for 
worst-case scenario. “We 
have to treat the Governor’s 
proposal as if it will fail at 
the end of June, and hope 
it passes so we don’t have to 
make these cuts,” he said, 
noting there could be even 
deeper cuts required if the 
Governor’s budget fails.

Shawn noted that with 85% 
of the district budget going 
to salaries, it is inevitable 
that any cuts will affect staff.

And cuts are necessary, 
with projections showing a 
whopping $18 million deficit 
by 2014-15 if the district 
takes no action.

The district has been in 
budget-cutting mode since 
2007-08, which has resulted 
in about 20% loss in revenue. 
And while there is a 
perception among some in 
the community that schools 
are overcrowded, student 
enrollment has been declining 
by 100 students per 
year for the last five years, 
compounding the budget 
problem since the district 
receives funds based on the 
number of students. (Further 
details about declining 
student enrollment here.)

Last year class sizes for Second 
and Third grades were 
raised from 20 students 
for every teacherto to 22:1, 
with the Arcadia Education 
Foundation raising enough 
money to delay increasing 
First Grade class sizes to the 
same level.

The current plan for next 
year is to raise Grades 1-3 
class sizes to 24:1. That (coupled 
with declining enrollment), 
means the district 
will need 11 fewer elementary 
school teachers in 2011-
12, Shawn said. Four teachers 
will be retiring, so seven 
will receive layoff notices.

Among the other proposals 
in the district’s worst-case 
scenario budget, Shawn is 
asking for staff to agree to 
take eight furlough days 
for three years starting in 
2012-13.

Shawn noted that while the 
district has had significant 
cuts to the budget, programs, 
and staff during the 
last four years, the district 
might have suffered deeper 
layoffs, salary cuts, and furlough 
days like many neighboring 
school districts if not 
for the conservative budgeting 
practices of the district 
and the utilization of resources 
and other one-time 
money.

Explaining that the budget 
issues are more complex now 
than three years ago, Shawn 
said he was concerned that 
staff might think that if the 
public votes for an extension 
to the temporary sales tax 
and vehicle license fee that 
could be put to a statewide 
vote in the coming months, 
that schools will not have to 
make any additional budget 
cuts.

“Unfortunately, this is just 
not the case,” Joel said.

The district is not just calculating 
what expenses to 
cut, but also exploring ways 
to raise more cash on their 
own. One possibility being 
explored is asking Arcadia 
taxpayers to approve a parcel 
tax.

60-70 TEACHERS GET TEMP PINK SLIPS

ARCADIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Work begins this month with bond money that can't 
be used for anything else, including school budget.

 Construction begins late this month on the new $25 million, 
1,200-seat Performing Arts Center at Arcadia High 
School.

 After several years of work on several other major new 
buildings and projects at the high school and the rest of the 
schools in Arcadia under the five-year $218 million bond 
project passed by voters in 2006, construction is starting 
only a couple months later than scheduled on the PAC, 
which will sit on the ground formerly occupied by the district 
administration office facing north on Campus Blvd.

We are re-presenting the architect designs of one of the 
showcase buildings of the entire bond project that we first 
published here on ArcadiasBest.com in April 2009.

 As a reminder, the building, which has always been a part 
of the overall project with completion date originally scheduled 
for June 2012 — now more likely in fall 2012, will feature 
a two-story (“double-height”) glass-enclosed signature 
lobby and exterior canopies and covered walkways.

 The main concert hall will have lower level and balcony 
seating, with variable absorption acoustics.

The building will also include a black box theater, an orchestra 
room, and a dance studio.

 Originally budgeted at $27.4 million, the cost was expected 
to come in under $25 mil.

Arcadia Republican Woman’s Club 

is having their monthly luncheon on February 17 at the Santa 
Anita Golf Course, 405 Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia. Our 
featured speaker is Arcadia’s Mayor Peter Amundson, who will 
be addressing the State of the City. Peter’s focus on the council 
is primarily quality of life issues for Arcadians. Join us (men are 
welcome also) and find the latest happenings in Arcadia. Social 
hour: 10:30 AM, General Meeting: 11:00,Speaker: 11:30 and 
Lunch: Noon. Cost is $17.00 which includes a delicious lunch. 
Reserve your seat by calling Annie (626) 355-6671 or Veronica 
(626) 447-9590. Deadline for reservations is February 14.

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, January 30, through Saturday, February 5, 
the Police Department responded to 1,175 calls for service of which 
137 required formal investigations. The following is a summary 
report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this 
period.

Sunday, January 30:

1. Three commercial burglaries occurred between 8:00 a.m. 
and 9:10 a.m. at 24-Hour Fitness, 125 North First. Unknown 
suspect(s) broke into three lockers and stole cash from the victims’ 
wallets.

2. Shortly before 5:00 p.m., a hit-and-run traffic accident 
occurred at Santa Anita and Foothill. A suspect driver rear-ended 
a vehicle that was stopped in a left-turn pocket. The suspect drove 
away from the scene and then abandoned the vehicle in a driveway 
in the 300 block of Sycamore. 

Monday, January 31:

3. Between 3:00 p.m. on January 28 and 7:00 a.m. on January 
31, a commercial burglary occurred in the 1000 block of Singing 
Wood. Unknown suspect(s) entered a residential construction site, 
broke into a secured storage area, and stole over $7,300 in tools and 
equipment.

4. A residential burglary occurred in the 1000 block of San 
Carlos between 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Unknown suspect(s) 
pried open a rear door, ransacked rooms, and stole a large amount 
of cash and a gold necklace.

Tuesday, February 1:

5. Units responded to Wells Fargo Bank, 1200 South Baldwin, 
around 4:35 p.m. in reference to a man causing a disturbance and 
threatening employees. Upon arrival, officers found the suspect by 
his vehicle with his two children. The suspect took on a fighting 
stance, cursed at officers, and failed to comply with officers’ 
commands when they tried to detain him. He appeared to be under 
the influence of a controlled substance and was in possession of 
marijuana and stolen property. The 40-year-old African-American 
suspect was taken into custody for making terrorist threats, 
receiving stolen property, obstructing/resisting, under the influence 
of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and contributing 
to the delinquency of minors.

Wednesday, February 2:

8. Around 10:33 p.m., a doctor called and advised that a 
patient claimed that she was driving on a freeway going to Malibu 
and was going to kill herself by driving over a cliff. Los Angeles 
County Sheriff’s was notified and APD officers responded to the 
woman’s home located in the 700 block of Sunset to conduct further 
investigation. A woman at the residence refused to open the door 
and provided officers with a false name. The 49-year-old female 
Caucasian finally admitted her true identity and she was the suicidal 
subject who had contacted her doctor. The woman was arrested 
for obstructing/resisting, false report of an emergency, and a danger 
to self. She was transported to a 72-hour detention center for 
evaluation and treatment.

Thursday, February 3:

9. A victim came to the station around 7:45 a.m. to file a 
fraud report. Unknown suspect(s) obtained the victim’s check 
by unknown means and used it to withdraw $900 without his 
permission.

10. Around 2:49 p.m., units were dispatched to South Baldwin 
and East Camino Real regarding a suspect driver who had fled 
from a hit-and-run traffic accident. Witnesses saw the suspect 
swerving between lanes and then collide into two parked vehicle. 
A witness followed the suspect driver to a parking lot where he 
was detained. The 21-year-old male Caucasian driver was arrested 
for possession of narcotics controlled substance, driving under the 
influence of drugs, and driving on a suspended/revoked license.

Friday, February 4:

11. Officers were sent to Victoria’s Secret located at Westfield 
Mall around 12:15 p.m. in reference to a commercial burglary that 
occurred between 8:58 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on February 3. Four 
male Hispanic suspects worked in concert to steal about $1,499 in 
slips, bras, and panties.

12. Loss prevention personnel from JC Penney observed 
three known suspects concealing $1,855 in merchandise on their 
persons. The suspects were then followed to two separate Kohl’s 
locations where they committed additional thefts. The men were 
finally arrested by Upland Police for commercial burglary and 
conspiracy.

Saturday, February 5:

13. A traffic stop was conducted at Floral and First for an 
expired registration around 8:40 a.m. The 50-year-old male 
Caucasian driver was cited and released for the violation; 
however, a 53-year-old male Caucasian passenger was arrested 
for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, a 
$5,000 outstanding misdemeanor warrant, and a no bail felony 
warrant.


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 Legendary Hall of Fame jockeys 
Eddie Delahoussaye , Don 
Pierce, Laffit Pincay Jr., Gary Stevens 
and Mike Smith will serve 
as honorary captains at the 44th 
annual Holy Angels/Santa Anita 
Jockeys Charity Basketball Game 
at La Salle High School in Pasadena, 
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.

 Proceeds will benefit the Holy 
Angels athletic department and 
the Permanently Disabled Jockeys 
Fund (PDJF).

 This year’s Santa Anita jockey 
squad figures to include: Captain 
David Flores, Pedro Arambula, 
Paul Atkinson, Rafael Bejarano, 
Alex Bisono, Brice Blanc, Antonio 
Castanon, Victor Espinoza, 
Martin Garcia, Kerwin John, 
Edwin Maldonado, Corey Nakatani, 
Iggy Puglisi, Alonso Quinonez, 
Joel Rosario, Christian 
Santiago Reyes, Chantal Sutherland, 
Mike Smith, Kayla Stra, Joe 
Talamo, Patrick Valenzuela and 
perhaps others.

 The jockeys will be on hand to 
autograph memorabilia from 
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the La Salle 
High gymnasium.

 La Salle High School is located 
at the southwest corner 
of Michillinda Ave. and Sierra 
Madre Blvd., approximately four 
miles from Santa Anita.

Admission is $5.

 “This has been a great event over 
the years and we always have a 
lot of fun with it,” said jockey David 
Flores, who will again serve 
as game captain for the jockeys. 
“What’s really exciting about this 
year is that for the first time, we 
are going to include the Disabled 
Jockeys Fund in our fundraising 
effort. Racing is a very, very dangerous 
sport and this means a lot 
to all of us in the racing industry.

 “We want to do all that we can 
to try and help all of these people 
who have been hurt so badly. Just 
the fact that we are helping to 
draw attention to their situation 
is very important. We hope that 
everyone coming to the game 
this year will do what they can to 
help us help all of these jockeys 
who will never be able to ride 
again.”

 Holy Angels, located just south 
of Santa Anita Park, on Huntington 
Drive, has partnered with 
Santa Anita on numerous charity 
events over the years.

“The jockeys and Santa Anita 
have been a huge support to Holy 
Angels over the past 50 years,” 

said Holy Angels Principal, Ted 
Carroll. “We are excited to be 
able to include the PDJF in this 
year’s game, and we are excited 
to be able to return the favor, 
finally.”

 The PDJF, which was founded 
in 2006, provides financial assistance 
to professional jockeys 
(both Thoroughbred and quarterhorse) 
who have sustained 
serious injuries such as paralysis 
and brain trauma, which often 
result in permanent disabilities.

 “The PDJF is very appreciative 
of the Santa Anita jockey colony 
and Holy Angels School for their 
support of this event, which will 
help bring awareness and funding 
for these programs,” said 
Nancy LaSala, Executive Director 
of the PDJF.

 “Time and again jockeys in the 
United States have never wavered 
in their support of the PDJF,” 
said LaSala. “The participation 
of the Santa Anita jockey colony 
is another example of how these 
athletes, who share in both the 
excitement and danger of this 
sport remain committed to their 
fellow jockeys who are now leading 
much different lives.”

 HRTV’s Kurt Hoover will again 
coach the jockey’s squad and despite 
having been defeated the 
past three years, is optimistic this 
year’s result will be different.

 “If we can field a full-squad and 
pressure Holy Angels from the 
half court line, I think we’ve got 
a good shot,” said Hoover. “If 
we can rotate a steady supply of 
fresh horses, we can keep it close 
and I think we’ll have a good shot 
to win it. We’ve got some really 
good athletes and even though 
Holy Angels is quite a bit bigger, 
we should be able to make 
up for it with good defense and 
intensity.”

Holy Angels vs Jockeys