Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 12, 2011

6


Mountain Views News Saturday, February 12, 2011

Hearing on Duarte’s Lawsuit Against 
Vulcan Mining Expansion Postponed 

Monrovia’s City Manager Speaks:

LEGISLATURE BEGINS HEARINGS ON 
REDEVELOPMENT

DUARTE, CA February 8, 
2011 - The first hearing on the 
City of Duarte lawsuit against 
the City of Azusa, challenging 
Azusa’s approval of the Vulcan 
Materials mining expansion 
project scheduled for February 
15, has been postponed until 
March 24. Duarte received 
notice in late January from 
Superior Court indicating that 
the Duarte v. Azusa matter 
was being reassigned to a new 
department and judge. Duarte’s 
lawsuit was originally filed on 
August 3, 2010.

Duarte’s lawsuit seeks to 
overturn the Azusa City 
Council’s certification of the 
Final Environment Impact 
Report as well as its approval 
of Vulcan’s entitlements for the 
mining expansion project due 
to the Azusa City Council’s 
violations of the Brown Act, 
California’s “open meeting” law.

Duarte’s opening brief, filed on 
December 15, 2010, exposes 
Azusa’s numerous violations of 
the California Environmental 
Quality Act, including that 
Azusa’s analysis of air quality 
impacts from blasting and 
trucking activities was deficient; 
that Azusa ignored the South 
Coast Air Quality Management 
Board’s direction on the location 
and number of air monitoring 
stations, that Azusa proposed 
a public trail be located in the 
middle of a protected habitat 
without environmental analysis, 
and that Azusa failed to impose 
any mitigation measures for 
potential liquefaction impacts.

Duarte’s lawsuit also alleges the 
Azusa City Council violated 
the Ralph M. Brown Act, 
California’s “open meeting” 
law in multiple ways when 
the Azusa Council took a 
series of illegal procedural 
steps leading to its approval of 
Vulcan’s Amended Conditional 
Use Permit (CUP) and the 
Development Agreement. 
Additionally, Duarte’s lawsuit 
alleges the Azusa City Council’s 
actions approving the Vulcan 
mining expansion project 
violated Azusa’s own Municipal 
Code and the Development 
Agreement law. Vulcan and 
the City of Azusa submitted 
opposition briefs on January 
14, 2011 and the City of Duarte 
submitted its final reply brief to 
the court on February 3, 2011.

As approved by the Azusa City 
Council, the Vulcan mining 
expansion project is poised to 
destroy Van Tassel Ridge as 
Vulcan plans to extract 105.6 
million tons of aggregate from 
the mountain between now and 
2038. Over that same period, 
the City of Azusa stands to 
make more than $65 million 
in mining fees and incentives 
from Vulcan at the expense of 
its neighbors in Duarte.

For more information about the 
City of Duarte’s Fight Against 
Vulcan Expansion, call Duarte 
Deputy City Manager, Karen 
Herrera at (626) 357-7931, ext. 
221. 

This week, the Legislature 
convened hearings in various 
committees regarding 
the Governor's proposed 
elimination of redevelopment 
as part of his FY 2011-
2012 budget. Cities and redevelopment 
agencies up 
and down the State are participating 
in the hearings, 
thanks to the organization 
and facilitation of the League 
of California Cities and the 
California Redevelopment 
Association.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz is 
scheduled to testify before 
the Senate Local Government 
Committee next 
Wednesday. Though only 
allotted a brief period to 
speak about this critically 
important matter, Mayor 
Lutz will surely convey the 
unique and tailored profile 
of Monrovia's redevelopment 
program. Given the 
State's talking-point that redevelopment 
programs have 
already served their purpose 
and now deserve to be retired 
(as opposed to flatly 
stating that this is a money 
grab by Sacramento), Mayor 
Lutz will cover a few key 
points. Specifically, that:

• The economy is cyclical. 
We have just endured 
the most massive economic 
downturn since the Great 
Depression. Yet we will linger 
in the lapping waves of 
a modest recovery until citizens, 
consumers and investors 
can be convinced that 
the worst is behind us. There 
is no tool currently in the 
State of California's arsenal - 
nor is there one credibly proposed 
- that can spur investment 
and value creation like 
redevelopment. Whether it 
is a $28 million apartment 
building in Monrovia or a 
$1.3 billion NFL stadium in 
LA, redevelopment is a catalyst 
for job growth. Contrary 
to the Governor's proposal, 
the State needs vibrant and 
dynamic redevelopment like 
never before. 

• Redevelopment is 
evolving. In built-out cities 
such as Monrovia, traditional 
redevelopment is often 
difficult and increasingly 
infeasible. By "traditional 
redevelopment" I mean the 
assembly of a project site, 
and then the sale of the site 
to a private developer (often 
at a discounted price to spur 
the development along). Today, 
with resources already 
scarce, we can only afford 
a handful of these types of 
projects over a period of 
years; we need to be strategic 
in the investments the 
Agency makes directly. On 
the positive side, this has allowed 
redevelopment to mature 
into an "economic development" 
model - whereby 
we are facilitating, brokering, 
marketing and promoting 
projects in Monrovia. Similarly, 
in the arena of housing 
and neighborhood preservation, 
this transition has given 
rise to the MAP program 
and the creation of sustainable 
community-building 
efforts that help ensure that 
we don't simply spend the 
same money twice trying to 
address long-term and vexing 
issues. Redevelopment is 
dynamic and well-executed, 
and continues to positively 
impact communities. 

• Redevelopment creates 
value and opportunity. 
Very often, redevelopment 
is viewed as simply putting 
money into "fat-cat" developers' 
pockets. I suppose 
that is one way to view it; 
however, when conducted 
appropriately, this equation 
is actually inverted - that 
is, the community takes the 
investment from the private 
developer and leverages it 
in order to benefit the entire 
community. From new infrastructure 
improvements that 
a city might not be able to afford 
on its own, to new shopping 
and dining amenities 
that local residents want and 
appreciate, to the increased 
property and sales tax revenues 
generated which pay 
for more municipal services, 
redevelopment maximizes 
opportunities and leverages 
value. 

Hopefully, these hearings 
will allow Legislators - many 
of whom are former city 
councilmembers - to remember 
the sting of State 
raids for the last 20 years. 
Hopefully, they will recall 
the absolute necessity of 
functional governance at 
the local level. And, hopefully, 
they will see the bigger 
picture.

California Government: A New Legislature 
and Judicial Branch - For A Weekend

What if the State government were run by teens? It soon will be when 2,000 teen 
YMCA Youth and Government delegates, including 13 from Monrovia and Duarte, 
take over the state capitol offices during President’s Day weekend.


Movie Night - The Friends of 
the Monrovia Public Library 
are sponsoring a Monday Night 
Movie perfect for the whole 
family on Monday, February 
14, at 6:30 p.m. We can’t give 
the exact title, but we can tell 
you, it features a boy, a bear, a 
black panther, and an especially 
mean tiger. For additional information 
please call the Library 
at (626) 256-8274.

Youth Sports Program - The 
second league games for the 
Youth Sports Basketball Program 
were played on Wednesday, 
February 2, at the Santa 
Anita Family YMCA. The first 
game of the day featured the 
Mayflower Mariners versus the 
Bradoaks Bobcats. Bradoaks 
had a commanding half-time 
lead of 24-10. In the second 
half, Mayflower stormed back, 
but eventually lost 39-37 on a 
last second missed shot that 
could have tied the game. The 
second game was played between 
the Wild Rose Bears and 
the Monroe Lions. Wild Rose 
got off to an early lead and remained 
hot for the entire game, 
winning 60-8. All teams will be 
back in action next Wednesday, 
February 9. Cheer teams 
performed at half-time, and 
are preparing for their first 
Cheer Competition coming 
up on Wednesday, February 9. 
The Cheer Competition will be 
based around a dance routine. 
Youth Sports registration is 
still available at the Monrovia 
Community Center located at 
119 West Palm Avenue, and 
is on a first come, first served 
basis. For additional information 
regarding the Youth Sports 
Program please call the Department 
of Community Services at 
(626) 256-8246. 

Senior Stretch Class - Seniors 
are invited to the Monrovia 
Community Center to attend 
a weekly stretching class. The 
classes are $2 per class, and held 
every Monday at 1:00 p.m. This 
program is designed to increase 
strength and range of motion 
by using isometrics, yoga, tai 
chi, and balance exercises, including 
breathing techniques. 
We encourage participants to 
wear comfortable clothing and 
bring a towel. For additional 
information please call the Department 
of Community Services 
at (626) 256-8246.

Monrovia Senior Stompers - 
Watch out Monrovia! We’re 
putting on our walking shoes 
and heading your way! We 
meet at the Community Center 
each Friday at 9:00 a.m. for 
a half-hour senior stretch, and 
then we start walking! This free 
program is offered to all seniors 
and active adults! For additional 
information please call 
the Department of Community 
Services at (626) 256-8246.

Monrovia Community Center 
Closure - The Monrovia Community 
Center will be closed on 
Monday, February 21, in observance 
of President’s Day.

Around Monrovia

Santa Anita Family YMCA Youth and Government delegates will be heading to Sacramento for 
President’s Day weekend to participate in the 63rd annual YMCA Model Legislature and Court 
Program. The Monrovia and Duarte high school students from left, top row: Saul DeNova, Kevin 
Romero, Alexandra Sanchez, David Worden, David Pena, Carlos Rosa, and Christian Rodriguez. 
From left, bottom row: Mary Kenz, Katherine Madrid, Tylen Kelly, Katherine Barrera, and Sughra 
Sharafat. (not pictured) Haydee Velazquez.

FEED THE CHILDREN AND AVON PARTNER WITH 
FOOTHILL UNITY CENTER

800 of Foothill Unity Center’s families have received vouchers for a special food, personal care products 
and Avon package distribution this Saturday, February 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Avon 
distribution center, 2940 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena. The event is the latest stop on Feed The 
Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which has helped families across the country in 
cities that have been affected by the nation’s economic downturn. Feed The Children and its partners 
are moving semi tractor-trailers loaded with food, essentials/personal care items, and Avon products 
from coast to coast to give help and hope to people in need. 

Each family will receive a 25-pound box of food, a 10-pound box of personal care items and a box of 
Avon products — enough to help a family for up to one week. Avon, a valued partner of the Caravan, 
has provided more than 250,000 boxes of Avon products to families in need across the United States 
since the program began in 2009. The boxes help provide hope, self-esteem and self-confidence that 
empowers women to build strong futures for their families. 

“This is a wonderful bonus for our low-income families. Our clients are challenged to put food on 
their table, pay the rent or buy medications,” said Tashera Taylor, Foothill Unity Center’s Client Services 
Manager. “As they struggle to cover all the day-to-day costs they might once have been able to 
handle, they find themselves choosing between paying bills and buying groceries. It can be hard for 
people to turn to us for help to make ends meet. As we treat every client with love and dignity, they 
soon realize there’s no shame in asking for a hand up.”

About Foothill Unity Center 

Founded in 1980, Foothill Unity Center is among the most respected and effective local nonprofits organizations 
in Southern California. It was designated the Community Action Agency for the Foothill Area in 2008. In 2010, 
the Center distributed nearly four million pounds of food to 4,608 unduplicated very low-income families in 
Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte, Sierra Madre, Bradbury, Baldwin Park, Irwindale, 
and Azusa. In 2011 the need remains constant as the economy stagnates. The Center’s vital assistance truly 
helps those in crisis become self-sufficient again. For more information, visit foothillunitycenter.org.

About Feed The Children

Founded in 1979, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the 10 largest international charities in 
the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Feed The Children is a Christian, international, nonprofit 
relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that delivers food, medicine, clothing and 
other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or 
natural disasters. In FY 2009, Feed The Children distributed more than 111 million pounds of food and other 
essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally. Since its founding, the organization 
has reached out to help those in need in 119 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit www.
feedthechildren.org.

Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 470 service events, resulting in 87 investigations. 
Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Tampering - Suspect Arrested

On January 27 at 11:19 p.m., a resident was driving home on Sunset Place and observed a male subject 
in dark clothing hide behind a car. He proceeded to his driveway and parked, where he continued to 
observe the suspect. He saw the suspect walk into the driveway he was parked in and enter his roommate's 
unlocked car about 10 feet away. The resident exited his car and detained the suspect until 
officers arrived. The suspect had not yet taken anything from the car; however, his criminal history 
indicated he had numerous theft-related arrests in the last 30 days. He was held pending his court appearance 
due to the likelihood of reoccurrence.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On January 28, officers conducted a traffic stop behind a night club in the 300 block of South Myrtle. 
The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested. The driver saw a police 
car heading north on Myrtle and tried to avoid the officer, not realizing another officer was following 
him.

Residential Burglary - Suspects Arrested

On January 29 at 7:03 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Montana regarding 
two male suspects that had gone into the resident's garage and had taken her weight machine. She last 
saw the men at Myrtle and Montana pushing a shopping cart. Officers responded and located one of 
the suspects. Computer checks revealed he was in violation of his parole for burglary. He was arrested. 
The second suspect was located later and was also arrested. The weight machine was returned to the 
victim, but the weights are still outstanding.

Domestic Abuse - Suspect Arrested

On January 29 at 11:50 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of Monterey regarding 
a female subject that was hit by her live-in boyfriend and was having chest pains. Officers responded 
and located both subjects in the apartment. Both subjects are deaf, but officers were able to communicate 
with the assistance of a video translator the couple has in their apartment. The female had a bruise 
on her chest and was taken to a hospital for chest pains. The male subject was arrested and booked. 
The officer obtained an Emergency Protective Order and the male subject was served with the order.

Violation of Court Order - Suspect Arrested

On January 29 at 2:26 p.m., a female subject came to the police station to report her husband was in 
their house in violation of a court order. The female was battered the previous night and her husband 
had been arrested. An Emergency Protective Order had been obtained and the husband had been 
served. The husband returned to the house and entered through a window and got into bed. Officers 
responded to the residence and found the husband asleep. He was taken into custody and held for the 
likelihood of reoccurrence.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery

On February 2 at 12:06 p.m., an officer was sent to the 1600 block of South Shamrock regarding a 
suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, a male subject fled from the passenger seat of the vehicle and ran. 
An area search was conducted, but he was not located or identified. A female occupant was detained, 
pending further investigation. The rear license plate did not match the front license plate, which belonged 
to the vehicle. A DMV computer check revealed the vehicle was reported stolen from the City 
of San Dimas. Further investigation led officers to believe the female occupant did not have knowledge 
of the vehicle being stolen. She was identified and released. The vehicle was recovered. The male 
suspect is described as five-foot seven-inches, 160 pounds, shaved head, wearing a gray shirt and blue 
jeans. The investigation is continuing.

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