Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 23, 2011

6

Mountain Views News Saturday, April 23, 2011


City to Celebrate 
Improvements at Otis 
Gordon Sports Park

 It’s a potty party. A grand opening and ribbon 
cutting will celebrate the newly completed 
restrooms at Otis Gordon Sports Park in 
Duarte. The festivities, Thursday, April 28, at 
8:30 a.m., will be followed by the opening day 
softball game between the Duarte 66ers and 
Duarte D-Crew teams.

 “Yes, in Duarte we celebrate everything, 
especially new community facilities made 
possible with the help of grant funds,” said Parks 
and Recreation Director, Donna Georgino.

 The project was funded utilizing a 
portion of a $220,000 grant from the State 
of California 2002 Resources Bond Act. 
Installation of the prefabricated restroom facility 
at Otis Gordon Sports Park cost $130,000. Last 
year, the City utilized $50,000 of the grant to 
replace old playground equipment at Andres 
Duarte Satellite Park with new equipment that 
meets State and Federal guidelines for safety 
and accessibility.

 The community has long awaited the 
installation of permanent restroom facilities at 
Otis Gordon Sports Park. In 1995, the City of 
Duarte applied and received a $500,000 grant 
to renovate the sports field at Mt. Olive High 
School, later renamed Otis Gordon Sports Park, 
and the field at Andres Duarte Elementary 
School. But the grant funding was not adequate 
enough to allow for restrooms to be constructed. 
Up until now, park users have had to rely on 
portable facilities at the site provided by the 
City, an arrangement that Georgino notes has 
been less than desirable.

 Otis Gordon Sports Park is one of the 
City of Duarte’s most popular and well-used 
parks. The five-acre park is used by senior 
citizens for their softball league, and by the 
Recreation Department for the summer t-ball 
league and spring youth mini soccer. The sports 
park is also the home of the City’s adult softball 
program, and is used by many outside groups 
including DYAC, the Hawks, and Anita Oaks 
School. The park is also available for rent by 
other organizations and individuals. 

Monrovia Incumbents 

Survive Challenges

from the Desk of the City Manager, Scott Ochoa

 

 Tuesday's general municipal election was executed without any 
real complexity or controversy. Indeed, the only drama arose 
when confusion developed on the day after the election - the City 
Clerk's chart of unofficial results listed "ballots cast" as well as 
"votes cast." Essentially, because we have so many voters opting 
to exercise a vote-by-mail (VBM) option, the City Clerk disseminates 
thousands of ballots in the weeks prior to the election. As 
reported, the turnout for this election - both VBM and precinct 
walk-ins - was very low, at 13.6%. This turnout rate translates into 
2,682 votes cast - meaning that only 984 voters went to the polls 
and only ,1698 of the VBM voters actually mailed in their ballots.

 The confusion arose when the City Clerk's chart led some to 
mistakenly believe that there were still VBM cast ballots floating 
around that had not been counted (listing the total VBMs mailed 
out as ballots "cast," as opposed to ballots "distributed" or "disseminated"). 
By Wednesday afternoon, the City Clerk changed 
the terminology the confusion was abated.

 As far as the preliminary election results, Mayor Mary Ann 
Lutz - running unopposed - received 2,295 votes, Councilwoman 
Becky Shevlin received 1,936 votes, and Councilman Tom Adams 
received 1,615 votes. Congratulations to these returning community 
leaders; and thanks and best wishes to the other three 
Monrovians who appeared on the ballot. It takes conviction and 
courage to put your name on a ballot and ask folks to judge your 
message and platform.

 I believe this election, both the outcome and the turn-out rate, 
are indications of the community's overall satisfaction with Monrovia's 
trajectory and prospects.


WATER DISTRICT GRANT FUNDS DUARTE’S 2011

GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE WEEK APRIL 18-21

The City of Duarte and Duarte’s Promise – 

The Alliance for Youth will celebrate Global Youth Service Week April 18-21 with 
a series of four school based beautification projects with the help of a $1,500 grant 
from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (USGVMWD). 

 Under the leadership of Duarte’s Promise – The Alliance 
for Youth, students from various Duarte Unified School District’s programs and 
campuses including Think Together, leadership classes, Beardslee, Valley View, 
and Maxwell elementary schools, and Northview Intermediate School, will plant 
drought tolerant and native plant gardens on their respective campuses. The plant 
species and gardens were selected and designed by David Karp, an instructor at 
Mt. Olive alternative school who heads the award winning Mount Olive Outdoor 
School Experience (MOOSE) program. 

 Global Youth Service Week is one of a number of volunteer programs 
and events sponsored by Duarte’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth. In 2000, 
Duarte was officially named an America’s Promise “Community of Promise.” 
Since then, more than 200 Duarte and other local businesses, organizations, 
individuals, government, schools, and communities of faith have partnered in 
a commitment to ensure that the needs of young people are served through five 
promises: ongoing relationships with caring adults – parents, mentors, tutors, 
coaches, safe places and structured activities during non-school hours, a healthy 
start and future, marketable skills through effective education, and opportunities 
for youth to give back through community service. 

For more information on how to participate in this or other efforts, contact (626) 
357-7931 ext. 267. 

HARLEM AMBASSADORS SHOW 
BASKETBALL TEAM TO TAKE ON 
DUARTE ROUTE 66’ERS FOR CHARITY, 
APRIL 30

High-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks and 
hilarious comedy routines are in store when the Harlem 
Ambassadors bring their unique brand of Harlem-style 
basketball to town to take on the Duarte Route 66’ers on 
Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Duarte High School 
Gym.

 “It’s going to be a great night of fun for the 
community,” said Frank Haynes, event chair. “The Harlem 
Ambassadors are legendary for putting on a great show 
with non-stop laughs that the entire family can enjoy. 
Providing the other half of the entertainment will be the 
Duarte Route 66’ers, featuring the athletic prowess of team 
players that will include Duarte City Manager, Darrell 
George; Mayor Tzeitel Paras-Caracci; Council Member 
Margaret Finlay; Mount Olive High School principal, 
Kevin Morris, and Duarte High School principal, Eric 
Barba. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Duarte 
Community Service Council to assist needy families in 
the Duarte community, and is co-sponsored by the Santa 
Anita Family YMCA, and the City of Duarte.

Tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities are available 
ranging from $100 as a Friend of the Duarte Community 
Service Council to $2,500 to be the Event Sponsor. 

 Tickets for the basketball show are on sale in advance 
from the Duarte City Hall, Senior Center and Teen Center, 
the Duarte Chamber of Commerce and online at www.
duartechamber.com, and the Duarte Elks Lodge. Ticket 
prices are $9 in advance, $10 at the door for senior citizens 
and students, 12 years of age; $11 in advance and $12 at the 
door for adults. Children 3 years of age and under are free.

For more information or to become an event sponsor, 
email DCSC at dcscouncil@charter.net or call Frank 
Haynes at (626) 303-7191 or Dorothy Smith at (626) 359-
9487.

Monrovia Police Blotter

DUARTE COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP 
AND E WASTE ROUND-UP MAY 7

 In the spirit of keeping Duarte beautiful, the bi-
annual Duarte Community Clean-up Day and 
E-Waste Round-Up will be held on Saturday, May 7.

 Residents are encouraged to use the day to spruce 
up their own personal property by taking advantage 
of the various free services. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 
Duarte’s licensed trash hauler, Burrtec Waste 
Industries will provide two convenient drop-off 
locations where residents can dispose of large refuse 
items and e-waste. The locations are Duarte City 
Hall at 1600 Huntington Dr. and at the former Buena 
Vista Pavilion site, 2144 Buena Vista St.So. Cal 
Edison will sponsor a refrigerator/freezer collection 
on the same day. Schedule pick-up by calling (800) 
234-9722. 

 For more information about how to participate in 
the Duarte Community Clean-Up day and E-Waste 
Round-Up, call Duarte City Hall at (626) 357-
7931, ext. 221 or visit the City’s website at www.
accessduarte.com.

The Monrovia Police Department's classes for the Formative Years Project are scheduled to begin 
May 5. The Formative Years Project is a program aimed at parents and their children, grades 1 
through 3, and introduces important life values and skills to children at an early age. Providing this 
training when children are young begins the process of building healthy and safe practices that can 
set the stage for a lifetime of success and healthy living. Topics include bullying, media influence on 
children, internet safety, child personal safety and gang and drug awareness. For information and 
class reservations, call (626) 256-8098.

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 499 service events, resulting in 99 
investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Vehicle Burglary

On April 7 at 7:49 a.m., an officer responded to the report of a vehicle burglary in the 900 block of 
Diamond. The victim had parked her vehicle in the driveway the evening before, locked it and set 
the alarm. She returned to her vehicle in the morning and found the left rear window shattered. She 
never heard the alarm activate; however, she did hear a vehicle speed away around 4 a.m., but did not 
think anything of it. The items taken were a computer, a DVD player, and a black wallet and purse.

Residential Burglary

On April 7 at 11:25 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Lemon regarding a burglary. 
The victim reported that someone broke into his garage overnight. The suspect(s) used some 
type of pry tool to force open the east door of the unattached studio. It is unknown if anything was 
taken.

Vehicle Burglary

On April 7 at 11:30 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Pilgrim on a vehicle 
burglary report. The victim reported that his vehicle was broken into during the night. The 
suspect(s) broke the right front passenger window, reached in and removed a radar detector from 
the windshield, where it had been attached.

Residential Burglary

On April 7 at 1:56 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Shamrock on a residential 
burglary report. The victim believed his house was broken into between 8 a.m. and 1:55 p.m. The 
officer checked the property and determined the suspect(s) made entry through a closet window. 
He checked the window and noted the locking mechanism was loose and he wiggled it open. The 
suspect(s) left through the side kitchen door.

Vehicle Burglary

On April 8 at 6:44 a.m., an officer went to the 1200 block of South Magnolia regarding a vehicle 
burglary. The victim had parked his vehicle across the street from his residence in the evening and 
secured it. He returned in the morning and found the driver side door was unlocked and the interior 
was ransacked. He checked the trunk and discovered his stereo amplifier and subwoofer were missing. 
The vehicle does not have an alarm and there were no signs of forced entry.

Grand Theft

On April 8 at 2:18 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut on a grand theft 
report. The victim is a gardener and had parked his truck, leaving his gardening tools in the truck. 
While he was busy working on a client's house, the suspect(s) removed his equipment and loaded it 
onto their truck, a white, four-door, crew cab, 2007-2009, Chevrolet Silverado. The suspect vehicle 
fled southbound on California from the location.

Fight / Officer Injured

On April 10 at 1:30 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a fight in progress in front of a business in 
the 300 block of South Myrtle and immediately requested additional officers to respond. During the 
course of restoring order, officers encountered a combative male suspect and his female associate 
who would not comply with their orders to disburse. Officers used their pepper spray on the suspects 
and they were detained and arrested. As the officers were attempting to put the male suspect into the 
back seat of the police vehicle, he continued to struggle and resist. During the struggle, one of the 
officers received minor injury to his hand. 

Traffic Collision / Vehicle vs. Child

On April 10 at 12:22 p.m., a family looking to rent an apartment in the area of Magnolia and Linwood 
became distracted and their two year old child wandered off. The boy ran between two parked 
cars and into the street. He was struck by a vehicle and sustained abrasions and bruises over his entire 
body. He was conscious and crying when officers arrived and was taken to a hospital.

Outside Assist - Torrance Police Department

On April 11 at 8:42 p.m., Monrovia Police Department received a Department of Child and Family 
Services referral and contacted the reporting party by telephone, since she did not reside in Monrovia. 
Officers learned the victim was at Torrance Police Department filing a report, since the crime 
occurred in that city during 2006 to 2008. The investigating detective informed Monrovia Police Department 
of possible additional victims living in Monrovia at a residence in the 800 block of South 
Canyon. Officers responded to the location to conduct a welfare check and discovered the possible 
victims did not reside at the location, but the suspect did. Torrance Police Department requested we 
arrest the suspect. The suspect was arrested and Torrance Police Department responded to take him 
into custody for multiple sex crime offenses. The investigation is continuing.


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