Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 17, 2011

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 17, 2011 

ANGRY DUARTE RESIDENTS WANT TO BE HEARD!

Classic Cars, Marching Bands, Horses and Dancers to 
Celebrate 85th Anniversary of Route 66 in Duarte

By Joan Schmidt

On September 13th, I attended a Duarte 
City Council Meeting and perhaps “13” was an 
unlucky day for its Mayor and Council Members. 
There was a room full of VERY unhappy residents 
who felt their Council was not listening to them.

 The meeting had started on a positive 
note. The Pledge was led by Interim L.A. County 
Fire Chief, Vince Pena. Mayor Paras-Caracci said 
a few poignant words about the 10th Anniversary 
of 9-11 and a moment of silence followed. 
Various people came to the podium and spoke of 
upcoming events. 

Then Mrs. Kate Perlman from The Duarte 
Library gave a short explanation of the Youth 
Volunteer Program at the Duarte Library 
for youths between 7th and 12th grades. The 
wonderful summer reading program was only 
possible because of these awesome “Volunteens”! 
Many were present and accepted their certificates.

Christy Brendell from Arcadia Methodist 
spoke of an upcoming event and then a special 
Plaque was presented to the Firemen from Station 
144 and Chief Pena. Everyone is grateful for the 
fire-fighting and paramedic services provided.

Then it was time for speakers from the audience. 
First a little background. The proposed project is 
a planned 66-unit affordable housing on nearly 
2.3 acres on Huntington Drive east of Buena Vista 
Street. This project calls for 45 two-bedroom 
apartments and 21 three bedroom apartments 
for lower income families. Last month the City 
Council approved a disposition and development 
agreement between the Housing Authority and 
Abode Communities to build the 2.3 million 
rental housing project. It also approved the first 
of two readings on August 23rd.

There were SO MANY comments against this 
project, but I will take a few from different age 
groups and diverse backgrounds.

Brian di Pina alerted me of this situation prior 
to the meeting. He said that the head of the 
planning commission resigned in protest over 
the City Council trying to push the program 
through.( On July 19, this project had been voted 
down 2-1 at a planning meeting.) That was the 
First red flag! Brian also reminded me of the 
August 23rd City Council Meeting, “ where over 
100 residents showed up, and approximately 60 
spoke out against re zoning from commercial 
to high density residential! After hearing all the 
negative support for the project, the City Council 
voted 4-1 in favor of it.” Second Red Flag.

At the September 13th meeting, a young man, 
Brian Saenz said, “The Council members have 
NOT heard us. Why did the City Planner Quit? 
Why has there been no press re: this project? We 
NEED JOBS in Duarte, not more housing.”

Another gentleman, added, “I moved to 
Duarte, twenty-five years ago. For twenty-five 
years, I have been waiting for a downtown area. 
Do I have to wait another twenty- five years?”

A woman, who has resided in Duarte for forty-
one years, said, the City has gone down. “You get 
off the Freeway. It’s awful. You see Big Lots and 
empty store fronts. We need to bring businesses 
in.”

An elderly gentleman asked the Council, “Are 
you brain dead? The City NEEDS money. Why 
would you spend close to 25 million on a project 
that will bring no profits? Are you sitting on your 
brains?”

One senior citizen said, “I am NOT against low 
income housing. But not here. Businesses would 
bring jobs. Businesses would bring people from 
surrounding cities”. ( A gentleman sitting behind 
me-whose child was recognized for volunteerism 
said the same thing, “I had to drive my kid over 
to Covina – that’s where the restaurant is that he 
wanted to eat at.)

At the September 13th meeting, Brian said, 
“What a farce, you are recognizing our outgoing 
head of the planning commission, did you forget 
he resigned in protest to the abode project you 
have tried to pass through the backdoor without 
telling the residents.” Mr. Di Pina is upset 
because he pays more than “$37,000 in property 
taxes and this project will pay none. You are 
losing $250,000 a year in property taxes and this 
project will pay none. Duarte has no school bus 
program due to lack of funds…”

I have reported what I heard at the meeting. 
All Duarte residents who are upset need to 
ATTEND the meetings. Address the issues(a 2 
minute limit at the last meeting), write letters, do 
research. Find out your options. Good luck. I love 
Duarte, but I feel Route 66 could use some more 
businesses and if a district cannot provide school 
bus service, it should look for ways to bring in 
revenue.

DUARTE, CA, September 14, 2011 – She’s 85 years 
old and folks thought she was done years ago, but 
Mother Road is still kicking and on Saturday, Sept. 24, 
thousands will get their kicks on Route 66 celebrating 
America’s fabled highway in Duarte’s 16th annual Salute 
to Route 66 Parade. 

A colorful cavalcade of antique and classic cars, 
marching bands, equestrian units, dancers and marchers, 
some 1,400 participants in all, will step off promptly 
at 10 a.m. led by NBC4’s Chuck Henry, this year’s 
grand marshal. The parade will travel along a one-mile 
segment of Duarte’s historic Route 66, Huntington Dr., 
from Cotter St. east to Mt. Olive Ave. 

In addition to the many local school, church and 
community groups, the parade also attracts participants 
from throughout Southern California eager to 
share a role in the nation’s only annual parade to celebrate 
Route 66. Among the more than 1,400 participants 
will be seven marching bands from Diamond 
Ranch High School, Pomona; Don Lugo High School, 
Chino; Duarte High School; Rim of the World High 
School, San Bernardino; John Burroughs High School, 
Burbank; San Dimas High School; and Beckman High 
School, Irvine. Equestrian participants will include 
Jann of Sweden, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple 
City Posse, and the Nieto Family Equestrians. Herlinda 
Figueroa’s Ballet Folklorico will perform along the 
parade route as will the Ontario Ovation Baton Twirlers. 
Every Duarte school will be represented in the parade 
as well as scout troops, the Duarte Boxing Club, 
and numerous community organizations.

Known for his versatility, Grand Marshal Chuck 
Henry has been lauded for both his hard news reports 
and for his lighter stories. In addition to his work in 
local news, Henry is the executive producer and host 
of the Emmy award-winning “Travel Café,” a half-hour 
program that examines interesting places, cultures and 
cuisines. Following the parade, Henry will meet the 
community and sign autographs at the Car Show from 
12 noon to 1 p.m. 

The parade will bestow special honors on two longtime, 
dedicated Duarte volunteers. Frank Haynes and 
Dorothy Smith will be honored as Community Grand 
Marshals for their outstanding leadership of the nonprofit 
Duarte Community Service Council which 
provides emergency support and welfare services for 
needy Duarte families. Smith, a 52-year Duarte resident 
has been a volunteer with the Duarte Community 
Service Council since 1993 and has served as president 
since 2000. She also volunteers her time with the Duarte 
Senior Center monthly County food program and 
the Duarte Parks and Recreation Healthy Cities program. 
Haynes, an 18-year resident of Duarte, is treasurer 
of the Duarte Community Services Council and 
has volunteered with the organization since 2004. He 
also serves on the Duarte Public Services Commission, 
and is the current president of the Duarte Community 
Coordinating Committee. 

The parade is co-sponsored by the City of Duarte, 
the Route 66 Parade Committee and the Duarte Community 
Coordinating Council. Business sponsors for 
this year’s parade are: City of Hope, Burrtec Waste, 
California-American Water, Rancheros Restaurant, 
Home Depot, Frontier Hardware, Stor America, Grover 
Manufacturing, 7-11, Simon Rental, Jan’s Towing, 
Bowden Development, Quality Inn, DCTV, Duarte 
Elks Lodge, The Leven Oaks Assisted Living, and Royal 
Oaks Manor. 

Immediately following the parade, the fun will continue 
at the Duarte City Picnic and Classic Car Show 
at Royal Oaks Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrating 
the 54th anniversary of Duarte’s incorporation, 
the picnic will offer a variety of food, craft and game 
booths sponsored by community nonprofit groups, 
a classic car show, and two stages featuring a variety 
of live entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. The main 
Celebration stage will feature performances by Rock 
band, Parkaimoon, and Pop group Colton B & the L.A. 
Hip Kidz with the Rage Crew world champion dance 
group. Youngsters can enjoy a variety of special entertainment 
performed on the Children’s Stage, including 
children’s Pop band, Perfect Opposite, and a show featuring 
Chumis the Clown. A free arts and crafts area 
will be located adjacent to the Children’s Stage, along 
with a mini-carnival area with games for candy prizes, 
and a giant inflatable slide. 

Opened in 1926, Route 66 was the first highway to 
connect Chicago to Los Angeles. It was nicknamed the 
Main Street of America because it passed through the 
heart of communities, including Duarte, for more than 
2,000 miles from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean. 
Route 66 was decommissioned in 1973 when the interstate 
highway was completed, but the love and lore of 
Route 66 lives on. 

For more information about Duarte’s Route 66 
Parade and Classic Car Show, visit the event website, 
www.duarteroute66parade.com, or leave a message at 
(626) 260-0993. For additional information about the 
City Picnic contact Duarte Parks and Recreation at 
(626) 357-7931.

Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven-day period, the Police 
Department handled 546 service events, resulting in 83 
investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted 
issues and events:

Mental Evaluation

On September 2 at 7:13 p.m., officers responded to a 
residence in the 200 block of West Cypress regarding 
a family disturbance. A father was approached by his 
39-year-old son, who asked him for money. The father 
refused and the son threatened to kill him. The father 
then called the police and the son left the residence. 
When officers arrived, the suspect was located 
standing on a corner. The officers approached and the 
suspect began using profanity and threatened to shoot 
the officers. The officers determined the suspect was in 
need of a mental evaluation. The suspect was arrested 
and taken to a hospital where he was held for 72 hour 
mental evaluation.

Barricaded Suspect / Mental Evaluation

On September 2 at 9:58 p.m., officers were 
dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of West 
Duarte Road. A female subject reported that she had 
left her residence after an argument with her husband, 
and upon her return found her husband sitting on 
the living room couch with a shotgun on his lap. 
The suspect made statements which made the victim 
fear for her safety. She fled the residence, leaving her 
husband and two small children in the residence. 
Officers surrounded the residence, and after about 
an hour, were able to establish communication. The 
suspect agreed to exit the residence and was detained 
without further incident. During the investigation, 
the victim began recanting her story and refused 
prosecution. The officers were able to determine the 
suspect was suffering from depression and had mixed 
his medication with alcohol. The subject was taken 
to a hospital, where he was held 72 hours for mental 
evaluation.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoint

On September 2, the Monrovia Police Department 
held a DUI Checkpoint in the 300 block of West 
Huntington during the evening hours. There were 
868 vehicles that drove through the checkpoint. Six 
unlicensed drivers were cited and two vehicles were 
towed. No arrests were made for driving under the 
influence.

Warrant Arrest / Possession of Methamphetamine - 
Suspect Arrested

On September 4 at 1:09 p.m., an officer stopped a 
vehicle at Myrtle and Chestnut for driving with a 
flat tire. He recognized the driver as an associate of 
a suspect he arrested two weeks prior for grand theft 
auto. One of the passengers had a warrant for their 
arrest. When he removed this subject from the vehicle, 
the officer discovered the subject was sitting on a small 
baggie of methamphetamine. The subject admitted the 
drugs were his and he was arrested without incident.

Theft of Merchandise - Suspect Arrested

On September 4 at 4:07 p.m., a detective responded 
to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington 
where a theft of merchandise had just occurred and the 
suspect fled the store running. The detective arrived 
quickly and apprehended the suspect. He was arrested 
and taken into custody without incident.

Felony Hit and Run Traffic Collision - Suspect 
Arrested

On September 4 at 4:32 p.m., a male driver collided 
into another vehicle in the 500 block of West Colorado. 
The second vehicle flipped on its side, causing injuries 
to the occupants. The suspect fled the scene, but was 
located by the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter 
in the 1600 block of South Mayflower. The suspect 
was apprehended by officers. Witnesses positively 
identified him as the suspect and he was arrested.

Indecent Exposure - Suspect Arrested

On September 4 at 5:48 p.m., a male subject was seen 
masturbating inside his parked vehicle in the 700 block 
of East Lemon, next to a park. Officers responded, 
detained the suspect, and removed him from the 
vehicle. A witness positively identified the suspect and 
he was arrested.

Burglary Suspect Arrest

On September 4 at 11:30 p.m., the Pasadena Police 
Department requested to have Monrovia officers 
drive by and search for a stolen vehicle in the 500 
block of Fano. A male suspect had burglarized a home 
in Pasadena and had stolen the victim’s truck. The 
burglary/grand theft auto was witnessed by the victim’s 
neighbor. A Monrovia sergeant drove by the location 
and saw the victim’s truck parked and unoccupied. 
He monitored the vehicle, pending Pasadena Police 
Department’s arrival. Before Pasadena officers 
arrived, a male subject entered the truck and left the 
location. The sergeant conducted a high-risk stop 
on the vehicle and detained the driver. The victim’s 
neighbor positively identified the driver as the suspect. 
Pasadena officers recovered the victim’s vehicle, some 
stolen property, and they took custody of the suspect.

Residential Burglary

On September 6 at 9:17 a.m., an officer was 
dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of East 
Walnut regarding a burglary. The victim left his 
residence to go to breakfast for an hour, and when 
he returned, he found the front door had been forced 
open. The suspect(s) ransacked the second floor rooms 
and took a laptop computer, a cell phone, and hair 
clippers. Investigation continuing.

Welfare Check / Mental Evaluation

On September 6 at 9:51 a.m., a worker for Meals on 
Wheels called police and requested a welfare check 
regarding possible elder abuse at a residence in the 100 
block of North Alta Vista. The resident was found to be 
a 95-year-old female who lives alone and doesn’t have 
any family, other than a 14-year-old grandson. Her 
phone was disconnected; she has not been eating and 
was not taking her prescriptions. The elderly female 
complained of not feeling well to the officer. Monrovia 
Fire Department paramedics were called and she was 
taken to a hospital. When medically stable, she will be 
taken to a hospital for mental evaluation. The officer 
will follow up with Adult Protective Services.

Residential Burglary

On September 6 at 3:36 p.m., a victim reported 
a residential burglary in the 200 block of North 
Bradoaks. She left her residence at about 1 p.m., and 
when she returned, she found the front door slightly 
open and called police. It appears the suspect(s) pried 
open a window on the rear kitchen door to make 
entry. They rummaged through the house and took a 
jewelry box from the master bedroom. It is unknown 
if anything else was taken. Investigation continuing.

Domestic Violence

On September 6 at 3:47 p.m., officers responded to 
the 600 block of West Huntington regarding a male 
and female arguing. When they arrived, the female 
subject denied that anything had occurred, but 
officers observed a red mark on her throat/neckline. A 
computer check showed the female had an outstanding 
warrant and she was arrested. The male subject was 
released. During the booking process at the station, an 
officer recognized the female from a previous domestic 
violence incident in which she also denied any abuse. 
When questioned again, the female divulged that 
the male subject had, in fact, assaulted her. A wanted 
person’s entry was completed for the male suspect. 
Investigation continuing.

Wildlife Informational Meeting

On September 7, a wildlife informational meeting 
was held at the Monrovia Community Center. A 
biologist from the Department of Fish and Game 
provided information on living and dealing with local 
wildlife, such as deer, coyotes, bears, and mountain 
lions. During summer and fall months, police receive 
the highest volume of calls for bear sightings. On 
September 6 we also had a mountain lion sighted up on 
Hidden Valley. Approximately 30 residents attended 
the meeting, which was also filmed by KGEM to be 
viewed later by citizens. Visit the City of Monrovia 
website to get information on dealing and living with 
wildlife.

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

On September 7 at 12:12 p.m., a business in the 
500 block of West Huntington reported that they 
had detained two female subjects for shoplifting. 
The females had exited the store with merchandise, 
but were detained and escorted back into the store. 
Officers responded and determined the females had 
intended to go into the store and steal merchandise. 
They were arrested and booked for burglary.

Vehicle Burglary

On September 7 at 8:18 p.m., a vehicle burglary 
was reported in the 1100 block of East Huntington. 
The victim parked and went into a restaurant at 
approximately 7 p.m. When he returned to the parking 
lot an hour later, he discovered someone had forced his 
rear window down to gain entry into his vehicle and 
had stolen the stereo. Investigation continuing.


INAUGURAL DAY FOR A NEW SCHOOL


The 2011-2012 school year is getting underway 
at campuses acrossthe southland and students are 
packing up their backpacks and heading to their 
classrooms. For 133pre-school through 8th grade 
students in the San Gabriel Valley, the school they 
will be attending is the brand new Foothill Oaks 
Academy, located along the foothills in Duarte. 
On September 7th the school officially opened 
its doors and welcomed the enthusiastic new 
families to the campus. Foothill Oaks Academy is 
a creation of two former, well-established schools 
in the region, Anita Oaks School and Carden 
of the Foothills School. Combining two rich 
heritages and drawing from the finest programs 
and attributes of both schools, 

Foothill Oaks Academy is proud to be providing 
its students a quality academic program along 
with a full series of enrichment courses, including 
technology, music,drama, art, foreign language, 
physical education, after-school clubs and sports, 
and “beyond the classroom” educational trips. 

The school is dedicated to educating the whole 
child, providing children with a well-rounded 
education and moral and ethical guidance to 
meet life’s challenges.Foothill Oaks Academy 
would welcome the opportunity to share 
information and have families and members of 
the community tour the school. Two Campus 
Tours Days are scheduled for November 17, 2011 
and December 1, 2011. In addition, individual 
tours can be scheduled by calling (626) 301-9809.

Learn more about the school by visiting the 
website, www.foothilloaksacademy.org 

City of Monrovia Department of Community Services 
MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY 
321 South Myrtle Avenue . 626.256.8274 
www.monroviapubliclibrary.org 
Sponsored by 
Saturday, September 24 
2:00 p.m. 
Library Community Room 
FREE 
Reserve at the Adult Reference Desk, 
call 626-256-8274 or sign up online at 
monroviapubliclibrary.org 
Walk-ins welcome. 
Author Carlos Manuel Salomon discusses his 
biography of the two-time governor of Alta 
California, Pio Pico, who fought in vain to save 
his territory from being annexed by the United 
States. 
Dr. Salomon is an assistant professor of Ethnic 
Studies and director of the Latin American 
Studies Program at California State University, 
East Bay. 
Pio Pico: Last Governor of Mexican California 
with author Carlos Manuel Salomon 
Book signing and sales after the 
program, with net proceeds 
providing scholarships for 
Monrovia High School Seniors.