Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 1, 2011

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Mountain Views News Saturday, October 1, 2011

STATE SUPREME COURT DENIES MOTION TO LIFT STAY

HRTV TO OFFER LIVE SANTA ANITA RACES AS PART 
OF FREE VIEW ON HRTV.COM WHEN AUTUMN MEET 
BEGINS 

by Scott Ochoa, City Manager

 Last week, we received the disappointing news 
that the California Supreme Court would not lift 
its stay order on redevelopment agencies such 
as Monrovia, which have adopted the requisite 
“Continuation Ordinances” indicating our 
willingness to pay the State’s ransom if only to 
get much-needed infrastructure and economic 
development projects underway.

 The California Redevelopment Association and 
the League of California Cities filed the motion 
asking the Court to release cities from the stay if 
those cities had in fact adopted the continuation 
ordinances; the idea being that the State would 
not suffer any injury because, if AB 26 and 27 
were upheld by the Court, the cities had already 
agreed to pay. Conversely, if the Court strikes 
down the Governor’s anti-redevelopment bills, 
then the cities would not be forced to pay. In any 
event, there is no jeopardy for the State’s coffers - 
if the Court rules in their favor in January 2012, 
they get the money; if not, then they never had a 
claim to it in the first place.

 Alas, the Court decided it would leave everything 
status quo until it rules this winter.

The specific impact for Monrovia - and the region 
- is that the City Council/Redevelopment Agency 
Board’s consideration of the purchase and sale 
agreement (PSA) for the proposed Gold Line 
Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Facility 
is stalled until the ruling is rendered. This, in 
turn, means that the Gold Line Construction 
Authority - which has already approved the 
PSA - cannot advance the construction of the 
main alignment of the light rail line because they 
need at least 50% of the proposed M&O Facility 
property before METRO will release the bulk of 
their funding.

 Thus, we are forced to wait out the Court’s 
decision. Again, the Court has committed to 
rendering a decision not later than January 
15, 2012. Still, presuming that the Legislature 
returns to Sacramento this fall in a special session 
to begin addressing the State’s current fiscal year 
budget - which is reportedly $4 to 5 billion out 
of whack already - we will again try for special 
legislation that will protect Monrovia’s interests 
in light of these complex and volatile factors.

HRTV has announced 
that free, live video 
streaming will be available 
for the duration of Santa 
Anita’s 2011 Autumn 
Meet on its website, 
HRTV.com. Santa Anita’s 
Autumn Meet runs from 
Sept. 30 through Nov. 6.

“We are very pleased to 
offer a free preview of our 
HRTV programming and 
to showcase world class 
racing at Santa Anita this 
fall,” said HRTV President 
Scott Daruty. “Racing 
fans around the world 
can now watch the Santa 
Anita Autumn Meet 
on-line, in addition to it 
being available on Dish 
Network, AT & T Uverse and Verizon’s FIOS 
service, as well as on select cable systems across 
the country.”

HRTV, “The Network For Horse Sports,” has a 
stable full of the racing industry’s most respected 
analysts, exclusive interviews and award-
winning documentaries. The production and 
programming is dedicated to bringing viewers 
the story of the horse and those who love them.

In addition to Santa Anita, HRTV also carries 
live racing from Arlington Park, Churchill 
Downs, Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Golden 
Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, NYRA, and other 
tracks throughout North America. Live racing is 
also available on a selected basis from European 
tracks such as Doncaster and Newmarket in

 Great Britain and Longchamp in France.

Additionally, HRTV has broadened its 
programming to include championship 
equestrian events from both the English 
and Western horse sports world, as well as 
programming dedicated to fulfilling the needs of 
a general horse-loving audience.

This past summer, HRTV received nine 
Regional Emmy Awards from the Ohio Valley 
Chapter. Earlier this year, HRTV was honored 
with the 2010 Eclipse Award for National 
Television Feature, the third such award for the 
network in the past five years.

For more information on programming and 
features, as well live racing schedules, fans are 
encouraged to visit HRTV.com.

Incident: Suspicious Item Found – Stores Evacuated 

On September 29, 2011 at about 6:15pm, 
police officers and Fire Department personnel 
responded to the Promenade area of the Westfield 
Shoppingtown regarding a suspicious item found 
in a rear corridor. The item had the appearance 
of a possible explosive device. Several stores were 
evacuated and a perimeter was established to 
keep patrons out of the area. 

The Los Angeles County Arson/Explosive Detail 
was contacted and they responded to assist. The 
device was inspected and it was determined that 
it was not an explosive. The evacuations were in 
effect for about 90 minutes. 

Arcadia AAUW Extends A Welcome to the Community

“Save the date—October 8!” On that date, the 
Arcadia Branch of the American Association of 
University Women (AAUW) will host an open 
meeting to the community to 

provide an opportunity for visitors to learn 
more about AAUW. The meeting takes place 
on Saturday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 
noon. Arcadia AAUW meets at Jordan Hall, 
Church of the Good Shepherd, 400 W. Duarte 
Road (SW corner of Duarte Rd. and Holly Ave.), 
Arcadia. The free meeting is open to the public, 
and ample parking is available. 

The “welcome” meeting begins with a continental 
breakfast and socializing, followed by 
musical entertainment. During the informal 
program, visitors will learn of Arcadia AAUW’s 
community outreach programs, such as the English 
Conversation Class co-sponsored by the 
Arcadia Library. The tutoring staff of this class 
consists of both AAUW members and community 
volunteers. Another outreach is Arcadia 
AAUW’s sponsorship of local middle-school 
girls at Tech Trek Science/Math Camp on the 
Whittier College campus. 

As a national organization since 1881, AAUW 
has always been concerned with women and girls’ 
education and issues. The Arcadia Branch supports 
its special project, the AAUW Educational 
Foundation. But membership in the organization 
has changed. At one time only women with 
bachelor’s or higher degrees could join. In1987, 
men with similar college degrees were invited to 
join. More recently, college graduates holding an 
Associate of Arts degree or its equivalent were 
welcomed into the membership. So AAUW has 
branched out!

For more information, please call Tamara Kato 
at (626) 375-6756 or Patricia Dietrich at (626) 
446-8437.

HEALTHCARE INSURANCE 
SEMINAR FOR THOSE 50+

Are you 50 years or older and need information 
on health insurance? This seminar will discuss 
options and resources for both the insured and 
uninsured.

Are you 65 years or older or almost Medicare 
age? Do you know what parts A, B, and D mean? 
What do you need to know about health care? 
During this budget-deficit time, some of your 
benefits may be affected. Or, are you 50 years or 
older, nor yet ready for Medicare, and in need of 
some insurance information? This seminar will 
discuss options and resources for both those who 
are already insured or those uninsured. 

 1. Overview of health care insurance for people 
who are 65 +

2. Overview of health care insurance for people 
who are ALMOST 65--what do you need to know 
before you turn 65?

3. What may be the alarming changes in health 
care during this budget deficit time? 

4. Resources and health care options for people 
who are not QUITE Medicare age.

 Presented by Donna Wang, Retirement Advisor

 When: Saturday, October 8th, 2011 2:00-3:30

Where: County of LA Public Library, 4153 E. 
Live Oak Ave. (between foss and lOth), Arcadia, 
CA 91006 (626)446-8803

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING WORKSHOP

“Saving the world, one square foot at a time.”

 

Held in the Education Greenhouse & Garden 
for All Seasons

 

Your choice of these different dates:

Saturday, October 8 from 10am – 1pm

Or…

Saturday, January 12

Saturday, April 21

Saturday, July 21

 

10am-1pm

Jo Ann Carey, instructor

$25 members/$28 non-members

Please call 626.821.4623 to register, or you may 
pay at the door (please bring exact change).

 

Nothing compares to the flavor of food that is 
grown in healthy soil, without pesticides, and 
allowed to grow until just the right time for 
harvesting. Square foot gardening uses only 
20% of the land space of a conventional garden 
and saves both water and time. There is no tilling 
of the soil so anybody can do it. This method 
will be fully explained so you may create your 
own square foot garden, with lessons on setup, 
planting, watering, growing vertically, pest 
control and harvesting. 

Recommended reading: All New Square Foot 
Gardening by Mel Bartholomew, available in the 
Arboretum Garden & Gift Shop.

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, September 18, through 
Saturday, September 24, the Police Department 
responded to 977 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, September 18:

1. Between Saturday, September 17th at 8:00 
p.m., and Sunday, September 18th at 6:45 a.m., a 
residential burglary occurred in the 2400 block 
of Doolittle Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence 
through an unlocked garage door and stole 
vehicle keys, paperwork, and a vacuum. 

2. At about 11:21 a.m., officers responded to 
the 500 block of Santa Rosa Road regarding a 
suspicious vehicle. Contact was made with the 
21-year-old White male driver, and it was determined 
he was under the influence of alcohol. 
The male was booked at the Arcadia City Jail for 
D.U.I.

Monday, September 19:

3. At approximately 5:30 a.m., officers responded 
to the Arcadia Methodist Hospital in 
reference to a stabbing victim. While walking in 
front of the First Cabin Bar, 46 East Huntington 
Drive, the male victim was confronted by two 
suspects who asked for a cigarette. When the victim 
did not comply, he was stabbed by a suspect 
described as a White male in his mid-twenties, 
5’-09”, with a medium build, and armed with 
a knife. The second suspect was described as 
a Black male, with short dread locks, and dark 
clothing. The victim suffered a laceration to his 
arm and ran from the scene. The incident was 
reported to have occurred shortly after 5:00 a.m. 

4. Between 8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., a residential 
burglary occurred in the 700 block of Winnie 
Way. Suspect(s) pried open the front door and 
ransacked the house. The resident reported several 
laptops, cash, and a large gun safe containing 
approximately fifteen weapons missing. 

Tuesday, September 20:

5. Around 8:47 p.m., units were dispatched to 
the 1100 block of Encanto Drive regarding suspicious 
circumstances. The resident advised that 
while at home, she heard a knock at her door, followed 
by the voice of what sounded like a young 
female saying, “This is the Mount View Water 
Company.” The resident did not open her door. 
She then heard the female walk away. The resident 
feels this may have been an attempt to enter 
the residence under false pretenses. 

6. Between Monday, September 19th at 4:00 
p.m., and Tuesday September 20th at 5:00 p.m., 
the mailboxes in the 11000 block of Clark Street 
were vandalized. Suspect(s) pried open the back 
cover of the metal structure which encases multiple 
mailboxes, however, it is unknown if there 
was any loss. 

Wednesday, September 21:

7. At about 3:01 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted 
at Camino Real Avenue and Santa Anita 
Avenue for tinted windows. A records check of 
the 21-year-old Hispanic male driver revealed an 
outstanding misdemeanor warrant, for which he 
was arrested. 

8. Shortly before 6:00 p.m., loss prevention personnel 
from H&M at the Westfield Santa Anita 
Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, advised they 
had detained a male juvenile for theft. The suspect 
put on a jacket, which was on display, and 
left the store without making payment. Through 
investigation, it was determined that the suspect 
had come into the store with the intent to steal. 
The 17-year-old Asian male was placed under arrest 
for commercial burglary. 

Thursday, September 22:

9. Shortly before 9:00 p.m., officers responded 
to the 00 block of West Live Oak Avenue regarding 
a theft. The victim advised he heard a noise 
in the parking lot and saw two suspects running. 
The first suspect was described as a Hispanic 
male, 30 to 40 years old, 5’-05”, 180 lbs., wearing 
a flannel jacket. The second suspect was also 
described as a Hispanic male, 30 to 40 years old. 
While running away, the suspects dropped a bag 
which contained a catalytic converter that had 
been removed from the victim’s vehicle. A second 
victim at the location also reported the theft 
of a catalytic converter.

10. At about 11:08 p.m., an auto burglary 
occurred in the parking lot of the Westfield 
Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue. 
Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by unknown means 
and damaged the ignition in an unsuccessful attempt 
to steal the car. The car radio and other 
equipment were taken from the vehicle.

Friday, September 23:

11. Shortly before 1:00 a.m., a traffic stop was 
conducted at Second Avenue and Live Oak Avenue 
for failure to stop at the limit line. The driver, 
a 23-year-old Hispanic male, was found to be 
under the influence of alcohol and was arrested 
for D.U.I.

12. Around 2:10 p.m., a theft occurred in the 
1100 block of Mayflower Avenue. The resident 
told officers that she had heard a delivery truck 
drop off several packages that day, but was unable 
to locate them later in the afternoon when 
she went to retrieve the boxes.

Saturday, September 24:

13. Units responded to the 500 block of East 
Lemon Avenue, around 12:22 a.m., in reference 
to a possible prowler. A Hispanic male was seen 
by the resident looking in the windows of the 
home. The suspect was positively identified by 
the resident and booked at the Arcadia City Jail 
for prowling. It is believed the suspect may know 
a female who was visiting the home. 

14. Between 12:00 p.m. and 10:05 p.m., a vehicle 
theft occurred in the 1000 block of West 
Huntington Drive. Suspect(s) stole a 1998, white, 
2-door, Cadillac Eldorado which was parked at 
the location.