Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 8, 2011

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Mountain Views News Saturday, October 8, 2011

ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES 
TALMADGE JONES “TEACHER OF THE YEAR” 

BIG CHANGES AT SANTA ANITA

Cut Backs and Restructuring To Impact More Than 300 Employees

by Joan Schmidt

At the October 4th Arcadia City Council 
Meeting, High School Science Teacher, Talmadge 
(Tal) Jones was honored as 
the “Teacher of the Year” for 
the Arcadia Unified School 
District. This fine man has 
worked in the Arcadia- 
Unified School District for 
twenty-seven years. Mr. 
Jones received a degree in 
zoology from Brigham Young 
University. His career began 
in middle school, where he 
taught for a few years and 
went on to Arcadia High 
School. Mr. Jones has taught 
not only science courses-
biology, biophysical science, 
anatomical physics, but also 
leadership dynamics. He also 
was moderator for two stage 
productions at Arcadia High 
School. The Mayor of Arcadia, Gary Kovacic 
read the Proclamation for Mr. Jones and it was 
quite lengthy. This fine teacher has also been 
recognized twice by the Arcadia Rotary Club as 
“Teacher of the Year.” The Mayor commented 
how Mr. Jones had gotten the Mayor’s son 
through an advanced science course!

Behind every great man is a great woman. 
Mr. Jones mentioned his lovely wife Deborah 
who was in attendance and had lead the Pledge 
of Allegiance for the Council Meeting. He felt 
he could not have accomplished all he had if it 
weren’t for Deborah’s support and love these last 
thirty-six years!

The Mayor also had a 
Proclamation, declaring, 
October 9th-15th as “Fire 
Prevention Week”. “Fire 
Prevention Week” occurs 
during the week time of the 
great Chicago fire, which 
actually lasted from October 
8th -10th. Mayor Kovacic 
presented the Proclamation 
to Arcadia Fire Department 
Chief, Tony Trabbie. He 
was grateful and thanked 
the Mayor for his support. 
Also in attendance were Fire 
Marshall Mark Krikorian 
and Fire Inspector Jill 
Perumean. The Fire Marshall 
spoke of fire prevention 
and gave the website for 
further information: www.ci.arcadia.ca.us. The 
Fire Inspector, Jill Perumean pointed out that 
Daylight Savings Time is coming up in a few 
weeks, and this is the perfect time to check smoke 
detectors and replace batteries if necessary. Ms. 
Perumean reminded everyone of the new law 
that every home MUST now have a carbon 
monoxide detector. 

It was a great evening to see such a fine teacher 
honored, and to be reminded of important fire 
prevention tips.

 
Photo by Doc Ajay Johnson

 – By Scott Hettrick, Arcadia’s Best

The first of what is said to be several phases of 
severe cutbacks at Santa Anita Park will result in 
layoffs of about a third of the approximately 300 
employees at the track.

Officials announced Wednesday that 100 full-
time and part-time workers will be terminated as 
part of a major restructuring under new Stronach 
Entertainment CEO and President Greg Avioli. 
Stronach Entertainment recently became the 
new parent company of Santa Anita.

Longtime VP of marketing Allen Gutterman is 
stepping down as part of the reorganization.

Former head of group sales Chris Quinn 
has been promoted to Vice President of Sales 
and Marketing and will oversee the merger of 
three departments, marketing, sales and public 
relations.

Avioli said in Wednesday’s announcement that 
in addition to racing-related sales and marketing, 
Quinn will be charged with expanding the track’s 
entertainment offerings.

Santa Anita won approval only last month 
from the Arcadia City Council to stage all 
manner of entertainment events at the track — 
on the parking lot and in the infield.

“We are focused on making Santa Anita a better 
racing facility and, at the same time, expanding 
its profile as a regional entertainment center 
offering other amenities in addition toracing and 
during our off-season,” Avioli said.

The moves come only days after Santa Anita 
opened its first Autumn Meet without Oak Tree 
Racing since the 1960s. After a very sparse crowd 
on Opening Day — dubbed Arcadia Day — on 
Friday, officials announced crowds of 16,000 on 
Saturday during another popular Food Truck 
Festival, and 8,000 on Sunday.

The track is only open three days a week during 
the one-month Autumn Meet.

Santa Anita was recently awarded the 
industry’s biggest global weekend racing event, 
the Breeders’ Cup, in fall 2012.

The reorganization includes merging of 
some departments, streamlining of finance 
and operations departments and a reduction in 
management and seasonal workforce, officials 
said.

“This is the first phase of an initiative to 
position Santa Anita to compete in today’s 
economic climate and to provide the best possible 
racing and entertainment product for our 
customers,” said Avioli. “We are confident that 
our restructuring will benefit our organization, 
California horsemen, racing fans and other 
local stakeholders. We also want to thank those 
people whose positions are being consolidated or 
eliminated for their service and work on behalf 
of Santa Anita.”

Quinn is a veteran of sports marketing, having 
begun his career at Steinberg Sports. He has 
worked in professional boxing and tennis in 
addition to his horse racing experience.

“In a time of industry consolidation and when 
more and more handle is being generated off-
track, new approaches are needed to move the 
industry forward,” said Avioli.

“Chris has done an outstanding job over the 
last few years as an ambassador for Santa Anita 
to the local business, media andentertainment 
communities and to generate sponsorships and 
revenue through creative uses of our facility. The 
timing was right on this as Allen had indicated 
to me this summer that he was considering 
other opportunities and was looking to make a 
change before the end of the year. Allen has done 
a tremendous job in his six years at Santa Anita 
and we are grateful for his contributions.”

Also, as part of the reorganization, long-time 
Santa Anita racing secretary Rick Hammerle 
will become Vice President, Racing and Racing 
Secretary. Hammerle has been a fixture on the 
Southern California racing circuit for years 
and has also worked as a senior racing official 
at Gulfstream Park, Golden Gate, Del Mar, 
Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands.

“Rick enjoys the respect of the horsemen of 
Southern California who we rely upon to produce 
our racing program as well as his peers in the 
Thoroughbred racing industry for his creativity 
and work ethic,” said George Haines, Santa 
Anita’s President and General Manager.

Stronach Entertainment, a subsidiary of The 
Stronach Group, also owns and operates Golden 
Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park and Casino, the 
Maryland Jockey Club, including Pimlico and 
Laurel race tracks, Portland Meadows, XpressBet 
and HRTV.

ARCHBISHOP SPEAKS AT RALLY IN ARCADIA

by Joan Schmidt

Most Reverend Archbishop Jose Gomez, 
Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles 
came to Annunciation Catholic Church, Arcadia 
to address a Pro-life Rally.

There was standing room only as many 
Church members from various parishes came 
to meet the recently appointed Archbishop and 
hear the Church’s teachings in regard to the 
sanctity of life and what it means to the pro-life 
movement.

Annunciation Pastor, Father Eugene Herbert 
began the opening prayer. Also in attendance 
were Father Michael Callanan of Annunciation 
Parish; Father Hung Ba Tran, Pastor of 
Immaculate Conception, Monrovia; Father 
Michael Gutierrez, Pastor of St. John the Baptist 
Church, Baldwin Park; and several Carmelite 
nuns from Santa Theresita, Duarte.

Prior to the program, there was Christian 
music; some selections were slow-paced while 
others were lively and people clapped in unison. 
During the music, there was an opportunity 
for attendees to view the many display tables 
representing various organizations. . 

There was a testimonial followed by the 
Archbishop. A highlight of his address is 
from Sacred Scriptures. He points out how 
the Visitation followed the Annunciation. 
“When Mary walked into the room, the baby in 
Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy.” He explained 
the Church’s position on the sanctity of life.

Lastly, everyone was given a calendar of 
upcoming events. If anyone is interesting in 
the Pro-life movement, more information is 
available on the internet.

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, September 25, through 
Saturday, October 1, the Police Department 
responded to 982 calls for service of which 129 
required formal investigations. The following is a 
summary report of the major incidents handled by 
the Department during this period.

Sunday, September 25:

1. At about 2:11 a.m., a traffic stop was 
conducted on Santa Anita Avenue at Alta Street 
for speeding. The 31-year-old Hispanic male was 
found to be intoxicated and was placed under 
arrest for D.U.I. 

2. Officers responded to the 1100 block of 
Highland Oaks Drive regarding a vandalism 
report. The victim told officers that at 
approximately 4:27 a.m., he heard a loud crash 
and immediately looked out his window and saw 
a male, possibly White or Hispanic, 18-20 years 
old, wearing a dark colored sweatshirt, standing 
next to his vehicle. The male then walked over 
to a white, 2-door vehicle and entered the rear 
driver’s side passenger seat before the vehicle 
drove away. The victim went to inspect his 
vehicle and discovered both the rear window and 
rear driver’s side window had been broken. No 
property was reported missing.

Monday, September 26:

3. Several acts of vandalism that were similar in 
nature were reported to have occurred sometime 
over the weekend in the 900 block of Santa Anita 
Avenue, the 100 block of West Lemon Avenue, 
and the 100 block of West Longden Avenue. 
Graffiti was found in spray paint along the west 
side walls of each location, however, the victims 
and locations are not related, and do not appear 
to be specific targets of these acts of vandalism. 

4. Between 1:00 p.m. and 1:10 p.m., a theft 
occurred in the 600 block of West Camino Real 
Avenue. Suspect(s) stole a lawnmower through 
an open gate in the backyard.

Tuesday, September 27:

5. Between September 24th at 4:30 p.m., 
and September 27th at 7:30 a.m., suspect(s) lit 
newspapers on fire near a bench, and burnt ashes 
were discovered outside of the Arcadia Historical 
Museum, 380 West Huntington Drive. 

6. At about 6:32 p.m., officers responded to 
the lobby of the Arcadia Police Department 
regarding a fraud report. The victim advised 
that on Saturday September 24th, she received 
a letter in the mail from an individual claiming 
to be an investment banker. The letter solicited 
personal information with an offer to split an 
alleged inheritance. The letter also contained a 
phone number that appeared to be from outside 
the United States and the victim believes it to be 
fraudulent.

Wednesday, September 28:

7. Between September 26th at 7:00 a.m., and 
September 28th at 2:00 p.m., a theft occurred in 
the 400 block of North Altura Road. Suspect(s) 
forced open the rear gate to an unoccupied home 
listed for sale and stole the swimming pool pump.

8. Officers conducted a pedestrian check at 
the intersection of Duarte Road and Mayflower 
Avenue at about 11:05 a.m. A records check 
of the 40-year-old Hispanic male revealed an 
outstanding misdemeanor warrant, for which he 
was placed under arrest.

Thursday, September 29:

9. At about 2:36 p.m., officers responded to 
Firestone, 1500 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding 
a vandalism. Sometime between September 28th 
at 5:00 p.m., and September 29th at 2:00 p.m., 
suspect(s) fired a pellet or BB gun at the location 
damaging several windows. 

10. At approximately 7:00 a.m., officers 
responded to the 2300 block of South Fourth 
Avenue regarding a theft. The victim told 
officers that at about 6:45 a.m., he noticed the 
trunk and rear passenger side door to his vehicle 
open. Through surveillance video at the location, 
officers learned that an unknown male wearing a 
light colored long sleeve shirt and light colored 
pants walked up and entered the unlocked vehicle 
at about 3:48 a.m. and stole cash. The vehicle was 
parked in the driveway of the residence.

Friday, September 30:

11. Two similar acts of vandalism were reported 
in the 200 block of East Santa Clara Street: 
Sometime between 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m., 
suspect(s) scratched two separate vehicles parked 
at the location. The marks appeared to have been 
caused by a sharp object, and it is unknown if the 
victims were specifically targeted.

12. A victim came to the station at about 8:00 
p.m. to report the theft of a package from the 100 
block of Las Tunas Drive. The victim reported 
seeing a Hispanic male in a white T-shirt and 
dark pants, in his 30’s, pick up a box from her 
front porch and enter a green, medium size sedan, 
possibly a Toyota with a license plate similar to 
4KZ800 CA, and drive away. A Hispanic female, 
approximately 30-years-old, was seen in the 
passenger side of the car. The crime occurred at 
about 3:15 p.m.

Saturday, October 1:

13. At about 11:43 p.m., officers responded to 
the area of Santa Anita Avenue, north of Arno 
Drive, regarding graffiti. Several words were 
found spray painted along the east guardrail in 
red spray paint. 

14. Shortly before 1:00 p.m., loss prevention 
personnel from JC Penney at the Westfield Santa 
Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, detained 
a male juvenile for theft. The suspect took 
merchandise into a fitting room, concealed it, and 
walked out of the store without making payment. 
Through investigation it was determined that the 
17-year-old Hispanic male came into the store 
with the intent to steal, and he was placed under 
arrest for commercial burglary. 

 
Saturday, October 22nd 
8:30-11:00am 
15 E. Foothill Blvd., Arcadia 
Donation: $5.00 Adults / $3.00 Children 12 & under 
Pumpkin Patch . Bake Walk . Games . Music . Balloon Twisting . Art & Crafts 
Henna Tattoos . Face Painting . Raffle . Book Sale . Smokey Bear 
Arcadia Fire Truck . Silent Auction . Shoulder Massages 
Arcadia Explorers . SWAT Armored Bear Cat Vehicle 
Children’s Fingerprint Kits 
Coldwell Banker 
Arcadia Regional Office’s 
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Costumes Welcome! 
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 
Please Join Us for a Great Cause & 
A Great Breakfast! 
For Tickets & Information: 
Call 626.445.5500 
As we have proven in past years, this is not 
just your ordinary Pancake Breakfast! 
Guess the 
Weight & 
Win the Giant 
Pumpkin! 
All Proceeds Will Benefit YWCA “WINGS” 
Domestic Violence Service