Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 25, 2012

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Mountain Views News Saturday, February 25, 2012


MONROVIA HONORS SIX BLUE STAR FAMILIES 

THE MONROVIA CITY 
MANAGER’S REPORT

From Our Desk to Yours 

California Green Communities Silver 
Certification

According to Environmental Media Association 
President Debbie Levin, Monrovia is a 
leader among Southern California cities who 
are modeling sustainable practices for others. 
The City was presented with the honor 
of achieving the “Silver” status as a California 
Green Community, and was one of only 
four cities to be honored. Monrovia was able 
to achieve this outstanding status by completing 
projects in each of 10 resource areas, 
including solid waste reduction, greenhouse 
gas reduction, energy and water efficiency, 
and green building. Congratulations to our 
Public Works staff, and specifically Heather 
Maloney and Sharon Gallant, for spearheading 
this effort. Great job, team!

 

 

Economic Development Action Plan…
Round Two

City Council got encouraging news that staff 
has been steadily implementing activities 
described in the Economic Development 
Action Plan, which is a blueprint for how the 
City plans on attracting, retaining and growing 
businesses in Monrovia. This spring, 
Staff will continue to focus on economic development 
by launching a campaign aimed 
at reducing the vacancy rate in Old Town, 
creating a Business Visitation Program, and 
finally, revamping economic development 
marketing efforts to cross-promote all the 
services available to businesses when they 
choose Monrovia. These services range from 
the project coordination to the Fire Department’s 
Business Emergency Response Training 
Program to rental facilities available at 
discounted rates at the Canyon Park Cabin.

So where does the City go from here? Well, 
the future of economic development will 
look a little different today than it did a year 
ago without redevelopment funding. Moving 
forward, the economic development 
staff will continue to utilize existing resources 
and focus our energy on proactive ways 
to help attract, retain and grow business in 
Monrovia, through things such as the business 
visitation program and the business 
blogs.

 

 

Gold Line Deal…at the Eleventh Hour.

The City of Monrovia has been working with 
the Gold Line Construction Authority (Gold 
Line) for the past two years on a deal that 
included the sale of land from the City and 
Successor Agency to the Monrovia Redevelopment 
Agency to the Gold Line for the 
use of a Maintenance and Operation (M&O) 
Facility. The M&O facility is a critical component 
of the Foothill Extension Phase 2A 
project, which is an 11.5 mile extension of 
the Gold Line that will add six light rail stations 
in the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, 
Irwindale, and Azusa. The Gold Line 
is an independent transportation planning 
and construction agency created by the State 
to manage the design and construction of 
the rail extension.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan 
Transportation Authority (Metro) will be 
the agency that will operate and maintain 
the light rail after construction. One of Metro’s 
stipulations to the Gold Line was the requirement 
that a site be secured for an M&O 
facility in order to commence construction 
of the rail alignment of Phase 2A. The City 
of Monrovia, recognizing the importance of 
regional transportation, was the only city in 
the San Gabriel Valley willing to work with 
the Gold Line to accommodate an M&O 
facility. The site is generally located on the 
block bounded by Evergreen Avenue, Shamrock 
Avenue, Duarte Road and California 
Avenue. Throughout the negotiations with 
the Gold Line, City staff was explicit that a 
sale of the site to the Gold Line would only 
be considered if the purchase price included 
all costs incurred by the City and Agency, 
as well as the loss of potential future revenues 
and the mitigation of environmental 
impacts.

In the midst of signing the negotiated Agreement 
between both parties, the Monrovia 
Redevelopment Agency was hit with the 
ABX1 26 legislation that froze the Agency’s 
activities, and later killed the Redevelopment 
Agency. In addition, the Agency and 
the Gold Line were sued by a property owner 
right next to the proposed M & O facility 
site.

To date, all lawsuits have been settled, and 
we are looking to move forward with the 
plans for the M&O facility and ultimately 
the Phase 2A project. Since the Redevelopment 
Agency was frozen last summer, the 
Gold Line has progressed with obtaining the 
land that would be used for the M&O facility 
through condemnation procedures. To 
that end, the Courts have requested to settle 
the purchase and sale of Monrovia’s land 
through a settlement, since both parties have 
a negotiated agreement at hand.

As part of the previously negotiated agreement, 
the Gold Line agreed to contribute 
funds towards necessary public improvements 
throughout the 80-acre Station 
Square Transit Village area, and to construct 
a 350-space parking structure. Staff brought 
both of these Agreements (the Parking Facility 
Agreement and the Public Improvements 
Funding Agreement) to Council Tuesday 
night. There was a 4-to-1 vote that approved 
each of the Agreements. These approvals, 
however, are subject to approval of the Stipulation 
for Entry of Judgment for ongoing 
litigation associated with Los Angeles Superior 
Court Case No. BC 476000.

For more information on these items, or for 
more information on the meeting Agendas, 
please contact our City Clerk at (626) 
932-5505. 

 

By Joan Schmidt

 Last November, I attended the special Veterans 
Day ceremonies at Duarte and Monrovia. While 
at the Monrovia ceremony, I found out about 
the Blue Star Families. I had never heard about 
them or their organization. Recently I contacted 
Kristen from the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of 
Blue Star Families and she shared the following 
information with me.

 The Blue Star Program is nothing new. The 
Blue Star Banner was designed and patented in 
1917 by United States Army Captain Robert L. 
Queissner of the Fifth Ohio Infantry, in honor 
of his two sons who were serving in World 
War I. It was quickly adopted by the public and 
government officials.

 A Blue Star Flag displayed in the window of 
a home has become an American tradition. This 
banner lets others know that a member of the 
household is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed 
Forces.

 On September 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman 
read into the Congressional record: “The Mayor 
of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and 
the Governor of Ohio have adopted this service 
flag. The world should know of those who give 
so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the 
world to a father and mother: their children.”

 The Blue Star Families Support Group was 
created with this in mind. They all have family 
members who have chosen to fight for our 
country and freedom. And although there are 
not enough words to describe their pride, they 
have many fears and questions. It is their hope, 
that if they come together, they can give each 
other strength and understanding, so they can be 
strong for their family and country.

 This group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays 
of the month at the Monrovia Coffee Company, 
425 S. Myrtle Ave. at 7pm. All family members of 
service men and women are welcome.

 At the special February 21st meeting, the 
families of Captain Alexander White, United 
States Army; Corporal Thomas Wheeler, United 
States Army; Private First Class Ronald L. Lynall, 
United States Marine Corps, Private First Class 
Adrian Velasco, United State Marine Corps; 
Lance Corporal Lewis C. Keith, United States 
Marine Corps; and Airman Basic Lauren Casey 
Blowers, United States Air Force were recognized 
and each were presented with a bag of donations.

 From American Legion Post #44 were 
Commander Earle Sweeney and Service Officer 
Chuck Keene. Chuck reminded everyone of the 
windstorm and the damage it caused-especially 
to many of the Blue Star banners honoring 
Monrovia’s military. The City of Monrovia had 
generously supplied these banners. However 
funds are being sought to cover the cost of 
replacing the banners:

“The City of Monrovia has always paid for our 
banners. (Thank you, Monrovia!) Now it is time 
that we pitch in and try to help the City pay for 
the replacements. We’d love to see all our banners 
back up.”

 There are TWO ways that we can help. 
First of all ANY donation would be greatly 
appreciated. Checks can be made out to the 
“City of Monrovia” and on the subject line, write 
“banner replacement”. Then either drop off or 
mail the check to City Hall at 415 South Ivy Ave., 
Monrovia, CA 91016 Attn: Rachel Hughes.

 Another way to help this cause is the 
Fundraising Breakfast to be held at Immaculate 
Conception Church on Shamrock in Monrovia 
on Sunday, March 4, from 9 a.m.-12 noon. 

 There were two special ladies representing Blue 
Star Families, Joy Smith and Isabella Aragon. 
Isabella recently received a special Certificate in 
recognition for her support of her son’s troop in 
Iraq. Isabella was very happy to say the troop is 
now back in the states.

 Our service men and women make great 
sacrifices for us. Let’s show our gratitude by 
making a donation or attending the breakfast at 
Immaculate Conception, so ALL the banners can 
be replaced!

OPINION:

DUARTE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 

RAISES QUESTIONS AND CALLS FOR 
RESIGNATIONS

By Joan Schmidt

 The February 9th meeting of the Duarte 
School Board brought out a record number 
of attendees-more than fifty teachers and 
fifty residents, many of whom were angry 
and wanted answers.

 During the last school board election 
campaigns, there was mention of 
mismanagement of school funding. The 
people who were seeking answers were 
labeled as “trouble makers” and when a 
meeting was called to address these issues, 
the incumbents who were running for office 
were “no-shows”. (I attended that meeting 
and only David Hall, Tom Reyes and Dolores 
Ortiz attended) 

 The election happened and Tom Reyes 
was elected. Tom made a promise during 
his campaign, and he felt that these issues 
needed to be resolved. The teachers are 
angry because their health coverage package 
is $6,000 per year, has not been increased in 
years and is approximately $2,000 less than 
surrounding districts.

 The issue is that two current board members 
have spent more than $40,000 over that 
amount during the last five years. The two 
members are Ken Bell and Reyna Diaz. Ken 
Bell and Reyna Diaz are two fine community 
members who have done much for Duarte 
over the years. Reyna is a personal friend - 
she would give you the shirt off her back. She 
helped form the Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte 
Town Council and helped the Hispanic 
community in southern Duarte so much. 
She has done so many fundraisers over the 
years to send money to areas hit by natural 
disasters. She and her husband would bring 
toys and clothes to Mexico and El Salvador 
every year during Christmas. 

 When questioned about spending more 
than the teachers on health insurance, both 
Reyna and Ken said they did not realize this 
was happening. 

 I believe them because no one can be the 
person that Reyna is and do something that 
would hurt other people. She started the 
“Our Lady of Guadalupe” celebration at 
Annunciation many years ago, because so 
many Hispanics live in this area. And she got 
Bishop Zavala to officiate at the special Mass. 


Monrovia Police Blotter

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of 
February 20-22, 2012

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police 
Department handled 443 service events, resulting 
in 81 investigations. To see a complete 
listing of crimes reported, go to http://
www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/monrovia 
for crime mapping.

 

Burglary

On February 20 at 9:59 p.m., a burglary of a 
garage was reported in the 500 block of West 
Foothill. The burglary occurred sometime 
between Sunday night and Monday night. 
The suspect(s) used bolt cutters to cut the 
hasp of the garage door to gain entry. The 
interior cabinets were ransacked, but there 
was no loss.

 

Vehicle Burglary

On February 20 at 10:36 p.m., an officer responded 
to a vehicle burglary that occurred 
in the 700 block of East Huntington. The burglary 
occurred in the parking lot of a gym. 
The suspect vehicle is a newer, grey Toyota 
Corolla. A male suspect punched the lock 
on the driver side door and stole an I-Pod 
from the vehicle. The suspect vehicle drove 
off southbound. Investigation continuing.

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

 

2008 Attempt Murder Case Follow-up - Suspect 
Jimmy Santana Convicted 

In February of 2008, a male subject/victim 
was riding his bicycle in the 2500 block of 
South Peck Road. He was approached by a 
suspect with a gun who walked up to him 
and shot him. The suspect, Jimmy Santana, 
is a known gang member. The incident was 
found to be gang related; however, the victim 
is not a gang member. This incident occurred 
in the county area of Monrovia and 
was investigated by Los Angeles Sheriff's 
Department Homicide Bureau detectives. 
Monrovia Police Department detectives and 
officers played a major part in the conviction 
of this suspect in testimony regarding gang 
affiliation.

In February of 2012, the suspect in this case, 
Jimmy Santana, was convicted of willful, deliberate 
and premeditated murder; the jury 
also found he personally and intentionally 
discharged a firearm, causing great bodily 
injury to the victim. Santana was also convicted 
of shooting from a motor vehicle and 
assault with a firearm. The jury found the 
gang allegation true as to all counts. Sentencing 
is set for March 15, 2012. 

 

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