Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 9, 2012

7

 
Mountain Views News Saturday June 9, 2012 

From Monrovia’s City Manager

REMEMBRANCE


COUNCIL RECAP: FROM REDEVELOPMENT TO 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

DONALD EDWIN YOST

The elimination of redevelopment, 
a major contributor to 
the physical improvement and 
economic development of the 
City, has brought on a new 
set of rules, acronyms, titles 
and bureaucracy that makes 
describing the City’s role as a 
Successor Agency very confusing. 
Redevelopment Agencies, 
created by the State, could 
acquire land, sell or lease 
property, clear land, construct 
infrastructure and undertake 
improvements in an earnest 
effort to revitalize project areas. 
The Agency also provided 
financial support through pass 
through payments to local entities 
like the Monrovia Unified 
School District and Citrus 
College- nearly 37% of those 
funds. Twenty percent of the 
Agency’s increment was also 
diverted to affordable housing 
programs. As part of the new 
law, housing assets and funds 
were transferred from the Successor 
Agency to the Monrovia 
Housing Authority.

The City and the Successor 
Agency have two roles: unwinding 
the former redevelopment 
agency, and continued 
economic development. 
The Successor Agency is required 
to provide a list of redevelopment 
bills the Agency 
is obliged to pay, and provide 
this to the County, who will 
send us money to cover the 
bills. Any money left over 
from tax increment that would 
have normally gone to Monrovia, 
is now retained by the 
County Auditor-Controller. 
The recently created Oversight 
Board’s role is to supervise the 
actions of the Successor Agency, 
approve the list of bills and 
direct the Agency to sell assets 
or end contracts that are not 
enforceable. 

The Oversight Board is made 
up of two County-appointees, 
two Mayoral-appointees, one 
MUSD appointee, one Citrus 
College appointee and one 
from the County Flood Control. 
To date, the Successor 
Agency holds 27 properties, 
all part of an existing contract 
or used for government 
purposes.

So how do we make the transition 
from our classic idea 
of redevelopment to the next 
generation of Economic Development? 
We do it by utilizing 
existing resources to 
attract, retain and grow Monrovia 
business. Through the 
online Business Resource 
Center, the Business Blog and 
collaboration across departments, 
Monrovia was named 
Most Business Friendly City 
in Los Angeles in 2011. 

Moving forward is the launch 
of the Business Visitation program, 
the Fill Up Old Town 
Campaign and increased partnerships 
with brokers and the 
Monrovia Chamber of Commerce. 
As we look ahead, it 
will be more important than 
ever to build and maintain 
relationships, continue to enhance 
a business attraction 
strategy and develop a more 
comprehensive job development 
program.

Donald Edwin Yost, 72, of Monrovia passed away on June 5, 2012 after a 
brave & valiant fight with cancer.

He was born on June 12, 1939 to Vernon & Ardis Yost. In 1932 his Dad 
started Yost Printers in Monrovia. Don worked beside him & his twin 
brother for over 50 years. He was also a real estate agent & broker for the 
past 10 years.

From 1962 to 1964 Don served in the United States Navy & fought in 
the Vietnam War. When he returned home Don joined & became an active 
member of the Kiwanis Club of Monrovia. For the past several years 
he served as the club’s secretary/treasurer. Other than the love he had for 
his Lord & his family, his other love was Kiwanis & the many friendships 
he made through the years. Don will be remembered for his generous 
heart & his warm smile.

Don is survived by his wife, Linda, his son, Greg, & daughters, Julie Scoon, Kimberly Cameron, & 
Michelle Grosse. He was also blessed with nine awesome grandchildren. He’s also survived by his 
brother, Darrell.

Services will be at First Presbyterian Church, 101 E. Foothill Blvd. Monrovia on Tuesday, June 12 at 
2 PM. Burial will be at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside on Wednesday, 
June 13 at noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kiwanis Club of Monrovia, P.O. Box 258, Monrovia 
91017, First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia or VITAS Hospice Care, 1343 N. Grand Ave. Covina 
91724. 

MONROVIA FIRE DEPARTMENT HOLDS CPR TRAINING

By Joan Schmidt

 
If you happened to drive by Myrtle Avenue last Thursday between 9:00 am and noon, you might 
wonder what the Monrovia Fire Department was doing. If you slowed down and asked, you would 
have found out that they were offering a CPR refresher course, and if you belonged to an organization, 
or worked at an office with several people, you were also given an opportunity to set- up a group class 
at a later date.

 In the short twenty minutes I was there, three people came by and went through the training. 
One woman was already certified, but when asked a question, she couldn’t remember the number, so 
she decided to have a “refresher” lesson. There also was a gentleman who was pleased to go through 
the procedure. I can’t imagine ANYONE who has a swimming pool not going through this course and 
reviewing it every spring before summer swimming begins. You can have a gate around your pool, but 
it takes one second for someone to open the gate, a child go through the opened gate and a tragedy 
occur. People can suffer heart attacks, someone can be choking-there are so many potential breathing 
emergencies that can happen. It is essential for people to know CPR.

 Very special thanks to the Monrovia Fire Department for providing this invaluable service 
to the community. Those participating were Division Chief Chris Fabrizio, Captain Brannigan Scott, 
Firefighter Michael Bailey, Firefighter/ Paramedic Anthony Gallegos, Firefighter/Paramedic Christian 
Vasquez, and Engineer Dave Phillips.


Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 479 service events, resulting in 92 
investigations. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, see crime mapping. For Police Department 
news and information, visit our website at www.monroviapd.org and follow us on twitter for police 
notifications.

Vehicle Burglary

June 4 at 5:24 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of West Colorado. The vehicle, a 
Toyota Corolla, was parked in the victim's driveway. The victim did not remember if the vehicle was 
locked. In the morning, the victim noticed money and a phone charging cord was taken. There was 
no damage to the car. Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Tampering

June 5 at 5:19 a.m., an officer responded to a hotel the 900 block of Huntington regarding vehicle 
tampering. A guest at the hotel walked out to his parked vehicle and found a man inside his car. The 
suspect was described as a male Hispanic, approximately 30 years old, 6 foot tall, thin build, brown 
hair, full beard, long single braid to the middle of his back. The victim's vehicle was unlocked and 
there was no loss.

Vehicle Burglary

June 5 at 6:42 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of East Walnut. A suspect(s) 
broke the driver-side window of the victims van. They stole the victim's iPad that was left visible on 
the inside of the van. The vehicle was parked in an assigned parking space in the complex. Investigation 
continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle

June 5 at 7:23 p.m., a theft from an unlocked vehicle was reported. The victim lives in the 200 block 
of East Lime, but he is unsure where the theft occurred. His golf GPS was taken from his vehicle 
console. Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

June 6 at 8:39 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 1000 block of Royal Oaks. Suspect(s) 
entered an unlocked storage garage and stole the victim's road bikes.

Vandalism in Progress

On May 31 at 10:23 p.m., an officer responded to the report of vandalism in progress in the 1300 block 
of South Shamrock. The reporting party was on the southwest corner of Shamrock and Evergreen 
when he saw a male subject vandalize the city mural under the freeway overpass. The witness was able 
to get the license plate number of the suspect's vehicle and called police. An officer responded to the 
address where the vehicle is registered, but did not find the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Fire Assist

On June 1 at 9:44 a.m., fire and police personnel responded to a business in the 800 block of Royal 
Oaks regarding a possible Hazmat situation, resulting from the mixing of chemicals. Employees were 
evacuated and the Monrovia Fire Department checked the building. The area was contained by the 
Fire Department and Los Angeles County Hazmat was requested and responded to the incident.

Vehicle Burglary

On June 1 at 11:18 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of North Myrtle. The female 
victim had parked and locked her vehicle in her assigned parking stall in the rear of the complex 
on May 28. When she returned to her vehicle on May 30, she found the rear passenger-side window 
had been smashed and her green purse had been taken from the rear floorboard. Investigation 
continuing.

Vandalism - Suspects Arrested

On June 2 at 1:38 a.m., an officer was on patrol heading eastbound on Evergreen towards Myrtle when 
he saw a vehicle stopped by the freeway onramp. A subject exited the passenger side of the vehicle, 
tagged the wall, stepped back into the vehicle and the driver drove away. The officer conducted a 
traffic stop and arrested the two suspects for vandalism; one of the suspects was also charged with 
transporting a controlled substance and open container. 

Vehicle Burglary

On June 2 at 8:27 a.m., the victim of a vehicle burglary came to the Monrovia Police Department 
lobby to file a report. An expensive pair of shoes were stolen from her vehicle. She parked and locked 
her vehicle in her assigned stall in the 200 block of South Primrose. When she returned to her vehicle 
the next day, she found the shoes had been stolen from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Theft from a Vehicle

On June 3 at 9:48 a.m., a vehicle theft was reported in the 200 block of El Nido. The victim parked 
his vehicle in the driveway, but could not remember if he locked the doors. When he returned to his 
vehicle about three hours later, his trunk was open. He did not think anything of it until later in the 
day when he noticed several items missing from inside the car. Investigation continuing.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

 The Home Depot has had several commercial burglaries occur over the last two months. These burglaries 
were committed by a group of females who would enter the store carrying large empty shoulder 
bags. The females would fill the bags with merchandise, one female would fill a shopping cart 
and then they would all proceed to walk out of the store without paying. They did not try to conceal 
their actions and would confront employees if they were approached. This was caught on surveillance 
video, but the females were not identified and were gone by the time police arrived. 

 Detective's spoke with other agencies in the area to see if they were experiencing similar thefts and 
discovered Arcadia, Pasadena, and Glendale were having the same crimes occur. All three agencies 
compared leads, and several arrests were made implicating a Pasadena gang and nine female gang 
members. Two of the three females who were involved in the Monrovia incidents have been identified 
and arrested.