Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 23, 2012

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Mountain Views-News Saturday June 23, 2012 

DUARTE HIGH SWIM TEAM RECOGNIZED

By Joan Schmidt

 A few weeks ago, Claudia Heller told me about the outstanding Duarte High Swim Team which 
had a phenomenal season! She continued by sharing that Patric Brillart, a senior on the Duarte High 
Swimming Team, had asked her, “Why doesn’t anyone care about us?”

 Of course Patric was referring to all the publicity the media gives to the football and baseball teams, 
while the swim team, although it had a fabulous season, receives little notice. Claudia, being the 
person she is, rectified the situation by writing a beautiful piece about the Duarte High Swim Team, 
in the Weekly Star. In her article, Claudia talks about the team, its coach and the outstanding season 
it had.

 What made this year’s swim team so special? They were undefeated in all events including league 
relays, the league season and the finals. The Boys’ Varsity 200 relay team broke the league time record 
while the girls upheld their end as Elizabeth Pender broke a league record! Way to Go, Elizabeth! (I’m 
proud, as Elizabeth was in my 6th Grade class at Annunciation School!)

 The Duarte High Swim Team Coach is Dana Brewer, and this is her first year’s coaching the Duarte 
High Team. (What a way to embark on a new career!) Coach Brewer has much experience - she 
coached the Duarte recreation summer team for eight years. (She herself was a member of this team 
from ages 5-17!) While attending St. Lucy’s Priory High School, Coach Brewer swam and played 
water polo. All of these experiences helped her become such a great coach. Coach Brewer’s Assistant 
was Mitchell Michaelis and, “Together we reached all our goals this year, a year that started with a 
bang. The boys took home a trophy at league relays.”

 Coach Brewer is also proud her team had such high expectations, which were met when the boys 
and girls won league. Quite impressive is that their combined team scores were more than 200 points 
higher than their competition at finals! Patric Brillhart, Morgan Michaelis, Sergio Sandoval and Elgin 
King also broke a record at League Finals for the Boys 200 Free Relay with a league record time of 
2:41:64 and qualified for CIF. Elizabeth Pender broke her previous League record from 2011 for the 
200 IM and qualified for CIF in the 200 IM and 100 FLY!

 How does a team become so great? It is not by chance, but by a lot of hard work and practice. 
The sixty-member Duarte High Swim Team practiced 2-3 hours, Mondays-Fridays, and sometimes 
Saturdays for three months.

 And so it is only fitting that this outstanding team was recognized, not only by Ms. Heller but also 
at a well-attended Duarte City Council meeting. Prior to the meeting, there was a small celebration 
with a beautiful cake and punch. It gave everyone a chance to congratulate team members and their 
coaches. And the “icing on the cake” was that the City Council also recognized Claudia Heller as 
Senior Volunteer of the Year! How fitting was that- the team honored and the lady who made sure 
everyone knew about the team was also recognized! Thank you, Duarte for another great City Council 
Meeting!

From Monrovia’s City Manager

THE MONROVIA FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 BUDGET

On Tuesday, June 19, the Monrovia City Council passed a structurally balanced budget for 
the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

After two budget study sessions that align revenue and expenditure projections with Council 
priorities and departmental goals and objectives, the City Council voted unanimously to 
approve a $59.12 million budget.

Balancing the budget after the loss of Redevelopment means that this new budget places a 
greater focus on cost containment and prioritizing services- the City Council’s top priorities 
being fiscal responsibility and public safety. 

There was some good news for the 2012-2013 year: sales tax revenue is up 5%, property tax 
revenue is up 4%, and there is a 2% increase in the hotel occupancy tax. Moving forward, 
containing current costs will be the City’s greatest challenge, but this new budget still gives 
Monrovia’s General Fund a projected surplus of $245,000 at the end of this next fiscal year.

Some more budget numbers:

Of the $31.97 million in projected General Fund revenues, the majority (58%) comes in 
through property tax and sales tax revenues. 

The greatest expenditure from the City General Fund comes from Public Safety: 40% from 
Police and 29% from Fire. 

General Fund personnel costs are budgeted for $22.46 million, however, in accordance with 
the Council priorities, total cost should not exceed 75% of net operating costs. In order to 
meet long range financial targets, the City will continue to negotiate with employee groups 
to pick up their full the share of PERS employee pension costs by the 2013-2014 budget. 

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), funded through the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, is being reduced by 21%, or $66,000, scaling back programs 
for safe and healthy neighborhoods. 

Annual street resurfacing will continue through 2013 using Prop C funding. 

After the loss of Redevelopment, the City had a net loss of $1 million. As a result, 4 vacant 
positions within the City were eliminated, overhead charges to all City operations were increased 
by 1%, phone and computer replacement allocations were reduced, and vehicle and 
equipment replacement was deferred. 

This balanced budget was achieved through pension cost-sharing with employees, a new 
two-tier retirement system and no increase in staffing. As always, the City will come back to 
the Council for a mid-year budget review. 


MONROVIA MAYOR LUTZ JOINS OTHER MAYORS IN SUPPORT

OF RESOLUTION FOR MARIJUANA TO BE SOLD AT PHARMACIES

By Joan Schmidt

 Recently Mayor Mary Ann Lutz attended the annual US Conference of Mayors. An important 
resolution concerning marijuana came up and she joined others mayor in support of it.

 The State of California allows marijuana to be sold for medical purposes (not recreational) out 
of dispensaries. The City of Monrovia does not allow these dispensaries within city limits. There 
are other states that do the same thing. The Mayors at the US Conference of Mayors feel that if 
marijuana is to be sold like any other drug, it should be sold like any other controlled substance 
through pharmacies. Mayor Lutz supported this resolution along with the other mayors because “We 
felt that if this controlled substance is for medical purposes, it should be prescribed by physicians and 
pharmacies be the distributor of the drug.”

 Mayor Lutz also noted that the resolution does not change any laws (federal of state), it just tell our 
officials in Washington DC what the preference is of Mayors in the US.

 Below is the resolution that Mayor Lutz so kindly shared so our readers would be up-to-date on 
this issue.

RECLASSIFICATION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS TO SCHEDULE II OF THE CSA

 WHEREAS, 24 states, comprising almost one-third of the U.S. population, have passed or have 
under consideration laws that either regulate or decriminalize the use of cannabis for medical or 
other purposes, and

 WHEREAS, under the Controlled Substance ACT (CSA), the Drug Enforcement Administration 
(DEA) has classified cannabis as Schedule I substance, deeming it of no currently accepted medical 
use in treatment with a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision, instead 
of a Schedule II substance, a drug with a currently accepted medical use in treatment or a currently 
accepted medical us with severe restrictions; and

 WHEREAS, the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians support 
investigation and clinical research of cannabis for medicinal use and urged the federal government 
to reassess the Schedule I classification; and 

 WHEREAS, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of cannabis as a treatment for certain terminal 
or debilitating conditions is widely available, including four reviews of modern human clinical 
studies with cannabis and cannabinoids in the United States and elsewhere recently published in 
peer-reviewed publication; and

 WHEREAS, in the past year, there have been numerous federal raids of locally sanctioned medical 
cannabis dispensaries, operating in accordance with state statutes, creating confusion about the legal 
status of these businesses; and

 WHEREAS, the conflict between state statutes and federal regulation frustrates our citizens, costs 
cities significant time and resources to address, and prevents the establishment of a regulated and safe 
system to supply patients who may need medical cannabis; and

 WHEREAS, in December of 2011, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire and Rhode 
Island Governor Lincoln Chafee petitioned DEA to initiate a rulemaking for reclassification of 
medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II of the CSA,

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports 
the Gregoire-Chafee petition and urges the DEA to initiate rulemaking proceedings from the 
reclassification of medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act 
(CSA) so qualifying patients who follow state law may obtain the medication they need through the 
traditional and safe method of physician prescribing and pharmacy dispensing.

DUARTE SUSPENDS ENFORCEMENT OF

SIGNS TO HELP BOOST SUCCESS OF LOCAL BUSINESSES

 In an move to help support the success of local businesses in tough economic times, the Duarte 
City Council has voted to suspend enforcement of certain temporary signs for a 12-month period 
beginning July 1, 2012.

 It was just a year and a half ago that the City adopted an updated Development Code that 
included new regulations barring hand-held signs, inflatable signs, and limited the display of balloons 
and temporary banners. But last February, City staff met with the Chamber of Commerce’s sign 
ordinance committee as well as attended a community-wide sign ordinance forum to gather input 
from businesses. It was determined that a short-term suspension of the enforcement of certain types 
of violations for temporary signs could help the business community at this time.

 “We appreciate the Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to facilitate the needs of local business 
here in Duarte,” said Duarte City Manager, Darrell George. “The sign ordinance committee was 
instrumental in making this amnesty period happen.”

 During the amnesty period, hand held signs will be permitted during daylight hours when 
not interfering with the safe flow of traffic. Small balloons up to 12 inches in diameter will be allowed 
with an approved temporary banner permit up to 105 days per year and a maximum of 30 consecutive 
days at a time. The display of inflatable signs and identification devices that utilize airflow to operate 
will be permitted during daylight hours when not interfering with traffic flow.

 Two other concerns businesses raised with the City are also being addressed. City code 
enforcement staff has refocused duties in the commercial zones of the city on property maintenance 
and aesthetic issues, and on serious sign violations that create clutter. Since the February meeting, 
the City has also developed sign information brochures that are available at City Hall, the Chamber 
of Commerce and on the City’s website www.accessduarte.com. 

MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK

 

Pool Safety for Children

Establishing and following "Pool Rules" can help ensure your 
family and friends have a safe and fun time swimming this summer. 
Teach your children to swim as early as possible and always 
watch your children when they are in or near a pool or spa. Each 
year, nationwide, we experience too many incidents of children 
drowning in swimming pools, usually a pool owned by their family, 
friends or a relative. At the time of most incidents, the children 
were being supervised by one or both parents. Toddlers, in 
particular, often do the unexpected. In addition to drowning incidents, 
thousands of children are treated in hospital emergency 
rooms for submersion injuries. Do not consider young children 
to be "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons; 
children must always be watched closely while swimming. Here 
are a few "Pool Rules" you can adopt to keep your family and 
friends safe:

 

Always have adult supervision.

Never lose sight of toddlers near a pool or spa.

Keep a portable telephone near the pool with emergency numbers 
posted.

Learn CPR; at least one adult family member should know CPR.

Do not allow running on the edge of the pool.

Keep large floating toys out of the pool - they block the view.

Keep deck areas free of clutter.

Never allow young children to dive into a pool.

Install pool lights for night vision.

Have a clear view of the pool from inside your home.

Remove automatic vacuums from the pool before swimming.

Remove toys from in and around the pool; toys can attract young 
children.

Keep pool chemicals locked away.

Never allow extension cords near a pool.

Keep rescue equipment by the pool.

Install a pool safety fence around your pool and ensure pool gates 
are kept closed.

 

Enforce your "Pool Rules" with family and friends for a safe and 
fun summer in the pool!

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 472 service events, resulting in 86 investigations. To see a complete listing of 
crimes reported, go to http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/monrovia for crime mapping. For Police Department news and information, 
visit our website at www.monroviapd.org and follow us on twitter for police notifications.

 

Commercial Burglary

June 18 at 8:06 a.m., police responded to the report of a commercial burglary in the 600 block of West Huntington. The burglary 
occurred sometime between 5:00 p.m. on June 17 and 8:00 a.m. on June 18. Suspect(s) smashed a window and took Oakley, Maui 
Jim and Rey Ban sunglasses from the business. No alarm sounded. Similar cases have been reported in Anaheim, Whittier and 
Montclair. Investigation continuing. 

Armed Robbery

June 16 at 8:00 p.m., an armed robbery was reported at a business in the 900 block of West Huntington. Two suspects entered the 
store, produced handguns, and ordered the two employees to the floor. While one suspect held the victims at gunpoint, the other 
stole cash and cell phones from the business. The suspects were last seen northbound from the location on foot. The suspects are 
described as male African-Americans, in their 20's, one with a goatee and the other had beard stubble on his face. One suspect 
wore a black hooded sweatshirt, the other wore a gray one, and they both had on black pants.

 

Theft From a Vehicle

June 16 at 8:16 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a theft from an unlocked vehicle in the 100 block of Stedman. The victim 
parked her vehicle in her assigned space directly in front of her apartment in the evening, but left the vehicle unlocked. When she 
returned to her vehicle the next morning, she noticed the vehicle had been ransacked. The only thing missing was approximately 
three dollars in coins from a duffel bag that was in the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

 

Grand Theft / Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft - Suspects Arrested

June 19 at 11:01 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Foothill and California when he observed a silver Lincoln. The vehicle 
matched the description of a suspect vehicle from a battery theft incident the previous day. The suspects stole batteries from a cable 
box in the City of Monrovia. The occupants of the vehicle, a male and female, matched a witness description of the suspects in the 
case. The officer noticed that the vehicle registration was also expired. He stopped the vehicle and contacted the suspects. When he 
spoke to the driver, he observed batteries and a yellow safety vest in the vehicle. A short time later, a call was received in dispatch 
regarding a theft of batteries from a cable box on California that had just occurred. It appears the officer contacted the suspects just 
after they completed another crime. The stolen batteries were recovered and confirmed stolen by cable company employees. Both 
suspects were arrested and taken into custody. The vehicle was stored as evidence. 

Grand Theft Auto

June 19 at 5:05 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of East Olive. The vehicle, a 2005, black Nissan Altima, was 
taken sometime between midnight the night before and 5:00 p.m. on June 19. Investigation continuing.