Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 30, 2012

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Mountain Views-News Saturday June 30, 2012 

MONROVIAN CHRIS SHEVLIN RECEIVES CITRUS 
COLLEGE ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

By Joan Schmidt

 

Special congratulations are due 
for Monrovian Christopher 
Shevlin, husband of Monrovia 
City Council Member, Becky 
Shevlin. On Saturday, June 
16th, Shevlin returned to Citrus 
College to be honored as an 
Alumni Achievement Award 
recipient at the College’s 96th 
commencement ceremony along 
with Bobby Pedroza and Cynthia 
Cervantes.

Christopher Shevlin was a 
standout athlete and was 
supposed to play basketball 
while attending Citrus College. 
Fate intervened; Chris had a 
hand injury which compelled 
him to sit out a season. Because 
he had such a great knowledge 
of the game, one of his coaches 
suggested that he referee. His 
hand injury was a blessing in 
disguise-it led to a 15-year career 
as a high school and college 
coach. During that period, he 
spent many years officiating 
Division I college games and 
served as an NCAA official for 
five years. There were many memorable events in his past, but “most exciting was meeting 
great players such as Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, members of the 1992 U.S. Olympic 
Dream team.

Chris and his wife Becky are no strangers to Monrovian residents or to community service 
and helping others. Back in April, they received the Mary Wilcox Youth Advocacy Award at 
the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills “For the Love of Youth Dinner and Auction.” This 
fundraiser raises funds for their afterschool care for youth from Monrovia, Arcadia and 
Duarte. With special concerns for disadvantaged circumstances, the Club’s mission is to 
enable ALL young people to reach their full potential as respectable, caring and productive 
citizens.

Just this past weekend, there was a special Cleanup Day in Monrovia. Pictures were posted 
on Facebook of Monrovia’s Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, Chris and Becky Shevlin, and Terrence 
Williams from the Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte Town Council participating as well as many 
others especially from the Monrovia Kiwansis and Rotary Club. Mayor Lutz posted a 
“Thank You” to Becky Shevlin, the Monrovia Kiwansis and the Rotary Clubs for sponsoring 
the clean-up. They cleaned Old Town and the Recreation Park!

I have also seen photos of the Shevlins with Ulisses Gutierrez, Community Outreach 
Coordinator at the YMCA. Ulisses is a champion of youth and is involved with special 
programs to help them develop into productive citizens. Any time there is any kind of a 
special program to help youth, you will find the Shevlins offering a helping hand.

Congratulations, Chris on this much-deserved achievement award, and a special Thank you 
to you and Becky for your hard work, service and commitment to our community.


Ulisses Gutierrez, Community Outreach Coordinator at 
the YMCA, and Chris & Becky Shevlin at Mike Antonovich’s 
Veteran’s Fair.

MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

DUARTE APPROVES 
LEAN BUDGET 
FOR FISCAL YEAR 
2012/2013

Following a fifth consecutive year of budget 
cuts in program, services and personnel 
expenses, the Duarte City Council has 
approved a $12 million General Fund 
budget with over $50,000 in projected deficit 
spending for Fiscal Year 2012/2013. It is 
projected that the General Fund will end the 
fiscal year with a reserve of $12.5 million, 
or possibly drop to below $5 million; 42% 
of the General Fund operating budget if the 
State decides to retroactively invalidate City/
Redevelopment Agency debt repayments.

 Total General Fund expenditures are 
projected to be $12 million, an increase of 
$601,500 more than the 2011/2012 budget. 
This increase in General Fund expenses 
represents expenses that were previously 
funded with a portion of Redevelopment 
Funds that were seized by the State 
upon closure of the City’s long standing 
Redevelopment Agency effective February 
1st. General Fund revenues are expected to 
increase to $11.98 million with an increase 
of $414,200 over the 2011/2012 budget. Total 
revenues and other resources received by the 
City and the Housing authority are estimated 
to be $16.1 million.

 According to sales tax projections, 
revenues are expected to increase $120,000 
or 2.7% over the mid year estimated actual. 
This is slower growth than last year, which 
grew by 4% and continues to remain $1 
million below annual sales tax revenues from 
six years ago.

 Over the past five years the City 
has made more than $2 million in cuts 
that have resulted in reduced services and 
programs for the community. Eight full time 
staff positions remain vacant due to budget 
limitations, representing a $791,000 annual 
savings, but further impacting services to 
the community. Full and three-quarter time 
staffing for 2012/2013 is at 41.25, a 20% 
reduction since 2008/2009. 

 There also continues to be an 
imbalance in the Citywide Landscape and 
Lighting District, as costs to operate and 
maintain continue to rise, but revenues do 
not adjust accordingly. Despite implementing 
cost-saving measures including longer 
periods between mowing, watering and 
tree trimming, the District will still require 
a subsidy from the City’s General Fund of 
$227,000.

 “While every attempt has been made 
to achieve a balanced budget and preserve a 
healthy reserve, this has not come without 
significant impacts to residents of Duarte,” 
said Darrell George, City Manager. “As 
difficult as this budget was to put together, 
Duarte will still be able to offer many 
long standing programs and services; 
unfortunately, many at reduced levels. We 
will continue to monitor the State budget 
situation and economic trends and forecast 
their impact on Duarte resources so that we 
continue to remain ahead of the curve and 
retain our reserve,” said George.

 Duarte is working to plug some of 
the gaps by re-inventing programs, utilizing 
community partnerships, and looking at ways 
to increase revenues. For example, the City 
Council will soon consider final approval to 
exchange CDBG funds for General Funds, 
which would net approximately $41,000 in 
General Fund revenue and another $20,000 
that could be set aside for low income youth 
programming previously funded utilizing 
a portion of CDBG funds. The Council 
is also considering increasing annual and 
temporary parking fees and a future public 
hearing. With the adoption of the budget, 
Council approved staff marketing and renting 
out City facilities including the Teen Center, 
gazebos in Encanto and Royal Oaks parks, 
Otis Gordon Park for soccer, in addition to 
selling a City Picnic executive sponsorship 
to generate approximately $103,000 in 
additional General Fund revenues.

 As an example of the outstanding 
partnership between the City and the Duarte 
Unified School District, the District has 
offered to host the Junior Olympic track meet 
which the City has traditionally funded. This 
results in a $5,800 savings to the General 
Fund while retaining this outstanding youth 
program for the community. D.U.S.D. will 
also pay the entire cost of a Sheriff’s Special 
Assignment Deputy School Resource Officer, 
a cost of $162,300 previously shared by the 
City.

 Due to the magnitude of cuts and 
the City’s desire to restore many, if not all, 
of these programs and services, the City 
Council retained Willdan Financial Services 
to conduct a survey and analysis of Duarte 
voters’ willingness to support one of several 
new revenue options being considered to be 
placed on the November 2012 ballot. The 
telephone surveys recently concluded and 
are now being analyzed to determine if a 
Utility Tax, 1/2 % supplemental sales tax, or 
public safety parcel tax would be acceptable 
to voters in order to restore vital City services. 

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of June 25-27, 2012

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 505 service events, resulting 
in 65 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 http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/city-government/departments/police-
department-homepage and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/MonroviaPolice for 
police notifications.

 

Injury Traffic Collision

June 25 at 8:36 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting two vehicles involved in a traffic collision 
with injuries. Investigation revealed that a driver of a vehicle headed southbound on 
Mountain failed to yield to an oncoming vehicle when turning east onto Lemon. Both drivers 
received minor visible injuries, and one of the drivers was transported to a hospital due 
to complaint of back and neck pain. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage. Investigation 
continuing. 

Theft From a Vehicle

June 25 at 7:53 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 600 block of Parkrose. The 
theft occurred sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The vehicle was ransacked and a 
flashlight and some miscellaneous change were stolen. Investigation continuing.

 

Barricaded Suspect / Ex-Felon With a Firearm - Suspect Arrested

June 26 at 1:19 p.m., officers responded to the report of a suicidal subject in the 800 block 
of West Duarte Road. A friend of the subject called and reported the man had been drinking 
heavily and had stated he was going to commit suicide. He also threatened to shoot 
police and refused to exit the house. The Foothill Special Enforcement Team was activated 
to handle the barricade situation. Duarte Road was shut down and residents were evacuated. 

During the investigation, it was learned that the suspect had several firearms in his residence. 
It was also learned that he is a convicted felon. Detectives obtained a warrant for the 
suspect's arrest. He continued to refuse to cooperate. Distraction devices were deployed and 
tear gas was utilized. The suspect surrendered at approximately 1:00 a.m. The Red Cross 
responded to provide aid to the residents who had been evacuated.

 

Vehicle Burglary

June 26 at 10:05 p.m., a window-smash vehicle burglary was reported in the 600 block of 
West Huntington. The burglary occurred in a business parking lot sometime between 4:30 
and 10:05 p.m. An iPod was stolen from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

 

Sexual Assault Case - Suspect Sentenced

In February 2011, a sexual assault occurred at a residence on Alta Vista involving a relative 
that committed sexual assault against a family member. The suspect entered the apartment 
of his niece and sexually assaulted her while she was asleep on the living room floor with a 
female friend. The suspect had been drinking and fled before police arrived at the location. 
The case was assigned to detectives. 

Detectives filed the case with the District Attorney's Office and coordinated efforts with 
State Parole Agents to have the suspect tracked down. The suspect was located and arrested, 
and multiple charges were filed against the suspect by the District Attorney's Office. The 
case went to trial the week of June 18, 2012, and the suspect was found guilty of two serious 
felony counts of sexual assault. He was sentenced to 50 years to life.

 

Barricaded Suicidal Subject - Suspect Arrested

On June 26, patrol officers and detectives responded to the 800 block of West Duarte Road 
regarding a barricaded suicidal subject - See above June 26 incident for details. Detectives 
worked collaboratively with patrol officers to obtain an arrest warrant for the subject. After a 
lengthy standoff with police, he eventually exited his home and was taken into custody. The 
suspect was booked and charges will be sought against him. 

Happy July 4th