Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 25, 2012

DUARTE PASSES RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE TO 
COMPLY WITH BROWN ACT DESPITE STATE’S ACTION

Despite the State’s decision to suspend key provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s 
long standing open meeting law, the City of Duarte will continue to comply to assure continued 
transparency in the conduct of the meetings of the City Council and all City Commissions and 
committees to which the Brown Act applies. 

 “The City of Duarte is committed to open government and will continue to comply with the 
Brown Act, said Mayor, John Fasana.

Enacted in 1953, the Brown Act, guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings 
of legislative bodies.

 On June 27, 2012, as part of the State Budget Act, five provisions of the Brown Act were 
suspended to avoid having to reimburse local agencies for the state mandate. Suspended for fiscal 
years 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, were the requirements to:

• Prepare and post at least 72 hours in advance of a meeting an agenda that contains a brief 
description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting.
• Include on the agenda a brief general description of all items to be discussed in closed session.
• Disclosure of each item to be discussed in closed session in an open meeting prior to any 
closed session.
• Report in open session prior to adjournment of the actions and votes taken in closed session 
regarding certain subject matters.
• Provide copies to the public of certain closed session documents.


In a resolution adopted unanimously by the Duarte City Council on August 14, the Council 
reaffirmed its commitment to providing continued transparency when conducting its business, in 
adherence with the City’s mission statement: “With integrity and transparency, the City of Duarte 
provides exemplary public services in a caring and fiscally responsible manner with a commitment 
to our community’s future.”

MONROVIA’S ASPIRING WRITER, ASHLEY HOWIE

By Joan Schmidt

 The San 
Gabriel Valley has 
surely produced 
outstanding 
young adults. 
I have written 
about Arcadia’s 
shining star, Erica 
Wu who recently 
traveled to London 
to represent the 
United States 
in table tennis. 
And of course, 
from Arcadia 
High, Kevin 
Fox’s outstanding 
government class 
who took the 
bronze in the WE 
the People National 
Finals. In Duarte 
the four shining stars who achieved Girl Scouts’ Gold Award, and their great swimming team, led 
by my former student, Elizabeth Pender who sent records. El Monte gave us Kim Rhode, the FIRST 
American to win a medal in FIVE consecutive Olympics.

 Now it’s time to talk about a really amazing twenty-two year old woman, from northern 
Monrovia- Ashley Howie. I’ve known Ashley for ages as her family is part of Annunciation Parish. 
Also Ashley attended Annunciation School from kindergarten through eighth grade and was in my 
sixth grade.

 When Ashley was in sixth grade, she was a hardworking student who took pride in all she 
did. Her parents were very involved and for our class Christmas Party, Ashley’s dad Bill dressed as 
Santa Claus! Our class had two field trips to the El Monte and Norton Simon Museums and Anna, my 
Room Mother, miraculously got drivers for both.

 Ashley’s seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Vajko realized Ashley had special talent. Mrs. Vajko 
handed her Writer’s Digest and said, “This is your calling and you should probably pursue it.”

 After graduation from Annunciation School, Ashley went to La Salle and graduated in 2008. 
Enrolled at the Art Institute of Orange County, she is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree in 
Culinary Management, which she will receive next June, and then Ashley will pursue her Master’s.

 There are so many projects Ashley has going on at once. First she loves to write. How did she 
get the idea for The Butterfly Pendant”? Back when she was thirteen, Ashley developed a map and 
language and then it blossomed to what it is today. (Her book was eight years in the making!) While 
attending the Art Institute, two teachers read her book, loved it and wanted her to expand it into a 
trilogy! The Butterfly Pendant is suitable for young adults, but anyone who loves fantasy would enjoy 
it. I plan to sit under the tree and devour it!

This past Saturday evening, Bob and I attended a celebration of Ashley’s book being published. We 
were greeted by Ashley’s dad and two peacocks. Then saw Anna, her mom, and our star, Ashley, who 
has grown into such a beautiful young woman. EVERYONE is so proud of all she has accomplished!

So many family members and friends came to enjoy this special celebration. They included her 
maternal grandmother, relatives/friends originally from Malta, her special guy William Gardner, 
best friend since childhood Taylor and her parents, so many Annunciation families, the Hernandez, 
D’Angelo’s, Estrada’s, Tisha Bryan, Agullar’s, the Merieca’s, neighbors, and Bunco partners!

Books need to be published. Ashley and William just started their own publishing company, Ink 
Smith Publishing Company.

Ashley is multi-talented with many interests! She loves to cook using her homegrown vegetables to 
prepare healthy meals. Her family has a greenhouse on the property, and Ashley posts pictures of her 
culinary masterpieces!

Ashley loves Medieval Times and can be found every summer employed at the Renaissance Faire in 
Irwindale. Perhaps you’ve seen her there.

Congratulations, dear Ashley. Everyone is so proud of you. With hard work and determination, you 
have accomplished so much. I also congratulate your dear parents, Anna and Bill. From Day 1, when I 
met them, they have been so devoted to you and have encouraged you all these years in all endeavors! 


MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 422 service events, resulting in 75 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.

Warrant / Parolee at Large - Suspect Arrested

On August 16 at 7:20 a.m., police were requested to the 800 block of West Chestnut regarding a male 
transient sleeping on a bench on a business property near their front lobby. Officers arrived and recognized 
the subject from prior contacts. Computer checks revealed he had an outstanding warrant 
out of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and a no-bail parolee-at-large warrant. He was arrested and 
taken into custody.

Traffic Collision - Vehicle vs. Pedestrian

On August 17 at 8:49 p.m., a 73-year-old female was walking east on Royal Oaks and began to cross 
Mountain in the pedestrian walkway. The female claims she had a white figure facing her, indicating 
she was clear to cross the street, when a vehicle turned southbound onto Mountain from Royal Oaks. 
The driver claims she had a green signal facing her direction of travel. The pedestrian managed to 
push away from the vehicle with her arms, but still fell to the ground, striking her head on the asphalt. 
She complained of pain to her left leg, left arm, and her head. She was taken to a hospital, where she 
is expected to recover from her injuries. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

On August 18 at 8:34 a.m., an officer was dispatched to an apartment complex in the 1800 block of 
Eighth Avenue regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim parked her vehicle in a guest parking stall to 
the rear of the complex in the evening. She locked the vehicle, but had left her purse and laptop on 
the floorboard, behind the front passenger seat. When she returned to her vehicle the next morning 
at about 8:30 a.m., she found the rear passenger side window shattered. Her purse, credit cards and 
laptop were all missing. Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

On August 18 at 10:36 a.m., the victim of a grand theft auto called to report he had located his stolen 
vehicle in the 100 block East Colorado. The victim was out riding his bicycle around town and happened 
to come across his vehicle. The vehicle is a silver, 2005 Toyota Camry and was reported stolen 
on August 15. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto / Warrant / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspects Arrested

On August 18 at 12:22 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of West Lemon. The 
victim parked her vehicle in her designated parking stall at her apartment complex and locked it. 
When she returned to the vehicle the next morning it was missing. The vehicle is a green, 1997 Acura 
Integra.

At 2:02 p.m. the same day, a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of California. The reporting 
party ran out of his house when his wife told him someone had just broken into his vehicle. He 
ran to the alley and saw three suspicious subjects in and around a green Acura Integra. He was able to 
get a picture on his cell phone of the driver, suspects, the vehicle, and the license plate. He attempted 
to follow the suspects, but lost them. He then went home and called police. Police responded and 
checked the area. An area search was made and two of the suspects were eventually located. The 
vehicle license plate was found to belong to the stolen Acura from earlier that morning. The pictures 
taken by the reporting party positively identified the driver of the stolen vehicle. The second suspect 
was found to have an outstanding warrant. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

In the early morning hours of the next day, officers located the third outstanding suspect sleeping 
in an alley. He had shaved his head in an attempt to alter his appearance. He was taken into custody 
without incident.

On August 19 at 8:38 p.m., an officer on patrol was driving through an alley in the 200 block of West 
Colorado and located the stolen green Acura parked in a carport stall of an apartment complex. The 
vehicle was recovered.

Grand Theft Auto

On August 19 at 9:17 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of East Central. The victim 
parked and locked his black, 2004 Chevy Silverado in front of his residence about 9 p.m. in the 
evening. He noticed the vehicle missing the next morning at 9 a.m. The vehicle has 20-inch chrome 
rims. Investigation continuing.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

August 20 at 9:48 a.m., police responded to an apartment complex in the 500 block of West Foothill 
regarding a subject sleeping on private property. Upon arrival, they found a male subject wearing 
women's clothing asleep toward the front of the property. When the subject was awakened, he was 
cooperative. There was a purse in front of him, which he admitted to officers had methamphetamine 
in it. A verbal consent to search was obtained and a large quantity of used needles and a burnt spoon 
were recovered. The suspect was arrested.

Rollover Injury Traffic Collision

August 20 at 9:30 p.m., a young man was driving his vehicle eastbound in the 100 block of East 
Lemon. He was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for the stop sign at Ivy. When his 
vehicle hit the dip in the intersection, the vehicle went airborne. It landed on the east side of the intersection 
and the driver lost control of the vehicle, striking a parked car. The vehicle then rolled over 
several times in the street. The driver received minor injuries and had to be removed from the vehicle 
by Monrovia Fire Department personnel. The driver was taken to a hospital, where he is expected to 
recover from his injuries.

Mail Thefts

August 21, several mail thefts occurred throughout the city during daytime hours. The thefts occurred 
in the 700 block of Anita, the 900 block of Royal Oaks, the 400 block of North Magnolia, and 
the 900 block of Norumbega. Some of the mail stolen from Anita and North Magnolia was found in 
the street at Primrose and Scenic, indicating these cases may be related. A witness to the thefts from 
Norumbega saw a suspect by the mailboxes at 4:00 p.m. The suspect is described as a male, White, 
40's, very short blond hair, wearing a white tank shirt. The suspect vehicle is described as an older 
model, teal or dark colored Ford Bronco or Explorer. Investigation continuing.

NEIGHBORHOOD 

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: 
REGISTER TODAY!

 

Join the ever-growing MAP Network by attending 
the Neighborhood Leadership Academy. This 
free Academy is a 6 week course that will guide you 
through local government, community resources 
and your potential as a pillar of positive change in 
the community - a MAP Neighborhood Leader. 

The Academy gives participants the unique opportunity 
to meet city staff and officials, get a tour of Monrovia 
and dialogue with other community leaders.

After the Academy, Neighborhood Leaders are invited to quarterly trainings, networking opportunities 
and receive invitations to participate in other leadership roles in the community.

Click here to learn more or to fill out an application!

Day/Hour: Thursdays, 7pm - 9pm

Dates: September 20 - November 1

Location: Monrovia Community Center

Fee: FREE

Ages: 18+


$5.00 off any service(at regular price)