Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 19, 2013

7

Mountain Views News Saturday, January 19, 2013

STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS 
FROM DUARTE KIWANIS CLUB

It’s great when a plan comes together! Last June, the Duarte Kiwanis Club budgeted $3500.00 for 
scholarships for graduating seniors. In January, they were able to provide two more checks to two 
deserving students. Israel Torres and Sarah Perez are both graduates of Mt. Olive High School 
in Duarte. They got in touch with Susan Huthmacher, Secretary at Mt. Olive and provided their 
registration information (both are now students at Citrus College). Susan was persistent and as soon 
as the Holidays were over scheduled the check presentations with Duarte Kiwanis President, Tina 
Carey. Both students were able to attend the Kiwanis meeting – along with Principal Kevin Morris 
and the checks were presented. Seems a perfect opportunity for the Kiwanis Club – since their motto 
is “changing the world one child, and one community at a time”. Pictured from the left, Mt. Olive 
Principal, Kevin Morris, Sarah Perez, Israel Torres and Duarte Kiwanis President, Tina Carey.

The Duarte Kiwanis Club has lunch meetings the first, third and fifth Tuesdays of the month at 
Westminster Gardens. For further information on speaking or joining the club, contact Dr. Diane 
Hernandez at drdiane@drhernandezoptometry.com. 

 
There has been a lot of Monrovia 
City Council News. First, Joe 
Garcia announced he will 
not seek reelection. There are 
two openings on the Council. 
Clarence Shaw, a Major in the 
United States Army Reserves 
who has been deployed since 
July 2011 pulled papers, but 
chose not to file them. Larry 
Spicer, who has been filling 
in for Shaw, and Attorney 
Alexander Blackburn have 
both filed papers for the two 
seats, so they are unopposed. 
Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, City 
Treasurer Steve Baker and 
City Clerk Alice Atkins also 
are running unopposed. There 
will be a special meeting to 
decide whether or not to hold 
an election.

 At the City Council Meeting, 
January 15, Monrovia Fire Chief 
Chris Donovan introduced 
newly promoted Fire Engineer 
Chris Hudson and newly 
hired Firefighter/Paramedics 
Justin Casaneda and David 
Loomis. Congratulations to 
Engineer Chris Hudson on 
a much-deserved promotion 
and Welcome aboard to Justin 
Casaneda and David Loomis. 
They certainly will be an 
asset to Monrovia’s fine Fire 
Department.

 One very important issue 
that was brought up at the 
meeting was the bailout (of 
approximately $35,000) of the 
Family Festival Production 
company that operates the 
Friday Night Family Festival 
in Monrovia. Originally, City 
Manager Laurie Lile had 
recommended that the City 
Council forgive this estimated 
$35,000 because company 
asked the city to forgive past 
due debts and waive future 
fees due to financial hardship. 
However, since word leaked 
out about this request, there 
have been a lot of questions 
and comments from the 
community. A local attorney, 
Lynne Palmer wrote, “Surely 
other local and longstanding 
businesses who are having 
a tough time surviving in a 
difficult economy would like to 
get in line for this bailout.” 

 The Council voted to 
postpone the vote till a 
later date. It certainly is an 
interesting issue. Many people 
love Friday Night Festivals 
and come from cities nearby to 
Monrovia to participate in and 
enjoy this great event. However 
Ms. Palmer also has a very good 
point. Last year I attended a 
City Council meeting and a 
proprietor was lamenting the 
economy and related how he 
had to move his business to a 
side street for a lower rent.

 If anyone has missed a Council 
Meeting, they are shown on the 
KGEM Cable network. These 
meetings keep residents aware 
of all that’s happening in their 
city!

MONROVIA CITY COUNCIL POSTPONES 
BAILOUT VOTE - AND MORE By Joan Schmidt

 
From right to left, recently Promoted Fire Engineer Chris Huson, Fire Chief Donovan, 
newly hired Firefighter/Paramedic David Loomis and Firefighter/Paramedic Justin 
Castaneda


SAVE THE DATE: 2013 STATE OF 
THE CITY ADDRESS

 

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz will deliver the Annual State of the City 
Address hosted by the City of Monrovia on January 28, 2013, 
7p.m. at the Krikorian Premiere Theatre in Old Town Monrovia. 

To RSVP for the event, please call (626) 932-5555 x1401. Space is 
limited and seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Following the event, the speech will be available on the City of 
Monrovia website and on KGEM TV.

Monrovia Police Blotter

Mayor Lutz


Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of January 14-16, 2013

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 347 service events, resulting in 61 
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 for police notifications.

 

Vehicle Burglary

January 14 at 6:54 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1000 block of Orange Avenue. The 
victim's vehicle was parked in the driveway. The victim reported the vehicle was locked, but there was 
no sign of forced entry. The loss was an empty case for sunglasses and a cord for an Ipod. Investigation 
continuing. 

Commercial Burglary / Fraud / Identity Theft - Suspects Arrested

January 15 at 4:51 p.m., an employee of a business in the 400 block of West Huntington called to 
report a possible fraud incident at their location. Three suspects entered the business, selected merchandise 
and went to the registers. Two of the suspects claimed they forgot their store credit card and 
were allowed to enter their social security number on the touch pad and presented identification. The 
employee believed the identification to be fraudulent and notified store security and a store manager. 
The employee delayed the subjects until officers could arrive. 

Upon their arrival, the officers arrested two of the suspects for burglary, identity theft, forgery and 
other charges. The third suspect was arrested for an outstanding warrant. During an inventory search 
in the jail, the arresting officer noticed a receipt which indicated one of the suspects purchased over 
$4,500 in merchandise from a store in Duarte. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was 
notified regarding the incident in their city. 

Burglary / Felony Vandalism

January 16 at 6:30 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of East Lime. The victim 
left the residence to visit a relative in the front house between 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. When she returned, 
she found someone had entered her home and smashed her computer, television, and a lamp. Nothing 
was stolen. There were no signs of forced entry. The victim suspects the ex-boyfriend of her 
daughter, who had a key to the residence. It appears the suspect entered the home with the intent of 
committing felony vandalism. Investigation continuing.

 

Residential Burglary

January 16 at 9:42 p.m., police responded to a residence in the 500 block of North Alta Vista on the 
report of a residential burglary. The victim left home at 8:30 a.m., and when she returned at 9:35 p.m., 
she found her home had been ransacked. The suspect pried open the rear door to gain entry. A handgun, 
iPad and jewelry were stolen. Investigation continuing. 

Monrovia Police Department Seeks Help Identifying Battery Suspect 

The Monrovia Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying the suspect of a battery 
incident that occurred in Old Town Monrovia on New Year's Day. Below is a sketch artist's rendering 
of the possible suspect. If you were a witness or have any information as to the identity of the suspect 
in this crime, please contact Detective Rob Wilken of the Monrovia Police Department at (626) 
256-8000.