Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 18, 2013

7


Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 18, 2013 

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY TO CELEBRATE 
RELEASE OF DUARTE CHRONICLES MAY 
30 AT OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY

DUARTE, CA, May 13, 2013 -- Duarte Chronicles, a newly 
released book about 
Duarte, authored by 
Claudia Heller, has 
the city abuzz with 
anticipation for secret 
places revealed, and 
the stories of colorful 
characters, events, 
and history that have 
helped shape the 
community over the 
past 20 years.

 To celebrate the 
new book the Duarte 
Historical Society 
will sponsor a book 
launching party 
Thursday, May 30 
at the Old Spaghetti 
Factory, 1431 Buena 
Vista St., in Duarte. The 
event will begin with a 
social hour at 5 p.m. 
Dinner will be served 
at 6 p.m., followed 
by entertainment by 
vocalist, Jeanette DePatie, and a visual presentation, book signing 
and sale. Tickets are $22, with dinner profits to benefit the Duarte 
Historical Society.

 Author Claudia Heller and husband Alan Heller, who 
provided many of the photographs in the book, know the 
community well. Residents of more than 30 years, both have been 
active as leaders and participants in community life. Claudia is 
the longtime president of the Duarte Historical Society. Alan 
is president of Duarte Public Access (DCTV) and a former 
City commissioner. Claudia is also a veteran columnist for the 
Pasadena Star News, where she has been writing about Duarte 
life since 1991. Duarte Chronicles is a compilation of many of the 
stories that have appeared in her column. 

 Mayor Margaret Finlay, who wrote the foreward for 
Duarte Chronicles noted, “I know that once people live in Duarte 
they always consider it home. Whatever the reasons, you will find 
in the pages of this book a cast of characters as fascinating and 
eclectic as any heroes in our country’s history.”

 Reservations for the book launch party are required by 
May 25. Checks should be made payable to the Duarte Historical 
Society, C/O Claudia Heller, P. O. Box 1251, Duarte, CA 91009.

 Following the official book launch, copies of Duarte 
Chronicles will be available for purchase at Duarte City Hall 
with profits from those sales to benefit the Duarte Historical 
Society. 

 Much was accomplished 
at Tuesday’s Duarte City 
Council Meeting. After a 
request from Duarte Council 
Member Fasana, Temple 
Station Commander, Captain 
Christopher Nee addressed the 
community. The Duarte City 
Council had received a few 
complaints from residents who 
felt that when calling Temple 
Station to report suspicious 
activities, the desk personnel 
seemed disinterested in their 
calls and deputy response 
times were lengthy. Captain 
Nee personally met with each 
individual assigned to the 
Temple Station desk, discussed 
these complaints and explained 
the importance of customer 
service and the Sheriff’s 
Department’s expectations 
of service. All of the desk 
personnel were very receptive 
and appreciated the talk. 
Captain Nee reassured the Council Members and the public who 
were in attendance of the Temple Sheriff’s Station commitment to 
the Duarte community and asked them to continue to report any 
and all suspicious activities. Captain Nee also said, “Obviously we 
have to prioritize our calls but we DO and WILL respond to all calls 
for service.”

Captain Nee also revealed to me that he had personally called one 
resident to go over the concern, and the issue was resolved. I am 
not sure how many “Chiefs of Police” personally call a resident 
over a concern. As a Monrovia-Duarte Town Council Member 
for ten years and my status as a reporter, I had extensive contact 
with many Sheriff’s stations, programs and various units.They 
were ALL exceptional. Do people realize that Temple Station 
provides service for five cities-Temple City, Duarte, Bradbury, 
South El Monte and Rosemead, and several unincorporated 
areas-Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte, East Pasadena and South San 
Gabriel! So Captain Nee IS the “Chief of Police” for these five cities! 
From where I am at, he’s doing an EXCEPTIONAL job! Thanks, 
Captain Nee!

 After Captain Nee spoke, there was recognition of 
Mr. Jerry Katz, who received the Temple Station 2012 Civilian 
Volunteer of the Year Award. Since becoming a station volunteer in 
April, 2007, Mr. Katz has donated over 698 hours of his own time. In 
December, 2012, Mr. Katz received a letter of commendation for 
volunteering at the holiday Christmas celebration. The City of 
Duarte presented a special Certificate of Recognition for his hard 
work and dedication to the City of Duarte, Temple Station and the 
Sheriff’s Department.

 The City next honored Los Angeles County Fire Captain 
Joseph Alvarado for 39 years of service including seven as a 
Montebello Fireman. For the last six years, he served the citizens 
of Duarte before he retired on April 25, 2013. Well done, Captain 
Alvarado!

 Mayor Finlay read a Proclamation recognizing May 2013 
as Older American Month. Afterwards, Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Delker 
was honored as Senior Volunteer of the Year. Dr. Delker has lived 
in the Duarte community since December, 1979 when he and his 
family arrived. He has been a long-standing active community 
leader. He first became involved with youth activities including 
Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. He has served as a member on the 
Public Services Commission and Youth and Family Master Plan 
Advisory Commission. In 2002, he joined the Duarte Elks Club and 
expanded its services to youth. He encouraged the Lodge to support 
the National Dictionary Project in 2007; they have provided 3300 
dictionaries to third graders throughout the San Gabriel Valley. In 
2011, he obtained a National Elks Grant to start the Bikes for Kids 
program. To date the Duarte Elks have provided 200 helmets and 
90 bicycles to Duarte children. Thank you, Dr. Delker! 

DUARTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING: CAPTAIN NEE ADDRESSES 
COMMUNITY By Joan Schmidt


Sergeant Tri Hoang and Captain Christopher Nee


DR. JERRY DELKER NAMED 
DUARTE SENIOR VOLUNTEER 
OF THE YEAR

Longtime Duarte resident and dedicated community leader, 
Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Delker, has been named City of Duarte 
Senior Volunteer of the Year for his years of volunteer service. 
He was honored by the Duarte City Council for his years of 
volunteer service to the community. He will also be honored 
at the 48th Annual Older Americans Recognition Day 
Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on May 22, and at 
the Duarte Senior Center Volunteer Recognition Dinner on 
June 14.

“Jerry’s dedication and volunteerism has improved the quality 
of lives of many Duarteans since the day he and his family 
moved to Duarte in 1979. A majority of his tireless efforts and 
activities have benefited the youth of our community. He is 
one of Duarte’s jewels,” said Duarte Senior Center director, Peggy Diamond.

Dr. Delker has served the City of Duarte as a member of the Community Services Commission for four years and was a member of 
the important Youth and Family Master Plan advisory committee. In 2002 he joined the Duarte Elks Lodge and expanded its services 
to youth. He got the lodge involved in the National Dictionary Project in 2007 which has provided 3,300 dictionaries to third grade 
students throughout the San Gabriel Valley. By applying for and obtaining a National Elks grant to start the Bikes for Kids Program, 
more than 200 helmets and 90 bicycles have been donated by the Duarte Elks to Duarte children. He also conducts a weekly bike repair 
class at Mt. Olive High School, and serves as a substitute teacher for Duarte Unified School District. Over the years he has also been 
involved with the PTA and in the troop, district and council level for the Girl Scouts of America. Last year he worked on the 100th 
anniversary Girls Scouts Camporee. He has also continued to work with the Boy Scouts of America by serving as a unit advisor, and 
conducts monthly leadership classes.

Monrovia Police Blotter

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of May 13-15, 2013

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 
487 service events, resulting in 77 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 and follow us on 
Twitter for police notifications.

 

Petty Theft From a Vehicle

May 13 at 6:11 a.m., a petty theft from an unlocked vehicle that 
occurred in the 100 block of Acacia was reported to police. The 
victim parked his vehicle in his driveway at approximately 10:30 
p.m. and left it unlocked. Unknown suspect(s) entered the vehicle 
overnight and took makeup, an iPad touch, a Garmin GPS, employee 
identification, miscellaneous tools and clothing. The investigation 
is continuing.

 

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

 

May 13 at 9:21 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 500 
block of West Duarte Road. An officer responded and found a solo 
vehicle that had crashed into several parked cars. Further investigation 
determined the driver was under the influence of medications, 
and he was uncooperative with the officer. The driver was 
arrested for driving under the influence and taken into custody. 

Traffic Violation / Outstanding Warrant - Suspect Arrested

May 15 at 11:44 a.m., an officer was working special traffic enforcement 
on the Office of Traffic Safety grant and made a traffic 
stop in the 2000 block of California on vehicle for a vehicle code 
violation. A warrant check revealed the driver had multiple felony 
warrants for his arrest. The driver was arrested without incident 
and taken to the station for booking.

 

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

 

May 16 at 1:56 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle committing several 
vehicle code violations. The officer conducted a traffic stop 
at Palm and Ivy. After further investigation, the driver was determined 
to be under the influence and was arrested for DUI.

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up

 

In September of 2011, an on going neighbor dispute turned into 
a violent verbal confrontation in the 2100 block of South Myrtle 
Avenue. An arrest was made of a 40-year-old male, who verbally 
threatened a female and her father, who owns a business in the 
area. The case was continued a number of times and finally came 
to a plea agreement on May 7, 2013. The suspect pled guilty and 
was sentenced to 9 years in prison.

MONROVIA DINNER THEATRE

Swazzle Puppets will be presenting a Dinner Theatre puppet show on Thursday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. The whole family is invited to join 
us for a comic retelling of the classic Aesop’s Fable, The Grasshopper and the Ants located at the Rotary Club Bandshell in Library Park. 
The show features handcrafted puppets, hand painted scenery, and audience participation. Bring your dinner, a blanket and/or chair to 
sit in the park and watch a wonderful show for the entire family. 

Stop by the Youth Reference Desk, call (626) 256-8274, or visit www.monroviapubliclibrary.org for more information. The Rotary 
Club Bandshell is located at 321 South Myrtle Avenue, in Old Town Monrovia’s Library Park. 

Thursday, June 6 6:30 p.m.

Rotary Club Bandshell in Library Park Free

 
Department of Community Services 
Monrovia Public Library 
321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016 
(626) 256-8274 www.monroviapubliclibrary.org 
OPENING DAY IS SATURDAY, JUNE, 22, 
2013 THIS YEAR!

Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl

Come celebrate one of the most talked about highlights of the 
upcoming summer! Join the Arcadia Recreation and Community 
Services Department as we kick off the 2013 summer season with 
our annual adult excursion to the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, 
June 22, 2013 from 6-11:30pm. Enjoy an evening with the brilliant 
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, special celebrity guests and a 
spectacular fireworks finale! Invite a few friends and bring a basket 
of picnic delights for a captivating evening of entertainment! 
Tickets are $40.00 and are on sale now online, by mail, walk-in 
or fax-in. 

Tickets will be available for early pick up beginning Monday, June 
17 from 8am to 9pm in the Community Center and continuing 
through Friday, June 21 until 5pm. Participants can only receive 
tickets with a receipt or a proper ID. On the night of the event, 
Saturday, June 22, participants should meet at the Arcadia County 
Park parking lot near the fountain located at Huntington Drive 
and Santa Anita Ave at 6pm. 

Go to the City of Arcadia’s website: www.ci.arcadia.ca.us, to 
download the registration form or stop by the office, 375 Campus 
Drive. For more information please call 626.574.5113!


MONROVIA SUNDAY 
MORNING 

FARMERS' MARKET

That's right- it's back! From 10am - 2pm 
on Myrtle Avenue, shop for fresh produce 
at the Sunday morning Farmers' Market in 
Old Town Monrovia.