Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 25, 2015

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 25, 2015 

KOVACIC MAYOR FOR SIXTH TIME


By Scott Hettrick

Courtesy of Arcadia’s Best

Gary Kovacic was elected Mayor tonight, April 21, 
2015, by his peers on the Arcadia City Council for 
this sixth time since 1998 (including once in a shared 
rotation among all five Council Members during the 
2003-04 Centenial Year).

 Incoming Mayor Gary Kovacic (l) honors 
outgoing Mayor John Wuo, standing next to new 
Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler (center) and 
Council Members Sho Tay and Tom Beck

 And three-time former Mayor Roger Chandler 
since 1989 was elected Mayor Pro Tem tonight, 
lining him up for a likely fourth term as Mayor in 
2016-17.

 Mayor Kovacic is in the final year of a second 
consecutive four-year term, meaning he will need 
to step away from the Council for at least two years 
after he concludes his latest term as Mayor next 
April.

 The quick and uncontested nominations and 
unanimous elections of Kovacic and Chandler 
came moments after outgoing Mayor John Wuo was 
praised by his peers, representatives of other County, 
State and Federal legislators, and local organizations 
for the end of his fourth gig as Mayor since his 
abbreviated debut during the Centennial year in 
2003-04.

 Among those groups honoring Wuo with 
presentations were the Arcadia School Disitrct and 
School Board, the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, 
and the Arcadia Chinese Association. Wuo will 
remain on the Council for the final year of his four-
year term. He has not said whether he will run for 
re-election less than a year from now.

The other two Council Members, Sho Tay and 
Tom Beck, both completing their first year on the 
Council, apparently were never considered for 
Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem this time around. Often 
these arrangements are quietly coordinated to a 
certain degree a year ahead of time amongst the 
Council Members, although they are restricted 
from discussing any topic with more than one other 
Council Member and nothing is ever official under 
they actually vote at the regular public City Council 
meeting each April.

 Some of the discussion amongst Council 
Members with others attending the pre-meeting 
reception tonight was about the next election in 2016 
for which the campaign begins late this year. Only 
two seats will be open — Wuo’s and the outgoing 
Kovacic. If Wuo runs again, he will likely be one 
of three former Mayors running, including four-
timer Bob Harbicht, and Peter Amundson, who was 
Mayor once in 2010-11 and was on the Council for 
eight years before having to sit out the past year and 
the next before running again.

Burton Brink, who ran a pretty strong campaign a 
year ago, has announced publicly many times that 
he will be running again. And attorney April Verlato 
is also expected to run. Verlato is the new President 
of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association 
and has been prominent as one of the leaders in the 
battle of Highlands homeowners against the City of 
Arcadia over the last six months or so.

 Before the ceremonial portion of the City 
Council meeting began, Highlands homeowner 
David Arvizu used his full five minutes of public 
comment to reiterate the fact that he has filed a 
class action lawsuit against the City to overturn 
their decision to allow two large homes to replace 
two smaller homes. He also said that in case city 
officials didn’t get the message in a recent meeting, 
there will be no settlement of the suit, that there may 
even be another lawsuit, and that work has begun to 
mount a petition drive to recall three sitting Council 
Members, outgoing Mayor John Wuo whose term 
ends in a year, newly-elected Mayor Roger Chandler, 
and first-year Council Member Sho Tay.

 Two other people making public comments 
complained about the City’s new requirement that 
operators of massage services have a business license 
from the State of California instead of the City of 
Arcadia. The first woman was emotional and wiping 
away tears during her comments. Although City 
Manager Dominic Lazzaretto advised them that as 
long as they have a valid City license, they should 
qualify for the state license without much problem, 
they each said it was not that simple because there 
are other requirements that will take time and are 
causing them to lose their license to operate their 
business in the meantime.

 The meeting began with an invocation during 
which the Almighty was called on to help Arcadians 
make it through this period where criminals are 
“terrorizing” our community and to help Arcadians 
who are dealing with the water shortage.

 After a preamble filled with such concerning 
characterizations, pointed criticisms, legal threats 
and uncomfortable and emotional pleas in front of 
an audience that included the spouses and parents 
of Council Members who came to celebrate special 
moments for their loved ones, the more upbeat 
portion of the meeting got underway. Several of the 
Council Members noted that despite some challenges 
faced by Arcadia, as always and no different and still 
fewer than most cities, Arcadia remains a very well 
run and very safe community.

 Kovacic said that he encourages his Council peers 
and the community to heed the advice of Aretha 
Franklin’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” for one another as they 
grapple with the challenges ahead.

Incoming Mayor Gary Kovacic (l) honors outgoing Mayor John Wuo, standing next to new Mayor Pro 
Tem Roger Chandler (center) and Council Members Sho Tay and Tom Beck

ARCADIA AAUW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 

FUNGI AND GLOBAL WARMING CONNECTION 

A CANINE EVENT 

TO FIGHT CANCER

The City of Arcadia along with the Hope Can Cure Cancer Club 
from Arcadia High School is hosting a Bark for Life Event. Bark 
for Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to 
raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. 
Bark for Life is directly related to Arcadia’s Relay for Life and shares 
the theme, “Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.” So bring your best 
canine friends and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, 
and continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games. Keynote 
Speaker is Dr. Domotor from Dr. Domotor’s Animal Hospital. 
Please remember dogs must be on a leash and please be ready to 
clean up after your four legged friends.

By supporting Bark for Life, you help the American Cancer Society 
save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of 
creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. To register 
your dog, please visit: HYPERLINK “http://www.relayforlife.org/
barkarcadiaca” www.relayforlife.org/barkarcadiaca. The cost is $20 
for your first dog and $10 for your second dog.

WHERE: Arcadia Dog Park (Eisenhower Park) located on the 
corner of Colorado Boulevard and Second Avenue: 601 N. Second 
Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006.

WHO: All dog owners and (and lovers) and people who would like 
to help the cause.

WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2015

Registration begins at 9:00am; Opening Ceremonies start at 10:00am

For information contact: City of Arcadia, Recreation and 
Community Services, 626.574.5113 or Carter L. Spruill at 
barkarcadia@hotmail.com or call 323.309.3954.

About the City of Arcadia

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Arcadia 
is an 11.38 square mile community with a population of just over 
56,000. Located approximately 20 miles east of downtown Los 
Angeles, Arcadia is known for combining small-town charm with 
the conveniences and amenities of a mid-size city. Arcadia is a full-
service charter city governed by a five-member City Council, elected 
at large. Recognized for exceptional education and recreation 
opportunities and beautiful neighborhoods, Arcadia is also defined 
as the “Community of Homes” and has twice been designated the 
“Best City in California in which to Raise Kids” by Business Week 
Magazine.

Who would have thought that the lowly fungi (think of molds and 
mushrooms) are also contributing to global warming? Because of 
longer springs and summers in such cold regions as Alaska, fungi are 
more rapidly reproducing and releasing more carbon dioxide during 
their brief life cycles. Researcher Adriana L. Romero-Oliveres can 
explain this phenomenon and its possible long-term effects. Adriana 
is an International Fellowship recipient from Mexico who is working 
toward a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC-Irvine. 
Her Fellowship is partially funded by the American Association 
of University Women (AAUW) through its AAUW Funds project 
which supports women in research and advanced studies.

 The Arcadia Branch of AAUW will climax a successful year of 
meetings and events with a luncheon meeting that features Adriana 
L. Romero-Oliveres as speaker. An inveterate researcher, Adriana 
has done lab work and has also spent months doing field experiments 
in Alaska, both in the forest soil and in a special greenhouse. Adriana 
hopes to resolve an ongoing debate: “Do fungi adapt to global 
warming and what are the consequences to our environment?” Her 
upcoming doctoral dissertation will conclude with the answer to 
that question.

 The luncheon meeting will take place on Monday, May 11, in the 
Church of the Good Shepherd’s Jordan Hall, at 400 W. Duarte Road 
(SW corner of Duarte Rd. and Holly Ave.), Arcadia. The luncheon 
is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., with Adriana Romero-Oliveres’ 
power-point presentation to follow. The AAUW-Arcadia meeting 
will conclude with a brief business meeting. The Board of Directors 
will be installed. Long-time members Shirley Campbell and Kathryn 
Brandes-Tyler will be honored with certificates for their fifty years of 
AAUW membership.

 A festive Mexican-style luncheon is planned for the occasion with 
Taco Salad, Fruit Kebobs, Flan as a dessert topper, and a choice of 
beverages. The cost of the luncheon for members and guests is $15. 
Reservations are due by May 8. To reserve, call Joyce McGregor at 
(626) 447-6543, payable at the door. If necessary, you may leave a 
telephone message for Joyce. Those who have Joyce’s e-mail may 
RSVP that way.

 Membership in the American Association of University Women 
is open to all women and men holding a university or college degree, 
as well as to those with an Associate of Arts degree or its equivalent. 
Enrollment in the organization is welcome at any time. 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

For the period of Sunday, April 12th, through Saturday, April 18th, 
the Police Department responded to 1,192 calls for service of which 
132 required formal investigations. The following is a summary 
report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this 
period.

Sunday, April 12:

Just before 11:19 a.m., officers conducted an area check near the 
Westfield Shopping Town, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in search of 
a subject wanted for theft from LensCrafters. Officers located the 
subject and an investigation revealed he had five pairs of sunglasses 
totaling $1,030.00, a glass smoking pipe commonly used to smoke 
methamphetamine, and an outstanding felony warrant from Texas. 
The 41-year-old black male was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

 

 At approximately 3:05 p.m., an officer responded to the lobby of 
Monrovia Police Department, 140 East Lime Avenue, regarding 
an incident of domestic violence that occurred within the City of 
Arcadia. The victim stated her boyfriend grabbed her by the neck 
and threw her against a sofa during an altercation. On Monday, 
April 13, officers located the suspect. The 22-year-old white male 
was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

Monday, April 13:

At about 6:57 a.m., an officer responded to the 11900 block of 
Goldring Road regarding a vehicle burglary report. The victim 
stated his amplifier was stolen from his Nissan Xterra sometime 
during the previous night. It is unknown how the suspect entered 
the locked vehicle. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were 
located.

 At approximately 1:33 p.m., an officer conducted an enforcement 
stop on a vehicle stolen out of the City of Inglewood. Additional 
officers arrived and the 50-year-old Asian male was arrested 
without incident. The suspect was transported to the Arcadia City 
Jail for booking.

Tuesday, April 14:

Around 9:35 a.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop on a bicyclist in 
the 400 block of East Huntington Drive for riding on the sidewalk. 
Upon contacting the rider, he admitted to having burglary tools and 
hypodermic needles used to ingest methamphetamine. The subject 
also had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The 40-year-old 
white male suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail.

 

 Just after 10:30 p.m., an officer responded to Victoria’s Secret in the 
Westfield Shopping Town, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding 
a theft report. The manager of the store discovered approximately 
50 items of merchandise were taken sometime during the day. The 
investigation is ongoing.

Wednesday, April 15:

Shortly after 2:11 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on 
a vehicle in the area of Duarte Road and El Monte Avenue due to a 
witness stating the vehicle fled the scene of a traffic collision. The 
officer contacted the driver of the hit and run vehicle and detected 
a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. A series of tests indicated 
the 32-year-old male of unknown race was under the influence of 
alcohol. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking. The victim of the hit and run collision did not 
require medical attention.

 At about 5:22 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 
800 block of Monte Verde Drive regarding an attempted burglary 
report. The victim noticed a rear window screen had been bent 
sometime between 2:35 p.m. and 5:22 p.m. on this date. No suspects 
were seen and no witnesses were located. 

Thursday, April 16:

At approximately 9:30 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in 
the 1800 block of Alta Oaks Avenue regarding a theft report. The 
officer determined an unknown suspect stole the victim’s tax forms 
from her front porch. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were 
located.

 

 Around 6:43 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop near the 
intersection of Duarte Road and Sixth Avenue for expired 
registration. Upon contacting the driver, the officer learned the 
29-year-old Hispanic female was uninsured and had an expired 
license. She was cited and released in the field. The vehicle was left 
legally parked.

Friday, April 17: 

Just after 10:09 a.m., an officer responded to the front counter 
of the Arcadia Police Department regarding a fraud report. An 
investigation revealed an unknown suspect deposited the victim’s 
check after changing the payee’s name. The altered check was 
payable to “Eric Steve-Lee Hauck.” The investigation is ongoing.

 

 At about 4:40 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 
block of Hacienda Drive regarding a battery that had just occurred. 
The 12-year-old victim stated the suspect was yelling derogatory 
comments at him from a vehicle. The victim ran toward his residence 
and the suspect parked, exited the vehicle, tackled the victim, and 
punched him in the face. The victim did not require medical attention. 
A witness and the victim reported the suspect as a teenage Asian male 
who was an occupant of a newer model, white Scion XB. 

Saturday, April 18:

Just after 2:22 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a 
vehicle in the 11600 block of Clark Street for expired registration. 
Upon contacting the driver, the officer detected a strong odor of 
alcohol. A series of tests indicated the 29-year-old Hispanic male 
was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and his blood 
alcohol content was greater than 0.08%. An inventory search of 
the vehicle revealed he was in possession of 56 grams of suspected 
cocaine, nearly 200 prescription pills, a digital scale with white 
residue, and more than $1,200.00 in cash. He was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

 

 At approximately 6:48 p.m., officers responded to 99 Ranch 
Market, 1300 South Golden West Avenue, regarding a grand theft 
report. The victim stated she and her son were seated in their car 
when an unknown suspect opened the front passenger side door and 
took the victim’s purse from the front seat. The victim witnessed 
the suspect flee in a black Range Rover. The suspect is described as a 
Hispanic male, medium build, and clean shaven. The investigation 
is ongoing. Contact: Watch Commander – (626) 574-5156

INCIDENT: ROBBERY

On Monday April 20, 2015, at about 4:59 a.m., Arcadia police 
officers were dispatched to the Hilton Garden Inn at 199 
North Second Avenue. The night clerk reported that a suspect 
had just committed a robbery. The suspect entered the lobby, 
displayed a black revolver, and then demanded the cash from 
the register. The clerk opened the drawer and gave the suspect 
an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect was last seen 
walking out the front door.

 The suspect was described as being a male, Black, 
approximately 25-years-old, 5’10” tall, with a thin build, dark 
complexion, and he was clean-shaven. The suspect’s face had 
tattooing that started above both eyes, went around the eyes, 
down his cheeks, and continued down the front of his neck. 
The suspect was wearing a dark-colored hat, a dark hooded 
sweatshirt, light gray sweat pants, and red and white colored 
athletic shoes.

 This incident is being investigated by Arcadia Police 
Department Detectives. Anyone with information on 
this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police 
Department at (626) 574-5151, case #15-1976. If you prefer to 
provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime 
Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters 
TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the tip 
web page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.

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