Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, February 23, 2019

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

SENATOR CHANG JOINS BIPARTISAN 
EFFORT TO ASSIST 2.4 
MILLION CALIFORNIA RENTERS

SACRAMENTO - As part of a bipartisan effort to assist California 
families who are dealing with an expensive housing market, Senator 
Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) is a co-author of Senate Bill 
248 (D-Glazer). The proposed legislation, with 28 co-authors, has 
strong bipartisan support. For the first time in 40 years, SB 248 
would increase California's renter's credit and would represent significant 
help for single parents and could potentially provide 2.4 
million California renters with much-needed relief. 

"I'm proud to join my colleagues to help hardworking families in 
California," said Senator Chang. "California faces an expensive 
housing market, a homeless epidemic, and housing shortage. This 
bill is a step in the right direction to offer assistance for hardworking 
low-income and middle-class renters."

Currently, eligible renters have their tax liabilities offset by $60 for 
single filers or $120 for joint filers. Those eligible for the new renter's 
credit would be single filers making $41,641 or less and joint 
filers making $83,282 or less. Eligible households with children 
would receive a $434 refundable credit; households without children 
would receive $220.

SB 248 would make the tax credit fully refundable so that renters 
who have no tax obligation could receive the maximum refund. 
This bill would index the credit in perpetuity to account for inflation 
as calculated by the Franchise Tax Board. Under the proposed 
legislation, the governor could suspend the increase during an economic 
emergency.

The renter's credit was established in 1972. Since then, it has only 
increased once in 1979. Over the past four decades, families have 
faced an increasing renter's market where in some counties the 
median state rent exceeds $1,800 a month for a two-bedroom 
apartment.

 At the February Monrovia Arcadia 
Duarte (M.A.D.) Town Council 
Meeting, Terrence Williams and Debra 
Mendelsohn were honored. The rain was 
not a deterrent as 58 residents attended. 
Town Council Member Terrence 
Williams served five years on the 
Monrovia School Board, including one 
year as President. Presentations included 
Senior Field Deputy Debra Mendelsohn 
for Supervisor Bargar, Taylor Valmores for 
Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, Hector 
Rodriguez for Assemblyman Holden, 
and his fellow MAD Town Council 
Members. There were so many accolades: 
Mendelsohn said she never saw anyone 
with a greater drive and passion…a true 
gentleman who loves his community and 
works hard to improve it. Dr. Katherine 
Thorossian, Superintendent, Monrovia 
School District and School Board 
Members Rob Hammond and Bryan 
Wong all spoke of the five years they 
worked with Terrence, how lucky they 
were to have him. Terrence constantly 
worked hard to make the schools the best 
possible. He had a special commitment to 
students with special needs. Duarte City 
Council Member Liz Reilly said, “No one 
has a bigger heart than Terrence…everything he worked on, he 
left better…after Terrence touches it, it’s better.”

 Both Captain Flores and Deputy Nelson praised 
Terrence. Captain Flores spoke of the importance of mentors 
and role models, and Terrence has been one. The Town Council 
presented a framed Certificate which highlighted Terrence’s 
deep commitment to education. A few projects-he helped start 
the Early College Program for Grades 9-12, Dual immersion 
programs-Mandarin at Plymouth, Spanish at Monroe and 
advocated Camp Catch-up for all schools.

 Debra Mendelsohn has worked twenty-five years for the 
Fifth District’s Supervisor in many capacities. For several years, 
she has orchestrated the fabulous Veterans Fair at Arcadia County 
Park. She became Senior Field Deputy after Katherine Barger was 
elected Supervisor. It was her idea to have the “MAD” County 
Day at the Fair like cities have. We call her, “Wonder Woman” 
because she has addressed all issues brought to her. She has 
attended all Council Meeting with much enthusiasm, keeping us 
up to date with the Supervisor’s activities. Mendelsohn addresses 
all resident’s questions and gives referrals to other county agencies 
as needed. The Town Council will miss her, but her replacement 
Sandra Maravilla is very competent.

 Captain Flores gave Mendelsohn a Temple Station Mug 
and pin. The Station was built in 1926-the 5th Sheriff’s Station, 
and that is why it’s “Temple 5”. Flores said Mendelsohn was a great 
partner; they spoke almost daily about strategies to deal with 
problems. He spoke of all her hard work-time spent on research.

 There was an update from Steelwave re; Arcadia 
Commons on Live Oak Avenue. The project was approved for 
318 units; they reduced it to 303. Originally 75 were targeted 
for seniors at market prices, but after research and speaking to 
residents, they removed the senior designation and will have 10 
lower income units available.

 CHP Community Enforcement Officer Tony Chen 
explained that his team patrols only in county areas, not the 
freeways, and shared stats.

 Please come to the March 20 Meeting, 7p.m. at Pamela 
Park, 2236 Goodall Ave, Duarte. There is so much good 
information given out, any issues, questions are addressed, and 
Brenda Trainer form Wonder Dog Ranch will be our Guest 
Speaker

M.A.D. TOWN COUNCIL HONORS

By Joan Schmidt


NAPOLITANO’S ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL 
COMMISSION ACT 
PASSES HOUSE

 (WASHINGTON, DC) On February 6th, the U.S. House of Representatives 
passed H.R. 66, the Route 66 Centennial Commission 
Act, a bill coauthored by Reps. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32) and 
Rodney Davis (R-IL-13).

 “Cities in my district have begun to reinvest in Route 66, recognizing 
its historic significance and how it continues to provide transportation, 
economic, and community benefits to our region and 
American society today,” Napolitano said. “The federal government 
should be involved in these efforts as well. I thank Congressman Davis 
for reintroducing this legislation with me and helping move this 
bill quickly at the start of this Congress.”

 H.R. 66 creates a Commission to recommend improvements and 
activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 
2026. It passed the House with large bipartisan support by a vote of 
399 to 22. The bill also passed the House last Congress but was not 
considered by the Senate.

 Route 66 is an integral part of the San Gabriel Valley’s culture and 
economy and runs through the cities of La Verne, San Dimas, Glendora, 
Azusa, Duarte, and Monrovia, known in most of Napolitano’s 
district as Foothill Boulevard and Huntington Drive.


INCREASED REBATE AND CLASS FOR TURF REMOVAL

Foothill Municipal Water District (FMWD) is hosting a Turf Removal class on March 23, 2019 from 9AM to 12 Noon at the La Cañada 
Presbyterian Church located at 626 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada. Attendees will learn a DIY approach to convert their lawn into low-
water-use and climate-appropriate landscapes. This class will cover removal of existing grass, design considerations, soil preparation, 
irrigation systems, planting and garden maintenance.

“This is a great way to kick-start a landscape transformation project,” said Nina Jazmadarian, FMWD General Manager. “Customers 
can take advantage of the increased incentive offered by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California of $2 per square foot for 
turf removal as well.”

Metropolitan at its February 12, 2019 Board meeting revamped its turf program by increasing the incentive to $2 per square foot for 
up to 5,000 square feet for homes and 50,000 square feet for commercial projects including schools and parks.

“Although we have had a wet winter, it is important for customers to continue saving water. Instead of using water for irrigation, 
we can store it in our groundwater basins and reservoirs and we will be better prepared for the next drought, “said Richard Atwater, 
FMWD Board President 
and Metropolitan 
representative.

To RSVP for the class, 
please contact Karen 
Oblak at koblak@fmwd.
com or (818) 790-
4036. To apply for turf 
removal incentives, 
please visit bewaterwise.
com and look for “Turf 
Replacement Program.” 
Applications will be 
available April 1.

Foothill Municipal 
Water District provides 
imported water to 
Crescenta Valley Water 
District, La Cañada 
Irrigation District, Mesa 
Crest Water Company, 
Valley Water Company, 
Lincoln Avenue Water 
Company, Las Flores 
Water Company and 
Rubio Cañon Land 
& Water Association. 
Kinneloa Irrigation 
District, another retail 
agency, takes no water 
from Foothill.

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