Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 10, 2015

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 10, 2015 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

WUO RESIGNS; SEGAL BACK? LAWSUIT SETTLED

From Arcadia’s Best

By Scott Hettrick

An already potentially dramatic Arcadia City Council 
meeting Tuesday night (Oct. 6, 2015) got started 
with a surprising bombshell announcement that 
embattled City Council Member and recent Mayor 
John Wuo had resigned just before the meeting.
“I just wanted the city to get back doing city business,” 
Wuo told Arcadia’s Bestshortly after the meeting 
which he did not attend. His letter of resignation read 
by Mayor Gary Kovacic cited “personal and health 
reasons.”

 And that was just the beginning of a litany of 
major announcements and decisions of the Council 
in front of a standing-room-only overflow crowd that 
included:

 Settlement of a lawsuit brought against the 
City of Arcadia by Save the Arcadia Highlands
— Nearly 6,000 square-foot homes allowed on two 
challenged lots but only one-story instead of two
— Verbal indication Council will vote Oct. 20 to 
re-start zoning code update process in Highlands
— Likely vote by Council Oct. 20 to include Highlands 
in historical homes survey 

 Former Mayor Mickey Segal nominated to replace 
Wuo for remaining 6-months of term 

 Petition to eliminate Utility Users Tax on ballot 
April 2016, cutting $7 mil. of City budget 

 Downtown Arcadia Street Fair to re-start with new 
producer on Saturdays beginning Nov. 7 

 Public comments over potential Ballot Measure 
initiative to create voter-determined home size

 The lawsuit filed seven months ago in March 2015 
challenged the Council’s approval of replacing two 
homes with larger homes and led to very contentious 
Council meetings and, during the process, raised 
thepossibility of a connection between Wuo and an 
Arcadia company that has since been charged by the 
Securities and Exchange Commission with creating a 
global pyramid scheme using digital currency called 
Gemcoins that bilked investors out of $32 million. 
Wuo has not been named in any official complaints 
filed by any government agency.

 Wuo’s letter of resignation said it was with “great 
regret and sadness that I have to resign effective 
immediately due to personal and health reasons.” 
After 12 years on the Council, Wuo said there is “still 
a tough road ahead” but he has “total confidence in 
the current Council…”

 The initial instigator of the protest, attorney 
April Verlato, did not have her name on the lawsuit 
filed under the names of David Arvizu and Save the 
Arcadia Highlands. Thus, she did not have decision-
making authority during settlement negotiations. But 
since one of the two homes that sparked all the protests 
and acrimony was next door to hers at 1600 Highland 
Oaks Drive, she had input on the compromises being 
discussed. Ultimately the Save the Arcadia Highlands 
petitioners compromised on a single story home 
instead of two stories, though it may still be as large 
as 5,800 square feet. The Council still gets the final 
approval of the new homes and the petitioners of the 
lawsuit will be reimbursed 50% of the legal costs they 
incurred for their legal actions and only up to $15,000 
for each of the two properties — the other is at 29 
E. Orange Grove. The petitioners also agreed not to 
take any further legal action or initiate any delaying 
tactics.

 Verlato is also behind a ballot measure being 
proposed (not yet submitted) that would create a 
voter-determined zoning code for the kinds and sizes 
of homes that could be built in Arcadia, which could 
only be modified by voters in an election. Some of the 
public comments about this initiative Tuesday night 
related to the wording of the petition, which some said 
was misleading. Council Member Sho Tay asked the 
City Attorney to explain what voters who signed the 
petition could do to get their signature removed if they 
wanted to do so after getting a better understanding of 
the purpose of the petition.

 With the lawsuit and Wuo no longer factors, the 
Council is expected to approve the resumption of 
the residential zoning code update that began with 
Council approval about nine months before the 
lawsuit was filed. That process could address many of 
the issues of concern by those seeking to limit the size 
of new homes. A committee is being formed to provide 
community input to the revision of city zoning codes.
The Council also seems ready to approve adding 
homes in the Highlands to the fledgling survey of 
historic homes and buildings in Arcadia (Verlato said 
the home next door to hers was historic and therefore 
should not be demolished.)

 Mayor Kovacic — the last person to be appointed 
to fill a vacant Council Member’s seat in 1996 
when he was then the chairman of the Planning 
Commission — and Council Member Tom Beck 
voiced a preference for former Mayor Mickey Segal as 
a temporary replacement for Wuo on the City Council 
for the final six months of Wuo’s latest four-year term.
It was Segal who was praised Tuesday night for 
acting as moderator for two lawsuit negotiations that 
resulted in the settlement. He is not believed to be a 
fan of the proposed zoning code ballot measure or of 
eliminating the utility tax, both of which could come 
to a head before this Council term ends in April 2016.
Segal said he needs to check with his “bosses” 
(presumably his wife Lee and perhaps partners in 
his firm) about whether he would be a candidate 
for Wuo’s seat, though he assured that he would 
not mount another campaign to be re-elected next 
April. The Council agreed to make their choice at 
the next meeting on Oct. 20, but Council Member 
Roger Chandler said he was already asking another 
potential candidate, and Council Member Tay did not 
immediately endorse Segal or offer another candidate. 
A deadlock among the four Council Members could 
result in a special election that would cost more than 
$100,000 and delay the filling of the vacant seat.

 As for the Utility Users Tax (UUT), with the 
requisite number of petition signatures gathered 
and validated, the City has no choice but to put 
the proposal on a ballot. City Manager Dominic 
Lazzaretto painted a dire future if voters approved 
the proposed elimination of all utility taxes, which 
cumulatively add up to $7 million, or about 12.5% 
of the City’s General Fund budget, the third largest 
revenue source after sales and property taxes. 
Although representing less than $10 for most residents 
each month, the elimination of the taxes would mean 
a dramatic scaling back of police, fire, recreation and 
senior services. Under one scenario, 18 police and 
civilian police positions would be cut, 9 fire officers, 
and the elimination of 19 recreation programs, city 
newsletters and the senior commission, as well as all 
building and planning, economic development, code 
enforcement and all fees paid for services provided by 
the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. Under another 
scenario that preserves much of the police and fire 
services, the City would have to close the Library, 
Museum, all parks and 5,800 recreation programs.
While the City itself cannot take a position on any 
ballot initiatives, the Council approved spending 
$10,000 to disseminate facts about the impacts of the 
loss of UUT revenue.

 Finally, the Downtown Arcadia Improvement 
Association was approved to move its summer 
Friday night Street Fair to Saturday nights beginning 
November 7 under new producer Green Leaf Events, 
which began this month producing the Monrovia 
Street Fair on Friday nights – the third new producer 
of that event since June. Green Leaf will partner with 
a group called Win Win, which will bring about 40 
Chinese vendors to the fair, to produce a new fair 
with a name that could include the words Downtown 
Arcadia Fusion.

For the period of Sunday, September 27th, through 
Saturday, October 3rd, the Police Department 
responded to 1,106 calls for service of which 145 
required formal investigations. The following is a 
summary report of the major incidents handled by 
the Department during this period.

Sunday, September 27:

Just before 12:53 a.m., an officer responded to the 
400 block of West Norman Avenue regarding a 
suspicious vehicle. The officer discovered the driver 
was highly intoxicated in his vehicle, with the 
door open, and was unable to care for himself. The 
28-year-old male from Ontario was arrested for 
Public Intoxication and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking.

 At approximately 2:59 p.m., an officer responded 
to JC Penney at the Westfield Shopping Town, 400 
South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a commercial 
burglary report. Surveillance footage revealed the 
suspect concealed numerous items of merchandise 
in her purse and shopping bag before exiting 
the store, failing to make payment. The 29-year-
old female from Los Angeles was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Monday, September 28:

 At about 1:11 a.m., an officer responded to 
Extended Stay America, 401 East Santa Clara 
Street, regarding a vandalism report. The officer 
determined unknown suspect(s) shattered the front 
glass door. No suspects were seen and no witnesses 
were located.

 At approximately 4:02 p.m., an officer responded 
to a residence in the 000 block of Genoa Street 
regarding a package theft report. Surveillance 
footage revealed an unidentified male suspect 
stole the victim’s package from his porch. The 
investigation is ongoing.

Tuesday, September 29:

 Around 10:38 a.m., an officer responded to the 
1100 block of South Baldwin Avenue regarding 
a grand theft report. The officer discovered an 
unknown suspect broke into the electrical panel 
and stole all of the breakers. The total loss was 
estimated at over $7,000. No suspects were seen and 
no witnesses were located. 

 Just after 9:47 p.m., an officer conducted a 
traffic stop on a vehicle in the 000 block of West 
Huntington Drive for having expired registration. 
Upon contacting the driver, the officer detected 
a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the 
vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a small 
bag of marijuana. A records check of the passenger 
revealed the 17-year-old female had been reported 
missing out of Altadena. She was reunited with 
her father. The driver, an 18-year-old male from 
Pasadena, was cited and released in the field.

Wednesday, September 30:

 Shortly after 3:52 a.m., an officer conducted 
a records check on a vehicle in the area of Santa 
Anita Avenue and Duarte Road, and discovered 
the vehicle had been reported stolen. The officer 
attempted to conduct a traffic stop however the 
vehicle fled. After a short pursuit, the vehicle 
stopped and all three occupants were detained. The 
driver, a 26-year-old female from Apple Valley, was 
arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking. The two passengers were released without 
incident.

 Around 11:00 a.m., an officer responded to 
Arcadia High School, 180 Campus Drive, regarding 
a student in possession of marijuana. The officer 
determined the 15-year-old male from Arcadia was 
in possession of marijuana and a smoking pipe. He 
was cited and released to his mother. 

Thursday, October 1:

 At approximately 8:26 a.m., an officer conducted 
a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Huntington 
Drive and Sunset Boulevard for making an illegal 
U-turn. Upon contacting the driver, the officer 
discovered the 51-year-old male from Rosemead 
was driving with a suspended license. He was cited 
and released in the field. The vehicle was impounded 
for 30 days.

 Around 12:39 p.m., an officer responded to the 
Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding 
a theft report. The reporting party stated he was 
the general contractor for a residence that is under 
construction and noticed the security system 
was stolen sometime during the month of July. 
Monrovia Police Department recently arrested a 
36-year-old male from Monrovia who was in 
possession of the stolen security equipment. The 
property was returned to the victim.

Friday, October 2: 

 At approximately 8:23 p.m., an officer conducted 
a records check on a vehicle in the area of Baldwin 
Avenue and Huntington Drive and discovered the 
vehicle displayed a fraudulent registration sticker. 
The driver, a 54-year-old female from Arcadia, 
stated she knowingly placed the forged sticker 
on her vehicle. The suspect was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

 Just after 9:40 p.m., an officer responded to the 
200 block of East Huntington Drive regarding 
a robbery report. An investigation revealed two 
unknown suspects attempted to rob three female 
victims of their purses. A struggle ensued but 
the victims were able to maintain control of their 
items. The suspects fled in a four-door sedan. The 
investigation is ongoing.

Saturday, October 3:

 Around 10:22 a.m., an officer initiated 
consensual contact with a subject in front of Ralph’s 
Grocery Store, 1101 West Huntington Drive. Upon 
contacting the subject, the officer noticed an open 
container of alcohol located in the subject’s bag. 
The 48-year-old male from Monrovia was cited and 
released in the field.

 Just before 7:11 p.m., an officer conducted a 
traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of 
Clark Avenue and Peck Road for having expired 
registration. Upon contacting the driver, the officer 
discovered the 34-year-old male from El Monte 
was driving with an expired license. He was cited 
and released in the field. His vehicle was left legally 
parked.

Art on Palm 
1421 E. Palm Street, Altadena 
Saturday October 17th 9:30–5 
40+ artists and makers exhibit compelling work in 
ceramics, glass, metals, textiles, and more in the storied 
canyon of Altadena’s Wild Wood Park. Music and 
refreshments complete the day. 
ArtonPalm.com 
A portion of sales benefits the Creative Arts Group of Sierra Madre 
VETERANS DAY RECOGNITION

The City of Arcadia Senior Services honors its Veterans 
with an annual Veterans Day luncheon. This year the 
event will take place on Friday, November 6, 2015 at the 
Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive starting 
at 11:30am. The cost of the luncheon is $10.00. Veterans 
are free with proof of military service but are required 
to register for a ticket. There will be a delicious catered 
lunch. Featured entertainment will be a tribute to USO 
Entertainers; Bob Hope, Andrews Sisters, Marilyn 
Monroe, Frank Sinatra and more. There are a limited 
number of tickets and are on sale until October 30. This 
event is for individuals age 50 and over. For additional 
information please call Arcadia Senior Services 626. 
574.5130.

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.

CITY OF ARCADIA’S FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015 – 4:30PM TO 6:30PM!

The City of Arcadia Recreation and Community 
Services Department is excited to announce this 
special Halloween event. Join us on the City Hall 
West Lawn, 240 W. Huntington Drive, Friday, 
October 30, 2015 for a Family Fall Festival from 
4:30pm -6:30pm! All ages welcome! FREE for 
all participants and their families! Enjoy trick 
or treating throughout City Hall, festival games, 
crafts, costume contest, and more! Wear your 
best costume for a chance to win a prize! Full-face 
masks for adults 14 and older are not permitted. 

 For more information please call 626.574.5113 
or visit: www.ci.arcadia.ca.us.

626-355-5700245 West Sierra Madre BlvdSierra Madre, CA 91024www.TheKensingtonSierraMadre.comRCFE License198601953Get Inspired and Informedby Two ExtraordinaryBreast Cancer WarriorsWednesday, October 14, 2015 from 6:00pm-7:30pmat The Kensington, 245 West Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CAHors d’oeuvres and refreshments servedRSVP to SSciurba@KensingtonSL.com or 626-355-5700YOUR INVITATION TO A SPEAKER PRESENTATION AT THE KENSINGTONPleaseRSVP
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com