Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 7, 2019

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 7, 2019 

BREEDERS’ CUP RETURNS TO SANTA ANITA

DEL MAR ENDS GREAT MEET

By Joan Schmidt

 So much news! Del Mar’s 36 Day Meet ended with no fatalities. Flavien Pratt was top jockey with 42 wins; Drayden Van 
Dyke, 32; Abel Cedillo, 25; Joe Talamo, 23; Ruben Fuentes, 22; Rafael Bejarano, 19; Victor Espinosa, 16; and Apprentice Jorge 
Velez, 14.

 During this Meet, there were several exciting Stakes Races. Flavien won on Encoder, Square Deal, and my favorite, 
Vasilika; Drayden won on Bast. Victor won the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes. Exactly one year ago, he broke his neck, and 
was almost paralyzed during training. Victor’s determination and hard rehab enabled his return. Many thought he’d retire, but 
Victor is not a quitter and still donates a percentage of his earnings to the City of Hope Pediatric Cancer Research.

 During the Meet, Johnny Velazquez and Joel Rosario came from back East and won some important races. We were 
happy to see Norberto Arroyo win on Nucky in the Del Mar Futurity on closing day. Congrats to trainer, Peter Miller.

 Friday, September 6, begins the Fairplex Thoroughbred Meet at Los Alamitos. Races begin at 1pm, Fridays-Sundays; 
closing day, September 22. Then Santa Anita opens Friday, September 27 –Sunday, November 3. Please visit www.santaanita.
com 

 The Breeders’ Cup returns to Santa Anita, Friday, Nov. 1 and Sat. Nov. 2! Can you believe General Admission tickets are 
being offered for both days, November 1 and 2? You can go online in advance: Friday is $15; Saturday, $25. You do not receive 
a ticket for a seat, but have accessibility to the Infield and Apron. It’s going to be an exciting series, with top jockeys and horses 
from not only the United States, but the whole world! Please visit www.breederscup.com/tickets. Also there are still some very 
good seats available in addition to the General Admission Tickets.

 The Breeders’ Cup features 14 Championship Races worth $30 million in purses and awards. Its return to Santa Anita 
is a record 10th time. In addition to the races, Clockers Corners is open in the AM for a fabulous breakfast and see some horses 
work out! See you there. 


From The Monrovia City Manager

ARCADIA’S EXPERIENCE PORTENDS A SIGNIFICANT 
FUTURE ISSUE WITH PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY, 
AS COST INCREASES OF NEARLY 600% ARE BEING 
PUSHED ONTO CONTRACTING AGENCIES!

Just a quick FYI on an animal control topic currently brewing 
… there is a lot of angst in the San Gabriel Valley regarding 
the way in which the Pasadena Humane Society (PHS) is approaching 
their planned implementation of significant rate increases 
for animal control services. Currently, Monrovia isn’t 
impacted by the possible changes, as our existing contract with 
PHS locks in our existing cost structure (~$120k / year) for 
the next two years through 2021. However, we should begin 
thinking about how to address this issue now, especially given 
the experience that other jurisdictions have been subject to.

The latest example of the issues associated with working with 
PHS comes from Arcadia. My understanding is that Arcadia 
has had two meetings with PHS which were both contentious, 
and in both instances, PHS had trouble addressing very basic 
questions related to significant planned cost increases. 

How significant, you ask?

Well… how about a 578% cost increase?

It appears that Arcadia has historically been paying around 
$90k / year to PHS for animal control services. Without any 
detailed explanation, PHS is now telling Arcadia that the exact 
same service level will now cost around $525k / year!

From $90k / year to $525k / year! In one year! 

PHS has been rolling this new cost structure out to other contracting 
agencies in the SGV, and La Canada and Bradbury 
were the first two cities to address this issue with PHS during 
the past few months. Those jurisdictions, like Arcadia, reported 
that the PHS has been employing a negotiating approach 
that is short on details regarding why costs are increasing so 
dramatically.

All of this points to a need to begin looking at alternate options. 
Unfortunately, when it comes to animal control, there 
are not many other service providers to contract with (LA 
County is basically the only other option available), and given 
that factor, a number of cities are now talking about meeting to 
discuss possible response options, including a separate regional 
animal control JPA. With the cost structure being proposed 
by PHS, it could likely make financial sense to move in that 
direction, and there are currently staff level conversations being 
planned with several cities, including Arcadia, La Canada, 
Bradbury, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, San Marino, Pasadena, 
and Monrovia.

We will be certain to keep everyone apprised of our efforts 
moving ahead!

SEPTEMBER IS PEDESTRIAN 
SAFETY MONTH 

September is Pedestrian Safety Month and California continues 
to see more and more pedestrians getting injured or 
killed on roads. In 2016, 867 pedestrians were killed and 
more than 14,000 injured in California alone. A report 
(external GHSA PDF link) released earlier this year by the 
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) projected 
that more than 6,200 pedestrians were killed in the United 
States last year, the highest number since 1990. 

Despite advancements in vehicle technology that increase 
the chance of survival for drivers and passengers in crashes, 
pedestrians face the same amount of risk of getting seriously 
injured or killed when struck by a vehicle. 

Steps drivers and pedestrians can take to keep everyone 
safe:

For Pedestrians

Look left-right-left before crossing the street. Watch for cars 
turning and obey traffic signals.

Only cross the street in marked crosswalks, preferably 
crosswalks at stop signs or signals.

Avoid distractions. Stay off the phone while walking.

Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume drivers can see 
you.

Be seen. Wear bright clothing during the day and use a 
flashlight at night.

Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk 
on the shoulder, facing traffic and as far away from cars as 
possible.

Do not walk near traffic after drinking or using drugs that 
affect judgment and coordination.

For Drivers

Follow the speed limit. The higher the speed, the longer it 
takes to stop.

Never drive distracted or under the influence of alcohol 
and/or drugs.

Look out for people walking, especially at night and in 
poorly lit areas.

Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks even if they 
are not at a stop sign or signal. Prepare to stop when a pedestrian 
enters a crosswalk.

Avoid blocking the 
crosswalk when attempting 
to make a 
right-hand turn.

Be careful backing 
up and leaving 
parking spaces in 
shopping centers 
with heavy foot 
traffic.

CALIFORNIA VETERANS WILL NO 
LONGER NEED TO PAY ADOPTION 
FEES AT ANIMAL SHELTERS

SACRAMENTO, CA - Following strong bipartisan support, 
Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 245, authored by Senator 
Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar), which calls on animal 
shelters throughout the state to waive pet adoption fees for 
military veterans. California is home to two million military 
veterans, including many who struggle to cope with Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a companion animal 
could be beneficial with their recovery efforts. 

"This is a big win for veterans and shelter animals," said Senator 
Chang. "As the saying goes, a dog is a 'man's best friend.' 
When I'm home my four-legged companions are a part of my 
family. Buster and Pepper bring me joy and laughter and I 
benefit from the positive effects of their companionship. Our 
brave heroes deserve the same happiness, and I'm glad we 
can reduce the barriers for bringing together veterans seeking 
companion animals and pets in need of a home."

Under SB 245, the process for confirming an eligible veteran 
by a shelter would be streamlined by using the state's existing 
"VETERAN" driver's license designation. This law is effective 
January 1, 2020.

Since Senator Chang's tenure, she has advocated on behalf of 
veterans and shelter animals with other legislation that are on 
their way to the governor's desk for his signature. She co-authored 
Assembly Bill 427 which would exempt military retirement 
pay from state income tax for veterans who are residents 
in California, and introduced Senate Bill 64 which would require 
a microchip be implanted in all dogs and cats at an animal 
shelter before they are released.


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