Sierra
Madre
Sierramadreweekly.com
WEEKLY
Arcadia Chamber Holds Membership Drive
V TE $0.00
THURSDAY, JUNE 18 - JUNE 24, 2009 VOLUME 14, NO. 25
Council Keeps Eye on State Lawmakers as Budget Issues Threaten to Trickle Down Sierra Madre City Councilman John Buchanan briefly discussed the effects of the latest proposed state budget on Sierra Madre at the Sierra Madre City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. Buchanan was dubious about what the state’s actual final budget might actually look like and how it will affect the states counties and municipalities, saying, “Like any of us can really tell.” Currently, an 8% takeaway of property tax is proposed. This reduction of property tax, the leading contributor of revenue to the city’s general fund, will have a strong negative impact the city’s budget. Additionally, the governor’s office recently proposed a three-quarters reduction of the gas tax. This gas tax is to the per gallon tax, not the sales tax. The amount from this reduction, which is effectively a seizure of funds traditionally earmarked for municipalities to fill the worsening state budget gap, would add up to $750 million. That translates to around a $250,000 potential loss for Sierra Madre’s general fund. More information on the state budget to come as we track the latest developments in print and on our website, www.sierramadreweekly. com.
READERS CHOICE09
No Protective Barriers Needed for North Baldwin Dining Area BY MORGAN CARPENTER
-Photo by Terry Miller
Welcome, Grads.
-Photo by Marilyn Daleo Arcadia’s Connie Kuo chats on her cell phone to family members in the bleechers. See related story on page 15.
APD ADDS TO THIN BLUE LINE
Monrovia High School had a sea of graduates waiting for pomp and circumstance to start playing. The graduates received their diplomas at Citrus College in Glendora Tuesday evening due to their school’s ongoing construction. Although parking was a bit of a problem, parents and friends didn’t seem to mind the long walk to the stadium to see their graduate. See more photos on page 16 and at monroviaweekly.com.
After a member of the community expressed concern for the safety of patrons dining on the sidewalk on north Baldwin Ave, the Sierra Madre City Council was presented a report by Director Bruce Inman of Public Works at the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. The department staff contacted the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA), a traffic engineer, the police, and other cities. JPIA said that they “did not believe [sidewalk dining] is an inherently dangerous practice.” The city’s traffic engineer reported that a standard curb is generally considered an acceptable barrier to prevent accidents, especially when vehicles are travelling at speeds typical to urban areas. The police had no record of accidents involving sidewalk-dining patrons and vehicles, and the majority of other cities contacted said that a minimum setback from the street was adequate. Sierra Madre currently requires an 18-inch setback from the street. While the given report did not recommend any necessary action, it did investigate bollards, which could potentially be used to prevent vehicles from injuring patrons. The bollards would be installed at each
Dining on 16
Symphony Unveils Plan to Overcome Obstacles
BY DOROTHY DENNE
Welcoming Faces - Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Executives welcomed new members to the organization during a two day membership drive last week.
Last Wednesday and Thursday members and volunteers took to the phones in an effort to boost membership at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. By all accounts, the event was a great success, with nearly 20 new businesses joining the chamber over the two day drive. After joining, new members were treated to presentations by the Chamber and speakers from the business community including Andrea Olivas, Client Manager for Beacon Media. A presentation by Verena Somer, a Chamber Ambassador, outlined the many benefits of chamber membership, including networking events, business expos and of course, advertising opportunities.
Friends, family, and future co-workers gathered in Arcadia Council Chambers on Thursday, June 11, 2009 to observe the swearing in and badge pinning ceremony of two new officers to the Arcadia Police Department. Though the department is operating under a hiring freeze, due to City budget cuts, natural attrition sometimes necessitates hiring replacements to maintain numbers at the level allowed under the freeze. Chief Bob Sanderson said, “One of the very few upsides to the current economy is that, with more and more applicants available, it provides us an even better opportunity to attract the cream of the crop. That is what we feel we have in these two officers.” Both graduated from Rio Hondo Police Academy. Officer Cameron Link was a Navy Corpsman from 10/2003 to 10/2008. He served with Marines and was decorated with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement
APD on 16
Sorry Descanso, Lot H is the future home of the Pasadena POPS. BY BILL PETERS “We have supported the Pasadena Symphony for years,” I was told by a woman at an opening recently. “But,” she continued, “no more after the mismanagement there.” That is exactly the perception that CEO, Paul Jan Zdunek, must
overcome in order to keep his organization, The Pasadena Symphony Association, from becoming stalled in a morass. To accomplish the dual goals of changing attitudes both inside and outside the Association, Zdunek an-
-Photo By Terry Miller
nounced his plan last week which he calls a “Recovery Plan for a Sustainable Future”. He made the presentation before press and community representatives on the steps of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium last week. Zdunek conceded that,
Symphony on 5