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Thursday, JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2013
Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
Supervisor Los Angeles County firefighter injured during to PUC: 3 alarm blaze at El Monte High School enforce regulations violated In a motion introduced for the January 22 Board agenda, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has called for the Public Utilities Commission to enforce regulations violated by Edison in the 2011 windstorms. “The PUC investigative report revealed that Edison destroyed evidence that should have been available to inspectors, used substandard utility poles, and failed to conduct emergency training exercises,” Antonovich said. “Edison’s failure to comply with common industry standards resulted in prolonged outages, unnecessary damage, a complete customer communications blackout -- and ultimately, an increased threat to public safety.” In December 2011, powerful windstorms swept through the San Please see page 9
Rosemead approves participation in pro-tunnel 710 Coalition BY JIM E. WINBURN
Monday schools and financial institutions as well as all government offices observed Martin Luther
On Tuesday the Rosemead City Council voted 4-0, with Mayor Sandra Armenta absent, to approve the city’s participation in the 710 Coalition. The Coalition is advocating for the completion of the 4.5-mile 710 Freeway gap from its current terminus in Alhambra to the Interstate 210 Freeway in Pasadena. According to the staff report, the Coalition is requesting membership dues in the amount of $6,000 a year to be paid through Measure R monies. Rosemead will participate in the 710 Coalition with the nearby cities of San Gabriel, San Marino, Monterey Park, and Alhambra. Members of the 710 Coalition asked that Rosemead join its efforts to help
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Los Angeles County firefighters battle an early morning blaze that gutted parts of the Mountain View High school in El Monte Monday morning. -Photo by Terry Miller
BY TERRY MILLER One firefighter suffered minor injuries and 150 Los Angeles County firefighters responded to a
Property owners savor rain tax stay, brace for next protest BY JIM E. WINBURN The stormwater-cleanup tax on Los Angeles County property owners was postponed by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. 15, after about 150 people,
Volume 18, No. 4
representing property owners, municipalities and organizations, voiced their opposition to the measure. Please see page 8
Rosemead calls for compassionate volunteers in upcoming 2013 Homeless Count BY JIM E. WINBURN The City of Rosemead in the Greater Los Angeles is reaching out to compas- Homeless Count for 2013. sionate volunteers in the community to participate Please see page 16
fully involved fire at Mountain View High School's cafeteria early morning Monday, Los Angeles County Fire official Tony Imbrenda said.
The fire broke out in the cafeteria's attic around 2:30 a.m. and was put out by 6:30 a.m. with no additional injuries, fire inspector Tony Imbrenda said.
Shaw resignation leads to controversy over upcoming election BY SUSAN MOTANDER Monrovia council member Clarence Shaw submitted his resignation in an email to City Manager Laurie Lisle last week. Shaw cited no reason for his resignation. That resignation has led to questions regarding the upcoming election scheduled for April 9. The council will hold a special meeting tonight, Thursday, January 24, starting at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the election. /See Complete text of Shaw resignation email, p. 4/ Several council members have been critical about the timing of Shaw’s resignation. Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said, “I am not pleased with the manner in which Mr. Shaw conducted himself. He should have given notice to
the citizens of his intention not to run just as Council Member Garcia did, in an honorable manner.” Controversy that has arisen is based on whether or not the city should even hold an election and if it does not if somehow this is fair to the electorate. Often, when the number of individuals who file for election equal the number of available seats, the city has cancelled the election. In this case only the incumbents filed for mayor, city treasurer and city clerk. There were two seats up for re-election; those held by Garcia and Shaw. Garcia announced in December, prior to the opening of the filing period, that he Please see page 12
Clarence Shaw sent an email resignation to Monrovia’s City manager and refuses to speak to the media about his decision. -Photo by Terry Miller