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COMPLIMENTARY COPY VOLUME 20, NO. 23
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Thursday, June 9, 2016 - June 15, 2016
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Longtime Monrovian Gets HS Diploma 74 Years Late
91-year-old graduate Julius Parker receives his diploma. On the right, Julius Parker serving in WWII, 1942.
– Courtesy photos
A Serious Thing Happened on the Way to Graduation … a War BY SUSAN MOTANDER Julius Parker was a senior at Monrovia Arcadia Duarte (MAD) High School, when the United States entered World War II. Rather than complete high school, he enlisted in
the army, like many other patriotic young men at the time. He chose to sacrifice all those joys of a glorious senior year - dances, dates, and most of all graduation - to serve his country. On June 7, 2016, the Monrovia
Unified School District’s Board of Education awarded the lifelong Monrovia resident his diploma. The 91-year-old Parker declined an invitation to join in the commencement exercises later that evening, noting that he does not get
out that much, so the school board came to him. In a brief ceremony at his home, he was presented with his diploma by Board President Rob Hammond. Also in attendance were: Vice President Bryan Wong; Terrence
Meetings to Examine Directly Elected Mayor Question BY SUSAN MOTANDER In keeping with a campaign promise, Monrovia Mayor Tom Adams, with the approval of the remainder of the council, asked the city staff to look into the city’s current process for selecting its mayor. In 1976, the citizens of Monrovia voted to begin electing the mayor directly and, in 1978, Pat Ostrye was the first
Mayor Tom Adams would like the city to re-evaluate the mayoral selection process. - Photo by Terry Miller
directly elected mayor (and the first woman mayor). It is important to note a decision regarding the rotation of position of the mayor, as opposed to the election, would be made by the voters. Prior to 1978, like most cities of similar size locally, the position of mayor was rotated among the members of the city council. Monrovia’s SEE PAGE 17
Williams, clerk; Ed Gilliland, board member; Superintendent Dr. Kathy Thorossian; and Monrovia High School Principal Kirk McGinnis. Later, Monrovia City Council SEE PAGE 17
Old Town Report BY PAM FITZPATRICK To borrow a quote from a classic TV show, “I love it when a plan comes together!” Finally, we are beginning to see the fruits of the months – and in some cases, years – of purpose, planning, and promises here in Old Town. We have several new SEE PAGE 16