Monrovia WEEKLY monroviaweekly.com
Thursday, MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2013
Teenager dies in fall while hiking in Eaton Canyon
San Gabriel City Council refuses to swear in Chin Ho Liao
Council decides to investigate further, hold hearing BY TERRY MILLER
A 17 year old female lost her life as a result of a fall on Friday, March 22, 2013 while hiking with three friends. At 11:26AM Friday, Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters and Los Angeles County Sheriff'sDepartment - Altadena Search and Rescue Team responded to Eaton Canyon north of Altadena regarding hikers falling down the side of the mountain. Three people were rescued by firefighters, assisted by deputies. One of the three was injured, and a fourth teenage female lost her life. Please see page 4
Please see page 11
Esther Suen
Two Arcadia police officers under investigation On Friday, March 15, 2013, Arcadia Police Chief Robert Guthrie placed two Arcadia police officers on paid, administrative leave pending the outcome of criminal and administrative investigations into possible violations of law and department policies. Please see page 10
FOR GREAT EVENTS IN YOUR CITY
Court of Appeals says former Sierra Madre cop may sue BY TERRY MILLER A former Sierra Madre cop whose pay raise was delayed after he led a “no-confidence” vote against the then police chief may now sue for retaliation in “violation of his free speech rights,” the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Friday.. The court unanimously overturned the dismissal of a lawsuit by Sierra Madre Officer John Ellins, who headed the Sierra Madre Police Assn. from 2006 to 2010. According to City Manager Elaine Aguilar, Ellins last worked for the City of Sierra Madre in February 2011. Ellins sued Sierra Madre and former Police Chief Marilyn Diaz for retaliation after she delayed signing an application that would have given him a 5% pay raise. He claimed Diaz was punishing him because he had led the no-confidence vote and participated in two press releases that criticized her performance.
An obviously concerned Chin Ho Liao listens Tuesday evening to council’s deliberations Tuesday as a woman appears to be praying over him and council for guidance. -Photo by Terry Miller
PUSD District 3 run off set April 16 On April 16, eligible voters will participate in a run-off election to select a representative for Pasadena Unified School District, (PUSD) Board of Education, District 3, Pasadena City Clerk Mark Jomsky announced today. Ruben Hueso and Tyron Hampton are the two candidates that received the highest number of votes in the March 5, 2013 Primary Election without reaching the necessary 50 percent, plus one, majority needed to be declared elected. Eligible voters within Board of Education District 3 will have an opportunity to cast a ballot at the April
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ON PAGE 14
Volume 18, No. 13
Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
On Tuesday evening Jason Pu was sworn-in and took his seat on city council to rounds of applause. However for another top vote getter, Chin Ho Liao, it was not much of a celebration. Council decided to seek further guidance regarding the challenge brought forth by several citizens regarding Liao’s eligibility to be on council, essentially due to his domicile. Pu, Liao and Sawkins received the highest votes in the March 5 election for three open council seats, beating out incumbents Mario De La Torre and David Gutierrez. There was also a “challenge” raised regarding provisional votes to which the precinct board said it wouldn’t affect the outcome and therefore “ would not be counted.” The challenge to Chin Ho Liao’s election certification was brought forth by Fred Paine of San Gabriel who now has threatened a lawsuit (with other residents) should the city decide to take no action
CHECK OUT OUR
16, 2013 General Municipal (run-off) Election and decide their Board of Education representative. Detailed election information is available at http://ww2.cityofpasadena. net/cityclerk/election, or call (626) 744-4124. For the recent City Council elections, voters reelected Councilmembers Victor Gordo and Terry Tornek and elected candidate John J. Kennedy to his first term, filling the seat vacated by former long-time Councilmember Chris Holden, now a member of the California State Assembly. Please see page 2
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Glendale family files claim against Pasadena regarding Christmas day deaths BY TERRY MILLER Family members of the two people killed as a result of a Christmas Day police pursuit in Pasadena have filed five claims against the city. Each claim seeks monetary settlement including $13,000 for funeral expenses and for emotional distress. Kendrick Ng, 11, and Tracey Ong Tan, 25. were killed around 8PM on Dec. 25, 2012, that also injured Kendrick Ng’s parents and sister. According to the March 11 filing by attorney Harry Lippman, “claimants contend that due to the danger-
The remains of the vehicle in which Kendrick Ng, and Tracey Ong Tan. were killed. -Photo by Harry Lippman
ous and hazardous conditions created by high-speed police pursuits in populated
areas, it was careless, negliPlease see page 15