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Scathing Report on Police Rouses City Officials
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2015
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VOLUME 3, NO. 12
SR-710 Tunnel Option Not For Pasadena, Group Determines
After a year and a half, a damning report on the Pasadena Police Department’s detectives was finally released: a 74-page executive summary of the outside civilian review. The report makes 58 recommendations for reform of the Pasadena PD’s detective operations. Elbie J. Hickambottom, Jr., and Dale Gronemeier – the civil rights attorneys who successfully litigated in the trial court the release of 80% of the City’s independent civilian review of the Kendrec McDade shooting -hailed the belated release of the report by Veritas Assurance Group as “proving the need for an Independent Police Auditor and for reopening the investigation of the Joseph Jones murder.” Hickambottom said “Veritas functioned as the
Multiple transportation options focused on moving people, not vehicles, is the best approach to help complete the State Route 710 project, according to recommendations included in a report recently forwarded by the City’s SR-710 Alternatives Working Group to Mayor Bill Bogaard and City Manager Michael J. Beck. In a letter dated March 9, 2015, the Working Group concluded “a priority of any proposal should be on moving people, rather than vehicles.” Other important priorities identified included ensuring “consistency with Pasadena's General Plan, enhancing travel options for underserved communities, improving safety, minimizing environmental impacts, reducing surface street traffic and providing transportation choices to the public,” the Working Group noted. The Working Group began meeting in September 2014. Members include Stephen Acker,
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File photo by Terry Miller
California Housing Market Bounces Back in February After Slow Start to Year Slowing home price appreciation and improving inventory combined to boost California’s housing market in February as existing home sales and median home prices increased from both the previous month and year, the ARCADIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (A.A.R.) said Tuesday.. Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 368,160 units in February, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. Sales in February were up 4.7 percent from a revised 351,480
in January and up 2.4 percent from a revised 359,600 in February 2014. The year-over-year increase was the largest observed since December 2012. The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2015 if sales maintained the February pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales. “While February’s statewide improvement in the housing market was moderate, it’s an encouraging sign, nevertheless, as we head into the spring home-buying season,” said 2015 A.A.R. President Joe Please see page 4
7th Annual Norooz at LACMA Los Angeles Norooz, the Iranian New Year which is the beginning of the spring in harmony with the rebirth of nature, will occur from 3:45 -11 p.m. on Friday, March 20th, 2015 (PST). According to Dr. Nazee Rofagha, who has led the last eight years of celebrations in Pasadena, “The mission of Norooz in Pasadena is to familiarize non-Iranian communities of Pasadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley with the rich, peaceful and ancient culture of Iran.” While she is not involved in an event this year, we recommend one of the best celebrations which will be at LACMA Sunday. Farhang Foundation, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), hosts its seventh annual Norooz festival at the museum. Celebrate the arrival of spring with a full day of activities Please see page 3
Legal Analyses Illuminate Arcadia San Gabriel Government's Reasoning for China Trip to Conduct BY JOE TAGLIERI Manual Written correspon- Mayor John Wuo's solicita- rameters that govern such Recount for dence between the Arca- tion of three $10,000 dona- official excursions. dia city attorney and the tions from private donors A Jan. 23 letter from March 3 Fair Political Practices to help cover the delega- FPPC attorneys John WalCommission and an inter- tion's travel expenses. Two lace and Emelyn Rodrinal city document reveal contributors were friends guez identifies several Election key aspects of the reasoning behind a now cancelled trip by city officials to China and Taiwan. In response to concerns of residents and government transparency, advocates expressed at Arcadia City Council meetings and in press reports, officials pulled the plug on plans for a sizable delegation of council members, department heads and relatives to tour various Chinese and Taiwanese locales. The controversy stemmed mainly from
of the mayor linked to Chinese companies, and the third donation came from a Chinese real estate developer with companies based in the San Gabriel Valley. Leading up to the first public disclosure of the trip plans and donations at a Feb. 3 council study session, City Attorney Stephen Deitsch sought advice from the Fair Political Practices Commission, or FPPC, on how to best advise Arcadia's council and high-ranking staff members on staying within legal pa-
questions Deitsch was exploring that centered on the pursuit of sister city ties with Chinese municipalities and rules pertaining to gifts to officials ranging from monetary donations for travel expenses to meals and lodging from Chinese governmental entities. While officials highlighted greater cultural understanding and sister city relationships as the trip's primary focus, the FPPC advice letter reveals that
The City Clerk’s Office will conduct a manual recount of all ballots cast in the March 3 municipal election in response to a written request from residents and voters of the city of San Gabriel, including city council candidates Denise Menchaca and Juli Costanzo. The city received the request for manual recount at 2:17 p.m. on Thursday. The manual recount will occur this Thursday,
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