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Thursday, February 9, 2017 - February 15, 2017
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Since 1996
COMPLIMENTARY COPY VOLUME 21, NO. 6
Arcadia Denies Verizon Proposal for Cell Tower in Residential Zone BY MALAK HABBAK
A
rcadia City Council denied Verizon Wireless’ proposed wireless tower facility in a residential area Tuesday, Feb. 7, after the carrier failed to persuade the council that the facility had an immediate need and was the best alternative. The decision was a relief to concerned residents spearheaded by Arcadians Against Residential Towers in their battle with Verizon, nicknamed “David vs. Goliath,” that lasted over a year. Over 20 residents spoke against the tower during public comments, citing reasons from denial for health and safety to aesthetics and bad feng shui. The group, young and old, dressed in green shirts for solidarity with yellow signs, flooded the council’s chambers in opposition to the proposal that would open the gates to telecommunications carriers in residential zones, currently prohibited by municipal code. Under federal preemption, the city would be required to grant Verizon’s request if it could SEE PAGE 13
Perhaps a tip-of-the-hat to Donald Trump’s campaign cap slogan, opponents to Verizon’s appeal want to ‘Keep Arcadia Great’ by not having a cell tower in a residential area. – Photo by Terry Miller/Beacon Media News
Residential Burglar Nabbed in Arcadia Arcadia Police arrested a burglar Saturday as he was seen running from a residence on Sunset Boulevard on the evening of Feb. 4. Refugio Roy Gomez, 51, of Hesperia was arrested in connection with the 7:53
p.m. break-in at a home in the 900 block of Sunset Boulevard, Arcadia police Sgt. John Bonomo said in a press release. Officers responding a burglary alarm encountered a man, later identified as Gomez, running from the side yard of the
home, according to the sergeant. “A foot pursuit began, but the suspect soon surrendered to officers and was taken into custody,” he said. Police recovered items from the suspect believed to have been stolen from the
home. The incident is being investigated by Arcadia Police detectives. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151.