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ARCADIAWEEKLY
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Thursday, August 24, 2017 - August 30, 2017
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VOLUME 20, NO. 34
Transit Task Force Succeeds as Transition to First Transit, Inc. Approaches Monica SANCHEZ monicaadeline2@gmail.com
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rcadia is changing companies for its transit system to better suit the needs of seniors and disabled citizens. On Aug. 15, the Arcadia City Council officially approved the transition to a new company, First Transit, Inc., a change that a task force assembled of five seniors and disabled citizens has been vying after for two years. City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said, “We’ve been in a transition for the last 18 to 24 months going from a basic dial-a-ride system to a full service transit system,” and he added that First Transit, Inc. will provide “a new service at an affordable cost but also at service levels that the system needs in order to be successful.” Currently, Southland Transit serves Arcadia’s transit needs and has done so for 30 years, but issues that violate ADA law have proven the need for this change to First Transit, Inc. Arcadia’s transit service was primarily being used by students, making it difficult for seniors and disabled citizens to receive proper care and attention or get a ride at all. With not much room left for seniors or the disabled, those who were able to get a ride still experienced problems with Southland’s service. Marshall, explained that “Some of the girls in wheelchairs
The dial-a-ride transit system is reserved for seniors and the disabled, but students in need of transit services may use Arcadia’s fixed-route transit system. - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
SEE PAGE 11
ARCADIA FIRE RESPONDS TO GOLD LINE TRAIN FIRE SATURDAY
Story & Photos Madeline PARK, Editorial Intern
Staff Writer editorial@beaconmedianews.com
On Saturday, Aug. 19 At 4:50 a.m., Truck 105, Engine 105, Engine 106, Engine 107, Rescue Ambulance 105, and Battalion 105 responded to the Arcadia Gold Line Station on a reported train fire. Upon arrival, fire personnel found a Metro Gold Line train with smoke coming from the undercarriage of the first railcar. Train personnel had used a fire extinguisher to extinguish a small fire prior to the Fire Department’s arrival. Fire personnel investigated and determined the fire was out. The train was removed by Metro Gold Line personnel.
Retirement Homes: A New Family in Old Age
- Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
In this day and age, people are constantly looking to feel connected. While some seek to find their sense of connectedness through social media, others in different interests, very little expect to find it within the confines of the retirement center. For many, the words ‘retirement home’ often
brings about several negative connotations—with scenes of no privacy, little independence, and extreme depression. Yet, despite its bad reputation, more and more elderly have turned to these homes to find a community. In a way, many have found a family within. Enter the Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel, a large expanse of a building located in the midst of a small residential street. This retirement center is only one of six
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that lie scattered throughout Arcadia. With homes like Arcadia Retirement Village, Vista Cove, Naomi Gardens and others, Arcadia’s retirement community is continually growing. For around 23 percent of Arcadia’s total population, this community is vital. Sheila Kinney, an activity director at Arcadia Gardens commented, “[We provide] a whole wide variety [of SEE PAGE 11
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