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Thursday, August 31, 2017 - September 6, 2017
Since 1996
VOLUME 20, NO. 35
Goodbye 50 Year Old Sequoias. Hello Marriott Development. Monica SANCHEZ monicaadeline2@gmail.com
O
n the corner of Huntington Drive rests the future site of a Marriott Hotel. The development is set to start demolition in a few weeks, and developers intend to remove existing trees and landscaping currently on the property. Some of the trees on this site are 50 year old healthy sequoia trees with a variety of other trees that are equally as old. But this isn’t anything new. Developers cut down trees all the time to make room for new businesses. However, the Sierra Club, an environmental group, thinks “minimal or non-existent consideration for the ecology and/or preservation of the environment” was given when approving this project. T.A. Martin, member of the Sierra Club, said “If you
can just drive by the site and see how wonderful and plush the present trees are and how they fit into the environment of the area and entrance to the Santa Anita Race Track across the street, I think you will share my dismay and alarm.” The beauty and ecological history of the sequoias on the property is undeniable, but standard procedure was followed by the City of Arcadia before this project for the Marriott Hotel was approved back in 2014. Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager of Arcadia, addressed the environmental concern, stating that the city followed a “compliance process [in 2014] with the California Environmental Quality Act,” also known as CEQA. Kruckeberg said that the “city must comply with
Sequoias are being cut down to make room for the 220 rooms planned for the future Marriott Hotel. - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
SEE PAGE 10
Arcadia Draft District Maps are Available for Public Comment In accordance with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and AB 350, the City of Arcadia has released proposed district maps as part of the transition to district based elections. The drawing of City Council districts is regulated by state and federal law, and districts must be drawn to account for equal population according to the latest
federal census data. In establishing the boundaries for the districts, the City may give consideration to the following factors: - Topography - Geography - Cohesiveness, Contiguity, Integrity, SEE PAGE 10
EAGLE SCOUT CANDIDATE TO PRESENT SILVER BELL AT ARCADIA COUNCIL MEETING, SEPT. 5 With the landscaping portion of the Arcadia Vietnam Memorial Monument behind him, Eagle Scout candidate Daniel Black of Boy Scout Troop 104 will be presenting a beautiful silver bell to Mayor Peter Amundson and City Clerk/Monument Founder-Gene Glasco at next Tuesday's, Sept. 5 Arcadia City Council meeting.
Each year, tens of thousands of young men strive to achieve the coveted Eagle Scout rank. One of the rank requirements is to plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to the community.
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SEE PAGE 11
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