Steve Tye named mayor of Diamond Bar, candidates sought

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Steve Tye has been selected as the new mayor by the City Council, which also has decided to appoint someone to fill Ling-Ling Chang’s seat since she has been sworn into the California Assembly.

Councilman Tye was nominated by Nancy Lyons and unanimously approved by his fellow council members. Lyons was named mayor pro tem.

Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye

The council thanked outgoing mayor Carol Herrera, who has served as mayor five times. “You exhibit great leadership and we’re grateful for it,” said Mayor Tye.

“You were a wonderful leader for us this year and we really appreciate it,” agreed Lyons.

“You did a great job this past year in leading our city,” Councilman Jack Tanaka said.

The council had 60 days to take action to fill the remaining three years in Chang’s term, which expires in November 2017. It discussed the matter at Tuesday’s council meeting.

“We could appoint someone to fill her seat or call for a special election,” said Mayor Tye.

The city has faced similar situations five previous occasions. It decided to appoint a replacement four times, while calling for a special election in 2005.

Since Los Angeles County will not be holding an election in June, Diamond Bar can’t consolidate the special election with the county as it does with the regular municipal elections in November. The city would have to pay for all the costs, including election materials and equipment, ballots, precinct workers and vote tabulations.

“Should the City Council choose to call an election to fill the seat vacated by former council member Chang, it is estimated the city would incur election-related costs of approximately $150,000,” said Deputy City Manager Ryan McLean in a report.

Diamond Bar seeks applicants for city council seat

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Richard Irwin

The Diamond Bar City Clerk’s Office is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Diamond Bar City Council.

This vacancy resulted from the recent resignation of Ling-Ling Chang, who last month was elected to represent the California Assembly District 55.

During its regular meeting of December 2, 2014, the City Council voted to start to the process to fill the vacancy by appointment by soliciting applications from qualifying candidates. To qualify, candidates must be a United States citizen, a Diamond Bar resident and a registered voter 18 years of age or older.

City Council interviews with selected candidates followed by Council deliberation and discussion is tentatively planned for the week of January 5, 2015, followed by a vote on the appointment any time before January 30, 2015.

Applications are available on the City website www.DiamondBarCa.gov/councilvacancy and at City Hall (21810 Copley Drive). For more information or to request an application by mail, call the City Clerk’s Office at 909.839.7010. The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Diamond Bar has to fill Chang’s vacant council seat

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Bye-bye Ling-Ling. Diamond Bar City Council has to decide how to fill Ling-Ling Chang’s seat now that she has been sworn into the California Assembly.

Council has 60 days to take action to fill the remaining three years in Chang’s term, which expires in November of 2017. They plan to discuss the matter in tonight’s council meeting.

“We can appoint someone to fill her seat or call for a special election,” explained Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye.

The city has faced similar situations on five previous occasions. It decided to appoint a replacement four times, while calling for a special election in 2005.

“Should the city council choose to call an election to fill the seat vacated by former council member Chang, it is estimated the city would incur election-related costs of approximately $150,000,” said Deputy City Manager Ryan McLean in a report.

These costs would be in addition to the costs for the regular election in November.

“I’m leaning toward appointing someone to fill the position because of the high costs for a special election,” Tye said. “People elect us to make difficult decisions, so I think we should interview candidates and appoint someone ourselves.”

City council isn’t legally obligated to even advertise the vacancy, seek applicants or interview them before appointing someone to fill the council seat. Council may choose any process it feels is appropriate.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story VACANCY.

Person struck by truck on 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Richard Irwin

A person was hospitalized in unknown condition after being struck early Saturday by a truck on the 60 Freeway. The incident occurred on the westbound lanes beneath the 57 Freeway about 2:45 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Tony Polizzi said.

The began with a single-vehicle crash with either the center divider or the right shoulder wall of the freeway, causing a gray Cadillac to catch fire, according to CHP logs.

The Cadillac appeared to have had two occupants, according to Los Angeles County fire officials and a videographer at the scene. At least one of them exited the car, officials said.

A person, described only as male, was trying to put out the fire when he was struck by the truck, fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Al Jackson said. Paramedics took the injured person to the UC Irvine Medical Center, according to authorities.

The second person inside the Cadillac was not hospitalized, officials said.

Diamond Bar nonprofits invited to Winter Snow Fest

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Richard Irwin

The City of Diamond Bar’s popular Winter Snow Fest event will again provide local nonprofits a fun way to raise awareness of, and cash for, their causes.

Nonprofits have until Friday, Dec. 5, to apply to work the event as a food vendor, game booth operator or craft area monitor.

In exchange for their work, nonprofits that staff the entertainment areas will receive a portion of proceeds from the wristband and game/craft cards sales; food vendors keep all their profits.

Winter Snow Fest event takes place on Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 9am until 3pm at Pantera Park. For additional details and a copy of the application, visit www.DiamondBarCa.gov/wsf or call 909.839.7067.

Diamond Bar residents protest cut in Diamond Ride

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Diamond Bar residents are protesting cutbacks in the city’s popular Diamond Ride program. Seniors say the money-saving measures will hurt their health care.

Beginning Dec. 1, Diamond Ride will establish a new medical service area within a 5-mile radius of the city. The only exceptions will be trips to Pomona Valley Hospital and St. Jude Medical Centers in Fullerton. Leaving residents who need to go to the Kaiser Medical Center in Baldwin Park without a ride.

“My oncologist works in the Baldwin Park medical center,” explained 74-year-old Nancy Blum. “How am I supposed to get there?”

A resident of Diamond Bar for the past 43 years, Blum needs dialysis treatment three times a week just to stay alive. She has been going to the San Dimas Dialysis Center, but was told that was also outside the new Diamond Ride radius.

“It’s the only thing keeping me alive,” she noted. “Now I pay $50 to $60 a month for the Diamond Ride service. I figured it would cost me $300 to $400 a month beginning in December. I can’t afford that.”

The dialysis patient said she has been looking for another dialysis center, but all of them have waiting lists. Fortunately, Blum’s case worker may have found her a spot at a dialysis center Brea and is processing the paper work.

“Even then, I couldn’t get the same hours. I’d have to go in later and wouldn’t get home until 7 or 8 p.m.,” the angry senior said. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. The city is cutting us off at the knees.”

Other residents have been just as passionate over the pending cuts. Several have addressed city council about the pending problems.

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church packs gifts for kids

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and School in Diamond Bar will hold an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party on Saturday from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

They are filling 1,000 shoe boxes with items we have been collecting all year from our school. Operation Christmas Child sends filled shoe boxes around the world for Christmas, so children less fortunate can get a gift on Christmas.

To become a part of our packing party, call Ann Lovell at 909-730-9057 to sign up and learn more. The church is located at 23300 Golden Springs Drive in Diamond Bar.

Diamond Bar dedicates historic windmill today

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Diamond Bar is holding a special dedication ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m. today to officially recognize the Diamond Bar Windmill as a local historic landmark.

The windmill, located near the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue, has been part of Diamond Bar since the area was ranchland grazed by livestock. Accounts by several longtime residents credit Don Ury, then vice president of the Transamerica Corporation (the first and major developer of Diamond Bar), with preserving the windmill.

The windmill belongs to Retail Opportunities Investment Corporation (ROIC), the owners of the Diamond Bar Towne Center. However, as of August 2014, the City has perpetual access to both the structure and the immediate property where it stands for purposes of carrying out routine maintenance work to keep it structurally sound.

For more information about the windmill dedication event, contact the City’s Public Information Division at 909.839.7055 or info@diamondbarca.gov.

Diamond Bar golfers win state championship

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Richard Irwin

The Diamond Bar High Girls Golf team claimed the 2014 CIF state championship on November 18 with a score of 381. Longtime rival Torrey Pines finished 20 shots behind the Brahmas, ending their four-year state title streak.

The championship was held at the Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga. The Brahma team won their third consecutive CIF team title and clinched the spot at state with their 2^nd Place finish at the state semifinals on November 13.

Congratulations to players Josephine Chang, Rachel Chung, Joan Park, Kaitleen Shee, Crystal Wang, and Bethany Wu and coach Tony McCabe.

Ryan Seacrest visits Diamond Bar High tomorrow

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Please join American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest, The Grammy Foundation, KIIS FM, and the Ford Motor Company to celebrate Diamond Bar High School’ Steve Acciani being named a national semifinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award on Tuesday, November 11.

Come and help support the Diamond Bar High School Music Program!

Diamond Bar High School will be participating in the Ford Motor Company’s Drive 4 UR School national test drive program to help raise money for the school’s outstanding music program.

GRAMMY Foundation Honorary Chair Ryan Seacrest will be on hand to join members of the Diamond Bar community who participate and support DBHS by test-driving a new Ford vehicle.

For every person over 18 who test-drives at this one-day event, Ford Motor Company and Fairway Ford will donate $20, up to $6,000, to Diamond Bar’s music education program.

The event will also feature all 700 DBHS instrumental music students performing, and be hosted by KIIS FM.

The event will take place on Tuesday, November 11, from 11:00am until 5:00pm, with Ryan Seacrest expected to join the celebration from 1pm until 3pm.

Food trucks will be on hand, so come spend some time enjoying an afternoon out with the community.

Diamond Bar High School is located at 21400 E. Pathfinder Road in Diamond Bar.

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