And some of you laughed at me at the my random Craigslist blog post. I just call it foreshadowing on the story that Amanda Baumfeld reported today.

COVINA - Stevan Ortiz and his girlfriend planned to move into a three-bedroom home on Calera Avenue on Thursday.

The couple - expecting their second child in June - gave notice at their apartment in Baldwin Park, bought a washer and dryer and even made plans to pick up a dog.

But Tuesday afternoon, Ortiz, 22, discovered he was among a group of people who appear to have been victims of real estate fraud.

"We made so many plans," said Ortiz, who tried contacting the owner over the weekend. "I had this in the back of my mind when I couldn't get ahold of him."

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just came up with a list of public water board officials that are elected that serve all the SGV and Whittier areas - a total of 16 agencies. Out of 81 elected officials, 13 of them are women.

That's 16 percent.

That seems really low. I wonder how that number stacks up to the city council's.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 5:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Its been a busy past few days with water stories, fire and more water stories. So, I finally got a minute to breathe, and the top story of the day: teen queen Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, is wrapped up naked in an American flag.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I still smell like smoke from covering the fire this morning in Sierra Madre. Aside from the smoke smell, I walked away with these pictures from a garden in front of a Sierra Madre home:

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

As you may have noticed, there have been more stories and blog entries about water agencies, water officials and water issues. That’s because I am now assigned to the water beat.

The stories that I would like to focus on are those of malfeasance. There are about 45 public water agencies in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas, and about half of them have elected water officials. As we’ve seen from Dolores Holguin, Xavier Alvarez and Albert Robles,* elected water officials certainly have their share of legal troubles.

And these people are responsible for making decisions that affect nearly 2 million people, and are running budgets that are larger than those of many cities.

But there is more to water – just like in government — than corruption. Gasp. So, the Tribune will also be running stories covering the water crisis we are in now.

So far, it hasn't been easy learning about water. The learning curve is extremely high. Last weekend, I went on a trip to a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California trip to the Colorado River Aqueduct with a bus full of people invited by director John Morris, who represents the small and affluent community of San Marino. San Marino is one of 26 member agencies of the MWD, and was part of the original 11 when the district formed in 1926.

During the two-day trip, we stopped at several reservoirs, dams and pumping stations. What I found amazing was that the technology in the 1930s and 1940s was enough to provide water to millions of residents, even until today.

During the trip, I asked everyone dozens of questions about water, the challenges of water, how we get our water and how we should prepare for future water problems. For each answer, I felt as though I had five more questions. The complexity of the water industry is one of the reasons that no one pays attention – including the media – to water. As one director put it, “People go the faucet, water comes out, so the public doesn’t think there is a problem.”

As the water industry deals with increasing environmental pressures, that means that we will pay for it. That’s not just on our water bills. But just as it took a nearly $220 million bond measure approved by voters during the Depression, building new canals or developing new technology is going to come with a price to tax payers.

What I’m hoping is that within the next six months, my stories on water will expose corruption, tell the story on water, and make it easier to understand how water works. That way, when we’re asked to pay for new water projects, we’ll know what the issues are.

*Dolores Holguin is a former Valley County Water Director who is being investigated for misusing public funds. Valley County is out of Baldwin Park. Xavier Alvarez is a Three Valleys Municipal Water District director who is being investigated for lying about having received the Medal of Honor. There are also charges now that he lied about still being married to his wife, who has been receiving health benefits. Albert Robles, a director at the Water Replenishment District, is facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly distributing illegal mailers.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I just spotted this fax in response to the Board of Sups approval of a taco truck time limit:

Carne Asada is not a crime
saveourtacotrucks.org

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just got off the phone with a Home Depot spokeswoman who confirmed the company is in talks with Baldwin Park officials about a solution to the city’s day laborer issue.

You might remember several articles I did a while back on this topic: one failed ordinance barring day laborers from soliciting work, a second failed attempt at another, slightly different ordinance barring day laborers from soliciting work, and a lawsuit by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund that was eventually dropped.

Anyway, Councilman Ricardo Pacheco tells me they are trying to negotiated an agreement with Home Depot to build a day laborer center near the Puente Avenue home improvement store.

It sounds like they are still working out some glitches, but the parties are expected to meet in closed session on May 7 to possibly finalize an agreement.

Of course, some big questions still remain: whose gonna build it? Whose gonna pay for it? Whose gonna run it? And whose gonna assume liability for it?

I’m sure those details will be ironed out.

As a final note, everyone tells me Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, got her little hands involved in the whole issue — speeding up talks between Home Depot and the city.

As Pacheco put it: “It took an act of Congress.”

You can say that again.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I've just confirmed some interesting information about the state of developer Robert Bisno's economic affairs. I'll be working over the next several days on trying to get a story in the paper.

If you don't already know, Bisno is proposing a multi-million dollar development in Baldwin Park that would essentially transform 125 acres of the downtown - for better or for worse, depending on what side your on.

Bisno's got an interesting track record, including a development in Santa Ana that is apparently causing quite an uproar. I'm trying to find out more about this as well. Anyone heard anything about that project?

Posted by Tania Chatila at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A former four-term Assemblyman is still serving two masters even though the Attorney General said he shouldn't. Willard Murray, who represents the Water Replinishment District of Southern California and West Basin on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, has continued to sit on these boards despite a ruling that said he shouldn't.

What wasn't in the story is that Murray gets paid by West Basin for his MWD representation, at $207 a meeting. He also gets a car allowance and a phone allowance. Interesting, because he gets those same things from WRD, and also gets paid for his meeting attendance. I haven't researched it, but I am going to assume that he also gets a nice retirement package for all those years he spent on the Assembly.

Murray's son is also a representative on the MWD, and Murray's daughter works for the District Attorney's office. I'm sure the lectures Murray gave to his children went something along the lines of: "Government jobs are the way to go."

I wish I would have gotten that lecture.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Alright, it's Friday!!!! What a perfect night for a ... meeting?

Rosemead City Council is having a special meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to reconsider a land use designation from medium density residential to low density residential. I'm sure there is a reason that they are having the meeting tonight, but come on. It's the start of the weekend!

In course you're wondering, no, I won't be covering the meeting. Not because I have crazy weekend plans, but I'll still be at work cranking out stories for the weekend.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Looks like CARA — the Community Alliance for Redevelopment Accountability — is turning to humor in their fight against a proposed multi-million dollar development in downtown Baldwin Park.

One of the group's members sent me this yesterday.

Here’s a story I wrote about the issue a few months back.

Residents oppose development
San Gabriel Valley Tribune (West Covina, CA) - March 15, 2008
Author/Byline: Tania Chatila, Staff Writer
Section: News

BALDWIN PARK - Property owners rallied against a proposed multimillion-dollar development this week at a forum backing eminent domain reform.

More than 200 residents and business owners attended the meeting Thursday at the Baldwin Park Marriott. It was hosted by the Community Alliance for Redevelopment Accountability, a Baldwin Park-based nonprofit formed in opposition to the city's redevelopment plans for the downtown.

Baldwin Park is in talks with Bisno Development Co. for a 125-acre renovation of its main commercial corridor that could include a new hotel, a charter school and thousands of luxury residential units.

More than 200 businesses and homes face relocation through eminent domain, depending on the outcome of the project and two legislative initiatives - both slated for June - aimed at limiting eminent domain powers.

One of those initiatives, Proposition 98, was heavily pushed by several groups at the forum, including the National Federation of Independent Business/California, the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the Institute for Justice.

Proposition 98 would restrict city agencies from taking property through eminent domain and turning it over to private developers.

Marko Mlikotin, president of the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights, said the forum was meant to provide information to residents about Baldwin Park's situation and gather support for the proposition.

"The government's power to forcibly seize private property from property owners is unquestionable," Mlikotin said.

He called the Baldwin Park case "one of the most egregious" he'd seen in years.

"The only thing that can save them," Mlikotin said, "is legal reform."

Among the several speakers Thursday was Jeff Rowes, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, which litigates property rights cases.

Rowes encouraged property owners to protest, make public records requests and create their own records of city actions.

"What Baldwin Park wants to do is replace people of modest means with rich people because rich people have more money," he said. "I think the only realistic chance to save these neighborhoods is through a lawsuit."

A question-and-answer period garnered several heated comments from angry residents and business owners who accused city officials of being evasive about project plans.

"I intend to retire when I'm ready," said Rosalva Breceda, owner of the Maine Avenue Penhmar Beauty Salon, "not when the city says they need that space."

Other residents - some of whom were not from Baldwin Park - told stories of losing their homes through eminent domain.

"What you see here is the heart of Baldwin Park," said James Treasure, president of CARA. "This is just the beginning of our movement."

City officials have refuted claims they've been deceitful and have said their plans will benefit Baldwin Park.

While in support of the project, Councilman Ricardo Pacheco said he believes better communication could make the proposed development less contentious.

"The city itself needs to do its public outreach to get input from the community," Pacheco said. "I think we need to emphasize more inclusion."

tania.chatila@sgvn.com

(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2109

Posted by Tania Chatila at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I used to think that elected water boards were just the place where those on the verge of retirement go to make a few extra bucks -- well, about $35,000 a year, which is pretty damn close to my salary. Oh yeah, and a place where they can get health perks, travel budgets, car allowances and cell phones.

But it looks like it is also the place where it continues someone's political career. I just got off the phone with a water official who said that West Basin Municipal Water District Director Donald Dear has his eyes set on Assembly. When I get some more time, I'll try to come up with a list of other water officials that have used their water seats to springboard to higher office.

Here's a bit more on Dear:

Board President Donald L. Dear was elected to the West Basin Board of Directors in November 2000 to represent the cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale and unincorporated portions of El Camino Village. He is currently serving his second term after being re-elected in November 2004. Director Dear came to the Board with a vast array of experience in public service, serving as the Gardena Mayor for nine consecutive terms before retiring in 2001. He is also a widely respected, award-winning teacher who taught at Stephen White Middle School in Carson for 37 years.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Melissa Pamer reports that there could be more sheriff's patrols on the way to unincorporated Monrovia and Duarte.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

While driving through San Marino last weekend, I passed a beautiful, remodeled high school. Then, I saw a sign that marked the donations -- which is in the hundreds of thousands -- to the school district. "Public education is not free," the sign read.

I normally don't meander through San Marino. My routes usually take me through West Covina, Covina and Baldwin Park. I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I guessing that there is a significant disparity among the donation efforts in San Marino versus Baldwin Park or Pico Rivera.

Airan Scruby reported today that four Pico Rivera schools are slated for closure. I am sure that San Marino schools are facing their sets of hardships, but I wonder: Have any schools closed in San Marino?

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mike Sprague reports that a court upheld a $1.25 million harassment lawsuit filed against the Whittier Police Department by a former female detective, Gina Zanone.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rosemead voters should expect another election, only this time on whether to approve term limits. Council members on Tuesday agreed that they want to take term limits to the voters. The term limits will be a total of three terms, or 12 years. The council members must sit out for two years and then they can run again.

How will you vote?

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

I wrote a story in today’s paper about La Puente's legal troubles.

It seems the city and Victor Gudzunas - who owns the Hacienda Mart strip mall at 1313 to 1335 N. Hacienda Blvd. - can’t seem to agree on a sale price for Gudzunas’ land.

They’re off by $500,000. Gudzunas’ final demand of the city is $6.5 million and the city’s final offer to Gudzunas is $6 million.

Just some background: the city has been trying to acquire this land for a year to build a commercial retail center. City attorneys filed legal documents in court last July to start the eminent domain process.

Throughout the proceedings, the city and Victor have been trying to negotiate a settlement - but to no avail. There seems to be a lot of that going on in City Hall these days.

City officials and Gudzunas made it pretty clear that trial is eminent. It could begin as early as May 19.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Reporter Bethania Palma reports today that Azusa wants to crack down on massage parlors.

Apparently, the city imposed a temporary moratorium on massage therapy businesses on Monday, following suit with cities like Glendora and Pasadena.

According to Palma’s story, the moratorium comes on the heels of recent prostitution busts at businesses posing as massage clinics.

In Azusa, all new permits and ownership transfers for such businesses will be halted for 45 days.

I just wonder what happens after the 45 days are up?

Posted by Tania Chatila at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I spotted this buried in my e-mail. It was sent to me on Friday, April 11 by Celeste Mandervile, a La Puente resident who unsuccesfully ran for City Council in November. I think it’s safe to say it was accidentally e-mailed to me because I don’t ever get invited to politicians’ — or potential politicians’ — birthdays. Not that I would ever go! Except maybe to spy .... I kid, I kid.

Hey Everyone,

Its BIRTHDAY time!!! I will be celebrating my 30th Birthday tonight (Friday the 11th) at

Tokio lounge/club
1640 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 464-2065

I want to see everyone there to celebrate the BIG 3-0...hahaha I will be getting there around 10:30-11pm.. I will probably be a little tipsy by then. I will also be shutting off my phone so please don't flip out, I just dont want to loose my phone! Everything will be fine, just let the people at the door know you are here for my birthday partaaaaaaayyyy and there is no cover charge either...yaaaayyy! Also there is vallet right in the front! or you can just find parking else where but you better be there...No Excuses!!

Please e-mail me back with how many people you are coming with!!!

See you tonight!!

XOXOXOXO

CM

Sounds like it was quite the party....

Posted by Tania Chatila at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just a peek at what some of your cities are considering or looking into... nothing earth-shattering.

Hello,

Charlene Reck
Administrative Intern
City of San Dimas
(909) 394-6204

I didn’t realize cities had administrative interns that did this kind of work.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I reported todaythat the Rosemead City Council will discuss term limits at its meeting tonight. While the council can discuss term limits, the decision is up to the voters.

Because of space restraints, the story was edited and this important tidbit was removed: The cost of such an election would be $75,000.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There's more Albert Robles drama, Airan Scruby reports. Robles, a Water Replinishment District director, is scheduled to appear in court today. He is being charged with committing misdeameanor campaign law violations.

He is also running for the job of District Attorney Steve Cooley.

"How Steve Cooley is manipulating our justice system ... should shock the conscience of all Americans," Robles said. "The DA's office has never prosecuted anybody for what they're accusing me of."

Here's more from Airan's story:

Robles, 39, will discuss his motions to dismiss the charges against him, including two counts of sending campaign mailers without return addresses on behalf of Pico Water District candidates.

He is also charged with one count of making a campaign expenditure of more than $100 in cash, and one count of making a campaign contribution of more than $100 in cash, two ways of prosecuting for the same act: paying for the campaign mailers he allegedly sent.

If convicted, Robles could face a $10,000 fine and six months in jail for each offense, and would lose the ability to run for public office for four years.

The charges against him come from the Political Reform Act, a set of California statutes meant to increase campaign openness. Robles said cases like his are usually handled by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, and that the charges against him were filed because District Attorney Steve Cooley has a vendetta against him.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Los Angeles County officials are going to release the 2008-09 proposed budget today. The forecast is bleak, largely because of a drop in property and sales tax revenues and a $200 million deficit in the health department, Rick Orlov and Troy Anderson report.

Ross DeVol, director of regional economics at the Milken Institute, said most local governments' financial problems are related to the sharp downturn in the housing market.

"The housing market will be more severe in California than elsewhere because we had the largest run-up with speculators and others," DeVol said. "We have a lot of foreclosures and it's going to depress prices and will take some time to recover, perhaps not until the first part of 2009.

"It affects the local sales tax because people are not buying furniture or appliances or home-related products. They don't have the discretionary income to buy as much, and you see car sales down as well. All these big-ticket items affect the revenue stream."

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There's been a lot of talk recently about charging money for plastic bags. My thoughts? Charge away. That's something that they've been doing for years in Europe. And it makes sense. I've got hundreds of those plastic bags stored under the sink, and each time I go to the grocery store I think: Oh crap, I should have brought some of those bags. But I can guarentee that once the stores start charging me for bags, my habits would quickly change.

Alison Hewitt reports that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors aren't giving up on their efforts to charge shoppers for bags.

Support among Los Angeles County supervisors for a proposal that would charge shoppers 25 cents for each plastic shopping bag they use has dwindled after a state bill faltered last week in Sacramento.

County officials supported and even helped write the bill that failed to pass a committee hearing last week, although a compromise emerged that would allow local governments to levy their own plastic bag fees.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Billionaire developer Edward Roski, who is proposing to build an NFL stadium in Industry, is going to stop by the Tribune's office today to pitch his idea to the Editorial Board. I'll be sitting in the meeting as well, and I will ask him any follow-up questions that have come up since he launced his proposal to build this $800-million stadium on Thursday. The meeting is at 10 a.m.

Are there questions that you want me to ask?

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I've had this for a few days now, but I've been debating whether to post it.

I figure since it is a public document and it does shed light on the Baldwin Park chief saga, it’s worth putting out there.

From the looks of this e-mail, sent to Chief Executive Officer Vijay Singhal on Wednesday, El Monte police Lt. Ken Alva had some serious competition for BP chief. Notice how Suisun City Police Chief Ed Dadisho -who basically withdraws his application for police chief in this e-mail - refers to himself as the city's No. 1 choice.

VIJAY.pdf

Posted by Tania Chatila at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not that it really matters anymore, but here’s some interesting information about Suisun City Police Chief Ed Dadisho, who — until he dropped out on Wednesday — was vying for the Baldwin Park Police Chief position.

Apparently, under Dadisho’s watch, the Suisun City Police Department received “F” grades two years in a row from a governmental watchdog group that performed public records audits of more than 200 law enforcement agencies across the state.

Kimberly K. Fu, a staff writer for the Vacaville paper, The Reporter, did some stories in 2006 and 2007 about the audit and the grades. Here’s a excerpt from her January 2007 story.

Suisun City police officials also rejected their grade, noting special circumstances.

“We are in the process of revising our entire general orders, which haven’t been revised in over 12 years. The California Public Records Act is one of the areas that we will be focusing on in the revisions of our general orders, which will be done by the end of January.”

I should also add that Suisun City PD has had it’s fair share of controversy. According to The Reporter, in 2006 a Solano County grand jury deemed former Suisun City police Chief Ron Forsythe a weak leader and said the city should hire a consultant to audit the Police Department. Allegations also surfaced that Forsythe was misusing public funds.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 7:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Central Basin Municipal Water District, which manages ground water pumping from its basin, sued the giant of the Southern California's water industry, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Central Basin believes that MWD's recently approved conservation plan is just another way to stuff money into MWD's coffers, Central Basin director Art Aguilar tells reporter Mike Sprague.

"Although Metropolitan would like us to think of this as a `conservation plan,' it is actually an economic plan that virtually robs from the poor to pay for the cost of new development in more affluent areas," Aguilar said.

Central Basin is one of 26 member agencies of MWD that buy water from the district and then re-sell it to private and public water utilities

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This was tucked away in the paper today:

A state bill that would have allowed police to seize property of those convicted of dogfighting failed to pass out of the Public Safety Committee on Wednesday.

The committee deadlocked on the bill, 2-2, with Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, abstaining on the vote.

Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, voted against it, and Sen. Bob Margett, R-Glendora, voted for it.

The concerns of committee members, which were raised by Romero and Margett, were that forfeitures would be unfair to property owners who did not know dogfighting was happening at their property. Margett voted for the bill despite his objections.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which opposed the bill, went further with its objections, saying any kind of forfeitures not tied to clear evidence that a profit had been made by the dogfighting would not be consistent with California law.

Rocky Rushing, the chief of staff for Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, who proposed the bill, said the legislation would be shelved for this year.

"We'll take a look at it again next year," said Rushing. "It was a good day for dogfighters and the ACLU."

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dan Abendschein reports that a lawsuit against Glendora over a senior housing project could be settled out of court. The community group that filed the lawsuit wants to city to do an enviornmental report for the site, located at Bonnie Cove and Gladstone, because they believe the traffic will be heavily impacted as a result of the project.

"Their claim is that this project will impact city traffic," said D. Wayne Leech, Glendora's city attorney. "The city did an original survey several years ago, and then an updated survey this year, and both found there was no impact."

What do you think? Is a survey enough or shold the city perform the environmental review? Leech thinks it's a trap.

"Other than them withdrawing their claim, I can't see a solution that would work for the city," said Leech. "This lawsuit is without merit."

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So last night I reported the Baldwin Park City Council unanimously named El Monte police Lt. Ken Alva as their new police chief. Well, that was only half true, according to city officials.

While Mayor Manuel Lozano said Wednesday the council did appoint Alva, there are still several hoops Alva has to jump through before a final contract is approved. Technically, Alva still needs to clear his background check, he still has to negotiate a contract and that contract still needs to go before the council for final approval.

I apologize for any confusion that may have caused. I should have caught that, but I'm clarifying it now and it will be clear in the story that will appear in Friday's paper.

So yes, Alva was chosen, but no, he's not the current police chief. Baldwin Park's Chief Executive Officer Vijay Singhal said it'll be a few weeks before everything finalized, so long as things go smoothly.

Alva tells me he hasn't even given notice yet at El Monte. But I can assure you, that hasn't stopped his peers at EMPD and his supporters in Baldwin Park City Hall from anticipating his transition.

Translation: he's a shoe-in with some baby steps along the way.

Reporting thus far tells me Alva has quite a support system both in and out of El Monte. More on that in this weekend's profile, which should run on Sunday.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Reporter Jennifer McLain is on her way back to the office from a Downtown press conference about Ed Roski's plans to devleop a stadium in Industry.

Here's a short update that just got posted on our Web site:

LOS ANGELES -- Billionaire land developer Ed Roski unveiled his plan Thursday to build an $800 million NFL stadium in the City of Industry.
Although there is no professional football team on the horizion for the region, Roski said it is a certainty the stadium will be built.

Roski said he expects construction on the site to start by the fourth quarter of this year.

I'm sure Jennifer will have more insight later.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Looks like the Foothill Cities Blog is getting under Monrovia's skin.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You can say bye bye to CP Acupuncture Health Center in Covina. Amanda Baumfeld reports the City Council revoked the clinic's business license Tuesday after police found out its owner was running "an adult service operation" there.

The center opened on Dec. 1 as an acupuncture practice, but officials to Baumfeld the business housed massage tables, large bottles of hand lotion and oils. Doesn't sound very acupuncture-ish to me. Here's more from Baumfeld's story:

Police began investigating the center at 1259 San Bernardino Road in February after receiving complaints of late night male clientele from residents who live across the street, according to Lt. Tim Doonan.

(...)

The investigation resulted in the arrest of Shui Mai Liu, 52, of Monterey Park on Feb. 13 who was booked on suspicion of soliciting a lewd act.

Liu has since been charged with one count of prostitution and her case is being handled by the Los Angeles County District Attorney, according to Doonan. Pang will not be charged and he currently does not have any other businesses in the city, Doonan said.

Hey, there's always Craigslist, right?

Posted by Tania Chatila at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Surprise, surprise folks. Baldwin Park's got a new police chief. I just got off the phone with Mayor Manuel Lozano who told me the City Council voted unanimously in closed session tonight to appoint ..... wait, drum roll please ....... El Monte Police Lt. Ken Alva as the new police chief.

Alva will likely start contract negotiations with Chief Executive Officer Vijay Singhal next week, Lozano said.

The announcement came pretty unexpectedly, considering Lozano told me earlier today that the closed session item listed as *Police chief appointment* on today's agenda was just a "status update" on where the city was in terms of background checks with its top two candidates.

I should add that closed session item was added to the agenda Tuesday, one day before the meeting. Well, officials say Suisun City Police Chief Ed Dadisho - who, was also up for the job - submitted a letter to Singhal today asking to withdraw his candidacy "for personal reasons."

Regardless, looks like Alva is in, as long as nothing egregious turns up on his background check of course.

We've got a brief about the issue running in Thursday's paper, and we'll have a full follow-up Friday, along with - hopefully - a profile on Alva for the weekend.

Posted by Tania Chatila at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just got this email, which confirms that the plans are in the works to bringing this stadium to Industry. Check out the Web site link. It gives the location, the timeline, and what the stadium will look like:

In advance of tomorrow’s 10am news conference at Staples Center (see below advisory), the website for “Los Angeles Stadium” has gone live.

Please visit this websitefor a sneak peak at stadium renderings, location and design elements. As you can see, Mr. Roski’s plan is viable and will impact/benefit the entire LA region.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 8:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just got this email, which confirms that the plans are in the works to bringing this stadium to Industry. Check out the Web site link. It gives the location, the timeline, and what the stadium will look like:

In advance of tomorrow’s 10am news conference at Staples Center (see below advisory), the website for “Los Angeles Stadium” has gone live.

Please visit this websitefor a sneak peak at stadium renderings, location and design elements. As you can see, Mr. Roski’s plan is viable and will impact/benefit the entire LA region.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 8:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This just in from reporter Dan Abendschein:

Months after Councilman Roger Hernandez filed a complaint against the West Covina police officers who came to confront him at his house about an alleged domestic dispute, he apologized for getting angry at the officers.

Said Hernandez at Tuesday's night meeting: "I owe the officers an apology, because I was angry."

He didn't stop there though... he continued to insinuate the whole incident was tied to the November election, saying he was the target of a "political and dirty situation" involving a political group with ties to Mike Touhey.

As several people noted in phone calls/emails today, this was the first time Hernandez apologized for the incident, which took place in October. At the time, Hernandez suggested the noise could have come from a neighbor's condo. Read full story here.

The whole thing came up in a flare-up about the gun ordinance that Hernandez claims targets retired police officers, who will no longer be allowed to carry weapons to city hall. The ordinance also directs that all other citizens must also leave their guns at home, and appears to be a pre-cursor to the arrival of metal detectors in city hall.

Councilman Touhey brought up the incident at Hernandez's home, calling him hypocritical for being concerned about officers in the gun ordinance, but not caring about the officers he filed a complaint about in November.

Hernandez also accused his fellow council members who voted for the ordinance (not Touhey, who voted against) of having a political motivation, since one of the retired officers, Fred Sykes, ran for council as an ally of Hernandez.

Councilwoman Sanderson then interrupted Hernandez, demanding that he not "ascribe any motives" to her for how she voted.

Watch the video here It is about ¾ of the way through, during a discussion on item D5-E.

To paraphrase Rodney King: "Can't this council just get along?"

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 7:59 PM