Patricia Allen, 58, loses battle with cancer

Patricia Allen, wife of Covina Mayor Walter Allen III, lost her 16 year battle with cancer on Tuesday.

Here is some information provided by the city:

Patricia Thomas Allen, the wife of Covina Mayor Walter Allen III, passed away
following a valiant sixteen-year battle with cancer on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
Patricia was born on November 11, 1951. In addition to her husband of 37 years,
she is survived by her son Walter David Allen IV, and two brothers Keith and
Richard Thomas.

Patricia Allen was an artist, specializing in acrylic and oil. She was a vibrant,
active member of the community; involved with many civic organizations and St.
Louise De Marillac Catholic Church, and she enjoyed spending time with her many
loving friends. Among her many friendly and outgoing qualities, Patricia will be
remembered for her beautiful smile and positive attitude, even during her most dire
health challenges.

Services for Patricia Allen will take place on Thursday and Friday, May 28 and
May 29:

Thursday, May 28, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Rosary at St Louise De Marillac
Catholic Church, 1720 E Covina Blvd. Covina CA

The City of Covina provides responsive municipal services and manages public resources to enhance the quality of life for our community.

Friday, May 29, 10:00 AM, Mass at St Louise De Marillac Catholic Church,
1720 E Covina Blvd. Covina CA, followed by Interment at Oakdale
Cemetery, 1401 So Grand Ave. Glendora CA

Following Internment, family and friends are invited to celebrate Pat’s life at
Covina Center for the Performing Arts 104 N. Citrus Ave. Covina CA, hosted by
Chris & Retha Champion.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested donations to one of the following:

Citrus Valley Hospice, 820 N. Phillips Avenue, West Covina CA 91791
Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services, PO Box 339, Baldwin Park CA 91706
Stillpoint Family Resources, PO Box 5103, West Hills CA 91308
American Cancer Society, 915 N. Grand Avenue, Covina CA 91724

Hernandez alleges gift of public funds

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Mayor Roger Hernandez called a special meeting for tonight at 4 p.m. to reconsider the approval of an owner participation agreement with the West Covina Senior Villas for the development of an affordable senior housing project.

This is the property that was abandoned because the previous property owner who was building a bunch of condos said he can no longer afford it. The property now will be developed by Telacu, which is connected with Pacifici Development, owned by Hank Attina.

According to a story that ran on May 6:

On Tuesday, the West Covina Community Redevelopment Commission approved a deal that allows TELACU Industries, which specializes in building low-income housing, to purchase the property and to receive a subsidy from the city.

TELACU is buying the property for $3.5 million, and will be receiving an $8.6 million loan – which does not have to be paid if the developer continues providing low-income housing for the next 99 years – from the housing set-aside reserve fund from the city to cover the cost of the land and construction

Hernandez alleges that the council is gifting public funds to developer Attina because the city failed to appraise the land, a requirement by state law in any redevelopment deal. The city on May 5 approved the sale at $3.5 million, but Hernandez alleges that the property is only worth half that. He will attempt to stall the deal on Thursday, one day before the deal closes escrow.

We will see if any of this pans out later in the day.

Election recap

Any one suprised at the election results?

Let’s recap:

1. It will by Judy Chu and Betty (Tom) Chu in a run-off for the 32nd Congressional seat.

2. All of the Governor’s tax measures failed. Now, the deficit is projected to be $21 billion.

3. Proposition 1F prohibiting state officials from receiving pay raises when California has a budget deficit.

‘We have a great Police Department’ El Monte Councilman says

Here’s what El Monte Council members are saying about the kicking cop issue, according to a story written by Tania Chatila.

El Monte City Councilwoman Emily Ishigaki said it was too early to comment on the investigation, but said Fierro was a “very talented officer.”

City Councilman Juventino “J” Gomez said he was worried about the bad press.

“We are always concerned when El Monte is in the headlines and it may not be favorable,” he said. “We have a great Police Department.”

Ishigaki said officers might be stressed from recent budget cuts that reduced their ranks.

State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, said stress is no excuse.

“If that were the case, we would allow every teacher, nurse, and firefighter in the state to suddenly abuse authority under the law,” said Romero, whose Senate district includes El Monte.

Force justified, Dammeier said

Dieter Dammeier, the attorney for the El Monte Police Union, among others, justifies kick.

Union attorney: El Monte officer’s force justified

The actions of an officer who kicked a man in the head following a high speed pursuit Wednesday were justified, according to the attorney representing the El Monte Police Officers Association.

Dieter Dammeier said Thursday the officer who approached Richard Rodriguez following the half-hour pursuit, was alone and fearful the suspect may have had a weapon.

“When you’re going to have to take a bad guy into custody physically, it is sometimes going to be aggressive and the cops are there to win,” Dammeier said.

The officer’s kick was what is called a “distraction blow,” Dammeier said, and is not designed to harm people.

“(The suspect) obviously hadn’t been searched yet,” Dammeier said. “The fear is this guy had weapons on him. Better safe than sorry.”

The name of the officer seen kicking Rodriguez once in the head on live video has not been released.

Dammeier said the union would file court orders if need be to ensure the officer’s name not be made public.

The El Monte Police Department has asked The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. The officer who kicked the suspect has been re-assigned to desk duty.

New city manager in Rosemead

Jeff Allred will serve as Rosemead’s newest City Manager, Rebecca Kimitch reports.

ROSEMEAD – The Rosemead City Council selected its fourth city manager in as many years Tuesday, naming Jeff Allred to the post.

Allred, Norco’s city manager, replaces Jeffrey Stewart, an interim who was brought aboard April 7 with hopes from the council that he would stay permanently. Those hopes were dashed when Stewart later accepted the city manager post in the Orange County city of Los Alamitos.

“I’ll be glad to work with Jeff Allred… but I’m not going to lie, we were lucky to have (Stewart) for six weeks,” said councilman Steven Ly.

Allred has served as the city manager of Norco – known as Horsetown USA for its red carpet welcome to horses – for more than five years. Previous to that, he served as assistant city manager in La Verne for 13 years, and has also worked in the cities of El Monte, West Covina and Downey. Read more.