Recently in Azusa Category

Elected water board member John Leung is still behind bars on charges that include forgery and fraud in excess of $1 million.

He is being held on a $1 million bail.

Leung has served on the San Gabreil Valley Municipal Water District since 1992.

Azusa is dedicating a new water facility today -- but it's not just any water facility, it's the most expensive capital project in Azusa Light and Water's history, reporter Daniel Tedford reports.

The $36 million Canyon Water Filtration Plant, at 1870 Ranch Road, replaces outdated technology and can filter through 12 million gallons of water a day. That old plant could only process 7.5 million gallons a day.

Lots of local government stories over the weekend, both by the Trib and even the Times, which featured a story about El Monte.

Valley County is hiking its rates for water users in Irwindale, Azusa, West Covina and Baldwin Park. Read more.

The owners of the indoor swap meet, Covina Mini Mall, finally came forward and agreed to fix 39 code violations. Read more.

Is horse racing dead? Not yet, but just about. Read more.

Monrovia City Hall will remove brush from public property, much to the relief of the residents, who were previously told it was the responsibility of homeowners. Read more.

The late Thelma Powell, whose husband opened Powell Camera Shop in Covina in 1952, was "one of those sweet little ladies," writes Martiza Velasquez. Read more.

Overhaul of the 10 and 605 freeway interchanges could start a year earlier than expected. Read more.

Public safety in El Monte could take another hit, only this time around, its the fire fighters. One of the city's four fire stations could be closed as a result of a growing deficit. Read more.

Meanwhile, the LA Times writes an overview this weekend of El Monte, its history, and how the city has been hit especially hard by the recession. Read more.

Monterey Park officials scratch head wondering why bus ridership is falling in their city as it climbs everywhere else. Read more.

Food pantry at the San Gabriel Unified School District will be evicted to make way for a fitness center, Amanda Baumfeld reports.

Of the 10 local San Gabriel Valley cities that are members of the National League of Cities, only Claremont, Duarte and Baldwin Park participate in the organization's free prescription drug discount plan. Read more.

No West Covina employee, including those in public safety, will be immune from job losses. Read more.

Local travel agencies are reporting a slowdown in trips to Mexico because of fears from the swine flu. Read more.

Azusa library staff tosses out 600 books. Read more.

Whoa. There are a few upsets in this round of elections.

• In Rosemead, incumbents John Tran and John Nunez were ousted. Returning to office is Maggie Clark, and now she will be joined by Steven Ly and Sandra Armenta, according to this article.
• In Covina, Kevin Stapleton and John King are returning to the council, and filling the open seat will be former Councilman Bob Low. City Clerk Rosie Fabian received the second lowest number of votes, according tot the city's Web site.
• In Monterey Park, David Lau returns to office, but Sharon Martinez was ousted. Martinez's seat will now be filled by Betty Tom Chu.Here's the unofficial results.
• In Azusa, it's much of the same. Voters returned the city's incumbents to to two council seats Tuesday night. Incumbents Keith Hanks and Robert Gonzales held the lead with only provisional ballots left to count Tuesday night. Gonzales had 1,338 votes, while Hanks had 1,141.
  

It's election day in several of our cities, including Monrovia, Covina, Azusa, Monterey Park and Temple City.

Any voting issues today?

We got one call this morning about a Covina resident who said the polling place at the Covina United Methodist Church didn't have the information for voters with last names M - Z. It took the guy, whose last name was in the M - Z category, 25 minutes to vote. There were only three people in line, but he had to use a provisional ballot because of the name mix up.

Got this e-mail from Azusa Councilman Robert Gonzales this morning in response to a letter that ran in the newspaper the other day. The letter attacked both Gonzales and Councilman Keith Hanks for not stating their position on the new Vulcan Mining Proposal (per request of the city attorney).

Here is the letter:

In response to the letter issued on February 25th regarding Vulcan: Azusa's future is extremely important to me. Under advice of our city attorney, I cannot state a position on Vulcan until all pertinent information & community input is brought before council. Candidates running for office can freely state their personal opinion, but as a city official it's my duty to practice due diligence on any issue that comes before the city council. Our community's health and safety are my highest priority. It is on this foundation, doing what is best for the residents, that I will base my vote and actions on matters that come before the city council. Thank You.. Azusa Councilman, Robert Gonzales

I would imagine that same sentiment doubles for Hanks, as well.

Azusa City Council candidate Paul Naccachian's photo in Friday's newspaper was a file photo we used of him from years back. At his request, Naccachian prefers if in the future we used a more updated photo. In compliance with that, here is Naccachian today.

Being that the Azusa City Council election story was a bit short, I wanted to give all you fans out there an encore of sorts - that is, if encores were longer than the original performance.

Here are some excerpts of what the candidates have said about the various issues:

Paul Naccachian

On the new mining proposal from Vulcan Materials:

"Vulcan (Materials) has to be a better neighbor. They need to come forward with a plan that makes sense to the community. I don't think what they are proposing is what the community would like to so."

"If the proposal includes moving the mining operation to the Duarte side, I am not in favor of that."

On eminent domain:

"I have said this is many communications with constituents. Eminent domain is an issue of last resort. I want to make sure that when we are doing that, we really have a development in place - not something that is a potential development."

On business:

"We need to be business friendly. I can't stress that enough. I know because I have done it. We need to become more receptive to new ideas. I think we haven't done a good job of that. We have to be open minded for different types of business. Show businesses that this is a potentially winning situation to invest dollars in Azusa."

"The question becomes an issue of retention. We need to have outreach and be more open minded to be able to serve the needs once (businesses) come in. We need to make sure they are having their needs met, such as parking.

On Target:

"Based on my information, Target is an iffy situation. Talking to community members in the city, some are dissatisfied, some are wanting Target to come. It is a good business and a good anchor and something we need for tax revenues. We need to look into the concerns of how much traffic it is going to create. I might question the location at which (the city) is going to build that structure in the downtown."

General statement:

My campaign is all about outreach to make sure every factor of the community is being well taken care of. I don't think that has been the case for quite some time. I am very familiar with the issues. The market of getting a grocery store in Azusa is top priority. I believe in Azusa and I am hopeful that a lot of things change. Hopeful that all the changes and progression we need can be competitive int he future."

Robert Gonzales

On the new mining proposal from Vulcan Materials:

Gonzales, as well as other incumbent Keith Hanks, have declined to take an official position on the proposal per request from the city attorney. But Gonzales had some thoughts on the issue.

"I am against proposed mining if there is not an environmental benefit to our city. I have to hear everything that is going to be put on the table."

On eminent domain:

"Eminent domain is a tool. Our council has not used it on anything residential. We use it when it is blighted, crime infested, and there is need for redevelopment. 95% of the time we don't even need to get to that. We are very aware of where we are with eminent domain. We aren't the big bad city taking land. There is a benefit for the residents as a whole."

On Target:

"With them coming in, they have been able to attract bigger, national brand names to the table."

On Business:

Answering a question about what businesses should the city bring in.

"It ranges from a shoe store, to a bicycle store, to a stationary store. We listen to the residents and continue to do that. There is no preference to take.

On development:

"Of course, we always wonder if we put too much on our plate. Our philosophy is to have follow through and see what we have on the table before we have anything new. Construction costs are down. Now is the time to do those types of things. We should do things now. Price of concrete is down. Now is the time to build. When the economy resets, we will be built for the market."

General Statement:

"Fortunately, we have handled a lot of quality of life issues. We have done a very good job with street sweeping, and public safety is a key element. I am always looking to find ways to better protect. I don't feel there are any significant issues rather than completing the projects we are working on now. Quality of life issues are always key to us. We have the best parks in the valley, but always want to improve on those."

Edward Alvarez:

On the new mining proposal from Vulcan Materials:

"I think most of the people are against expansion of course. It raises a lot of concerns. A lot of residents definitely don't want them to expand. As far as the expansion goes, I have always been against it."

On Eminent Domain:

"The thing with eminent domain, I have never been a big fan. You can only use as a measure of last resort. But that is an important corner because it is the entrance to our city. But it has to be used as a measure of last resort. I feel like they need to continue with negotiations first."

On Business:

"Right now, the recession, of course, is hitting a lot of businesses. We have to work on retaining the businesses we have. Meet with business owners to make sure there needs are being met."

"I think we need to get a move on with improving the downtown. With Target coming, we need to use it as a tool to attract new businesses. Other businesses are going to look at that and that is what they want."

On development:

"We do need to continue with development. I know we are in a recession, but development doesn't have to come to a standstill. There are a lot of businesses still willing to expand right now."

Keith Hanks

On the new mining proposal from Vulcan Materials:

Hanks was also instructed not to take an official position on the proposal. But Hanks is looking forward to lengthy and healthy debate and discussion on the subject. Some of his major areas of concern are how the mining may affect dust movement and air quality as well as the legal ramifications of either accepting the proposal or denying it.

On Eminent Domain:

"It really is tough to go to somebody and say 'I am going to take that property.' It requires us to justly compensate. We are not going to come in ... and squash you. Often we take these things to court for (the businesses) protection. Let a jury decide what they are owed."

"It is a tool. A legitimate tool."

On Business:

"One of the things everyone says is they want to attract business. But how are you going to make it happen? And it is tough. We have talked to every super market around. The best place to go is the International Council of Shopping Centers."

Hanks attended the group's conference and was in awe at its size. With Target, he believes Azusa can attract business and that much desired grocery store the city wants.

On Electrical Rates (a passion for Hanks)

Hanks foresees a 26% increase in electricity prices for consumers when the city switches over to meet new renewable energy standards. Gas and wind are much more costly than coal, Hanks said. But Hanks is looking at a way to use a waste product of coal in a new form of cement. If successful, Hanks believes the city can get credits on their energy use and keep prices down.

General Statement:

"I just want to handle things. There are more things than any one person can handle. I just want to focus on Target, the Goldline [Hanks sits on the Goldline committee] and keeping our electrical rates low."

Nick Rosales

On Vulcan:

"I would hold Vulcan to that original contract. Not a new modified agreement. As far as the new, no, I wouldn't want it. I would vote no on Vulcan."

On eminent domain:

"I see a much more proactive way of dealing with eminent domain. We have a situation there, where a furniture company is there for almost 40 years. They voted overwhelming to evict them. Eminent domain should not be used to destroy people's life long dream and hope and inspiration. That deal was done inappropriately. It was strong armed. They don't have to use hard ended tactics to get the end result. There has to be a better way of negotiating with owners."

On business:

"(The city) has been less than business friendly. We have existing businesses that need assistance. Il Forno is a new restaurant for the past 3 years and the city attracted them, gave them money. That's great, that is nice. Came back last year for more money to get liquor license or they threatened to close. City gave (them more money). But there are other businesses that don't ask for hand outs, work hard and don't get assistance and they may have a more attractive business and menu."

"We need to look at existing businesses that have been here long term and assist them."

Rosales also said the city tends to play favorites.

"America has a history of that"

On Target:
"
It is going to make that particular part of town more heavily trafficked. It is going to be the main attraction."

General Statement:

"This is a working class community and we have got to reflect that. We need variety. We need more service businesses, like tax services, mortgage service businesses, we need a florist, health food services. A combination of chains, and mom and pop stores."

Budgets, budgets and more budgets.

I know we all feel a bit inundated with budgets with the state just now getting their act together and voting on the state budget. (As a side note: if you had a job, and you were say, late on a big part of your job... really late .... in these touch economic times how long do you think it would be before your employer decided to make a round of cuts including you?)

Anyway, despite the fact that most don't even want to hear the word budget again, Azusa has called a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday to do the mid-year budget review. The meeting is at the Azusa Light and Water Conference Room, 729 North Azusa Avenue, Azusa.

As we will have a short story coming out tomorrow on the city council election in Azusa, it is important to note that there is more than just the city council to vote for on March 3.

There are also races for city treasurer and city clerk up for grabs.

Both incumbents are facing challengers in each race.

City Clerk:
Vera Mendoza, incumbent
Ar Morales, military veteran

City Treasurer:
Arthur Vasquez, Jr., accountant
Marcene Hamilton, certified public accountant and incumbent

While Keith Hanks is running for reelection this March on the Azusa City Council, he is also hoping for another election in the coming weeks.

Hanks sits on the board for the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension that is now chaired by La Verne Mayor Jon Blickenstaff. Blickenstaff is leaving the La Verne council at the end of his term this year.

When the board is restructured, Hanks has his fingers crossed in hopes of becoming the new chair, or at least the vice chair, told me today (Wednesday).

I can't say I would blame the board for the decision. Hanks has a firm grasp on engineering and transportation issues. The man just gets excited about things like this and you always want that out of a representative.

In terms of engineering, I would probably be described as a novice and I would take that as a compliment.

But when Hanks, who works in the public works department for the city of Los Angeles and focuses on sewer systems, was explaining to me different parts of how sewers work, not only was it interesting, but I understood.

It takes someone who really knows what they are talking about to not only taking something like how sewers work and make it interesting, but to also allow a Lehman like myself to understand the basics of some complex issues.

Just got done talking to Councilman Keith Hanks and got the 411 on the new Azusa Target.

Word on the street was the development was suddenly in doubt, possibly on its way to being scratched. Most of the sources on this aren't exactly trustworthy, but the fear exists and has been perpetrated nonetheless.

Hanks informed me, as City Manager Fran Delach did the same at last night's council meeting, that the project's start date has been delayed. But at the same time, the completion date and opening date remains the same, Hanks said.

"We hoped to close escrow the first of the year, but then the economy melted down," Hanks said.

It was probably Target just taking necessary precautions and waiting a bit longer on the economy before pushing the project forward, Hanks said. Even with that, he had no fears of the project coming to fruition.

Looking over Azusa's city council meeting agenda, and they plan on voting to support the Highway 39 Caltrans construction project I wrote about here.

The process for a project is still in its early stages. Caltrans is hopeful they can get the project done by 2013.

Also, the city is voting to approve the purchases of two more properties in a neighborhood in its efforts to create a low-income housing project.

I previously wrote about that project here. Besides the purchase of two more properties, it appears they are still negotiating for at least one more that is listed on the agenda.

Residents don't seem pleased about the housing project, but do admit the neighborhood could use some fixing up.

A couple big events coming up in Glendora and Azusa.

Glendora will host its City Council Candidates forum Wednesday night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Glendora High School Event Center. You can find the flyer for the event here.

Also, Azusa will have its state of the city address Thursday at 7:30 a.m. More on that here. Cost is $20.

Speaking of...what is with charging to go to the state of the city address? Is it to keep the number of people in attendance down? It would seem they should have these in a place where as many city residents could show up and here what is going to be said. Lots of cities charge to see these things and I don't understand it. Times are tough and to think that most people will shell out $20 to hear a state of the city address is somewhat far fetched.

A recent acquisition against Azusa Councilman Robert Gonzales' campaign has turned out to be half-true.

Rumors had been flying around that Gonzales was using an endorsement from Labor Secretary Nominee Hilda Solis at public forums and on his campaign mailer without the Congresswoman's permission.

That has turned out to be half true.

Since receiving the nomination from the Obama administration for the position of Secretary of Labor, Solis has taken back all her local endorsements and will not endorse anyone further, according to a spokeswoman for Solis.

Here is the statement from Solis' camp:

"Since the nomination of Congresswoman Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor-designee, all of her efforts have been focused on the confirmation and transition process. She has not endorsed and will not endorse any candidate. Endorsements that she made prior to her nomination were withdrawn and all endorsed candidates were notified," said Sonia Melendez, spokesperson for Congresswoman Solis.

But Solis endorsed Gonzales in December and the councilman had prepared mailers and releases including that endorsement prior to her nomination, Gonzales said.

Once she received the nomination, members of her team said Gonzales could use what he had already made, but could not use her name in any new items, he said.

After Gonzales used the endorsement at a public forum, Solis' team then asked not to use her name at all anymore. Out of respect, Gonzales will bite the bullet on one set of mailers not used and will no longer use the endorsement, he said.

"It is good for her she got the nomination, bad for the people she endorsed," Gonzales said. "But that is OK."

At an event last night, I ran into the director of the Azusa Food Bank and chatted him up a bit.

It appears Azusa Food Bank is in the same situation as so many other food banks. Donations have leveled out or lessened while demand has increased, creating a tough situation.

At their last food distribution event, the amount of families they had doubled from their normal figures reaching into the hundreds.

So, if you can spare it, now would be a good time to try and donate some food to the bank.

Distribution events are the second Saturday of every month.

Here is the organization's contact info.

501 E. Foothill (Behind Saint Frances of Rome Church)
Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (626) 969-2397

Azusa approved a new ordinance last night that changed their rules regarding the request of public records.

The new rule of law forces all public record requests concerning the city go through the city clerk's office.

The city is pursuing this course of action to avoid further lawsuits. Apparently, according to the staff report, a "man" has been calling whoever he can within the city that might not know the full laws concerning public records requests. He then makes requests to those persons, verbally, and if and when they don't meet the demands in time, he files a lawsuit.

The new law makes all those requests go through the city clerk and encourages all requests to be written. It cannot state that requests must be written.

I shot an e-mail over to Terry Francke, general counsel for California Aware, and he said the ordinance is in good order and perfectly legal for the city to do.

He did question its use with reporters calling police to beat check, and also felt the word "oral" was more appropriate than the word "verbal."

Here is a link to the ordinance's language and proposal.

When I get the chance to talk to the city, I hope to find out who the "man" is.

Those who spend fast, look good doing it.

That should be the new motto for those at the Water Conservation Authority and the San Gabriel Rivers and Mountain Conservancy.

As many local agencies and cities were hit hard by the recent decision by state legislators to freeze about $4 billion in public works bonds, some places escaped the legislators cold budget grip.

How you ask?

Because they already spent the money.

Such was the case with the Canyon Inn land in Azusa that was recently purchased through grants by the Water Conservation Authority. The organization got about $1.2 million from Prop 50 bonds to help purchase the more than $3 million property at Canyon Inn to preserve the land and build a park.

That $1.2 million would have been frozen by the state legislators decisions, thus ending any opportunity to purchase the property - if they hadn't spent the money already. Instead, all that was left was a $20,000 retainer, which is now being held by the state.

But all the RMC's projects are now on hold due to the freeze, including the planning process for the restoration and renovations planned for the Canyon Inn area.

Look for more to come on that situation in tomorrow's paper.

In an effort to bring a booming business center to the downtown area, Azusa took the first major step in the process by selecting a developer for the project Monday night.

Lewis Operating Corporation will be in charge of the project that will bring a full service super market across from the new planned Target, as well as business to the Block 36 area that fell victim to the housing crisis after a mixed residential and retail was proposed for the area earlier.

Here is a snippet from tomorrow's story to run in the paper and online.

"We went through an extensive interview process," said Councilman Uriel Macias, who along with Mayor Pro Tem Angel Carrillo was apart of the sub committee that conducted the interview process. "What it came down to, especially in these economic times, in the end it was financial strength and the overall where-with-all for this type of development."

Developers were evaluated by financial capability, speed at which they could begin development, development time frames, prior experience and relationships with key retailers, and working knowledge of the planning process.

The priorities for the council were solidifying the developer was financially capable to perform the project -- Lewis can self-finance the project -- matching visions with the city's Downtown North Advisory Committee, and the ability to develop Block 36 "immediately," according to the staff report.

"(Block 36) is priority one," Macias said. "That is one of the areas (Lewis) has to concentrate on. The city has already done everything it can to get it T'd up for development. It is basically ready for a developer to come in here and get going."