Hospital expansion passes

The Covina Planning Commission on Tuesday approved plans for an extension of the Aurora Chater Oak Hospital, located in a residential neighborhood and next to an elementary school. The commission approved it on a 4-1 vote, and now it will move to the City Council.

Residents have 30 days to appeal the decision.

Same respect as Celebrity Rehab’s Las Encinas

Those opposing the expansion of a public behavorial health care center, Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, at 1161 E. Covina Blvd., will have another chance to voice their opinion about the proposal at the planning commission meeting on Tuesday. 

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Last week, residents hosted a meeting with Covina Councilman John King, and representatives from several elected officials — including those from the offices of Board of Equalization Chairwoman Judy Chu, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Gloria Molina, Assemblyman Ed Hernandez.

Neighbors are opposing the addition of another 30 or so beds because they say there are already problems at the facility with patients sneaking out and heckling their children from the site.

As one person pointed out, this is the same facility that operates Las Encinas, a posh and well landscaped facility in Pasadena that was the location of Dr. Drew’s TV series, Celebrity Rehab. Las Encinas also got some negative press recently when it was reported as the site of two deaths, a suicide and a rape.

(Pictured is Chyna, a former “star” on Celebrity Rehab.)

At the very least, Aurora Charter Oak residents want a higher wall and better landscaping so that their children and homes are blocked from those seeking help at the facility.

Returning to the SGV

Sorry about the lag in posts. I’ve been out of the area since Christmas Eve, the night of the Covina massacre. On Covina’s Web site, they refer to a donation set up for the families involved.

Donation Information

On December 24, 2008 a devastating tragedy occurred that took the lives of nine family members in the City of Covina. From the onset of this tragedy members of the community and public at large have requested information as to how to donate to the families of those involved. The families of those directly impacted by this tragedy have appointed a trustee for any type of financial donations and his information is listed below.

Ortega Family Fund
c/o Scott Nord
500 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 550
Glendale, CA 91203

Covina seat to stay open until March

A vacant position created when Councilwoman Meline Juarez resigned in November will remain empty until the March election, the city council decided on Tuesday.

Juarez ended her four-year term three months early because she moved out of state to be closer to family.

The council had the option to temporarily fill Juarez’s position until the March 3 election, but decided to keep the position vacant.

“There are only three meetings left, and the council decided they could function with the four of them until then,” said city spokeswoman Bobbi Kemp.

Rebuilding downtown Covina

Downtown Covina seems to be in a bit of a renaissance. After the Covina Center for Permforming Arts opened last October, a number of new businesses have opened. Among the newest members to the downtown are Claros, a wine bar on Badillo, and Rude Dogs is expanding. They also opened the new parking garage a few weeks ago.

The owner of the performing arts center said business has been great. So good that shows, including the Christmas Carol, are sold out.

Of course, not everything is merry in downtown. Several businesses are closing.

More on this story later in the week.

Covina cancels meeting due to lack of quorom

Covina had a loaded agenda yesterday, but last minute emergencies among two council members forced the council to postpone the meeting until Dec. 16.

Among the items scheduled last night was how to fill the vacany created by the departure of Meline Juarez, who is moving and is no longer on the council effective. Nov. 30. The other big ticket item was a proposed increase in water rates.

Twelve pull papers for Covina City Council

Twelve people pulled papers to run for a spot on the Covina City Council. The filing deadline is this Friday. So far, only Kay Manning submitted the paperwork.

There will be three open seats: Meline Juarez, John King and Kevin Stapleton

1. Kay Manning
2. Bob Low
3. Robert Cruz
4. John Wilcox
5. Anthony Peraza
6. John Fielding
7. John King
8. Steven Dahlen
9. Kevin Stapleton
10. Rosie Fabien, city clerk
11. Toni Taber, chief deputy clerk
12. Thomas Palmeri

Filling Meline Juarez’s position…

Now that Meline Juarez is no longer a Covina councilwoman (effective Nov. 30), officials need to decide just how to fill her position.

The options are:

1. Wait until someone is elected for her seat during the March 3 election

2. Appoint someone until the March 3 election.

The council will discuss this at its meeting tomorrow beginning at 6 p.m. Click here to read the staff report.

Rude Dogs expanding

The popular bar in Covina is hoping to expand. Rude Dogs has been around for 16 years, and it is a great venue to watch live music, shoot pool or even dance. But it is getting so popular that the bar wants to add more pool tables, outside dining, a restaurant, game machines and add another bar.

Rude Dogs is at 114 North Citrus Ave., and it will expand to the next building at 118.

To get more details, scroll down to page 5.