|
|
Duarte Neighbor commented on More sheriffs in town
pasadonuts commented on You tell me: What was the SGV like 50 years ago?
gilman commented on Monrovia cops demanding more money
Looks like residents can keep using the Sawpit Wash Trail in Monrovia to jog and walk their dogs, Melissa Pamer reports.
The city had been embroiled in lengthy litigation with a local homeowner who wanted to restrict accesst to the trail where it crosses his property.
But a Pasadena Superior Court judge has sided with the city to keep the trail open to the public.
The story is defintely worth the read.
Melissa Pamer reports on the ongoing negotiations between Monrovia and its police department, which has recently stepped up its tactics by threatening a recall election and by putting up billboards.
On Monday, police launched a telephone poll to gauge voter enthusiasm for recalling three City Council members. On Wednesday, the union began two police-supported ballot initiative petition drives. And on Friday, two billboards critical of the City Council and city manager - and paid for by the police union - went up just outside Monrovia.
Also, the union Thursday appealed an April 23 decision by a Pasadena Superior Court judge denying its request for a neutral arbitrator to help forge a new contract.
City Manager Scott Ochoa, whose own compensation package has come under fire from the MPOA, called the recent actions "publicity stunts" that would not influence city officials. However, he said the tactics had made negotiations "distasteful."
Melissa Pamer reports that there could be more sheriff's patrols on the way to unincorporated Monrovia and Duarte.
I grew up in Fremont, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area that falls between Oakland and San Jose. So did my dad, who grew up in a section of Fremont called Niles, which backs up to a canyon. I've heard plenty of stories from my dad of how the Bay Area changed since he was born, in 1955. An area that was once filled with orchards and undeveloped land is now lined with homes, traffic and industry.
Growing up in the Bay Area and being a reporter for the Bay Area newspapers, I was fascinated with its history, whether it was the ghost story of the White Witch in Niles Canyon, the once thriving and colorful community that lived in the salt marshes in Fremont, or the cult-like history out of Holy City in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
But yesterday, as I was reading "Thirst for Growth," a book that looks at the hisotry of water agencies in Southern California, it hit me: I know nothing about the San Gabriel Valley's past.
I report on the daily murders, crimes and local political upheavels, but I don't know what makes the San Gabriel Valley the way it is today. What are its legends? Are there ghost stories? How has the SGV changed over the years? What did your parents used to tell you about the area? What are the historical landmarks in the area that anyone who has lived here for more than 50 years should know about?
Its been almost two years since I moved here. I guess it's about time that I call it home.
(The photo is a picture of the SGV in 1900, taken from this Web site.)
More money. That's what Monrovia officers continue to ask its City Council, Melissa Pamer reports.
Does anyone know the current salaries that these officers are getting? How about the police chief? I'm just curious.MONROVIA - The police union plans to continue lobbying publicly for increased pay, following a move by the City Council to unilaterally implement a one-year contract.
Dozens of off-duty officers and their family members picketed City Hall prior to a contentious council meeting Tuesday night, holding blue "Support Our Police" signs.
The 72-member Monrovia Police Officers' Association had in recent days sought public support for its efforts to get a 23.2$ 5 $7raise. Residents received e-mails, automated phone calls and mailers after months-long contract negotiations came to an impasse almost two weeks ago.
The city responded with its own campaign, saying Monrovia could not afford to satisfy the MPOA's demands.
The association on March 6 rejected the city's offer of a 16.5 percent raise over 3 1/2 years, paving the way for the implementation of the "last, best and final" offer.
|
|
