Melissa Pamer reports that Monterey Park developer Jason Chung has a laundry list of things to do to get his condo project up and running.

MONTEREY PARK - A developer who wants to build luxury condominiums along a busy, commercial stretch of Atlantic Boulevard plans to go into overdrive marketing his project to investors in time to meet a new, city-imposed January construction deadline.

Jason Chung has a lot to accomplish before then - including raising the necessary cash, getting approval for his building plan, demolishing the property's existing structure and grading the lot.

"You think he's going to be able to get all that done in seven months? I don't think so," city Director of Development Services Adolfo Reta said Thursday.

On Wednesday, Monterey Park City Council members approved a permit extension for Chung on a 3-2 vote that followed two hours of heated debate and public comment.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This letter, written by South El Monte Mayor Blanca Figueroa, ran today in our paper. I wonder if this is foreshadowing any redevelopment efforts by the city of trailer parks, as has been done in Monterey Park. There are also talks on the table of developing former trailer park land in Rosemead.

Keep up trailer parks

It is unfortunate how some of our mobile home/trailer property owners treat renters, not only in South El Monte but in other surrounding cities.

First of all, the upkeep is deplorable and can sometimes be a health and safety issue. These owners make enough off of these people, most of which are on a fixed income, usually seniors or single parents.

Many of these homes are too old to move, so relocation is out of the question. Simply by paving the area where these homes are located, adding sufficient lighting and adding shrubs and plants can help an area look a thousand times better. People have the right to live in a nice, upkept place that they call home.

I want to thank all other owners who have pride and respect for their renters. Others can learn from you. Your places are very nicely kept up.

Blanca M. Figueroa
Mayor
South EL Monte

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

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.)

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This reminds me. I still have to do my taxes. Ugh. For those business owners that haven't filed their taxes, here's a bill that could impact you:

A bill proposed by Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) that would help collect $1.4 billion in outstanding taxes was passed today by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee. AB 1925 authorizes the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to suspend the licenses of professionals approved to practice by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Current data indicates that there are over 25,000 delinquent taxpayers that possess an occupational or professional license. California loses approximately $1.4 billion annually as a result of uncollected tax liabilities that apply to professional and occupational licensees.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Another example of why government jobs are the way to go:

Council to vote on city manager

By Melissa Pamer, Staff Writer

 

MONTEREY PARK - Following months of acrimony over the search for a permanent city manager, the City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on a final candidate.

If her contract is approved, June Yotsuya will begin work April 28 and will earn approximately $186,000 per year.

The city reached an agreement with her Friday, after five weeks of negotiations that began following a 3-2 council vote Feb. 6. Yotsuya did not return calls for comment.

Yotsuya's three-year contract specifies a compensation level 5 percent above the highest possible pay for the police chief - which is currently about $177,000, city officials said. Yotsuya will also get 12 months of severance pay if fired and will have five weeks of vacation - plus sick and administrative leave - per year. Read more.

But then again, if you've ever seen Monterey Park City Council members is action, you could see how this amount could be justified.

Posted by Jennifer McLain at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)