Delegates from 20 cities reviewed the bylaws proposed for a formal association. Jim Helms of Arcadia chaired the meeting whose main purpose was to form a strong association to work more effectively toward having Los Angeles County pay greater attention to their needs. Secession was given a secondary role for the present.
Plans have been made to form an Association of San Gabriel Valley Cities. The banding together is a preliminary step to give strength to a move to secede from Los Angeles County.
Jim Helms chosen President of the Association of San Gabriel Valley Cities. Cities which have confirmed membership are: Alhambra, Arcadia, Covina, El Monte, Irwindale, La Puente, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City, and Walnut.
The Association is asking the Los Angeles Division of the League of California Cities to back a resolution calling for a state wide study of urban-county reform.
The Association will prepare a profile of the San Gabriel Valley within the coming month. A second project will be to organize themselves to deal with the "incoherence of Los Angeles County government."
Pasadena councilman and treasurer for the Council of Governments said the agency will run out of money before the end of the fiscal year. The Council of Governments was an agency founded to foster cooperation among cities in the region.
A meeting has been set for October 1 for a committee to report to the entire Association on the feasibility of seceding from Los Angeles County. What happens here may well determine the future course of events in the San Gabriel Valley.
Engine, coal car, and two passenger coaches standing on track. The train is of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley line. The engineer is sitting at his window in cab. Several other crew members can be seen. San Gabriel Mountains form backdrop of photo.
A special supplement, "Hi Neighbor . . . A Guide to Living in the San Gabriel Valley," offers information on the organization, services, entertainment, shopping, etc. of various cities in the area, including Arcadia.
$2 million in funding to help provide more homes. San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust gets state award for affordable, transitional housing. About 2 dozen cities have partnered, including Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, and others, to develop affordable housing.
In this ailing economy, San Gabriel Valley property values have dropped significantly, as reflected in the county's home assessments. The county property roll is at $1.1 trillion, a nearly 1% decrease compared to 2008. Homeowners will have smaller tax bills but cities are having to reduce services and employees as they lose businesses, sales tax revenue, and property tax revenue. See a chart of Los Angeles County Assessor's Office property values report showing Arcadia and neighboring cities. Arcadia is a city whose 2009 value increased 2.2% compared to last year.
Shows six balloons inflated and secured just off the ground. Officers and men are in formations beneath the balloons. Buildings and tents of Ross Field are arrayed across photo. Eucalyptus make a row completely across photo. San Gabriel Mountains form backdrop.
At a meeting on November 20, County Assessor Philip Watson's representative and County Supervisors Peter Schabarum and Baxter Ward and others tackled the possibility of the San Gabriel Valley seceding from Los Angeles County.
View from grandstand at Santa Anita Race Track, in a panorama view of entire track and surrounding area. Photo was taken during a meet -- probably the first one. The San Gabriel Mountains form a back drop.
An association of various discontented areas seeking to secede from Los Angeles County has been formed, but the San Gabriel Valley has not yet joined. The six proposed counties are: San Fernando Valley, Canyon, Chumash, Santa Monica, South Bay and Peninsula.
