A Westfield poll shows four candidates in close contention for three seats in Tuesday's City Council election. The top four contenders are ex-Council members Sheng Chang and Bob Harbicht, current mayor John Wuo, and newcomer Peter Amundson.
Mayor Gail Marshall reports that the state of the city is excellent. She discussed some of the civic projects in progress, such as the $16 million police station.
For the first time, the majority of the candidates in this April's City Council elections are Chinese immigrants. Seven candidates are vying for the three open seats. The candidates are Mayor John Wuo, Sheng Chang, Sho Tay, Shao Hua Wen, Peter Amundson, Bob Harbicht, and Pamela Blackwood.
The founder of Focus on the Family, James Dobson, will resign as president and chief executive. Dobson formed the beginnings of Focus on the Family in 1977 in Arcadia and moved to Colorado Springs in 1991.
Carlos Martinez and Christian Martinez were found guilty of the 2004 murder of Alberto Castillo, a Texas man, at a Motel 6 in Arcadia. Peter Santisteven, another suspect, is awaiting trial.
Early tallies in the City Council elections show Bob Harbicht, Peter Amundson and John Wuo in the lead. Measure A, calling for a train bridge over Santa Anita Avenue, appears to have passed.
Former mayor Arthur F. Malin attempted to take his own life with a .38 caliber special police revolver in the living room of his home at 406 California Street.
Dr. Sheng Chang has completed his three month term as mayor of Arcadia. For this centennial year, the position of mayor is a under rotation plan approved by the city council. Gary Kovacic will now be mayor for the next three months. Dr. Sheng Chang was honored as Arcadia's first Chinese-American mayor.
Arcadia City Councilman Gary Kovacic will take over as mayor at the next City Council Meeting. He will serve through October 21 and then the position will rotate to John Wuo (October 21-January 4), Mickey Segal (January 4-April 20). Gail Marshall was mayor through April 15 of this year. All council members are rotating to the position of mayor during the city's centennial.