The campaign over a controversial ballot measure to restrict development at Santa Anita Park race track is heating up, with two community groups coming out against the initiative and a new group being formed to support it. Measure M requires a majority vote of approval from Arcadia residents for any change in land use requested by Santa Anita.
Santa Anita REAlty Enterprises has poured more than $78,000 into the campaign to defeat Measure M, the Nov. 5 ballot measure to give voters veto power over the development of an entertainment complex near the company's race track.
Members of Neighbors for Arcadia, the grass roots organization opposed to Santa Anita's proposed Arts and Entertainment Center, appeared at City Hall to file over 5000 signed initiatives with the city clerk's office.
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Ellison hosted an open meeting in their home of a recently formed group called Neighbors for Arcadia. The group has met several times recently and was formed in a effort to unite residents in opposition to the proposed Santa Anita Entertainment Center.
Results of the primary election are discussed. Residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition B, the advisory measure concerning low rent housing for senior citizens.
Arcadia Planning Commission denies Marvin Fong's plan for a large development at 2236 Hollis Lane. The proposed project is 4 times larger than the existing property, which upset a grass roots group effort to prevent "mansionization."
Los Angeles County Public Works is scheduled to clear 11.3 acres of pristine native oak woodland to dump tons of sediment dredged from Santa Anita Dam. Glen Owens, a founder of the Big Santa Anita Historical Society and a Monrovia planning commissioner, hopes it's not too late for a grass roots effort to oppose or at least postpone the project. The sediment dump would be entirely in Arcadia.
Two bidders that had been attempting to take over Santa Anita Companies announced that they are joining forces. If the deal goes through, Koll Arcadia Investors and Colony Capital Inc., would own approximately 70% of Santa Anita's stock.
Candidates for city council give their comments regarding the proposed Santa Anita Arts & Entertainment Center. Proposition C is explained by City Attorney Mike Miller.
The Asian-American Association for Arcadia, a new community service organization in the city, has been formed to act as a bridge for new immigrants to become involved in the mainstream of Arcadia life. David Ma is chairman of the group.
Arcadian Kline P. Barney Jr. has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Engineering-Science. Biographical notes included. Other Arcadians receiving promotions are enumerated.
Dial-A-Ride fares in Arcadia have been lowered by unanimous vote of the City Council as a result of changes in the way the county allocates Proposition A funds. Current fares of $.85 for a regular ride and $.40 for seniors and disabled will be replaced by fares of $.75 and $.25 respectively.
The fate of Santa Anita Park remained up in the air following a sudden management shake up at its corporate parent, Meditrust Cos. Meditrust Chairman and CEO Abraham Gosman resigned Tuesday.