According to the reapportionment plan passed Tuesday by the Democratic majority in the state legislature, the 26th district's boundaries have been changed. The newly created district still includes Arcadia.
A new ballot issue that calls for an independent state reapportionment commission may be introduced depending on the California Supreme Court's decision on the current redistricting plan.
The state Supreme Court has ruled that the Democratic reapportionment plan will be used for this year's June primary and November elections. The Republican referendum challenging the plan will appear on the June primary ballot.
Measure R, by which voters approved a half-cent sales tax last November, was to fund dozens of new transportation projects across Los Angeles County. However, rather than launch new projects, several San Gabriel Valley cities plan to use the windfall to keep municipal bus routes and Dial-a-Ride shuttles in operation. Arcadia may store up some of the funding it is due to receive, 290,000 this year and $496,000 next year, for a larger project down the line, said Transportation Services Manager Linda Hui. Possible projects include funding part of a grade separation at a future Gold Line station in Arcadia, or funding other Gold Line station enhancements, such as shuttle services. Street improvements are also a possibility for Arcadia.
Arcadia and Monrovia will be split into two assembly districts in the redistricting plan signed by Governor Gray Davis last week. Under the new plan, the 59th District, currently represented by Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, will move 84% of Arcadia and 40% of Monrovia to Assemblywoman Carol Liu's 44th District. The new plan is still being challenged in court. Senate district boundaries were also modified but did not affect Arcadia.
In a rather lengthy meeting last week, the Arcadia Board of Education ratified modifications to the current contract agreement with the Arcadia Pupil Support Services Association. Other business follows.
Russell J. Ribb, former superintendent for the Hacienda-La Puente Unified School District, has been named to serve as Arcadia's interim school superintendent. Elaine Boyce of the School Service of California, a Sacramento-based consulting firm, has been hired to recruit a new superintendent.
The foundation plans to raise $75,000 this year ($30,000 more than last year) with a new strategy that entails direct pleas for contribution from families of Arcadia school students as well as from businesses in the community.
A moratorium on new liquor store construction has been extended. The original moratorium would have run out before the August 2 date set for a public hearing before City Council.
Arcadia held its 7th annual Law Day on Saturday, May 14, 2005. About 230 people attended this year-twice as many as last year. Lawyer and former Arcadia mayor Gary A. Kovacic founded the event and planned it in conjunction with the Arcadia Chinese Association.
The robotics program in Arcadia schools was the main topic of the state of the district presentation to the Arcadia Rotary Club last week. Superintendent Mimi Hennessy discusses the financial state of the school district.
Next month Arcadia leaders will vote on an ordinance that takes Jessica's Law further by banning sex offenders from living within 2000 feet of certain locations, in addition to schools and parks, such as golf courses, day care centers, public libraries, and swimming pools. It would also create "child safety zones," banning sex offenders from loitering within 300 feet of the locations and it would prevent more than one sex offender from living in any single residence. Pasadena is considering a similar ordinance.
Photograph of Mayor Don Pellegrino, Fire Chief Jerry Gardner, Arcadia Police Department Capt. Gordon Schneiders going over plans of new emergency dispatch and 9-1-1 communications center during groundbreaking ceremonies held last week.