In what is expected to be a hotly contested race, seven candidates will vie for two open council seats in the April elections. They include: incumbant Gino Roncelli, Sheng Chang, Mary Dougherty, Charles Chivetta, Vince Foley, James MacDonnell and Mark "Mickey" Segal.
Arcadia Councilman Don Pellegrino has been cleared of charges filed more than two years ago that he had violated the Political Reform Act because of alleged conflicts of interest.
George Watts has been appointed acting city manager until the City Council names someone to replace Lyle Alberg who recently resigned. Watts, the city's assistant city manager, has served as acting city manager before. This time he has applied for the position.
The Arcadia Chinese Association honored its new president Dr. Wayne Lin. The association, which began seven years ago with 25 families, represent 1300 today.
Most of the seven candidates competing for two seats for the City Council support adopting a floor-to-area ratio, or FAR, in an effort to halt "mansionization."
Westfield Group has vowed not to donate to City Council campaigns in the April 2006 election, joining mall rival Rick Caruso and Caruso Affiliated, who made a similar pledge in September.
The City Council wants to finish its review of the Caruso outdoor mall project before the April council elections. Opponents to the development feel the Caruso project is being fast-tracked through the approval processes for political reasons.
In a Council meeting frought with political tension, Gary Kovacic was chosen for his second term as Mayor, and new-comer Mickey Segal was named Mayor pro tem.
StemCyte, in Arcadia, is working to develop a donor bank for stem cells from umbilical cord blood, which is less controversial than embryonic stem cells.
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.
George Watts has been named city manager of Arcadia. Watts discusses areas of concern: finances, redevelopment, senior housing. Biographical notes included.
Bob Huddy, who has served eight years on the Planning Commission and two terms as president of the Arcadia Business Association, has decided to try for a seat on the City Council. Biographical notes included.
The candidacy filing period opens Dec. 22 for two seats on the Arcadia City Council and for a newly configured city clerk's position. The terms for Sheng Chang and Mickey Segal will expire.