The Atlantic Richfield Company has contributed $25,000 to the Arboretum to ensure resumption of several programs cut with the passage of Proposition 13.
Article discusses severe budget and staff cuts at the Arboretum. Since 1975 the staff has been cut by 40 percent. The most recent county budget cut another $250,000 from the department.
George Watts discusses the state of the city financially, suggesting the city may have problems in two or three years. His suggested solutions include improving efficiency, increasing revenues and cutting services and programs.
The City Council has extended the operating hours and reduced fares for Arcadia's Dial-A-Ride program. The service is available to anyone within city limits who needs a ride anywhere in town by calling 445-2211.
The Policeman on Campus program will be reinstated in the city's three junior high schools. The program has been inactive for two years due to Proposition 13 cutbacks The city will pay the entire cost of the program - approximately $53,000 for the school year.
Santa Anita Park completed its most successful season ever with $445 million wagered. Total attendance was also an all-time high. The admission tax netted the city $1.1 million. The Park's other contributions to the city are discussed.
The Arboretum was awarded a $25,000 emergency grant from the Institute of Museum Services. The funds will be used to repair the damage that occurred during a windstorm in February.
The Les Brown Band of Renown will perform at the annual Picnic Concert at the Arboretum. Brown is back by popular demand due to the overwhelming success of last year's concert.
Article describes two June events: a wine and cheese social and a continental breakfast. The history of the founding of the Arboretum, now celebrating its 33rd year, is reviewed.
Atlantic Richfield Corporation has contributed $50,000 toward the building of the planned Hall of Environmental Education at the Arboretum. The contribution is in addition to a recent $25,000 ARCO grant to support ongoing programs.
The new Hall of Environmental Education at the Arboretum has been completed and will open to the public shortly. The 8,000 sq. ft. auditorium in the new building accommodates nearly 1,000 people. It will be used for exhibits, classes and shows.
Suzanne Gilstrap, who was paralyzed for life when a 20-foot-long tree limb fell on her at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on July 25, 1977, has won a $1,625,000 settlement from the County. Miss Gilstrap, now 16, has appeared as a paraplegic in a recent television movie, "Skyward," with Bette Davis.
Don Pellegrino, incumbent on the ballot for City Council, has definitive opinions, listed in this article, on the election issues: the budget, race track admission, utility tax, etc.
City Council unanimously agreed to hold a June election to attempt to bail the school district out of its financial troubles. Proposition A would increase the utility tax by 2%, bringing in $550,000. Proposition B would raise the tax an additional 1% bringing $250,000 more. The funds would be for maintenance of school property and facilities used by the city.
Seven county mental health clinics, including the Arcadia Mental Health Center, face imminent closure as a result of a $15.9 million cut in the Mental Health Services Department budget.