Ron Garner, 50, a deputy police chief in Beverly Hills with 24 years of police experience, has been named to head the Arcadia Police Department. He will lead a staff of 76 sworn officers and 26 civilian personnel.
The Arcadia Chinese Association announced Tuesday that it has withdrawn support for a one-week trip to Taiwan by Arcadia's police chief, saying it had turned into a divisive political and racial issue.
After 18 years during which she rose from part-time secretary to president, Jana Costuma will leave the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce by the end of June.
After 18 years during which she rose from part-time secretary to president, Jana Costuma will leave the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce by the end of June.
Police Chief Neal Johnson, 59, will retire on December 31st after serving the city for 38 years. He plans to work for an international security management company and open an office for the firm in Arcadia.
Ron Garner, 50, has been named to head the Police Department and replace retiring Neal Johnson. Garner has more than 21 years experience with the Beverly Hills Police Department, including the last 5 as Deputy Chief.
Joan Hallett, secretary to the City Librarian, died Tuesday at Huntington Memorial Hospital. She was struck by a car on Saturday and never regained consciousness. Joan had worked at the Arcadia Public Library nearly 40 years.
Olga Budds, 62, an anesthesiologist at Methodist Hospital for 32 years, is now the hospital's first female chief of staff, acting as a liaison between the 425 physicians and the administration.
In September, Arcadia High School will kick off the PAC RIM LAB, a career track designed to focus on business and cultural activity in the Pacific Rim and Los Angeles Basin.
Fordyce Johnson, a former Arcadia resident, died late last month at his home in San Diego from the complications of old age. The 93 year old was former chief of staff at Methodist Hospital.
Since the bond for an $8 million police facility passed last month, City Council has clashed over whether to set a $16 million spending cap for a new police headquarters.
Arcadia is the first city in the West San Gabriel Valley to receive a donation of an armored truck, thanks to Los Angeles-based Armored Transport of California. The Police Dept. has retrofitted it for use by its SWAT team.
After months of negotiations, the Arcadia Police Relief Association has failed to find common ground with the City Council on a contract which expired Sept. 30th. Officers want to work 3 12-hour days, like the Pasadena Police Dept. does, as well as receive a 1.5% increase for overtime, pay for being on call, and for equipment. Officers have received a 25.3% pay increase over the last 3 years.
The City Council has unanimously opposed 2 police proposals for 3 12-hour shifts per week and a 1.5% increase for overtime, pay for being on call, and for equipment. The contract which gave officers a 25.3% pay increase over the past 3 years expired Sept. 30th.
The Police Department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program narrowly escaped elimination at the previous Council funding. The program is under renewed scrutiny.