New City Manager Don Penman will promote Public Works Services Director Pat Malloy to the Assistant City Manager position and will promote Community Development Administrator Jason Kruckeberg to the job of Development Services Director. The City Council still needs to approve these appointments.
Westfield, Santa Anita Shoppingtown, and Santa Anita Fashion Park, are the three plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the City of Arcadia, the City Council, and developer Rick Caruso, aimed at stopping the new mall The Shops at Santa Anita. Plaintiffs allege the environmental study done was flawed. Assistant City Manager Don Penman said the study was the most thorough one he had ever seen.
A state law scheduled to take effect in September is expected to set standards in the massage industry. Arcadia City Manager Don Penman commented that the new law may not stop people who want to commit a crime and do illegal acts. In the last few months of 2008, Arcadia shut down seven massage busineses for illegal activities.
Local city governments in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier are realizing the future costs of pensions and retirement benefits for their employees. The costs will be enormous and city governments need to save money for their future obligations. Arcadia's retiree medical cost is $375,062 this year and its unfunded health liabilities for current employees and retirees is $10.3 million. Unfunded health liability is the amount that would be needed to pay for all health obligations to current employees if they were to retire today, and for all retirees. Other cities' obligations are shown in a chart.
Another lawsuit has been filed against Hooters restaurant chain and a former manager, Juan Aponte. Seanna Mitchell of Covina alleges sexual harassment, invasion of privacy and negligent supervision.
Area girl Andrea Trinkle of Foothills Middle School participates in the Girls Day in Science event at Pasadena City College where she learns about life and physical sciences with hands-on activities. A photo is included.
Alhambra city mayor Mark Paulson weighs in on Arcadia ballot Measure P, regarding parking at the proposed Shops at Santa Anita mall. Arcadia City Hall feels he has crossed a line.
Don Shawver, batallion chief with Arcadia Fire Department, has been called to duty at the Pentagon in Washington DC, needed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Arcadia is teaming with Monrovia, Azusa, Covina and West Covina to form the regional Foothill Air Support Team (FAST) which will give the city police helicopter support.