Official groundbreaking ceremony for the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage's Education Center will take place September 29. The 2600 square feet Center will include classrooms and lecture hall, on the site behind the Community Center and in front of the Museum.
Arcadia City Council takes steps to increase public safety. On October 16, City Council discussed a recommendation to add a measure to the ballot containing a ¾-cent sales tax, which is needed to help Arcadia with its current financial woes. The Citizens Financial Advisory Committee reviewed the city’s expenditures and asked the council to declare a state of fiscal emergency as soon as possible and no later than June 2019. The vote to add the measure passed almost unanimously, with one council member recusing themself from the vote.
Arcadia City Council approves proposed downtown development zoning changes, specifically regarding downtown Arcadia mixed-use development. Council member April Verlato recused herself from these discussions.
Arcadia City Council denies consideration for first application in the Friendship Cities Program, proposed by council member Sho Tay for a friendship between Arcadia and Dongfang City, Hainan Province, China. A majority of council members are concerned about the politics in supporting a city in China that is currently embroiled in the South China Seas protests, such as Hong Kong.
Iconic Arcadia windmill will turn, turn, turn. Former Arcadia Mayor George Fasching spearheaded the effort to get Denny's windmill running again. Restoration work will begin soon, with June as the target for the windmill to run again. The windmill was the trademark for Van de Kamp's Holland Dutch Bakery, which was at this site, at the corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue, in 1967.
Remembering Charles Gilb on Veterans Day. Biography of Charles Gilb, "Potato King," a former Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps, businessman in the produce industry and former Arcadia City Council member. He served four terms as mayor.
Arcadia City Council makes changes to Historic Preservation Ordinance. Council member Tom Beck speaks about saving Clara Baldwin Stocker's home, which is facing possible destruction. See hard copy in VF City Council (2010-2019).
Arcadia City Council postpones decision on 1217 Mayflower Avenue home construction project. Scott Yang of Figure 8 Group Inc. seeks to replace a one-story 988 square foot ranch style house built in 1923 with a 5046 square foot home in the "modern" architectural style. In June, Planning Commission denied Yang's project.
General Municipal Election announced for April 10, 2018 to elect three city council members for Districts 2, 3 and 5. (This will be the first election since switching from at-large elections to district elections.)
Arcadia Mayor Mickey Segal won't run again, opening the door for at least two first-time new members of City Council. There is no incumbent candidate. Applications for candidates are due today.
Arcadia City Council recap: crime is rising in Arcadia and countrywide, with offenses predominantly concentrated in property crime. Council approves home designs at 29 East Orange Grove and 1600 Highland Oaks Drive now that their square footage will be reduced in revised designs. Council also unanimously authorized the $2 million purchase of 3000 acre feet of imported replacement water from Main San Gabriel Basin watermaster for the fiscal year 2015-2016.
Arcadia City Council is divided over preservation vs. development. Should the city update a 2001 historic preservation survey of buildings and homes in Arcadia? Council members held a lively discussion about merits and costs of preserving Arcadia's historical commercial buildings and homes, designed by renowned architects.
Is historic preservation important to Arcadia? Arcadia City Council recently met and considered the most recent historic preservation proposal. It did not pass but was not entirely dismissed. Several city council members agreed that the City should adopt some sort of historic preservation policy, but the citizens fear homeowner's rights will be infringed upon. See hard copy in VF City Council 2010-2019.
New Arcadia City Council member April Verlato brings a new voice. She is a lawyer born and raised in Arcadia. She has been an activist against mansions. She is president of Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association (AIA). Her goals for her time in office are 1) to address the uptick in residential burglaries and 2) to improve Arcadia's business districts.
FBI warns of consequences of anti-social media. Arcadia City Council members targeted by what some are calling a 'witch hunt.' Opinion article by Terry Miller.
Veteran's Memorial debuts at Arcadia Community Center June 16. The memorial was made possible through Rotary Club of Arcadia and Arcadia resident Mary Hansen. It consists of 7 pieces of polished black granite, one for each brandh of the nation's armed forces, including U.S. Merchant Marines, and a center stone commemorating all services.
Arcadia Museum Education Center officially dedicated Saturday, June 28, 2014. It is a 2,500 square foot building. Photo shows ribbon cutting and Arcadia Museum Foundation Board of Directors.