The California Redistricting Commission released reapportionment maps for the state's congressional and legislative districts that could change the political landscape of the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas. In the Assembly, this may mean that a new Asian-heavy district from Monterey Park to Arcadia is created. A final vote is required by August 15.
More than 100 people showed up at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse to offer their visions of how new legislative district maps ought to take shape--in a region critics say has become the most gerrymandered in the state. Eugene Lee, an Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) representative, said it is important for members of the public to participate in redistricting, describing historically low voter participation levels among Asian-Americans in the west valley. Lee said the community he works with are hoping to keep Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Arcadia, San Marino and Temple City together; in the east, the community of interest includes Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut and Diamond Bar. The voter-approved California Citizens Redistricting Commission is working on an August 15 deadline to submit final maps of new congressional, state Senate and Assembly districts, based on Census data and public input hearing.
New congressional districts in the San Gabriel Valley, approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, reflects a significant change from current boundaries. (The new congress representatives will be voted in the November 2012 elections and take office in January 2013.) The new district lines have some local leaders worried about the region's ability to get federal dollars and attention to address local issues.
Congressman David Dreier, Republican, who has been representing the San Gabriel Valley and parts of San Bernardino County for nearly three decades in the House of Representatives, announced he will not seek re-election. Dreier represents the 26th District, which includes Arcadia. Article includes biography and legacy.
Hundreds of teachers across the San Gabriel Valley are facing layoffs again this summer and experts say cuts could be far more drastic if a solution to the state's budget problems is not reached. About 20,000 teachers in the state have been put on notice that they could be laid off if school districts do not receive the necessary state funding. Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) sent out notices to about 16% of its teachers.
Grades are in: San Marino Unified is still tops in state test. About 90% of San Marino Unified students met state standards in English and about 85% met state standards in math. In comparison, 79% of Arcadia Unified School District students met state standards in English and 76% met state standards in math.
$24 million winning lottery ticket purchased at Golden Donuts Place, 104 E. Foothill Blvd in Arcadia. It is unclaimed so far. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, December 25, 2014.
San Gabriel Mayor Albert Y. M. Huang, 35, was arrested on suspicion of felony robbery and assault and battery, after an argument with an unidentified woman over money at New Taste Dupling House at 301 West Valley Boulevard. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1994.
San Gabriel Mayor Albert Y. M. Huang announced he would resign from office after his arrest in a domestic violence case involving a confrontation with a woman (not his wife) outside New Taste Dupling House at 301 West Valley Boulevard. San Gabriel City Council accepted his resignation. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1994.
California Philharmonic persists despite financial straits. It owes "quite a bit of money to quite a lot of people," including about $2,000 apiece to 60 musicians, but the orchestra has no plans to go out of business, said Music Director Victor Vener. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1 and 6, November 1, 2012.
Hollywood actors Ed Begley, Jr. and Daryl Hannah called on prosecutors to drop a trespassing case against the group of tree-sitters who have become known as the "Arcadia 4." The four climbed into oak trees on January 12, 2011 while Los Angeles County bulldozers destroyed an 11-acre woodland around them. Begley rallied with supporters outside Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley's downtown headquarters. The four are John Quigley of Glendale, Julia Jaye Posin of Venice Beach, Travis Jochimsen of Lancaster and Andrea Bowers of Los Angeles. The trees were cleared to make room for a sediment site.
Honorary degrees were awarded to Japanese-American former Pasadena City College students who had their educations cut short by internment during World War II. Japanese-American "nisei" students at what was then Pasadena Junior College never got the chance to graduate with the Class of 1942. One honorary graduate, Fusae Hamane (died in 1997), born and raised in Pasadena, was told to report to Santa Anita Park race track before being sent to a camp in Gila Bend, AZ. The graduation came 68 years later.
District Attorney Jackie Lacey finds no crime or wrongdoing in horse deaths. Prosecutor says there is no evidence owners, jockeys or trainers knowingly raced injured animals at Santa Anita Park over the past year. Since July 2018, 56 horses have died at Arcadia race track. Of those, 34 died while running on Santa Anita's main dirt track. Santa Anita Park averages about 2.04 deaths per 1000 racing starts, according to the Jockey Club. The national average in 2018 was 1.68 deaths per 1000 starts. The District Attorney's report includes 27 recommended changes to improve safety and reduce fatalities. See also same story at Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, December 26, 2019.
Actor George Takei, discusses social media, justice, and his family's internment, which started at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. He spoke at Cal Poly Pomona.
Assembly Bill 2414 is a gambling bill that, as originally introduced, would have increased takeouts--the money race tracks make on given bets. The bill's original language would have permitted any California race track hosting the Breeders' Cup to spend the extra takeout money on promotion of the annual event. Supporters hope that portions of the bill would convince the Breeders' Cup to permanently settle in California. Late amendments inserted last week are stirring up controversy. These changes would make a form of gambling known as "exchange betting" legal in California, essentially allowing horse players to bet against one another by setting their own odds and potentially betting on horses to lose a race. MI Developments opposes the exchange betting portion of the bill.