Arcadia City Manager Bill Kelly, 58, is leaving his job to be a consultant in the private sector. He feels it is time to leave because many of the projects he had overseen in recent years have been completed or are on track to be completed.
Temple City hires Don Penman, former City Manager of Arcadia, as Interim Temple City Manager, while city officials search for a permanent replacement for Jose Pulido, who was terminated January 13.
Dominic Lazzaretto will be the new Arcadia City Manager, pending City Council's approval next week. He replaces Don Penman and is expected to start on March 26. He has been City Manager of La Palma for 6 years.
With about a dozen Southern California cities, including Arcadia, potentially seeking new city managers this fall, some local officials are worried demand could drive up the salaries. Arcadia City Councilman Roger Chandler, whose city manager Don Penman is retiring in October, after 3 years as top administrator, said the opportunity to work for certain cities will outweigh the competitive market. He said this will not create a bidding war for city managers. Penman's annual salary is $214,032 plus $4000 in deferred compensation. He receives $14,076/year in medical benefits, 4 weeks vacation, 2 weeks management leave, and use of a car and BlackBerry.
Arcadia's new city manager Dominic Lazzaretto is ready for the job. He starts March 26 and replaces Don Penman who retired last November. He comes to Arcadia from a City Manager position in La Palma.
The state Department of Real Estate has launched disciplinary action against Virginia Drascula, 76, of Duarte, the licensee of Falcon Management Co., a rental-listing business plagued by customer complaints.
Falcon Management Co., a rental listing company plagued with mounting customer complaints and Small Claims Court losses, has shut down amid the Arcadia Police Department's call for criminal prosecution and an investigation by the state Department of Real Estate.
Arcadia-based Falcon Management Co. owner Robert Forsting agreed to a Star-Tribune interview concerning complaints from customers in Valley cities and Los Angeles. Mr. Forsting said he's had to fire employees who have made mistakes, and the Arcadia Police Department has taken the unusual step of advising those customers to file a class action lawsuit.
The Arcadia Police Department is investigating Falcon Management at 411 E. Huntington Drive following repeated shut downs by regulators and customer complaints.
Santa Anita Park's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Verge, 44, a horse owner and entrepreneur, has big plans for the race track. He wants to expand its fan base, partly by reaching out to the local Asian community and to locals who grew up attending the track during the sport's heyday. While Santa Anita Park President George Haines is still running day-to-day operations, Verge will focus on bringing in more people, including celebrities, like actor Vince Vaughn.
The Arcadia City Council has approved an ordinance to upgrade the recycling efforts of commercial haulers in the city. The ordinance decreases the number of permitted commercial haulers in the city to 3. The ordinance adds language to clarify how recycling diversion is calculated, and requires free recycling containers and public education.
Santa Anita Park on Verge of new era. New Santa Anita Park Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Verge will re-institute its "Free Fridays" promotion. Starting this Friday and every Friday for the rest of the meet, all fans will be given free grandstand admission and the price for hot dogs, sodas and beer will be cut to $2. Previous CEO Greg Avioli resigned earlier this month.
Pest control in Arcadia by Chino-based Animal Pest Management Services Inc., allegedly killed coyotes with sodium pentothal, a controlled substance. It is being investigated.