For the first time Arcadia has a counselor, Eric Mordin, at the elementary level this year. At the present time he serves only Highland Oaks and Camino Grove schools.
New principals have been named for three Arcadia elementary schools. Jim Gerhardt has been named to head Holly Avenue. Charles Jarboe requested a transfer from Highland Oaks and was assigned to Camino Grove. Mrs. Suzanne Burton will replace Mr. Jarboe at Highland Oaks.
The general plan will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. The "central area" will be the focus of study. This area runs from the 210 Foothill freeway on the north to Duarte Road on the south and from the east city boundary to Santa Anita Avenue. It also includes the commercial section west of Santa Anita Avenue and north of Huntington Drive.
The City Council was embarrassed to learn that the reservoirs at Orange Grove and Baldwin, where it was thought that tennis courts could be added for nominal costs due to an earlier reinforcing of the reservoir surfaces, will not support such a project. No tennis courts will be added.
The Planning Commission directed the planning staff to prepare a resolution permitting Maranatha High School to operate at its present North Santa Anita location.
Citizens responded negatively to a request by the Santa Anita Oaks Homeowners Association to close several streets north of Foothill Boulevard, and to the introduction of an ordinance raising posted speed limits.
Five tennis courts have been proposed for the top of two water reservoirs at the corner of Baldwin and Orange Grove. The Parks and Recreation Department has set aside $25,000 for the project. The City Council must approve.
Highland Oaks Elementary School students Steve Morgan, Karen Saftler, and Eric Fermin (in photo) watch Jack Fermin, blacksmith, as he puts shoes on a horse at Santa Anita Park's stable area, for the school's Career Day.
The Arcadia chapter of the Red Cross is seeking to become a regional subcenter for blood collection and processing for the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Authorities say that such a center on the grounds of the Methodist Hospital would be ideal.
A new RTD line (119) has been instituted between Arcadia and Pasadena. It covers the area from Lincoln Ave. to Washington Blvd., Altadena Ave. to Orange Grove, out to Baldwin and terminating at Fashion Park. Buses leave every 30 minutes on weekdays.
At the urging of Temple City mayor Lou Gilbertson, State Senator Richardson has set aside his bill SB 1287. It would have reduced petition requirements from the present 25% to just 10% of the registered voters. They want Governor Brown to appoint an Ad Hoc committee to study the whole picture.
Arcadia has allotted $3700 toward the construction of a multi- jurisdictional bikeway along the Rio Hondo Wash from Peck Road to the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. This would provide approximately 7.5 miles of bike paths linking Arcadia to existing paths leading down to the Long Beach Harbor.
The City Council is considering collecting taxes on free admissions to the Santa Anita Park race track. It would mean considerably greater income for the City.
Pasadena is taking another look at the county area east of Rosemead, north of Colorado, and west of Michillinda, which is currently in what is considered Arcadia's sphere of influence.
Arcadia would lose approximately $472,268 yearly if Santa Anita Park race track were to close down and the 324 acre facility were to be developed with low density residential units. Losses would be partially offset by $190,750 in new property taxes and $278,482 miscellaneous taxes. New city services would account for a 6.18% increase in the city budget.