A new defensive weapon which shoots darts capable of inflicting 50,000 volts of electricity lasting about a micro-second is being manufactured in Arcadia. It is being marketed by Glen Mead and is called the Taser Gun.
The City Council has turned down Bob Margett's request to build a skate board park with 60 person capacity on Live Oak Avenue. Noise and congestion were the reasons given.
A draft ordinance has been submitted to the City Council that would allow Arcadia residents to conduct businesses out of their homes if certain criteria are met and a permit is approved. According to current law, such businesses are illegal.
Mayor Bob Margett, in a speech to the Chamber of Commerce, suggested that the city start checking up on businesses operating out of homes within the city.
Three city-owned lots at 521 N. First Avenue, adjacent to the Foothill Freeway, were sold last week by the Arcadia City Council to the W. D. Wilson Co., which will construct a building on the site and move from its present location in South Pasadena. James J. Melas, president of the W. D. Wilson Co. and an Arcadia resident said his firm deals in sophisticated biomedical supplies and unusual alloys and fittings for medical instruments. Selling price was $41,500. The city originally purchased the lots from the state Department of Highways for $33,000.
Marquee West use permit: new hurdle. Operators of the Marquee West teenage night club at 30 S. First Avenue will face a new hurdle when Planning Commission will reconsider the conditional use permit under which the center operates. The staff recommendation will be to revoke the permit, "due to the inability to control irresponsible behavior and the apparent inability of Marquee West to comply fully with all the conditions of the permit." See hard copy of newspaper in Box 51.
Howard Jarvis, the father of Proposition 13, spent an hour in Arcadia, knocking down the "straw man" arguments he said were being put up against the property tax initiative. Prop. 13 would reduce property taxes in California to 1 percent of what market value was in 1975-1976, plus whatever is necessary to pay off current bonded indebtedness. A 2 percent annual inflation rate is written into the constitutional amendment.
An Arcadia man with a rare neurological condition, David Ireland has authored a book entitled "Letter to an Unborn Child." These reflect compassion and understanding and were written to his child in the event he did not live.
Interview with Suzanne Wallace, who operates the Turnquist Santa Anita Dog School. Good summary of the services that the school offers, hours of classes, etc.
Fourteen-year-old Ron Cheney earned $1,000 for the Arcadia Presbyterian Church's youth fund by eating chicken. In a contest sponsored by the Market Basket food chain, Ron ate 1.28 pounds of chicken in 10 minutes.
Enormous cut backs, reduced operating hours, and admission fees are all being contemplated as solutions to keeping the Arboretum going in the face of Proposition 13 caused revenue losses.
The American Indian will be spotlighted on three floats in this year's Tournament of Roses Parade. Farmers Insurance Group's float will depict an Indian on horseback. Arcadia's float theme is "The First Americans" and the County of Los Angeles' float theme is "The Proud American."
Jim Helms and Kelvin Mason were named Citizens of the year for 1978 by the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. Article gives a brief sketch of community service of both recipients.
Both the teachers and the Arcadia Board of Education ratified an existing contract, with some changes agreed upon by all involved. Salaries were excluded from discussion due to Prop. 13. The contract extends through June 30, 1980.
Project Alert, a drug education and referral service, offers assistance to teenagers with drug problems. Available 24 hours a day, the officer on duty at the Sierra Madre Police Station will provide a referral to a volunteer staff of professionals.