Arcadia is praised for its top-scoring schools, ranch-style homes, and lack of ethnic tensions and political turmoil in similar cities like Monterey Park.
The City Council voted to allow Rodeffer Investments Inc. to fill a tapped-out quarry, 85 acres by 165 feet deep, with 10 million cubic yards of dirt, gravel and concrete. The plan still must get the approval of the state and local water quality boards, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the CA Integrated Waste Board and the County Health Dept.
The Arcadia City Council unanimously decided to allow music and entertainment events at the 320-acre Santa Anita Park on 30 days over the next year as part of a pilot program. Events can be scheduled for weekdays from 9 AM to 6 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 11 PM.
The City Council has unanimously opposed the Arcadia Police Relief Association's proposals for a work week make up of 3 8-hour days, a 1.5% pay increase, and payment for time spent on-call.
The $4.1 million Downtown 2000 plan will restore the area along Huntington Drive from Santa Clara to 5th Avenue, as well as on 1st Ave. The project should start in June and be completed by the fall racing season.
Corey Nakatani, the only Japanese American riding professionally as a jockey in southern California, often races at Santa Anita Park, the same place where his grandparents were detained during World War II in the then Santa Anita Assembly Center. He is profiled.
In the wake of a fight in January between Asian American and white teenagers near Arcadia High School, police, parents and school officials have come up with a new get-tough policy to crack down on students involved in violence or drugs. Called PAXCE 2000, for "Peaceful Arcadia Through Community Efforts 2000," the program puts a police officer at the High School and three junior high schools.