At the suggestion of Arcadia City Councilman Robert Harbicht, the council agreed to hold a public hearing on April 7 to discuss the possibility of banning fireworks in Arcadia.
City officials and firefighters on lookout for year-old bill prohibiting cities and counties from banning sale of fireworks. SB 999, authored by Sen. William Campbell, R-Whittier, passed by Assembly last September.
Arcadia voters will consider whether or not to ban "safe and sane" fireworks. The sale of fireworks has been the local American Legion Post's chief source of funds. Arcadia property owners have suffered over a quarter of a million dollars in property damage from fireworks over the past six years.
The Arcadia City Council debated the question of whether Council and Board of Education elections should be combined and decided to study the issue in greater detail in the coming election.
An emergency ordinance opens the sale of fireworks to other groups besides the American Legion which has had the only permit for many years. Council said it acted to avoid charges of permitting a monopoly.
Voters will decide winners of council races on Tuesday. Candidates as they appear on ballot are Robert C. Harbicht, Johanna A.M. Hofer, Joseph Scurto III, Charles E. Gilb, Charles Chivetta Sr., Joanna R. Bruno, Mary Young, Craig Lucas. City Clerk Christine Van Maanen is running unopposed.
Arcadia voters will have an opportunity to vote for a change in the city charter at the April 10 election. A majority vote will be required to elect future members to the City Council of amendment is passed.
A large turnout is expected at the next meeting of City Council when they must decide whether or not to approve the resolution permitting liquor to be served at the city's two bowling alleys.
Arcadia will not be voting on whether to have combined school board/city council elections next April. On a 3-2 vote, the City Council turned down the idea.
It appears residents will have an opportunity to vote in June on whether the city should help the school district with its financial problems. They are trying to reduce the budget by $1.2 million.
The City Council met in special session to hear a presentation by Thomas Safran, a specialist in senior citizen housing. The Arcadia Senior Citizen Commission contends the council isn't moving fast enough on the issue. An advisory vote by the people on senior citizen housing will probably appear on the June primary ballot.