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.
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.
A spokesperson for Santa Anita Consolidated has indicated that there is no intention of moving the Santa Anita Park race track to the $100 million sports complex proposed for the City of Los Angeles by Hollywood Park, Inc.
The California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles has applied for a 2 week fair race meeting, to be held at Santa Anita Park Race Track from September 30 to October 10, 1979.
30 people were injured on opening day at Santa Anita Park when two men became involved in an altercation. One dropped a gun and this was enough to cause a wave of panic which spread through the crowd.
The current racing meeting will open Thursday December 27. Sunday racing will be inaugurated for the first time in Arcadia. Track officials are uncertain as to how the energy crisis will affect operations.
Bill Quiggle, who has been Santa Anita Park track superintendent since 1949, retired at the end of the 1977 racing season. The track and all plantings were his domain.
Chic Anderson, one of the finest thoroughbred racing announcers known for his work at the Kentucky Derby and other major races, has been named to be the announcer at Santa Anita Park for 1975.
The Arcadia City Council ignored a request from the Arcadia Tax Reform Committee to vote again on taxes approved in June, 1978, following passage of Proposition 13.
The City Council was decidedly disappointed at the low tax evaluation put on Fashion Park this year. The county says that the land will be re-assessed upward each year as its business and development is expanded.
Inflation and the energy shortage are causing the city management grave concern about meeting the budget. City Manager Lyman Cozad expects a $120,500 increase in sales tax from Fashion Park for the 1974-75 fiscal year. He also expects an $84,000 rise in property taxes.
The City Council approved $32,000 for expansion of Wilderness Park. The city now has title to Clamshell Canyon southeast of the present park. 94 acres were purchased from George Elkins and 10 acres from Mrs. Ruth Schroeder.