Thousands of San Gabriel Valley customers will be receiving refunds from Golden State Water Company after state regulators ruled the San Dimas-based company failed to properly oversee contracts that led to overcharging customers. The CPUC ruled that Golden State must refund Northern California and Southern California customers $9.5 million over the next 3 years and/or lower rates. About $400,000 in refunds will be given to 100,000 Southern California customers, including customers in Charter Oak, Claremont, Covina, Glendora, La Verne, San Dimas, Walnut, San Gabriel, Arcadia, El Monte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead and Temple City.
Matt Denny's: past and future success. Matt McSweeny talks about his early days owning Matt Denny's restaurant at 145 E. Huntington Drive, opened in 1997 and thanks the people who supported it for 19 years. He has sold it to new owner Long Nguyen.
Arcadia resident Harry Frank Scolinos, who is a Republican, will try to best Adam Schiff in the candidacy for the 29th Congressional District in November 2004.
"A Late Summer Night's Dream" was the theme of a benefit party organized to raise funds for the los Angeles County Arboretum. A detailed description of the entire evening is given.
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles celebrated the centennial birthday of the national organization with a party at the Arcadia Service Center, 100 E. Wheeler Avenue. Sylvia Wikle, 84, who has served for the past 75 years, and Victoria Hung Brooker, 15, in photo together.
Arcadia City Clerk June Alford, who has served in the elective office since 1988, will retire at the end of her current term in April. City Council approved the creation of a new job of Chief Deputy City Clark with a salary of $5600/month.
Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach, who is about to become the sole owner of Santa Anita Park, said he hasn't ruled out talking to developer Rick Caruso about reviving a project to build an outdoor mall in the race track's parking lot. Last week Caruso announced that he is no longer pursuing a development deal with Santa Anita Park's outgoing owner, MI Developments, Inc. (MID), for the upscale Shops at Santa Anita. Stronach is the outgoing chairman of MID.
Frank Perini, longtime Arcadia Rotary member and hairdresser, honored on his 93rd birthday. He had 58 years of perfect attendance in Rotary. Frank Perez changed his name to the Italian sounding Perini to be able to buy a house and to be accepted into Arcadia Rotary.
Frank Stronach, chairman of MI Developments (MID), is requesting the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to allow additional racing days at Santa Anita Park and at his other track Golden Gate Fields. He wants the number of racing days to increase from 85 to 140 days per year, to run races when he thinks he'll get the most customers. In order for MID to maintain its license and run thoroughbred racing at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, the CHRB has asked the company to submit a business plan. The plan has been a secret even to some of the company's board members. In the meantime, repairs are being made at Santa Anita Park in preparation for the fall Oak Tree meet (photo).
Frank Rubio, a 77-year old Temple City resident, was found dead in the side yard of a house in the 500 block of Las Tunas Drive. He had wandered away from a concert park and was missing for about 10 days. He appeared to have died from exposure.
Santa Anita Park is searching for new great voice to announce races since Trevor Denman will be retiring. In the meantime, Frank Mirahmadi and Michael Wrona will share announcer duties.
Since he purchased Santa Anita Park in 1998, Frank Stronach has added five tracks to his stable and grouped them under a spin off company called Magna Entertainment Corp.
Public employees' retirement and pensions are costing cities up to 25% of the city budget. In March, CalPERS announced its stock portfolio had lost 39.8%. Costs for retirees are ballooning and El Monte and West Covina budgets have been hit hard from the recession. Arcadia, which had the fourth highest pension costs of the 24 cities surveyed, spent $6.7 million last year for its 357 current employees and retirees. The city's general fund budget is $46 million.
Perini's Hair Plus named a "business icon" by Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and Arcadia Historical Society. Frank Perini opened his barbershop in Arcadia in 1954. He joined Arcadia Rotary Club shortly after opening his shop.