In a letter sent to Mayor Tom Beck, the HQH Chinese American Equalization Association demands district voting in Arcadia. The association claims at-large system dilutes influence. According to 2010 U.S. Census, Asians represent 60% of the city's population of 56,364 and about 46% of its registered voters. The letter points out that no more than 2 Asian Americans have served on Arcadia City Council at the same time. Beck said Arcadia doesn't have the problem of Asians being underrepresented.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta allows lawsuit over Arcadia City Council appointment to proceed. HQH Chinese American Equalization Association and Arcadia Voters Rights Group are suing to challenge the appointment of Michael Danielson, representing District 5, which was vacant after the death of Council Member Roger Chandler. Danielson's term expires upon certification of the November 8 election results.
Asian-American group angry after Los Angeles Police Department revokes march permit. Arcadia Businessman Kin Hui, CEO of Singpoli Group, LLC and Singpoli Capital Corp. said LAPD's decision to revoke a permit that would have allowed about 1,000 people to march on Sunday in protest at Los Angeles City Hall sends the message that Asian voices and rights are less valuable than others in the community. The march was to be in support of New York City police officer Peter Liang, a rookie officer involved and indicted by grand jury, for fatal shooting of 28-year-old Akai Gurleyan, an unarmed Brooklyn man. LA Police say the rally permit was withdrawn because it would conflict with the planned Fiesta Broadway, which is expected to draw 30,000 to downtown LA this weekend.
A report by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center found that Asian Americans in Southern California lag behind the general population in voter turnout. The report also provides city-specific electorate and turnout numbers. Asian American voters in Alhambra, Arcadia, and Rosemead made up roughly one-third of the electorate.
Arcadia City Council elections make history. For the first time, Arcadia City Council will have majority Asian and majority female representation. Unofficial results for Arcadia:
District 2--Sharon Kwan
District 3--Eileen Wang
District 5--Dr. Michael Cao
The Asian-American Association for Arcadia, a new community service organization in the city, has been formed to act as a bridge for new immigrants to become involved in the mainstream of Arcadia life. David Ma is chairman of the group.
Arcadia City Council poised for historic changes. In a pair of firsts, the Arcadia City Council will have majority of women and three Asian-American members on the dais. New council members are:
District 2--Sharon Kwan
District 3--Eileen Wang
District 5--Dr. Michael Cao
See hard copy in VF City Council (2020-2029)
Arcadia calls for municipal electionon November 8, 2022 and seeks city council member candidates for electoral districts 2, 3, and 5. Eligibility, nomination period, and nomination petition qualifications are detailed.
Arcadia High School's Student Executive council convened behind closed doors last week to cast its vote on whether the Apache mascot is insulting to American Indians or is a tradition which should remain at the school. They present their vote to the School Board on Tuesday.
Asians make up more than 47% of the city's total population of 53,421. The largest group is Chinese-American. John Wuo discusses what makes Arcadia such an attractive city for Asians.
Arcadia Politics Becomes Ever More Confusing. Arcadia residents tell us they are concerned that the redistricting rules have changed the city’s voting requirements so much that it is hard to vote for someone you are not familiar with. Therefore, some voters told Arcadia Weekly they simply don’t vote anymore.
The recent council meeting was, indeed, contentious, as one of my colleagues wrote last week.
It appears there’s a push to change the political environment back to at-large voting.
Steinmeier and Yuen are elected to School Board. Yuen is the first Asian-American elected to the board and this was the first full election conducted on computerized voting machines in LA County.
Dr. Sheng Chang has been elected mayor of Arcadia. He is the first Asian-American mayor of Arcadia. In 1994, he was the first Chinese-American Arcadia City Council member.
On a 3-1 vote, the Arcadia City Council Tuesday night turned down a request from the Arcadia Chapter of the American Red Cross for a refund on a $3,076.78 building permit fee.
The Asian American Expo is a 2-day event happening this weekend at Pomona Fairplex, featuring vendors and food booths. One exhibitor is Peter Chen, owner of Accurate Development in Arcadia, who introduced temperature-controlled toilet seats to visitors.
According to Chester Zahn, gastroenterologist at Methodist Hospital, Chinese Americans have higher rates of colon cancer than other Americans. The American Cancer Society is teaming with Asian American advertising agencies to educate Chinese Americans about colon cancer screenings.
The California Redistricting Commission released reapportionment maps for the state's congressional and legislative districts that could change the political landscape of the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas. In the Assembly, this may mean that a new Asian-heavy district from Monterey Park to Arcadia is created. A final vote is required by August 15.