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.
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
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 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.
Daniel Malki for Arcadia City Council: Public safety, school system and and transparency. Daniel Malki is running in District 5 in the general election Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
Rise of anti-Asian racism during the pandemic. "Skyrocketing spike" of anti-Asian violence says President Joe Biden. After a white gunman was charged with killing 8 people, 6 of whom were Asian, at 3 Atlanta-area spas, President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris condemn violence against Asian-Americans. People in the San Gabriel Valley are rallying to "Stop Asian Hate."
City of Arcadia to place three measures on November 8, 2022 ballot. 1. Proposed City Charter Amendment Measure. The City Charter was last amended in 1998. The citizen-led Charter Review Committee recommends updates to mirror changes in state laws since 1998 and to reflect current local government standards, to include a) mirroring changes in state laws to increase voter turnout by moving the date of regularly scheduled city council elections from April in even-numbered years to the November Statewide General Election in even-numbered years. b) recognizing the city's change to by-district elections as required by California Voting Rights Act. c) Creating a rotation of mayor and mayor pro tem positions every 9.5 months to allow all council members to serve during their term. d) Change position of City Clerk from elected to appointed. e) other amendments to streamline government, utilize technology and increase transparency. 2. Two measures to increase locally controlled funding. One measure would increase Arcadia's local tax on stays at hotels and motels from 10% to 12%--similar rate to many neighboring cities. The other measure would enact a local tax on sports wagers if sports betting becomes legal in California through State Proposition 26, also on the November ballot
Asian-Americans face cultural barriers in health care. Patients and workers say hesitancy for services is rooted in communication. USC Arcadia Hospital uses a handheld device and tablet computer to aid patients in translating the medical services they seek.
House passes preservation bill on a bipartisan vote. The Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act, or House Resolution 803 seeks to conserve 1 million acres of public land in California, much of it in Southern California. HR 803 incorporates two local measures, including the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act that will protect the Angeles National Forest, located just north of Arcadia.
Affirmative action vote splits Asian-Americans. Community members take part in a "No on Proposition 16" rally at Arcadia County Park on August 8. Prop 16 would legalize race-aware decisions in public college admissions, hiring, and contracting. This is a divisive issue among Asian-Americans. Some view it as racist. One banner reads, "Keep discrimination illegal."
Review by Merrill Shindler - Asian market is authentic. 99 Ranch Market chain has hundreds of good things at its multiple San Gabriel locations, including one in Arcadia. Its mission is to offer authentic Chinese ingredients to underserved Chinese-American communities across America.
Eileen Wang: a strong voice for Arcadia City Council, running for District 3. Her passion is education. She wants to bring more financial responsibility and transparency to the City budget. Election is Tuesday, November 8. Photo.
Vote centers open for San Gabriel Valley's 49th Assembly District special election. Vote centers will remain open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day for in-person voting or to drop off completed vote-by-mail ballots. The seat was vacated by Democrat Edwin Chau or Arcadia when California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Chau to serve as judge in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Democrat Mike Fong runs against Republican Burton Brink in this race. The 49th Assembly District includes Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City, and portions of Montebello and South El Monte. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 3, February 10, 2022.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón facing further opposition. Two more cities, Norwalk and La Habra Heights, are preparing to cast votes of no confidence in Gascon. So far, 18 cities have had similar votes, including Arcadia, Azusa, Beverly Hills, Covina, Diamond Bar, Hidden Hills, Lancaster, La Mirada, Manhattan, Palos Verdes Estates, Pico Rivera, Redondo Beach, Rosemead, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel, Santa Fe Springs, Temple City and Whittier.
Chen Suen becomes first Asian American fire chief in Arcadia. He takes over from Barry Spriggs who retired November 8, after 29 years of service. Suen is an Arcadia resident. He emigrated from Taiwan. He graduated from Arcadia High School, and attended Loyola Law School, UC Irvine, and Santa Ana College, before spending the last 18 years with Arcadia Fire Department.
Arcadia City Council elections to be held on Tuesday April 14, 2020. This will not be a district-wide election. Only registered voters in Districts 1 and 4 will receive a vote-by-mail ballot beginning March 16, 2020. Completed ballots must be postmarked by April 14, 2020. The candidates are District 1: April Verlato and Yuli Sira and in District 4: Paul Cheng and Peter Amundson.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital workers vote to unionize. The nearly 700 technical employees, nursing assistants and other workers have voted to join the Caregiver Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU). The CHEU is a sister union to California Nurses Association. The employees want to win strong union representation, better benefits and improved conditions for employees and patients.
Union opposes changes to nurse-to-patient ratio. The California Nurses Association plans to stage rallies at nearly 70 hospitals and medical centers today to protest waivers that allow facilities to staff some units below state-mandated nurse-to-patient ratios as nurses are shifted to more critical patients. Union reps will gather at several Southern California hospitals, including Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia.