HQH Chinese American Equalization Association demands electoral changes. It alleges the city of Arcadia is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act and should convert from at-large voting to a by-district system to allow more Asian American representation on the Arcadia City Council.
Arcadia City Council Members at the unveiling of plaque designating Arcadia Woman's Club Clubhouse the City of Arcadia Historic Landmark No. 1, at 324 S. First Avenue, Arcadia, CA. Left to right: Council Member Sho Tay, Council Member Michael Danielson, Cheryl Alberg, Mayor Tom Beck, Council Member Paul P. Cheng, Council Member April Verlato, and Marilyn Daleo. This is the first City of Arcadia Historical Landmark.
Opinion piece by Roger Nemrava. He writes that Mayor Sho Tay is putting his personal agenda above Arcadia's citizens in regard to redistricting and filling of the city council seat which was vacated due to Roger Chandler's death.
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.
Decision 2018: Arcadia's April election is for three City Council seats, for Districts 2, 3 and 5, for 4-year terms. Candidates are Tom Beck, Roger Chandler, Robert Harbicht, Joyce Platt, Sho Tay, and Jolly Wu.
Why is council member Mayor Pro Tempore Sho Tay spending campaign money after being appointed for an extended second term because he was the only candidate in his 3rd District. Campaign contributions Tay received from Tony Chen and James Chou have been spent on mailers in both Districts 2 and 5 to support candidates Bob Harbicht and Roger Chandler.
Arcadia Unified School District's First Avenue Middle School music teacher Michael Danielson is one of only 16 teachers to be recognized as a 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year.
San Gabriel Valley elections come to a close. Board of Supervisors set to officially declare election over, ballots still being counted. In Arcadia, as it stands, as of December 2:
District 2--Sharon Kwan won with 40.04%. Bob Harbicht had 30.13%, Tracy Jensen Han had 29.83%.
District 3--Eileen Wang won with 64.21%. Sheng Chang had 35.79%.
District 5--Dr. Michael Cao won with 42.60%. Jason J. Lee had 31.6%, incumbent Michael Danielson had 23.05%, and Daniel Malki had less than 2.76%.
Election 2022. Tallies continue for city council races in San Gabriel Valley. Semi-official results for Arcadia:
District 2--Sharon Kwan in lead with 42%, Bob Harbicht with 31%, Tracy Jensen Han with 25%.
District 3--Eileen Wang has 61%, Sheng Chang has 38%.
District 5--Dr. Michael Cao has 42%, Jason J. Lee has 33%, Michael Danielson has 21%, Daniel Malki has less than 10%.
Local horn players join "The Four Tops" on stage at Arcadia Performing Arts Center on February 21. The local musicians are Fabio Spinella, a graduate of Arcadia High School, Matthew Murdock, who was a teacher for Arcadia High School Band Program, and Mike Danielson, Music Director at First Avenue Middle School for over 20 years.
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)
Application deadline looms for Arcadia small-business grants totaling $1 million. The applications are due December 29, 2022 and the program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The grants can be used for physical improvements to a company's place of business, updating digital marketing and branding and other improvements focused on attracting new customers. Contac Arcadia Economic Development Division for more information.
Arcadia announces City Council redistricting mapping tool and public hearing schedule. Residents can use this portal to draw a map and a community of interest for the city and submit it to City Council.
Gary Kovacic is Arcadia's mayor for the sixth time since 1998. Mayor Pro Tem is Roger Chandler. Mayor Kovacic is in the final year of a second consecutive four-year term. Due to term limits, he will have to step away from Arcadia City Council for at last two years after he concludes his current term as mayor, next April.
Arcadia City Council members to submit nominees for John Wuo's vacant seat at next meeting October 20. Mayor Gary Kovacic and Councilman Tom Beck recommended former mayor Mickey Segal. Councilman Roger Chandler and Sho Tay wanted to take time to think of a few more nominees.
Arcadia announces public hearing on city council redistricting, where draft maps will be reviewed. It will take place on March 1, 2022 at City Council Chambers, 240 West Huntington Drive, at 7:30 PM.
Arcadia residents and ex-mayor Mickey Segal threaten to recall city council members Roger Chandler, John Wuo, and Sho Tay for their decision to suspend a zoning code update last month. The issue involves a lawsuit, Arcadia Highlands Homeowners Association (HOA) and mansions. See hard copy in VF "City Council 2011-2020."
Arcadia incumbents appear to hold onto their seats. Semi-official results of City Council election. District 2-Tom Beck (northwest area, the neighborhoods surrounding Santa Anita Park on the north and west); District 5-Roger Chandler (the southeast area).