46th Annual Mayor's Community Breakfast to honor women of Arcadia, on February 21, 2020. Mayor April Verlato will give the State of the City Address. Dr. Jasmine Sharma will give keynote address
Actor and activist George Takei, 75, famous for his portrayal of Sulu on television series Star Trek, will talk about gay rights and a childhood spent in internment camps at Santa Anita Park (assembly center), Tule Lake and Rohwer, Arkansas, during World War II. He will be speaking at Cal Poly Pomona on Tuesday.
After a five-year hiatus, Arcadia City Council is considering reinstating a policy that would let property owners pay to be assigned a more auspicious house number, which some believe would improve the value of their home. The number 4 in a street address is considered a bad omen in many Asian cultures. In Mandarin language, the word "four" sounds like the word for death, while the number eight is considered lucky, because it sounds like the word for prosper. Arcadia's Asian population is approaching 60% and most potential buyers will be Asian. In a 3-2 vote, Arcadia City Council endorsed the move in principle and directed staff to report back on the costs involved.
After competing in the Olympics in London, 16-year-old table tennis star, Erica Wu, an Arcadia resident, returns to Westridge School to start her junior year.
Altrusa Club of Arcadia celebrated 52 years. Arcadia Mayor John Wuo presented the club with a special commendation from the city for its service to the community.
Anti-mansionization candidates snag seats on Arcadia City Council. Peter Amundson received 4122 votes and April Verlato received 4077 votes to become the two new city council members. Bob Harbicht received the third highest number of votes.
Arcadia attorney, former mayor Jim Helms, receives "Business Icon" Award from Arcadia Chamber of Commerce CEO Scott Hettrick and Arcadia Historical Society President Gene Glasco for his dedicated work as an attorney since 1952. Jim is also a former Mayor of Arcadia (1971-1972), Arcadia Chamber President and Arcadia Citizen of the Year 1979 and 2004.
Arcadia bids farewell to board members and welcomes newly appointed. Maki Hsieh, the Director of Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, is leaving Arcadia for Seattle. Newly appointed are Gary Brewer (Arcadia Beautiful Commission), Kaitlyn Jeong (Human Resources Commission), Brad Thompson (Planning Commission) and Peter Chu (Recreation and Parks Commission).
Arcadia certifies city council election victories for John Wuo and Gary A. Kovacic. The results were certified this week after election officials were able to verify and count 661 of the remaining 681 ballots of the April 10 election. There were 105 ballots that had to be disqualified because voters selected more than 2 candidates in the all-mail election. At least some of those were caused by an error in the ballots' Chinese-language instructions that directed voters to select no more than 3 instead of 2 candidates, prompting the city to send out correction notices. Gene Glasco was elected City Clerk. Measure D, the hotel room tax, passed.
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce opened its 50-year-old time capsule which was buried when the iconic chamber building was built in 1965. It contained some film which deteriorated. A new time capsule was buried.
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce will introduce candidates who represent Arcadia in the U.S. Congress in a forum at 8:00 AM, August 2, at 388 W. Huntington Drive. Longtime Arcadia resident and Republican candidate Jack Orswell is confirmed to speak and Democratic candidate Judy Chu is expected to attend.
Arcadia City Council actions proving to be divisive. Charges of campaign finance misdeeds and board racism alleged. Arcadia finds itself a town divided with feelings split about Councilman Sho Tay, who was passed over last month when it came time for his ceremonial turn for mayor. On one side, several people are accusing Tay of campaign finance fraud for spending money, donated to him, on behalf of two other candidates. Others are accusing City Council members of racism for bypassing the selection of Tay for mayor during its annual reorganization.