Arcadia City Council denies Verizon Wireless proposal for cell tower in residential zone after Verizon failed to persuade Council that the facility had an immediate need and was the best alternative. Residents spoke against the tower.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson defends his speaker of choice at next month's Mayor's Community Breakfast. He has invited H. B. London, of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes same-sex marriage. Residents and activists upset about this choice are organizing two counterevents of their own. Activists are planning a "peaceful" demonstration March 4 outside Arcadia Community Center and a bar-b-que at Pasadena's Unitarian Church for all families. Focus on the Family was founded in Arcadia by Dr. James C. Dobson and believes marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Amundson said the event is not about sexuality but about the Arcadia family.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson's selection of Reverend H. B. London, Jr. to speak at the community breakfast on March 4, is drawing criticism from some residents and gay-rights activists. London is a vice president of ministry outreach at Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage. Some residents are asking Mayor Amundson to reconsider and they feel Focus on the Family delivers hateful messages. The city estimates it will pay between $5000 and $5500 for its contribution to the event, which will include the speaker's plane fare.
Arcadia voters consider extending hotel-room tax in the ballot Measure D. It is meant to close a loophole in a city ordinance on the transient tax. Currently, the city imposes a tax rate of 10% of the rent paid by guests to occupy a room up to 30 consecutive days. If the measure passes by a majority vote, the occupancy tax would be imposed the first 90 days of a stay.
As horse deaths mount at Santa Anita Park, racing fans and foes say the sport faces an uncertain future. Pressure grows to abolish industry, but there’s no inexpensive, clear-cut path to finish line.
Breeders' Cup: a classic debate. Horse Bayern veers sharply out of the gate, goes wire to wire, and stays on top after inquiry into the start of the race. Bayern wins the Breeders' Cup Classic. Photos. See also p. B1 and B9 commentary on trainer D. Wayne Lukas and race horse Take Charge Brandi by columnist Mark Whicker. See also p. B8, 35-year-old trainer Chad Brown had a memorable weekend, having saddled 3 Breeders' Cup winners.
A federal investigation of a San Gabriel Valley-based Asian crime syndicate led to the arrests of 18 suspected Red Door gang members in several San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia. The effort was dubbed "Operation Paint it Black." Authorities seized seven guns, 12,500 ecstasy pills, 2,230 marijuana plants and a Lamborghini. The 18 were indicted on drug trafficking and international marriage fraud charges.
Gene Glasco, Vietnam War veteran and elected Arcadia City Clerk, will preview the Vietnam War Monument at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce meeting. The dedication ceremony for the memorial will be Saturday, May 28 at Los Angeles County Park.
H. B. London, Jr., of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage, spoke at the 2011 Mayor's Community Breakfast, about the importance of compassion and unconditional love in the family. Outside there were some 90 protestors that support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich urged Southern California Edison (SCE) to restore power now to San Gabriel Valley residents that lost power in last week's windstorm.
New legislation gives city clerks statewide authority to sanctify marriages. Gene Glasco, Arcadia City Clerk, has authority to marry couples in California.