Arcadia City Council has gone on record as supporting the building of a new city hall that would be built on the other side of the Civic Center property. Out of three options presented by city manager Bill Kelly, the council consensus was for a new building at a cost of $6.6 million and adjacent to Huntington Drive West.
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 Performing Arts Foundation Executive Director Sue Cook will speak on March 5 at the next Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum at the Chamber's conference room.
Arcadia Rotary Corner by Joe Miller. Over the years, with 501 (c)(3) status, the Arcadia Rotary Foundation has funded the Paul Johenk Fund, Ted McBane Fund, Dr. Bruce Walter Fund, Ira Traweek Fund and Nick Pokrajac Fund. The Paul Johenk Fund contributed $15,000 for one of the rooms at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, $10,000 to Arcadia Public Library for refurnishing a room, $10,000 toward construction of the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum. Board of Directors are Bill Gleason, Brian Hall, Mike Real, John Murphy and Ira Traweek.
Arcadia's new city government first formed in 1903 and its first meeting took place at Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's Oakwood Hotel, located at First Avenue and Santa Clara Road. Baldwin's hotel featured gambling and fine dining along with city government. The Oakwood Hotel burned down in 1911, and the city government moved to the McCoy Building at First Avenue and St. Joseph Street. Two years later, City Hall moved across the street to the Hibbard Building. In 1917, the first building was constructed as a City Hall at Huntington Drive and Second Avenue (?). A two-story colonial building was built for $18,000. This City Hall opened on July 13, 1918. City Hall moved in 1949 to a 13-acre parcel between Huntington Drive and the Pacific Electric railroad tracks.
Architectural drawings and the design for the new Arcadia City Hall have drawn criticism from the City Council. The new City Hall building is estimated to cost $11 million.
Area residents pray, reflect on September 11 attacks. Memorial services were held at area city halls including Arcadia, where about 300 people paid tribute to the victims.