Anti-mansionization goes to the ballot. Zoning code issue continues as anti-mansionization group Saving Arcadia (an outgrowth of Save the Arcadia Highlands) takes it to the ballot in April 2018. At issue are Floor Area Ratios (FAR). See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 17, April 7, 2016-initiative did not make it onto ballot because of signature discrepancy.
Arcadia City Council candidates Roger Chandler, Bob Harbicht, Gary Kovacic, Gail Marshall, and John Wuo answer the question, "What one or more issues are you interested in tackling during the next 4 years on the council?"
Arcadia City Council declines to further consider moratorium on residential construction. Opponents of temporary development freeze turn out in force. State law requires a five-member municipal panel have at least four votes to approve a moratorium on real estate development. The Council could not muster majority support.
Arcadia City Council hears public concerns over historic preservation on February 19. In 4-1 vote City Council agreed not to accept the current ordinance as is, but instead to have city staff revise it. Councilman Roger Chandler took some angry digs at local historians such as Carol Libby about the proposed ordinance. Marcello Vavala, of the Los Angeles Conservancy, said the proposed ordinance was fair because it would require consent of the homeowner to officially designate the home a historic entity.
Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to partially reconsider their moratorium on a citywide revamp of commercial, industrial zoning regulations. Former city councilmember Mickey Segal threatens winter recall campaign if council doesn't find resolution to Highlands lawsuit.
Arcadia Councilman Roger Chandler ridicules Senator Anthony Portantino's support of State Assembly Bill AB 931. The California Police Officers Association (CPOA) also opposes AB 931. The bill concerns the use of force by police officers. The bill would require peace officers to attempt to control an incident by using time, distance, communications, and available resources to de-escalate a situation whenever it is safe and reasonable to do so. Chandler says it is very bad for Arcadia but a dream come true for lawyers.
Arcadia election mailer pokes fun at opposition as election tactics run the gamut. Resident Deborah Priester, a resident of District 5, has had enough of the city council candidate attacks and put out a mailer that encourages voters to select anyone but Roger Chandler. It depicts him at the Monopoly Man.
Arcadia Mayor Pro Tem. Sho Tay under investigation by FPPC. The State Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) scrutinizes complaints that he used campaign dollars he had received to support candidates Bob Harbicht and Councilman Roger Chandler.
Arcadia Transit Plaza dedication ceremony held November 6, 2014. It is located at 99 Santa Clara Street, at First Avenue, where the Gold Line Station in Arcadia is being built. It will serve as a transportation hub and a gathering space for the community. Many VIPs attended (photos).
At a candidate forum, Arcadia City Council candidates Roger Chandler, Bob Harbicht, Gary Kovacic, Gail Marshall, and John Wuo discuss issues such as Arcadia's sign ordinance that governs the use of multi-language material, school crowding, firefighters, mansionization, the city's budget, and a bond issue for a Performing Arts Center.
Campaign to recall three Arcadia city council members begins. Highlands neighborhood residents have been at odds with Roger Chandler, Sho Tay, and John Wuo over the development of mansions in place of historic homes and the Gemcoin controversy with John Wuo.
Charles Cooper continues his Arcadia city centennial series "Memories of Arcadia" with a story about Arcadia's mayors. A. N. Multer was the first person to be given the title of mayor of Arcadia. City founder Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin was the city's first presiding officer, but he held the title of president of the Board of Trustees. The title of mayor was not adopted until 1927, when the Board of Trustees changed to the City Council. Arcadia will have 4 mayors this year to mark the city's centennial. Each city council member will rotate into the position. More interesting facts: Floretta Lauber was the first woman to serve as mayor. She paved the way for Mary Young, Barbara Kuhn, and Gail Marshall to follow. Other history of mayors is recapped. The first city manager was William J. Richards in 1951, when a charter was adopted. The longest serving city official was City Clerk Christine Van Mannen, who held the job for 32 years. See hard copy in VF Arcadia (City) History.
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.
Demonstrators occupy Arcadia City Council meeting and call for resignation of Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler. They spoke out against removal of basketball courts from Eisenhower Park. Some called Chandler to resign because of his August 20 remarks that he didn't like the "type" of people the courts attracted. Chandler accused Mayor April Verlato of orchestrating the protests.
The fight over affirmative action arrives in Arcadia. Arcadia Mayor Roger Chandler and Councilmember Paul Cheng will participate in a demonstration to protest Proposition 16 on Saturday at Arcadia County Park. Proposition 16 is a constitutional amendment that would repeal Proposition 206, which banned the use of affirmative action involving race-based or sex-based preferences in California, from the state constitution.
Five candidates are running for Arcadia City Council on the April 9 ballot. They are Roger Chandler, Robert Harbicht, Gary Kovacic, Gail Marshall, and John Wuo. Biographies given.