Arcadia City Council has two new members and a former city councilman has returned, according to semi-official results of the all-mail ballot election. Tom Beck, a retired attorney, and Sho Tay, a retired businessman, are new. Roger Chandler is the returning councilman.
Arcadia City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler said he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. The old courts have been demolished already and City Council eventually recommitted to an improvement plan that permanently eliminates Eisenhower Park's basketball courts. Chandler's comments prompted an immediate uproar from residents in attendance. Council member April Verlato said his use of the phrase "the type" could be perceived as racist but doesn't think he meant it that way, but he should apologize. The renovated park will cost nearly $6.3 million, including a baseball diamond and large picnic area.
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 housing standards campaign to launch. City officials will engage in a "public education campaign" to inform residents about the city's current residential development standards and to look at what other communities are doing.
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).
Arcadia mayor Roger Chandler outlined six major areas of progress in the last year in his State of the City address. Overall, he said, "The state of Arcadia is great!"
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 residents protest removal of basketball courts at Eisenhower Park and City Council member Roger Chandler's comments that he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. At August 20 City Council meeting, Chandler said the courts attracted unauthorized and unsanctioned basketball tournaments.
Basketball court returns to Arcadia's Eisenhower Park renovation plans. Arcadia City Council voted 3-to-2 to add one full basketball court. See also hard copy in VF Parks.
City of Sierra Madre police must find another way to deal with officer shortage after Arcadia balks at sharing officer. Sierra Madre officials had hoped Arcadia could help through a contract between the cities where one Arcadia officer would help patrol areas of Sierra Madre at night and backup would be available as needed. Arcadia City Council said they could not spare an officer for such a contract. See also Arcadia Weekly, February 4, 2016, pp. 1, 14.
Councilman Roger Chandler has apologized for disparaging remarks he made about poor people. His comments were associated with a Habitat for Humanity project that was defeated in a council vote.
Five running for three Arcadia City Council seats. The five are Tom Beck, a retired Pasadena attorney, Sho Tay, a retired businessman, Roger Chandler, a former Arcadia City Councilman, Paul Van Fleet, an insurance agent, and Burton L. Brink, a sergeant in Los Angeles County Sheriff's Crescenta Valley Station. The completely mail-in ballot election will be on April 8. See hard copy in VF City Council Elections (2014).
Former Mayor Roger Chandler and first-time candidate John S. MacDonnell have joined incumbents Barbara Kuhn, Sheng Chang and Gary Kovacic in pulling papers to run for four open seats at the council elections April 14, 1998.
Hoop dreams snuffed in Arcadia park contretemps. Larry Wilson, columnist, gives his opinion about Arcadia City Council member Roger Chandler's remarks about basketball attracting a "type" of people to Arcadia.