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.
Arcadia-based company US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. is under investigation by state and federal agencies as it faces allegations from investors that it swindled them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The company has connections to Arcadia Councilman John Wuo.
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 City Council appoints ex-mayor Mickey Segal to fill seat vacated by John Wuo's resignation, until the municipal election in April. Wuo, who served on City Council for 12 years, resigned two weeks ago amid mounting allegations over his endorsement of USFIA and Gemcoin, in addition to an ethics investigation launched in September by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Segal is a CPA. Also the zoning code update resumes.
Arcadia City Council appoints Mickey Segal to fill John Wuo's vacated seat; officials reboot zoning code update, Highlands will be included in the historic architecture survey.
Arcadia City Council candidates champion their causes. There are five candidates for two open seats. Their causes are: Gary Kovacic--maintaining a balanced budget with adequate reserves and a sense of community; Mary Dougherty--mansionization and residential guidelines; Sho Tay--traffic safety and opposing a new $12.2 million City Hall; John Wuo--reducing crime; and Henry Nunez--increase city revenues and create a real downtown in Arcadia.
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 Councilman John Wuo resigned, citing health and personal reasons. He had served on council for 12 years, including as mayor for 3 terms. His resignation comes on the heels of a lawsuit and intense scrutiny of his alleged involvement with GemCoin (digital currency) and alleged violations of the Political Reform Act's statement of economic interests disclosure requirement and conflict of interest.
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 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 company Gemcoin, a digital currency or "cryptocurrency," has been using Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo's image on its website and marketing materials. John Wuo denies any endorsement of Gemcoin.
Arcadia Councilman John Wuo's ties to GemCoin (digital currency) draw scrutiny. The Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating him for a potential violation of the Political Reform Act. Arcadia resident David Arvizu filed the complaint with the FPPC.
Arcadia firm US Fine Investment Arts (USFIA) is charged in fraud. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleges operator used GemCoin in a worldwide pyramid scheme, allegedly bilking investors out of $32 million.
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 Museum Education Center (MEC) was dedicated June 28, 2014. It was a 5-year project from concept to completion. It has long been a dream of Floretta Lauber, Arcadia's first female mayor, to build the MEC to fill a void in the museum's ability to bring in guest lecturers. The Museum Foundation was the founding sponsor and donated $500,000 to the City of Arcadia towards the cost of the building.