altadenablog

Land Use Committee November meeting cancelled

By Timothy Rutt

Land Use Committee chair Ken Roberts said that the monthly meeting of the committee, scheduled for Nov. 5, has been cancelled, but will resume next month:

We have only one action item to be heard, which is the continuation of the hearing’s for the CUP Request for the 3085 Ridgeview property, asking for an approval “to increase the number of inpatient housing accommodations (beds) from six (6) to ten (10) in an existing care facility” to accommodate desperately needed medicinal services already being provided. 

 

Supervisors to consider transit, Woodbury improvements today

 By Timothy Rutt

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has two Altadena-related items on the agenda for today's meeting in Los Angeles.

The supervisors are expected to approve funding of $300,000 to the city of Pasadena to continue to provide paratransit services to Altadena and East San Gabriel.

The supervisors will also likely approve some changes increasing contract amounts involving the Woodbury Road Median Landscaping Project. On the agenda is $11,212 for equipment standby time, removal and replacement of pull boxes, and replacement of missing trees performed by Diversified Landscape Management, Inc. Also under consideration is $22,465 to West Coast Arborists for costs related to trimming and removal of parkway trees in both Altadena and Hacienda Heights.

Land Use Committee punts temporary moratorium to Town Council

Gene Detchemendy of the Charles Company explains his plans for the Lake/Calavaras property at the Land Use Committee Tuesday night.

by Timothy Rutt

 

The Altadena Land Use Committee -- rather than give a thumb’s up or down to a North Lake Avenue building moratorium -- kicked the can to the town council instead.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the LUC heard spent over an hour listening to comments and discussing the idea, pushed by Neighbors Building a Better Altadena, that a temporary moratorium be imposed on commercial development above 15,000 square feet.  

Barbie Ishida of NBBA told the LUC, “We are in support of a temporary moratorium of large scale commercial development in the Lake Avenue corridor to avoid having big projects get underway while community standards are still being reviewed by the town council’s Community Standards Committee.”

(NBBA’s proposal will only affect North Lake Avenue.  Another local anti-Walmart group, SaveAltadena, has been pushing for a separate, county-wide moratorium on big retail chains.)

The Community Standards Committee is currently working to update the rules governing business and retail buildings in Altadena, which were last updated in 1986.  

Deferring decision
Tuesday night’s plan was for the LUC to send a recommendation to the council to approve or disapprove of a moratorium, but in the end they punted. The committee went with a motion by LUC member Bernardean Broadus, who is also the Town Council chair, that the matter be sent to the Town Council without a recommendation in order to get more community input at the Feb. 19 town council meeting.

The temporary moratorium proposed by NBBA would in fact only affect one property in Altadena: the vacant lot at Lake Avenue and Calaveras Street.

Scales over their eyes

It still weighs true, but bureaucratic bungling may force retirement of Altadena Hardware’s vintage scale

by Timothy Rutt

 

County inspectors told Altadena Hardware manager Jimmy Orlandini to get rid of his vintage scale -- not because it's inaccurate, but because another inspector gave it an incorrect serial-type number.

When the Orlandini family bought local landmark Altadena Hardware in 2010, they wanted to modernize it, but also keep its vintage hardware store atmosphere.  Manager Jimmy Orlandini said at the time,  "We don't want to take away from the old-fashioned look." 

So the family -- which has owned Newland Hardware in El Sereno since the 1960's, and became Altadena residents in 1985  -- has striven for state-of-the-art while keeping the old fashioned, friendly look and service Altadena Hardware is known for.  One of the treasures of the hometown ambiance is the 1915 vintage scale by the long-gone Computing Scale Company, which has been used to weigh bulk nails  for as long as anyone can remember.

But that may come to an end soon. The county agricultural commissioner’s office, which regulates scales, has told Orlandini that he’ll have to get rid of it.  

Why?  Not because it isn’t measuring accurately -- “the scale’s perfect,” Orlandini says -- but because an inspector transposed two numbers last year, and now Weights and Measures is saying that they can’t be sure it’s the same scale -- so it has to be scrapped.

Orlandini thinks they’re also just trying to get out of inspecting the scale every year.  Today, scales and other bulk goods measuring equipment are “certified” by the state ahead of time, and the inspector just checks it for accuracy every year.  An older, non-certified scale can challenge an inspector who’s never encountered anything like it before.

The problems began with the 2011 inspection.  Orlandini said that the inspector, a woman who seemed inexperienced, apparently hadn’t encountered a counterweighted scale.  As part of the inspection, the scale -- which normally doesn’t measure any more than five pounds of nails -- has to accurately record 100 lbs.  Orlandini said that the inspector couldn’t lift two certified 50 lb. weights on the scale herself, so the hardware store staff helped her.

Land Use Committee meetings 7 PM Tues.

Click the graphic for tomorrow's agenda.

Land Use Committee meeting Tues. night, 7 PM

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Click on agenda to enlarge.

Portantino has new Pasadena/Altadena rep

Stolen from the Altadena Women's Network (thanks, Monica!):

[State Assemblyman] Anthony Portantino's District Director Julianne Hines has completed the interview and selection process for a new field representative responsible for Pasadena/Altadena.  Her name is Tanganica Turner and she can be reached at Tanganica.Turner@asm.ca.gov.  Welcome, Tanganica!

Land Use Committee Meeting is cancelled

The Altadena Town Council's Land Use Committee meeting for Nov. 3 at the Community Center has been cancelled, chair Brian League tells us.

Antonovich calls for review of county's wildfire response

From Supv. Antonovich's office:

In response to countless reports from constituents on the lack of timely, accurate and user-friendly incident updates on County websites about evacuations, road closures, shelters, transit schedules and school closures, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has requested a thorough review of the County’s response to the Station Fire to  ensure that the information posted on the County’s website about the fires is real-time and accurate, in addition to reviewing the effectiveness and failures of the County’s mass emergency notification system.
 
“Information on evacuation orders and evacuation shelters has not been readily available to the impacted communities,” said Antonovich.  “Several impacted cities, provided hourly updates to the communities they serve via their websites and phone notification systems. The County’s Public Information Office has the capability to provide the same level of service to its residents but failed to do so during this incident.”
 

Antonovich also called for a review of the County’s new mass emergency notification system which sent an erroneous evacuation order to the community of La Crescenta.

August land use committee meeting cancelled, cell tower deferred

Just got a note from Altadena Town Council's land use committee chair Brian League:

Due to lack of an available quorum the August 4, 2009 meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council has been canceled.  Our next regular meeting is Tuesday September 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM.   The Cell Site Conditional Use Permit at Loma Alta and Fair Oaks will be rescheduled for our September Meeting.

Town council meeting highlights

We'll have a full story at this headline later today, but we thought we'd share a Bill Westphal photo of the new Altadena town councilmembers being sworn in: from left, Dennis E. Bridwell (4603.01), Gaurav Malhotra (4611), Herbert Simmons (4602), Phil Barela (4601), Jamie Bissner (4612) and Ken Roberts (4603.02).  Swearing them in at the podium is Rita Hadjimanoukian of Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office.

Some other highlights of last night's meeting:

• Executive council positions will be: Chair Gino Sund, Vice-chair Dennis Bridwell, Corresponding Secretary Ruth Neilan Edwards, Recording Secretary Alice Wessen, Treasurer Tecumseh Shackelford.  All were recommended as a slate by a nominating committee of outgoing councilmembers.  Councilman Okorie Ezieme nominated himself as vice-chair, so there was a separate election for that position, which went to Bridwell.
• Gene Campbell also won the internal council election for WAPAC representative, over former councilmember MIchele Zack.
• A presentation by Steve Wilks of IBI Group consulting firm, which is conducting a public transit needs study of Altadena (the council decided that they would form an ad hoc committee to work on this study);
• Another presentation by Altadena resident Robert Gomperz, president of the Lincoln Ave. Water Co. and chairman of the Foothill Municipal Water District board.  Gomperz said that Foothill is looking at spending $7 million to improve and renew  various part of its plant (some parts are 50 years old), and $13 million to create a recycled water program.  Foothill, the wholesale water supplier for Altadena, La Crescenta, and La Canada Flintridge, is looking at various ways to finance these changes, including rate increases or a parcel tax to pay for improvement bonds.  The average cost of a bond measure would be $4 per property per month.
• Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that the local youth activities league went on a beach camping trip this week (12 members of Eliot Middle School had to earn the right to go);  that the county board of supervisors offered a $10,000 reward for information on the murder of Jerrill Dulaney;  and the local sheriffs were going to increase gang suppression efforts over the summer.  "You're gonna see a lot of people going to jail," Blow promised.
• Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School was up again, as Sund announced that the temporary injunction to close the Palm St. campus was overturned by the state appellate court, and a hearing for a permanent injunction is scheduled for September.
• Campbell said that Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) will be taking some of its young men to camp at San Diego in August, and was looking for donations to help fund the camp -- website is www.mpyd.org.

Land Use Committee looks at cell tower

The Altadena Town Council's Land Use Committee will meet Tues., July 7, at 7 PM at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

They will be considering a new ATT "monopalm" cell tower (i.e. it looks like a palm tree) at the Lincoln Water Co. property on the 3400 block of Fair Oaks. LUC Chair Brian League sent us  a pdf with a simulation of how it would look here.

June Land Use Committee meeting cancelled

--- they sent us an email:  the June 2 meeting is canceled, and they will meet again July 7 @ 7 PM in the community center.

Hey! There's an election today!

We haven't had one of those in almost six months!  Click on the LA County voter locater to find out where to exercise your franchise.

May 8 deadline approaching for town council elections

The deadline for candidates to declare themselves for Altadena town council seats is this Friday, May 8, no later than 5 PM.  Candidate packets are available and must be turned in at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Packets and a full rundown of qualifications are also available at the town council website.  The election is Sat., June 6.

Education Spectrum hosts town hall meeting on propositions April 29

Education Spectrum will host a town hall meeting at their headquarters, 2245 N. Lake Ave., to discuss the May 19 ballot measures, particularly as they affect education and special needs children.

The meeting starts at 7 PM.

Sunshine Week

It's in the 80's outside, and is appropriately Sunshine Week.  Got this from the fabulous Monica Hubbard, wearing her hat as the Social Policy Director for the Pasadena area League of Women Voters:

Sunshine Week is a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include print, broadcast and online news media, civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know.

Sunshine Week is led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and is funded primarily by a challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation of Miami.

Though spearheaded by journalists, Sunshine Week is about the public's right to know what its government is doing, and why. Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play an active role in their government at all levels, and to give them access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger.

Sunshine Week is a non-partisan initiative whose supporters are conservative, liberal and everything in between.

More information is here:  http://www.sunshineweek.org/sunshineweek/about

Open government links are here: http://www.sunshineweek.org/sunshineweek/orgs

County presents draft hillside ordinance tonight

The community center was packed tonight as the county planning department gave a presentation on a proposed Hillside Ordinance for Altadena, an attempt to prevent "Glendalization" of the hillsides.

There are two components to the ordinance, according to Emma Howard of the county planning department: the addition of a hillside management plan to the Altadena community plan, laying out hillside-specific issues, goals, policies, and implementation measures; and new language for the Altadena Community Standards District, setting regulations for hillside ares.

The purpose of the ordinance is in large part to preserve the view of ridgelines in the foothills, so that an observer will still see the natural ridges, as opposed to the tops of buildings and housing breaking up the view of the hilltops.  As well, the ordinance will address development on steep terrain in the hills.

The goal, Howard said, is to preserve the views of the San Gabriel Mountains, minimize challenges to public safety and services presented by development of hillside areas, and balance the rights of property owners with the larger interests of the community.

One of the major changes called for by the proposed ordinance is that a conditional use permit is required if adding or subtracting for than 2,500 cubiic yards of fill (the average dump truck holds 10 cubic yards).  The present threshold is 100,000 cubic yards.

The ordinance also calls for a “significant ridgeline” provision, wherein a structure shall be located at least 50 vertical feet and 50 horizontal feet from a significant ridgeline, to avoid breaking the line of the hills with a structure.

It's still very early in the process; while the community members attending raised hands to approve going ahead with the draft, Howard said the county is still collecting public comments.

A map and the draft ordinance is available at this website; to make comments, call 213-974-6479 or email: ehoward@planning.lacounty.gov

Pictured: LA County Planning's Emma Howard points out the "red zone" of properties that will be affected by the ordinance.  Photo:  Bill Westphal.

Parks and wreck

We're working on a project with some other Altadena-area bloggers, which involves reserving picnic tables at Farnsworth Park for late March.  So far, it's been an exercise in frustration -- the buck has been passed to an 800 number, which is answered by a machine that tells us to call during office hours (which is when we call), and leave a message (which we do). Not that anyone calls back.

Unfortunately, this is has been our typical response from LA County Parks and Recreation -- if we don't reach a live body, fuggedaboutit.  We've left several messages over our last year and half of bloglife, and have never had a call returned -- even when we are returning a message from somebody at the county parks & rec who called us first.  It's fun and a good use of our time!

UPDATE 2/12 2 PM: Thanks to all those who emailed to give advice or just vent re: experiences with county parks.  We worked up a war plan of escalating conflict, but it only required going to Farnsworth Park this morning and being obnoxious.  I'm collaborating with my co-conspirators, and we will have an announcement shortly.

Hillside ordinance hearing Feb. 18, 7 PM @ Community Center

LA County Dept. of Regional Planning will hold a hearing on the draft Altadena Hillside ordinance on Wed., Feb. 18, 7 PM at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

According to a flyer that made it around the neighborhoods (click to enlarge), the county and the Altadena Hillsides Ordinance Committee have developed a series of zoning regulations "intended to protect the hillsides and unique views in Altadena."

The most important changes suggested by the draft:

• Nearly all types of future development will require a conditional use permit to be built on hillside areas.  The only exceptions will be for home additions and outbuildings under 1,000 square feet.
• Grading (digging or filling) of more than 2,500 cubic yards of soil will require a conditional use permit.
• Any development within 50 vertical or horizontal feet of a Significant Ridgeline will require a variance.  The proposed Altadena Significant Ridgelines Map will be presented at this meeting.

The draft is available online here, and the relevant county website is here.  For more information, contact  213-974-6479 or email ehoward@planning.lacounty.gov.

Metro to hold public hearing Feb. 9 on cancelling 256

Town councilor Ruth Nielan alerts us to a plan by the Metro (LA County Transportation Authority) to cancel the 256 bus on or about June '09.  In Altadena, the bus travels on Hill, Holliston, and Mendocino, and provides access to the Gold Line Allen St. station, among other stops.

Metro will be holding a public hearing on Feb. 9 at 6 PM (during rush hour???) at their San Gabriel Valley office,  3449 Santa Anita Av, 3rd Floor, El Monte.

Persons unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through February 14, 2009. Correspondence should be addressed to:

Metro Customer Relations,
One Gateway Plaza, 99-PL-4
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932

Attn: June 2009 Service Changes

Comments sent via e-mail should include in the subject line:
“Service Changes June ‘09” to customerrelations@metro.net or fax to: 213.922.6988.

Celebrate the day

 The United States of America is the greatest nation in the world for many reasons, not least of which is that we always have a peaceful transition of power.  No matter how one voted, we can take pride that here, the candidates make their case and the people make their choice and nobody gets imprisoned or executed for it.  

We say thank you to outgoing President Bush, and offer welcome and support to our incoming president, Barack Obama.  We also take pride in the unique historic nature of today's events, and offer it as another example of our nation's greatness.  One dream, anyway, is achieved.

This is the official Presidential portrait, taken by Pete Souza, Obama's official White House photographer (who also worked at the Reagan White House).  It is the first official Presidential portrait taken by digital camera (Canon 5D Mk II, our camera of lust at the moment, State & Lake take note!).

Also: SGVTrib's Ryan Carter interviews Altadenan Dolores Hickambottom, who is attending the inauguration.

UPDATE 9:30 AM: He's not even off the podium, and President O. has issued his first proclamation, declaring this a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation.   And there's a blog!

Tests for 2010 census positions coming up

'Tis the season, when Caesar Augustus had a census and declared that all the world should be taxed.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.

So the Altadena Library will be hosting tests for positions with the 2010 Census from Jan. through April of next year.  The attached flyer has all the dates and particulars.  You do not have to travel on donkeyback to get there.

Antonovich starts eighth term Monday

This from Supv. Michael Antonovich's office:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY  –  Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich will be sworn-in Monday for an eighth term on the Board of Supervisors representing the County’s Fifth Supervisorial District.

Michael Reagan, eldest son to President Ronald Reagan, talk show host and best-selling author, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the swearing-in ceremony.

“It is my pledge to you that in my eighth term, I will continue to make Public Safety my Number One priority and fight for efficient, responsive County government to improve the quality of life for all County residents,” said Antonovich.

The swearing-in takes place at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Board Hearing Room – 381B 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012  (Thomas Guide p. 634, F3) at 10 AM.

Election 2008 in Altadena: highest turnout, highest Obama

The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGCOG) released figures today about how Election 2008 went down in the cities in the San Gabriel Valley.

On a percentage basis, Altadena took one of the top slots, with 72% turnout of registered voters (25,884 total registered voters, 18,690 ballots cast).On a percentage basis, we were beaten by Laverne with 73%, but the east San Gabriel Valley community only has 18,786 total registered voters.  Sierra Madre also scored 72% participation, but with a total 7,566 registered voters.

Altadena also had the most lopsided presidential vote in the county: 80% of Altadena voters went for Obama/Biden and only 18% for McCain/Palin. 

In the other major hot-button issue, Prop. 8, putting traditional marriage in the state constitution, Altadena voters went against the rest of the state, turning down the amendment, 56 % no/44% yes.

Here's the rundown of how Altadenans by percentage voted in the propositions:

Prop 1 (High-speed raill) Y 59 N 41
Prop 2 (Farm animals) Y 70 N 30
Prop 3 (Children's Hosptal Bond) Y 63 N 37
Prop 4 (Pregnancy of minors)  Y 39 N 61
Prop 5 (Nonviolent drug offenses) Y 48 N 52
Prop 6 (Police/law enforcement) Y 26 N 74
Prop 7 (Renewable energy) Y 33 N 67
Prop 8 (Same-sex marriage) Y 44 N 56
Prop 9 (Criminal justice system) Y 47 N 53
Prop 10 (Alternative fuel vehicles) Y 42 N 58
Prop 11 (Redistricting) Y 49 N 51
Prop 12 (Veteran's bond) Y 70 N 30
Measure R Y 68 N 32

(hat tip to the amazing Monica Hubbard)

Town council talking trash

A note from town councilor Alice Wessen:

Dear Neighbors:

A few town council folks will be meeting with the county and DPW next week
regarding upcoming trash contracts, to ask about what is possible, what is
being offered and how the county can help. We want to start this discussion
prior to Dept of Public Works doing a presentation to town council.

I'd like to be sure our needs are being heard and understood. While I
represent northwest Altadena, on this issue I welcome comments from all over
Altadena.

If folks have specific concerns they wish to share, please let me know
offline. Your names will not be used. I will only use the street name to
give a sense of the issues related to a neighborhood.

I can be reached at awessen@yahoo.com

It's election day -- go out and exercise your franchise!

If you don't vote, you can't complain for the next four years!  The Obama mural is on Lincoln, and the Balian Mansion is making its choice known, too!

Find your polling place here, and get out there and vote!

MonteCedro, Eliot tennis courts on land use committee agenda Sept. 2

Town council chair Gino Sund tells Altadenablog that the Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee will have two significant and controversial items on the agenda: an information item on the Eliot Middle School tennis courts, and the Monte Cedro development at the site of the old Scripps Home will be up for a vote to refer to the Town Council.

Writes Sund:

In September, the Altadena Town Council will be voting on the reconstruction plans for the Scripps Retirement Home, now called MonteCedro.  MonteCedro  will be the largest, around $200 million, and the most important project in Altadena in years.  I would invite all interested or curious residents to attend the Land Use Committee meeting on September 2nd or the Town Council meeting on September 16th.  You will hear the presentations by the Episcopal Home Community (the successor organization to Scripps) and will be given an opportunity to ask questions and to express your opinions.

The meeting will be held Tues., Sept. 2, at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E Altadena Dr.

Jack Scott reflects

Altadenan State Sen. Jack Scott is the subject of a piece on PSN, reflecting on his time in the senate before he steps up to be chancellor of the California Community Colleges Association.  See, he's about more than just banning mylar balloons!  Caroline An wrote the profile.

Letter roasts Lamb

The Sheriff's Support Group blog has posted a letter from some prominent Altadenans, presumably to the Star-News,  in support of the county sheriff.  Among the signatories is Altadena Town Councilman Ken Balder and presumed councilman-elect Tecumseh Shackelford.  This letter takes issue with the May 30 letter from councilman Steve Lamb in PSN offering himself and presumed outgoing council chair George Lewis as escorts for anyone who wants to file a formal complaint.  (Another Town Council snit for your consideration).

7/3 Update:  Transparency:  Steve Lamb has written Altadenablog with a lengthy response to the letter linked above.  However, due to its length (we're a blog -- we do short)  and certain content, we told Steve we could not run it as written. (In addition, we're not exactly sure why we're supposed to run full responses to letters that we only link to.) We informed him that, if our standards were that restrictive to him, he was welcome to post anything he wanted to in another forum, such as his own blog, and we'd happily link to it.  He does not think this sufficient, and that's where we stand now.

Land Use Committee taking July off ...

... says Steve Lamb of the Altadena Town Council and Land Use Committee.  (The regular meeting is the first Tues. of the month, which would be tomorrow). The committee will resume its regular meetings in August.

Get out the vote

Some of the early action at the Altadena Town Council election:
Left to right:  Alonzo Edwards, Samuel Mejia, and Margaret Myles watch over Gordy's Garage.

As Charlotte Gibson staffs the table at the Main Library, Hugo Arteaga, Dianne Jones, and Ifeanyi Garnett take their turns to vote.

Carol Lachata and Suzanne Tutt are waiting for your vote at Ralphs on Lake.

The complete list of polling places is right here

"Sarge" sounds off

Altadena Town Councilman Keith "Sarge" Gibbs gave Altadenablog an exclusive interview Thursday, answering the criticisms against him at the most recent Town Council meeting.

Council chair George Lewis said at Tuesday night's meeting that he would appoint a committee to look at council ethics after it was brought to the council's attention that some of its members are contractors with Pasadena Unified School District, and that could be construed as a conflict of interest.  Gibbs particularly was singled out, as he teaches "boot camp"-type courses at Blair IB High School, and is chair of the council's education committee. Gibbs said he was not at the meeting, as he was attending his child's graduation.

First, Gibbs said, "they made me chair (of the education committee) because I had a relationship with PUSD."  Gibbs has been teaching these extracurricular courses at Blair and other schools for three years -- frequently, he said, not for pay.  Even though, he said, as an Altadena town councilman, "my position is not a paid position," he denied that his decisions as a member of the education committee were to give advantage to his business.

"We've only had two meetings," he said.  "Mostly ... we're trying to find out what the community needs ... none of the decisions I made on the education committee has any effect on my business at all."  Or vice-versa: "When I represent myself to schools, I don't say 'I'm Sarge and I'm chair of the education committee.'"

Gibbs also said he has persuaded area businesses, such as the Lockheed Credit Union,  to donate for programs and activities for Washington Middle School and Loma Alta Elementary, and has paid $8,000 of his own money to that 22 children could attend his boot camp program, and is personally training "three overweight people" at no charge as private boot camp clients.

"They attacked me in the council and I wasn't there to defend myself," Gibbs said.  "All the stuff I do is for the community, and how much I give back to the community."

6:30 AM Update:  Councilmember Michele Zack,who also has a PUSD contract, has responded in the comments section.

Vote tomorrow!

Don't forget -- tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, is the Altadena Town Council election.  All you need to do is go to one of the many convenient polling places to cast your ballot sometime between 8 AM and 6 PM.

And the election committee still needs civic-minded volunteers to help out in the voting process.  If you'd like to help out, please call election chair Laura Graham at (626) 543-4844 today.

PSN finally takes notice ...

... that there's an ELECTION happening in Altadena on Saturday. 

The big quote:

Laura Graham, chairman of the election committee, said the usual tally in the Town Council elections is about 300 to 400 total votes. But this year they're hoping for more interest.

"We have a cross-section from the census tracts, and we're striving for a transparent and accountable election," Graham said. "Our big goal is to top 1,000 votes."

Don't forget that volunteers for many functions are still needed (poll-watchers, setup and breakdown, counters, etc.)  Call Laura @ 543-4844 ASAP to get started!

And a complete list of candidates, polling locations, etc. is on Altadenablog's Town Council Election page.

Town council looks at own ethics, calls for grand jury for Lincoln Xing

Story #1: The Altadena Town Council spent a considerable time at last night's meeting discussing potential ethical conflicts: particularly, some councilmembers have contracts with Pasadena Unified School District.  Most pointedly: councilmember Keith "Sarge" Gibbs, who is chair of the council's Education Committee and runs training, intervention, and leadership programs at Blair.  Chairman George Lewis said that there had been numerous complaints about Gibbs requesting money for his programs.  (Gibbs was not at the meeting).  Councilmember Michele Zack (who was also absent) was also named as having a contract with the district.

Lewis said he was going to appoint an ethics committee to look into the matter and come up with rules.  In a related issue, several councilmembers had also been listed as endorsing State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino - which they can't do as councilmembers -- but averred that they were endorsing him as individuals, and their titles were used without their knowledge or permission.

Top Story #2: The council approved sending a letter to Supervisor Antonovich requesting that a county grand jury investigate the conduct of Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (CDC), the Los Angeles County Building and Safety department and the developer of Lincoln Crossing.

The decision came after Parviz Aria of Farm Fresh Ranch Market told a long tale of woe about his company's dealings with Lincoln Crossing -- complaints of substandard construction, delays, lawsuits from the developers, etc.  Aria said that his company had invested close to $10 million in the supermarket, and they were going to the court of appeal on June 30 to fight an eviction notice from the developer for nonpayment of rent (because they had to legally pay contractors that the developer had not paid). 

(A condensed version of the whole Lincoln Crossing story went up today on councilmember Steve Lamb's blog.)

Town council election needs a few more volunteers

Laura Graham (who is in charge of Saturday's election) tells us that:

• They still need people to cover four hour shifts (midday and evening), and might need more staffing at Farnsworth Park due to the Juneteenth festival.
• Also, counters are needed from 6-8 PM, and some healthy backs to dismantle the polling stations (teenagers and young adults are welcome) and it may take an hour or two of time.
• "Things are looking real good, we really do have a great community!"

Indeed.  If you'd like to help out, you can call Laura directly at  626-543-4844, or e-mail at bev@phlogiston-inc.com.

Still looking for election day help

Laura Graham, who is managing Saturday's town council election, writes Altadenablog that she's still short of help for the big day.  The town council is looking for "wranglers" (her word) to oversee the polls' setup and breakdown, and counters for the ballot count at the end of the day.  In addition, she can use people to staff a four hour shift at the polling locations.

More information is available here at the Town Council website and here at Altadenablog.  To volunteer, call the Community Center at 626-398-6174 or email: bev@phlogiston-inc.com

Town Council meeting Tuesday @7

The excitement as always is at the Altadena Community Center.

Don't forget to vote today!

Today's election day, when we make our decision on which proposition (98 or 99) has the worst campaign and slimiest supporters. Democracy at work!  Go to lavote.net to find your polling place.

Town Council election page

New among the permanent pages on the right: a page about the June 21 Altadena town council elections.  Candidates, pollng locations, websites, even candidate statements (if they send us any!).  It'll be up until after the election.

Town council election needs volunteers

This message came in about the upcoming town council elections

Altadena Town Council Elections June 21, 2008 Your Community Needs You

The Altadena Election Committee is requesting volunteers from the community to participate in this year's elections, either as a poll staffer or to assist with setting up and breaking down the polling locations. We need people to commit to a 4 hour shift as a poll worker:
8AM-12PM, 11AM-3PM, or 2PM-6PM.

Setup volunteers can rise early or sleep in and help us break down, and should allot 2 hours of service either way.

Contribution of this time is vital for a vibrant and accessible election, and I'm hoping it will be quite fun as well!

Town council elections set for June 21

The Altadena Town Council set its members' election for Sat., June 21, and approved the list of candidates at last night's meeting. By census tract, the candidates are:

4601 Eugene Sund (incumbent, unopposed)
4602 Mabel Duncan (incumbent), Okorie Ezieme, Regina Grimes
4603.01 Walter Olszewski (incumbent), Alice Wessen
4603.02 Dr. Sandra Thomas (incumbent, unopposed)
4610 Bobby Thompson (incumbent), Tecumseh Shackleford, Rev. C.R. Tillman
4611 Allan Wasserman (incumbent, unopposed)
4612 George Lewis, (incumbent), Ruth Neilan Edwards
4613 Susan Goldman (incumbent, unopposed)

Polling will be from 8 AM to 6 PM.

The following polling places were confirmed, with more to be added later:   Altadena Library, Coffee Gallery, Gordy's Garage, Loma Alta Recreation Center, Altadena Golf Course, and Farm Fresh Market at Lincoln Crossing.  Residents can vote (once!) at any polling place.

The Town Council is also looking for volunteers to for put up, take down, and to work four hour shifts staffing the polls.

For more information, call the Community Center at 626-398-6174 or email: bev@phlogiston-inc.com

CANDIDATES: Altadenablog would like to publish candidate statements prior to the election.  Please call or email!

6/17 correction:  corrected Dr. Thomas' census tract number.

Assorted town council stuff

Also at last night's council meeting:

• The council voted to send a letter to the county, following the recommendations of the Land Use Committee, denying approval of a cell phone tower at St. Elizabeth's Church and School.
• Councilmember Michele Zack reported that the members of the West Altadena Project Area Committee were stunned to find that the developer of Lincoln Crossing had put all or part of the development on the market, apparently in violation of agreements.  The developer has also been trying to get refinancing on the project.  "More questions than answers" is how Zack characterized developments.
• Zack also reported that the pocket park on Marengo is now faced with arroyo stone, which greatly improved its appearance, but still needs work.  Anyone needing more information should contact her at michelezack@mac.com

Antonovich meeting at community center May 28

LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich will hold an Altadena Community Meeting on Wed., May 28, from 8-9 AM (yawn!) at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

On the agenda will be Marcia Mayeda, director of LA County Animal Control, as well as presentations from the Dept. of Public Works Traffic and LIghting Division and the summer parks program.   For more information please call (626) 356-5407.

Altadena Connection online

The Altadena Connection is an invaluable publication that comes out every year with information on activities and services (it's available at the Community Center, Library, and other places around town).  Jason Tajima of the county Office of Unincorporated Area Services tells Altadenablog that it's also available as a downloadable PDF file, so you can always get a copy (or keep it on your laptop).  It's right here.

Jack Scott named community college chancellor

Termed-out state senator Jack Scott (Altadenablog's neighbor) has picked up a new job after his term ends: he's been named chancellor of the California community college system, putting him in charge of a quarter of the nation's two-year students.  Before being a state senator and assemblyman, Scott was the president of Pasadena City College, so the job seems like a natural fit.  Contra Costa County Times has a good story about it.

Hat tip: Monica Hubbard.

Pasadena councilwoman holds district meeting -- in Altadena?!?

Pasadena City Council District 1 rep Jacque Robinson is holding a May 8 meeting for her district -- at the Odyssey Charter School Auditorium at 725 W. Altadena Drive.  In Altadena.  Not Pasadena.

We were alerted to this by the West Coast Grrlie, who is appropriately snarky about it.

Apparently it's a double-secret probation meeting: check out the announcement on Robinson's district website.

Update 4/28:  The plot thickens -- apparently the address is in Pasadena -- and yet it doesn't exit. Grrlie is on the case.  This is beginning to sound like "Lost."

Youth violence committee fizzles out

Andre Coleman at P-Weekly pounds a nail into the coffin of the Committee on Youth Development and Violence Prevention.  The multi-jurisdiction committee (which included members of the Altadena Town Council) collapsed under its own bureaucratic weight and lack of funding.  Details here.

County approves new rules for Altadena dwellings

PSN reports that the County Board of Supervisors has approved new rules for construction of multifamily dwellings in order to preserve mountain views:

The new regulations, which were approved unanimously, limit apartment or condominium buildings on lots of less than 20,000 square feet to no more than 30 feet in height; require landscaping in front, rear and side yards to shield neighboring single-family homes; and require second stories to be 20 percent smaller than first floors and to be set back from the side or rear of the structure.

The new rules were instigated by complaints from residents, including several in neighboring Pasadena, that some multi-family dwellings were impacting the community's mountain views, said Gino Sund of the Altadena Town Council.

Get all the specifics here.