Residents Air Frustrations at Neighborhood Coalition Meeting (Altadena Patch article)

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Residents Air Frustrations at Neighborhood Coalition Meeting

County officials informed the audience about where to lodge complaints so they are dealt with promptly

By Justin Chapman, Altadena Patch, 3/30/2011

About 50 Altadena residents showed up to an Altadena Neighborhood Coalition of Altadena (ACONA) meeting Tuesday night to discuss how to handle a new noise ordinance, liquor stores and other nuisance abatement issues.
The meeting was also attended by  Capt. Steve McLean, several other Sheriff's deputies, members of the Altadena Town Council, and members of various Altadena neighborhood associations. 
Community questions were fielded by Sussy Nemer, Supervisor Michael Antonovich's Senior Deputy, and Carolyn Seitz, a planning and zoning consultant who works with the Altadena Chamber of Commerce as well as several other local organizations.
The issues listed on the were all covered, but other issues such as Sheriff's deputies' response time to the to and beyond came up as well.
It also became clear from the questions and concerns posed by members of the audience that Altadena residents haven't been properly informed of the channels they need to navigate in order to receive swift responses to their various complaints.
Nemer and Seitz were there to say that any and all concerns can be brought to them, and informed the audience about which county agency is the right one to contact to lodge complaints so they are dealt with promptly.
"There are certain things we can make more restrictive and certain things we can make less restrictive," said Nemer, referring to the Altadena Community Standards District (which is attached to this article).
The district was established to protect local residents from the negative effects of construction work and to establish size and scale restrictions to protect residential neighborhoods.
"And those standards can be amended," continued Nemer. "Some that deal with signage, some that deal with West Altadena redevelopment; and it dictates how that area was developed. And it can be amended again. "
She added that she has received feedback from the Town Council and the Chamber that business owners feel as if requirements on signage and other restrictions on starting a business are too imposing and are restricting the abilty of merchants to open a business.
Nemer pointed out that those codes were written by the community at the community's request, and said the county will be holding a couple community hearings in the near future to get public input on what changes Altadena residents would like to see in those codes. The county, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Town Council will all be there to listen to the community's concerns.
"If there is consensus among the community those codes can be amended," said Nemer.
On the topic of liquor stores in Altadena, Nemer said that there's not much the county can do to remove the businesses unless they are violating some kind of code.
"Unfortunately, the ones that are there are established businesses and it's really very difficult to get rid of them unless they're violating some type of code, and usually through ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control, a state agency) is where they're able to catch them; if they're selling to minors or doing other things they're not supposed to do."
However, the number of complaints about liquor stores in the community have declined greatly, according to Nemer.
"They don't seem to be causing as much of a problem as they used to," she said. "There used to be a lot of complaints about people loitering around liquor stores, but recently I haven't received any complaints about that."
She pointed out that most of the issues brought up by the present community members will never get a hearing unless residents complain about what a business or neighbor is doing wrong. She encouraged everyone to let the supervisor's office or the Sheriff's Department know if they see wrongdoing. That's the only way the county can see what they can do about addressing those issues.
Leslie Aitken, a contributor to Altadena Patch, said this was the first community meeting she'd ever attended, despite moving to Altadena 34 years ago.
"In fact it wasn't until the Altadenablog and Altadena Patch that I even knew what the Sam Hill's going on around here," said Aitken to a large round of applause from the audience. "It's been a mystery to me, like, who's driving the bus? And really it kind of felt like no one was driving the bus. There's a group over here saying this and a group over here saying that and no one seems to know who's in charge. It gets very confusing. My issue is that nothing gets done unless someone complains."
Nemer responded by saying that generally what the county has heard from the community is that they like the complaint-driven system.
"Residents tell us they don't want us out there proactively enforcing on everything," said Nemer. "But we hear a lot, too, about the codes that are outdated. And we would love to partner with the community to make sure those codes are what you want on the books."
Nemer and Seitz both said they act as the complainant if a resident has a problem with a neighbor but doesn't want to file an official complaint with the county for fear of retribution.
"If you want to be anonymous, I do it that way, too," said Nemer. "If you want to do it confidentially, I'd be happy to do that. I do encourage you to leave a number and name when you call about a complaint, though, even if you wish to remain anonymous, and just let us know that and we will not release your information."
Seitz reiterated Nemer's tip and added, "I also will act as the complainant if you wish to remain anonymous. Sometimes people say to Sussy or me to stop driving around and actively developing a list of complaints. But I'm willing to take the heat for that. I don't mind if it helps maintain some level of peace in the neighborhood.
"This is a really good community, and I've said for years that we have our share of colorful characters in Altadena. And these are people who will complain about anything and everything all day whether there's any merit to it or not. They just look to destroy relationships, to break neighborhoods apart, or to cause trouble. And I think you all know who some of those people are."
While both Nemer and Seitz said they are always available to direct residents to the proper agency to file a complaint, Town Council member Diane Marcussen added that Altadenans can bring their issues to the monthly council meetings, which are held every third Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the .
"This is a big community with a lot of complaints and a lot of things that need to be done," said Marcussen.
Nemer then addressed some of the frustrations aired by audience members about dealing with such a big governmental bureaucracy with so many agencies and departments.
"When you call a county agency, there are a couple reasons why people are disappointed when they call," she said. "Sometimes they do get bad service. It's a really big agency and I can't say that every single employee of the County of Los Angeles is spectacular, because they're not. But also when you call about something that you don't like, but it's not a violation, there's nothing we can do about it. If you don't know who to call, call me."
Seitz pointed out that it's also important to know which agency to call if you expect a speedy response to your complaint or issue.
Some audience members had complaints about the lack of or slow response time to calls for service since the Altadena Sheriff's Department is temporarily being run out of the La Crescenta Valley station while the Altadena station is undergoing repairs.
"As most of you know, we're undergoing reconstruction," said McLean. "The completion date for that is supposed to be April 25. The bottom line, though, is that I'm holding my lieutenants and supervisors accountable for how we treat residents. There's no compromise on that."
As for making some ordinances in Altadena more restrictive, Nemer said that there are limits to what the county can do.
"County counsel has reviewed a lot of more restrictive ordinances that cities and counties have been passing recently in California, and county counsel is kind of the big fish even among other county agencies; our attorneys are fairly confident that a lot of these ordinances wouldn't hold up in a court of law," Nemer said. "There are some modifications we would like to make to our ordinances, but for the most part they're generally where they're supposed to be."
Holly Rundberg, a co-founder of ACONA, told Patch that she and Elliot Gold, who moderated the meeting, founded ACONA in June 2010 in an effort pull all the various community and neighborhood organizations and associations together to create a more cohesive community.
According to ACONA's website, the organization was created to "provide a means for Altadena neighborhood associations and Neighborhood Watch groups to network and share ideas and best practices. ACONA meetings are held bimonthly at the Altadena Library. All are welcome to attend."
Nemer can be reached at  her office at (626) 356-5407 or via email at snemer@bos.co.la.ca.us.





Could Local Cancer Survivor Be the Voice of Horse Racing for the Next Generation? (Sierra Madre Patch article)

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Could Local Cancer Survivor Be the Voice of Horse Racing for the Next Generation?

Just under $1,300 was raised yesterday at local cancer survivor's 24th birthday benefit at Santa Anita Park. The former La Salle student wants to revitalize a declining industry by attracting more youth to horse racing

By Justin Chapman, Sierra Madre Patch, 3/25/2011

More than 90 people attended alumni Gino Buccola's 24th birthday yesterday at the luxurious Frontrunner lounge at Santa Anita Park and helped raise just under $1,300 to combat the young horse-owner's exorbitant medical bills over his recent battle with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer that grew from a tumor on his neck last October when he was not covered by health insurance. Although his bills range in the 100's of 1,000's of dollars, after five chemotherapy sessions his doctors at City of Hope in Duarte are optimistic about his recovery.
Indeed, his appearance, attitude, and energy had remarkably improved from just a month ago, when for him was organized by Jennifer Luna, a former La Salle classmate. That benefit for Buccola's bills. Krissie Carl, the main organizer of Buccola's birthday benefit, was very pleased with the turnout.
"It didn't rain like expected and we had a show of about 90 people, which is a lot more than we were thinking towards the end," said Carl. "I really want to thank Chris Quinn, the Director of Sales at Santa Anita Park. Because of him we didn't have to pay for anything. That room is normally $1,300 to rent, and to have a race named after you is normally $500." The 5th race was named after Buccola. After the race he and his entire party, including this reporter, got to enter the Winner's Circle for an official photograph. "Chris Quinn went way beyond the call of duty," added Carl.
Buccola was having a blast at his so-called "Golden 24/24 Birthday Benefit Bash," and spoke to Patch about his optimistic progress and plans for the future.
"I'm feeling really good, man," he said. "I'm really happy everyone came out, I've been going back to work more and putting some weight back on, so everything's going well."
His friend and colleague, Jerry Guerrero, at TVG Network, said every day that Buccola has more energy at work and with his friends.
"He's all energy," said Guerrero. "That's how he was before and it's coming back more and more all the time. Immediately after the chemo, he didn't have it as much, of course, but now you see him and he's returning to how we used to know him beforehand, before everything went down."
Guerrero also said that Buccola is becoming a lot more active with TVG Network, where he started as an intern, became a production assistant, and is now appearing on the air.
"He belongs on the air," said Guerrero. "He's now going into becoming an on-air talent, which is absolutely his position. He's one of the best handicappers I have ever met. And everyone knows that, too. In the community, at work, people know him at the track, they say, 'Oh, you're Gino, the guy from TVG? What do you got on this race? Or what do you like?' He has so much energy and everyone gravitates towards him. He's a really good guy."
One of the things Buccola wants to focus on is getting a younger crowd excited about horse racing.
"I'm in a good spot because I'm young but I've been around a long time and I know a good amount about the races and I'm trying to hit the younger crowd, too," said Buccola. "I want to make everyone realize how fun the racetrack is. When I got the job at TVG, I told my friends that I was hoping to be the voice of horse racing for the next generation."
TVG Network executives are talking about having him go around to some of the different locations around the world, such as Kentucky for a weekend and other tracks when they have big races. So could he be the youth voice of horse racing that revitalizes a declining industry? Guerrero certainly thinks so.
"I believe that's the hope, to have Gino be someone who can bring some life back into the horse racing industry," said Guerrero. "He's someone younger who actually gets it, and the industry is trying to attract younger audiences."
Buccola is also a co-owner (along with Mark Verge and Jack Sisterson) of a three-year-old Gelding out of Moscow Ballet horse who is named "Fight on Gino" and is scheduled to participate in its first ever race at Turf Paradise in Arizona on Monday. Buccola, Verge, Sisterson, and the rest of Team Gino, including racing manager Steve Rothblum and trainer Doug O'Neill, will be heading out there for that exciting milestone.
"We actually have a real team," said Rothblum excitedly. "We all have our strengths, but we all like to play on each other's weaknesses as well, which is really fun. But seriously, Fight on Gino is doing wonderfully and he will be racing on Monday."
When asked if Buccola would be going to Arizona with the rest of the crew, Rothblum responded, "Oh yeah, baby. Gino's our man. He's a great guy and when we visited him in the hospital he was right there with us on being a co-owner of this horse."
O'Neill spoke to why Fight on Gino is racing in Arizona as opposed to Santa Anita or another nearby racetrack.
"We sent Fight on Gino over (to Turf Paradise) just because he's doing great, but he just seemed like he was a cut below the southern California circuit at this time," he said. "This will be his first race. He's never run before. TVG has a crew going out there to film his race, and the horse is much loved, mostly because of Gino. A lot of people haven't even seen the horse. But yeah, it should be a great run and we're all really excited."










City Council Keeps the Possibility of a Sierra Madre Farmers Market Alive (Sierra Madre Patch article)

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City Council Keeps the Possibility of a Sierra Madre Farmers Market Alive

At last night’s meeting, the council voted to direct staff to issue yet another Request for Proposals to potential operators to run a Sierra Madre Farmers Market

By Justin Chapman, Sierra Madre Patch, 3/23/2011

The struggle to revive a farmers market within the Sierra Madre city limits continues now that the City Council has approved a motion directing staff to issue another Request for Proposals (RFP) that specifies Hermosa Avenue between Mariposa and Sierra Madre Boulevard, which can host a total of 21 vendors, as the new location for a potential market.
The motion to approve, made by Councilmember John Buchanan at Tuesday's meeting, passed 3-1, with the only "no" vote by Councilmember MaryAnn MacGillivray. Councilmember Josh Moran recused himself from the discussion and abstained from voting because he said one of the four proposed locations for the market was less than 500 feet from his house.
"I don't know why we're still pushing this," said MacGillivray at last night's meeting. "Community Services already looked at it and decided not to issue another RFP. No one's coming here telling us they want it. It seems just the City Council wants it."
"The community wants it," replied Mayor Joe Mosca. "We've been getting calls about it. I don't have dreams about farmers markets. It worked before and was something that was driving the city."
The newly approved RFP stipulates that it must also be an organic market and that a certain percentage should be set aside for vendors who sell fruits and vegetables. It also dictates the new location as well as new operating hours, from 4 to 8 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. during the winter. The RFP also states that the market is to operate on Wednesdays, the same day as the previous market.
For several months, the push for a Sierra Madre market seemed dead in the water after the operator of the now-defunct Sierra Madre Farmers Market, Scholastic Gardens, informed the city that it was getting out of the farmers market business due to poor economic performance. The company's decision effectively shuttered the market that used to be held just south of Sierra Madre Boulevard in the public parking lot along Mariposa Avenue. A lot of vendors, shoppers and even Scholastic Gardens complained that the old location was too hidden from public view and claimed that was the reason the market didn't last or get enough business.
"The Mariposa lot just wasn't appropriate," said Mosca. "This new location is a very good site with greater visibility."
Based on a staff report presented to the Community and Personnel Services Commission on Dec. 20, the commissioners voted to "discontinue hosting a Farmers Market in the City of Sierra Madre due to the costs associated and with the availability of farmers markets in the surrounding communities." That report was based on the staff's financial analysis and location scouting, which resulted in issuing an RFP to more than 30 potential operators, according to Elisa Weaver, Director of Community and Personnel Services. Only one operator responded, but the costs it required were too high for the city.
"We did do an RFP this fall," Weaver told Patch in January. "But we only received one bid contingent on us being able to move the market, and as much as we liked that idea, the cost is extremely high. Too high for us to find a manager that we can put in our budget."
The commissioners concurred with the findings of the report. They opted not to give the city a second RFP given that the first one got only one response and because of the high costs associated with starting another market and the lack of other potential locations for a more visible market. Then in February the City Council directed staff to continue evaluating other locations to reinstitute a farmer's market.
At Tuesday night's meeting, Weaver came back to the council with a draft RFP that recommended four locations for the possible new market, including Hermosa Avenue, which the City Council approved, as well as the south side of the Auburn parking lot, the Montecito parking lot and the previous location of the Mariposa parking lot, with a list of pros and cons for all four options.
According to City Attorney Sandra Levin, an operator chosen by the city would be granted a five year term to run the market, with an option for the city to cancel any agreement with the operator with 10 days notice.
The analysis portion of the report initiated by Weaver, which she read during last night's meeting, states that "the primary purpose of the Farmers Market is to offer members of the local community the convenience of purchasing fresh produce from local farmers, encourage sustainable agriculture, benefit local businesses and accommodate a weekly, family-oriented gathering place for residents. The goal of the Farmers Market is to continue providing fresh food alternatives in an effort to promote healthy eating."


La Salle Alumni and Horse-Owner Battling Cancer Looks Forward to His Birthday Benefit This Afternoon (Sierra Madre Patch article)

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La Salle Alumni and Horse-Owner Battling Cancer Looks Forward to His Birthday Benefit This Afternoon

Several friends and family have organized a benefit for Gino Buccola's birthday taking place today at Santa Anita Park to help the 24-year-old who was diagnosed with cancer last October without health insurance

By Justin Chapman, Sierra Madre Patch, 3/23/2011

Although Gino Buccola has been struggling with an unfortunate tragedy since October 22 when he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer that grew from a tumor on his neck, he has received nothing but undying support from family, co-workers, former classmates at , and friends, some of whom have organized a benefit for his 24th birthday, which will take place today at Santa Anita Park racetrack, to raise money for his mounting medical bills.
Buccola, who spent weeks in and out of the hospital at his own expense, got a job last February as a production assistant at TVG Network, one of the largest horse racing television networks that is headquartered in Santa Monica. His career goal is to be a horse race analyst on television.
But since he worked part-time he never received health insurance benefits from that company. He is now on his parent's health insurance but that was finalized after the surgery, diagnosis, and treatment.
The main organizer of Buccola's birthday benefit, Krissie Carl, met him through Facebook after TVG Network followed the story of two of her friends who passed away from leukemia last year. Carl's parents own horses at Emerald Bound in Washington. Buccola's and Carl's passion for horses, and their shared experience of dealing so closely with cancer, made them instant friends after TVG Network got them in contact with each other.
"In January, during a hospital visit, I proposed an idea for a fundraiser on his birthday," said Carl. "He liked it and said go ahead and do whatever you want. The event is open to the public and I'm expecting about 200 people to attend. However, Gino's medical bills are in the 100's of 1,000's, so I don't expect to raise a lot of money tomorrow, but I'm hoping to get him a little bit of pocket change for his medical bills."
The in February . Carl said that each round of chemotherapy costs around $50,000. According to Buccola's sister, Chanel, he has undergone five rounds of chemotherapy at City of Hope in Duarte, but his doctors have temporarily stopped treatment because they are optimistic about his progress. In the meantime, unfortunately, Buccola and his family have to pay for that expensive treatment out of their own pockets.
Buccola told Patch that "there's no retroactive coverage" since his diagnosis and treatment happened before he got on his parent's health insurance. "I didn't have insurance for ten months, and that was the worst part. That's when I went through all the chemo and treatments, during that short period."
 "(His specific cancer) is very curable and the doctors are very optimistic about it," Chanel told Patch. "They really like how he's responding to the treatment at the moment, and he's looking good right now. Although he still has little nodes inside that they still have to clear up, the neck tumor has decreased massively."
Buccola was living in an apartment in Pasadena until he was diagnosed, at which point he moved back in with his family in Temple City. He has also slowly started getting back to work in the past couple weeks, and tries to maintain a positive attitude.
"Gino has a personality of gold," said Carl. "He sees no wrong in anybody and I've never heard him speak a bad word about anybody. In my heart that's an angel on earth. In seeing the good in Gino's eyes, I'm hoping other people will see that and help him out, because he's such an amazing guy."
Indeed, despite the horrific series of events that Buccola has had to endure the past few months, he acknowledges that the situation is getting better.
"The first month was the worst," he said. "After that I thought it was going to be bad. I lost my hair, I lost my car, I lost my apartment. Not being able to do every day activities, that was rough. But as it goes on it's been getting better. My doctors say things are getting better and I've met a whole bunch of people who have supported me and held fundraisers to help me."
The type of cancer that Buccola developed, Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, at such a young age can most definitely be fatal if not treated properly. The cancer cells move very rapidly, as they did with Buccola, which he described as "very very scary."
However, he feels he has received as much as support as can be expected and he's overwhelmed by the number of people who have reached out to him to offer a helping hand.
"I'm absolutely getting the support I need (emotionally and psychologically)," he said. "This is the third or fourth fundraiser they've had for me. My parents always made sure someone stayed the night with me when I was in the hospital, and my girlfriend has also been very supportive."
Buccola's ultimate passion, however, is horse racing. Since mid-January he has held partial ownership of a horse that the main owner, Mark Verge, and its trainer, Doug O'Neill, decided to name after him in early January: "Fight on Gino," a three-year-old Gelding out of Moscow Ballet horse that is currently is Arizona preparing for its first race. The 5th race today will be dedicated to Buccola.
Carl and Buccola are very excited about his birthday benefit, which is open to the public and will take place at Santa Anita Park from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be a cost of $10.50 per person for admission, parking, and a race program. The party will be held at the Frontrunner on the 5th floor with a $10 cover. All proceeds from this event will benefit Buccola's medical bills fund.



City Council Meeting Preview (Sierra Madre Patch article)

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City Council Meeting Preview

There are quite a few items up for discussion at tonight’s meeting after the council takes action on a few Consent Calendar items, such as the proposed Canyon Zoning Ordinance

By Justin Chapman, Sierra Madre Patch, 3/22/2011

Consent Calendar:
A) Payments made by the city to various obligations including payroll and library expenses, city warrants such as bills, invoices, and contractual obligations incurred by the city, and a host of other expenses documented in the city council agenda packet.
B) The city typically makes payments on behalf of the Community Redevelopment Agency, then the city adds that amount to the total amount owed back to the city by the CRA. The total amount expected to be approved tonight is $2,730.
C) The third item on the Consent Calendar is the second reading of the proposed Canyon Zone Ordinance 1313, which would amend portions of the General Plan Land Use Map in and near the canyon. It would also add Chapter 17.30 to Title 17 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code, which reflects the changes made during the first reading of this ordinance at the March 8 council meeting and would establish a Residential Canyon Zone (R-C). This is an issue that has been debated for months and would become official if approved tonight.
D) The project to remodel the Sierra Madre Room was awarded to CA Construction, Inc., of Riverside effective last July. According to the staff report, the remodeling is substantially completed so staff will be making a recommendation to the council to authorize staff to file a Notice of Completion.
E) A resolution will be put forth requesting the approval of a temporary use permit to allow for the closure of E. Laurel Avenue, between N. Canon Avenue and Sycamore Place, for the purpose of replacing a utility pole.
F) The Sierra Madre Congregational Church has rented Memorial Park in its entirety for Sunday, March 27, to celebrate their 125th anniversary. They are requesting a fee waiver of $450 from the city for the cost of hiring a public safety officer at that event. Staff is recommending that the council deny the fee waiver.
DISCUSSION
The first item up for discussion is an informational report requesting more information and is expected to be received and filed by the council. At the Jan. 25 council meeting, the City Manager was authorized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for participation in the Southern California Edison California Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan program, according to the staff report.
Then the council will discuss mid-year financial statements and conduct a discussion of the city's FY 2011-2013 budget priorities. The council is expected to discuss pensions, which has been a hot button issue recently.
Next up on the discussion list is a review of the Request for Proposal for technical support assistance that was recommended to the council by the General Plan Steering Committee. According to the staff report, "a jurisdiction is legally required to prepare an updated existing conditions database that describes the existing physical and environmental conditions in the community.
The Sierra Madre Fire Department and the Police Department have submitted their 2010 Annual Reports on public safety, which the council is expected to receive and file.
The council will then discuss staff recommendations on locations for the council to consider to be included in a Request for Proposal to re-institute a Farmer's Market in the City of Sierra Madre.
To round up the meeting before public comment, public hearing, and other items on every agenda, Councilmember MacGillivray will report on updates regarding the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the Community Economic and Human Development Sub-Committee of SCAG, of which Councilmember MacGillivray is the Sierra Madre City Council's representative.
Look for full coverage of the city council's discussion and decisions tomorrow on Sierra Madre Patch.

Special Meeting of the City Council Wednesday Morning (Sierra Madre Patch article)

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Special Meeting of the City Council Wednesday Morning

The Sierra Madre City Council will hold a Strategic Planning Retreat at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Youth Activity Center

By Justin Chapman, Sierra Madre Patch, 3/22/2011

Tomorrow's Strategic Planning Retreat special meeting of the Sierra Madre City Council is the latest retreat since October 14, 2010. It will be facilitated by Marilyn Snider of Snider and Associates, and will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Youth Activity Center, located at 611 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard.
According to the agenda, Mayor Joe Mosca will begin by explaining the purpose of the retreat, allowing time for public comment, and introducing the facilitator and recorder. Then Snider will explain her role as the facilitator as well as the roles of the recorder, the group, and the public. She will also go over strategic planning elements and the agenda for the meeting, followed by brief introductions of everyone in the group.
The meeting will go over the mission and purpose statement of the City of Sierra Madre, as well as the city's vision statement, core values, and desired goals from 2009 through 2012.
The group and facilitator will discuss what accomplishments have been made since the Oct. 2010 retreat as well as the city's internal weaknesses and challenges. They will go over external factors and trends as well, including demographic, economic, political, environmental, technological, and attitudinal, that will and might have an impact on the city in 2011 and 2012, both positively and negatively.
Next on the agenda is reviewing and revising the three year goals and discussing what needs to be achieved. They will development six month objectives, such as how and when the desired goals will be addressed and who will be accountable for specific, measurable results for each goal.
Then the facilitator will address what next steps are needed and how to set up a follow-up process to monitor the goals and objectives outlined during the meeting. This will include setting a date on the six month update plan.
The meeting will end with an open discussion, a summary of the retreat itself, and any closing remarks. The planned time for adjournment is 3 p.m.

Rockefeller Impostor Charged with San Marino Murder Claims Innocence (Back Bay Patch [MA] and San Marino Patch articles)

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Rockefeller Impostor Charged with San Marino Murder Claims Innocence

A Rockefeller impostor who lived in San Marino in the 1980s said Wednesday he’s innocent of the murder charges filed against him Tuesday; meanwhile San Marino officials have begun the process of extraditing him from Massachusetts to California

By Justin Chapman, Back Bay Patch (MA), 3/17/2011

Christian Gerhartsreiter -- the man who drew national attention for claiming to be Clark Rockefeller -- told his lawyer Wednesday that he is innocent of the murder charges that were filed against him by L.A. County Sheriff's Department detectives, his lawyer Jeffrey Denner confirmed to Patch in a phone interview Wednesday.
"It was not a new conversation between us," said Denner, who is a founding partner of the Boston law firm Denner Pelligrino LLP. "But, yes, he reiterated to me today that he knows he didn't do it, and he says he's innocent."
Rockefeller pleaded insanity in 2009, but was convicted of parental kidnapping and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after he stole his daughter, Reigh, from a social worker during a supervised visit in Back Bay on July 27, 2008.
The manhunt drew national attention as authorities discovered Gerhartsreiter went by many names, and had convinced many, including his wife, that he was related to the Rockefeller family. Soon after, authorities determined him a "person of interest" in the disappearance of 27-year-old John Sohus and his wife Linda in San Marino, Calif.
The 50-year-old German national is currently serving a four-to-five year sentence in Massachusetts for kidnapping his daughter. His lawyer Denner said he expects Gerhartsreiter will be extradited to California at some point.
If convicted of the San Marino murder, Gerhartsreiter could be sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. Prosecutors are seeking $10 million in bail.
The murder charges
L.A. County Sheriff's Department officials have begun the process of extraditing him to California to  at his San Marino home in 1985, when Sohus and his wife, Linda, were renting their backhouse to Gerhartsreiter.
The couple went missing in February 1985, and it wasn't until 1994 that investigators discovered the remains of John Sohus. However, it wasn't until a couple of months ago that forensic experts were able to determine the identity of the remains.
Steve Whitmore, the LASD's press secretary, backed away from earlier reports by several news agencies that DNA evidence was involved in identifying Sohus' body. Although he told a Patch reporter Tuesday that DNA evidence was a turning point in the case, on Wednesday he told Patch, "I'm not saying DNA evidence was necessarily involved. All I can say is that the latest technology was used to identify him." (
Whitmore added that the LASD, the San Marino Police Department and the City of San Marino feel gratified that the cold case detectives never gave up. He said that they are still actively seeking the remains or whereabouts of Linda Sohus.
"This was a very difficult case," Whitmore said. "This man is a master of evasion, and he evaded law enforcement for 26 years, but we finally brought it to fruition and charged him with murder. The extradition process could take a while, but we're confident that he will be brought to justice, and prosecuted to the fullest extent that's available under the law."
Denner had no further comment on the evidence that LASD detectives and prosecutors say they have that links Gerhartsreiter to the murder.
"I don't know what the evidence is," said Denner. "When the time comes and [LASD officials] share with us what the evidence is, then we'll have a comment. I have no idea what they're talking about, whether they're testing bones, or weapons, I don't know. I could not possibly have any intelligent comment on it right now."
Denner added that after Gerhartsreiter is extradited to California, he hopes to continue on as his lawyer.
"We expect to continue to be his counsel subject to the court's approval of our pro hac vice petition," Denner said.
A man who lives at the residence on Lorain Road in San Marino where the remains were found declined to comment when approached by Patch.
"I want to thank the San Marino PD for all their hard work on this case," said Whitmore. "It's important to thank them because they've aided the investigation with their analysis and review and they've been a partner on this. The Sheriff's Department extends its gratitude to the San Marino PD itself."









A Rockefeller impostor who lived in San Marino in the 1980s said Wednesday he's innocent of the murder charges filed against him Tuesday. Meanwhile LASD officials have begun the process of extraditing him from Massachusetts to California.

By Justin Chapman, San Marino Patch, 3/16/2011

The man who goes by many aliases--including Clark Rockefeller and his San Marino identity, Christopher Chichester--told his lawyer Wednesday that he is innocent of the murder charges that have been filed against him by L.A. County Sheriff's Department detectives, his lawyer Jeffrey Denner confirmed to Patch in a phone interview Wednesday.
"It was not a new conversation between us," said Denner, who is a founding partner of the law firm Denner Pelligrino LLP in Boston. "But, yes, he reiterated to me today that he knows he didn't do it, and he says he's innocent."
The 50-year-old man's real name is Christian Gerhartsreiter. He's a German national who is currently serving a four-to-five year sentence for kidnapping his daughter during a court ordered visitation in 2008 and trying to flee the country.
LASD officials have begun the process of extraditing him to California to  at his San Marino home in 1985, when Sohus and his wife, Linda, were renting their backhouse to Gerhartsreiter.
The couple went missing in February 1985, and it wasn't until 1994 that investigators discovered the remains of John Sohus. However, it wasn't until a couple of months ago that forensic experts were able to determine the identity of the remains.
Steve Whitmore, the LASD's press secretary, backed away from earlier reports by several news agencies that DNA evidence was involved in identifying Sohus' body. Although he told a Patch reporter Tuesday that DNA evidence was a turning point in the case, on Wednesday he told Patch, "I'm not saying DNA evidence was necessarily involved. All I can say is that the latest technology was used to identify him."
Whitmore added that the LASD, the San Marino Police Department and the City of San Marino feel gratified that the cold case detectives never gave up. He said that they are still actively seeking the remains or whereabouts of Linda Sohus.
"This was a very difficult case," Whitmore said. "This man is a master of evasion, and he evaded law enforcement for 26 years, but we finally brought it to fruition and charged him with murder. The extradition process could take a while, but we're confident that he will be brought to justice, and prosecuted to the fullest extent that's available under the law."
If convicted, Gerhartsreiter could be sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. Prosecutors are seeking $10 million in bail.
Denner had no further comment on the evidence that LASD detectives and prosecutors say they have that links Gerhartsreiter to the murder.
"I don't know what the evidence is," said Denner. "When the time comes and [LASD officials] share with us what the evidence is, then we'll have a comment. I have no idea what they're talking about, whether they're testing bones, or weapons, I don't know. I could not possibly have any intelligent comment on it right now."
Denner added that he expects Gerhartsreiter will be extradited to California at some point and that he hopes to continue on as his lawyer.
"We expect to continue to be his counsel subject to the court's approval of our pro hac vice petition," said Denner.
A man who lives at the residence on Lorain Road in San Marino where the remains were found declined to comment when approached by Patch.
"I want to thank the San Marino PD for all their hard work on this case," said Whitmore. "It's important to thank them because they've aided the investigation with their analysis and review and they've been a partner on this. The Sheriff's Department extends its gratitude to the San Marino PD itself."
San Marino Patch will update this story as we get more information so check back for more details and reaction about the murder charge.

PUSD Board Unanimously Approves Issuing Layoff Notices to 64 Certificated Employees (Altadena Patch article)

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PUSD Board Unanimously Approves Issuing Layoff Notices to 64 Certificated Employees

Board members were not happy with the decision they had to make Tuesday night, but all agreed the cuts were necessary because of the state's financial situation

By Justin Chapman, Altadena Patch and Sierra Madre Patch, 3/9/2011

Despite some reluctance from a couple of board members, the school board unanimously passed a resolution at a sparsely attended meeting Tuesday night to reduce or eliminate 64 full-time equivalent positions in the district, including teachers, teachers' aides, librarians, and principals.
The district has until March 15 to issue the layoff notices to the 64 certificated employees in order for the board to make the layoffs an official possibility for next year, but even the notices would not commit the board to finalizing the layoffs just yet.
"The worst thing I think we have to do as a board is to even warn somebody that their job is in jeopardy and then making good on that," said board president Bob Harrison. "In the education field I think we've been forced to head in the wrong direction on this, and there's no doubt about that."
However, he added he feels this is a "necessary requirement to give (the district) the flexibility so we can meet head on the situation (of) not knowing what the future will bring here with our state and our finances."
Outgoing Superintendent Edwin Diaz put the resolution to reduce employees in context during the meeting by pointing out that this time last year the district issued 160 layoff notices. According to Diaz, 57 of those positions were officially eliminated.
"What this resolution accomplishes is prioritizing class size so we don't increase class size above this year's level," said Diaz.
Board member Tom Selinske pointed out that the district has also made significant administrative cuts.
"If we were looking at prioritizing administrative cuts we really are taking that as a priority of keeping the cuts away from the classroom," said Selinske. "So if we were to do the math, I'm sure we'd have a lot larger percentage of administrative cuts. I know I don't wish to do any of these, and I understand we're trying to minimize the impact on people's lives, although I know to help us get flexibility with any of our potential budget scenarios we have to do this."
Diaz added that none of the resignations and retirements since the district issued those layoff notices last year were factored into the cuts being made now.
"In other words this number will be reduced by anybody who retires or resigns who is certificated," said Diaz.
Board member Ed Honowitz, however, was quick to point out that the number would be reduced unless the state takes even more from local school district budgets.
"We may need the full amount of this to give us enough flexibility in the worst case scenario," he said. "We have to remind ourselves that in the last three years over 30,000 teachers lost their jobs in the state of California plus another 10,000 educators. All of these are people who have been working with our kids who are no longer going to be there, and even though we'll be able to call back some of these who may get noticed, we're still getting a net reduction in the number of adults interacting with kids in the district, and that's happening in districts all over the state, and that's been happening year after year after year."

Protesters Slam Focus on the Family at Mayor's Breakfast (Arcadia Patch article)

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Video: Protesters Slam Focus on the Family at Mayor's Breakfast

At Friday morning's community breakfast, Patch spoke with protesters who had gathered in opposition to the mayor's choice of Focus on the Family's Rev. H.B. London as keynote speaker

By Justin Chapman, Arcadia Patch, 3/4/2011

Early Friday morning around 6:30 a.m., before community breakfast got underway at the , about 100 people gathered in the parking lot to protest the mayor's invitation to Focus on the Family pastor H.B. London Jr. to speak at the event, with many criticizing that taxpayer money was used to host the breakfast because of the controversial position that Focus on the Family has regarding the gay and lesbian community.
More than a dozen different organizations that support the LGBT community helped organize the event and members from other organizations and churches showed up to protest what they view as Focus on the Family's hateful stance on gay marriage, gay families and other related issues. The protest was confined to a designated space in the parking lot where attendees of the breakfast parked.
As attendees made their way towards the community center, protesters chanted slogans such as "Focus on all families," "Jesus was no bigot," "We love Arcadia, too," "Focus on equality," and held up signs that read "Marriage is a Basic Civil Right," "Arcadia Cong. Church U.C.C. Loves Our Many Gay Members," "Are you really my mayor?" and "Where's Our Breakfast," among many others.
Around 10-15 Arcadia police officers stood watch over the peaceful protest. At the end of the protest, those protesting chanted thank you's to the officers on duty, who were respectful of the protest and did not interfere.
Although many Arcadians participated in the protest, people came from all over, including West Covina, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and even Northridge to show their support.
"We're here to protest the mayor's breakfast and his invitation to a speaker from Focus on the Family," one of the main organizers of the protest and an openly gay pastor who created a church in Pasadena called Good Shepherd with the goal of restoring the church as a sanctuary for everyone.
"I'm here to support all families, gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. We're all part of God's family. We want to raise everybody's awareness that families are diverse. It's not just the narrow definition of Focus on the Family. Families consist of gay dads, lesbian mothers, blended families; we're all families and we all have dignity and worth and we're all loved in the eyes of God. If I could say something to the mayor, it would be, 'Shame on you. Shame on you for spending public money to invite someone from a hateful group like Focus on the Family.'"
Several young people were in attendance as well, a few of whom spoke to Patch about why they decided to join the protest.
"I'm here to support gay rights," said Andrew Cuann. "I have a lot of gay friends, and I just think what (the mayor and Focus on the Family) is doing is wrong, so I wanted to come out and show my support."
Marisa Watins, a friend of Cuann, reiterated his statement and added, "People are born this way. There is no cure. Homosexuality is not a disease, it's just what it is."
Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, the first to file the lawsuit for marriage equality in California and the only gay couple to be married in LA County, were also in attendance, even though they live as far away as Northridge.
"There are a lot of Arcadia residents here and a lot of us not from Arcadia, and the mayor called us outside agitators," Tyler said. "We're not really outside agitators because this is a civil rights movement. We will show up in every town, every rural area, everywhere, until we have equal rights and we will support our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. We're a peaceful group. If the mayor got to know us, he wouldn't be afraid of us."
Tyler also took issue with the fact that the mayor used taxpayer's money to host the breakfast, calling it "unfair."
"For him to use city money or taxpayer's money to have people who are in deep prejudice towards our community is really shameful of the mayor. To us it's like he's hosting the Ku Klux Klan. This idea of having to double the police force… as you can see there are a lot of ministers and children here. We're not the violent ones; we're the ones who are being violated by Focus on the Family, by them saying we're bad and sinful. The mayor will receive our message loud and clear, that bigotry belongs nowhere, and especially at taxpayer's expense. I don't think I would change the mayor's mind if I got a chance to speak to him, so I would just say to him, 'Shame on you, shame on you.'"

Marsha Izumi, an 18-year Arcadia resident whose son graduated from Arcadia High School, came out to support her transgender son.
"He lives every day to be himself and I think that takes a lot of courage," said Izumi. "I'm here to support him so he knows how proud I am of him. I disagree with Focus on the Family's position on transgenderism. They say that there are only males and females, and whatever you're born as is what you should be. But my child was born female and I've always known from when he was very young that he was meant to be a boy. I would consider myself religious; however I focus mainly on the love part.

"And I don't focus it on the idea that you have to be a certain way for God to love you. I think God loves everybody. Love doesn't have any boundaries. I wish the mayor would have chosen somebody that focused on all families, so that all of the community, not just those of us in Arcadia, but the community outside, that we support all families, and not just what Focus on the Family deems to be 'acceptable.' I want more acceptance of the LGBT community," Izumi concluded.
Gary Searer, an Arcadia resident who participated in the protest, believed the mayor would not get the protesters' point.
"I don't think the mayor is going to get our message," Searer said. "I think he may think twice about doing something like this again, but I think this is who the mayor is. We had nine people get up and talk at one of the council meetings. Three of them were moved to tears, and then the mayor mocked them."

The controversy hit particulary close to home for protester Eric Nakano, who was meeting. Nakano's father spent years working for Focus on the Family and as a child, Nakano was so deeply involved in the organization that he met and received a letter from Dr. James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family. Nakano even has appeared on the cover of one of the organization's magazines.

"It's very ironic that Focus on the Family, which talks about strengthening families, has, in fact, weakened mine," Nakano told Patch.  
Gary Schneeberger, Vice President of Communications for Focus on the Family, observed the protest outside and spoke to Patch about his thoughts on the whole situation.
"You gotta commend (the protesters)," said Schneeberger. "They're out here very, very early on a Friday to speak their mind. We don't necessarily agree with what they're saying but they have every right to do it and they're being very peaceful and respectful and I think that's great. Rev. London has been asked to speak on the subject of family, what family means to society, what family means to individuals, but none of the issues that have kind of been raised in the controversy, if you will, for the event. He's not going to talk about homosexuality; he's not going to talk about politics or public policy issues. He's going to talk about family.
"We don't agree with the things the protesters are saying," he continued, "but it's certainly their right to say it and I haven't heard anything that's disrespectful, I haven't heard anything that's been a personal attack against any of us, so good for them. That's their right to come out and do that. In terms of what we disagree with regarding the protestors' message, a) the speech is not going to be about any of the subjects they're speaking about. Secondly, yes, we do believe that God has designed human sexuality in a way that's best for society and best for people. Premarital sex, infidelity, and same sex activity are all outside the bounds of God's design. There's no hate behind that, there's no animus behind that. That's just the way we believe God has designed human sexuality as explained in the Bible."
For video of Mayor Amundson's comments and Rev. London's speech, .