Clarence Shaw Speaks, Mayor 'Not Pleased' With His Conduct

Former Monrovia City Councilman broke his silence Monday and told a local newspaper that his decision to resign from the council was made at the last minute.

Insisting that his choice to bow out of April's election and abruptly resign was influenced by "military obligations," Shaw told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that he never meant to mislead voters or candidates by claiming to be in the race even though he bought a house in Washington earlier this year.

Shaw told Patch last Tuesday, the day before the election filing deadline, that he intended to run for re-election. But he failed to submit the paperwork in time and resigned two days later.

Councilman Tom Adams has accused Shaw of pretending to be in the race to discourage other candidates from challenging Larry Spicer, a friend of Shaw's who was appointed to fill his council seat when he was deployed to serve with the U.S. Army Reserves.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and outgoing Councilman Joe Garcia each joined Adams in criticizing Shaw's conduct in interviews with the Tribune. Lutz said she was "not pleased" with Shaw's behavior and Garcia also said he was disappointed with him, according to the Tribune.