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How Monrovia's Elections Will Work (If They Happen At All)

Here are the possible outcomes when the City Council meets next week to decide the fate of Monrovia's April elections.

From the city of Monrovia's website:

The Monrovia City Council will host a special meeting tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 24 to decide how to proceed with the April 9, 2013 municipal election since only two council candidates submitted nomination papers for the expiring seats.

Interim Councilman Larry Spicer and local attorney Alexander Blackburn filed their nomination papers to run for the two expiring City Council seats, which were vacant following the decisions by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia and Councilman Clarence Shaw to not seek re-election. Also running unopposed are Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, City Clerk Alice Atkins and City Treasurer Stephen Baker.

Despite the fact that there are only enough candidates to fill the positions that are expiring, the election is not automatically cancelled. According to the State Elections Code Section 10229, the City Council has the option to appoint the three incumbents and the two Council candidates rather than continuing with the election. Alternatively, the City Council may decide to still hold an election.

Pursuant to the Elections Code, the City Council may act on this issue. The code time frame calls for a five-day waiting period after the public notice announcing the special meeting is published, and requires action 75 days before the election.

The special meeting is expected to be held at 4 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Monrovia Council Chambers, 415 S. Ivy Avenue.

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Pattie January 19, 2013 at 12:44 pm
I think scheduling the meeting at 4PM makes it difficult for working community members to attend. I think scheduling it for a later time would provide a better opportunity for those interested to attend.
R. Ray Morford January 19, 2013 at 02:16 pm
Come On Council Members !!!! You've been asking for input from Monrovia residents. Let's be fair about the meeting time. The City need all the help and advice it can get.
Robert Parry January 19, 2013 at 04:11 pm
This is an astute observation.
Gem City Dude Man January 19, 2013 at 04:14 pm
Given the declining state of our nation's democracy and the corruption that is obviously at its roots, it would be a nice accomplishment to know the Monrovia City leadership was standing up and making sure integrity, truth, and justice were being brought back as the foundation of our political system. A 4PM meeting only adds to the cynicism that citizens have about our so called elected officials. Way to go city council.
However, given the fact that the council seats are not being opposed says a lot about the apathy our citizens have as well about this political process. Monrovians deserve what they don't vote for.
sayitisntso January 19, 2013 at 04:14 pm
Do you really believe that attending the meeting will affect the already made decision to cancel the Election.
Mayor Lutz, Larry Spicer and Becky Shevlin are a voting block which leaves the community at the whim of Mayor Lutz. If Vegas had a line on the decision I think the odds would be $1,000,000.00 to $1.00 on the election being held.
Gayle M. Montgomery January 19, 2013 at 04:30 pm
While I don't believe the outcome would change, I do think Pattie is right, and it should be moved to 7 or 7:30 so that the citizens would have a chance to witness and be heard.
sayitisntso January 19, 2013 at 04:34 pm
I've stepped up and ran for a Council seat before . Have you!
Gayle M. Montgomery January 19, 2013 at 04:35 pm
The thing I find most remarkable is that there are so many strong-minded citizens who speak up in the Patch with tremendous regularity and yet few step up for the political process. I pretty much decided some years back that I could be proactive and work behind the scenes (and on social media, of course) for the candidate of my choice but that being a candidate was not going to be an option for me. It's not that I don't care, it is that I care too much. But I don't think everybody is like me in that regard, and where is everybody else who has sounded in here? Are we all registered to vote? Do we work to make a difference and serve the community in some capacity (I head a philanthropic group that recently funded the Y--small dollars, because that's what we have, but big for us)? Surely, there must be some good citizens beyond the two who have stepped up. Is this because it is too costly to run, or is it that the election process within the city is not obvious enough to discern. Everybody (pretty much) knows when the general elections are held, but what of the municipals? Just a sad state of affairs.
Wynesta Dale January 19, 2013 at 04:44 pm
My personal opinion is that the city works well. It may not be perfect, nothing run by humans is, but when comparing it to other municipalities, I'm satisfied with the job being done. Because of that, I'm not willing to spend my time and effort for an essentially thankless job. I'm just grateful for those who are willing to spend their time and effort to make our city work.
Bill Beebe January 19, 2013 at 04:57 pm
Send an e-mail to the city council members - e-mail addresses here http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/city-government/elected-officials - to voice your opinion if you are not able to attend the 4 PM meeting. I just did. I would have preferred that the meeting was after work hours but your voice can still be heard and it does go on the record. If enough e-mails are sent, the Council must be impressed by the volume; and it is really the same as standing up to speak.
Concerning the political process, here at the local level anyway, I wish more could be done to advise our fellow citizens how it works and the rules that elected and appointed officials are compelled to follow. I sit on the Planning Commission. We must do ethics training courses every two years and when we are first appointed (and re-appointed). So in a 3-year term that means two training courses at least. The "bible" is the California Fair Political Practices Commission resource material and the Ralph M. Brown Act. The standards are high and every leader should be proud to be held to these standards. The process is that you and I do have a voice. Demand to be heard, be respectful when you offer your opinion and expect that your opinions and any facts that you provide are considered. America is only as strong as its citizens are involved and expect that the rules are followed.
sayitisntso January 19, 2013 at 05:24 pm
The clock is ticking! We have a little less than two years to form a group that will identify, raise funds for and get live people to work for electable people that will serve the community and not themselves. Every two years we can elect a new majority of new council members that will listen to the community and serve them. Two council seats and the Mayors seat are available every two years.
Start today form a general purpose committee with the state FPPC and begin to raise funds. Get people to knock on doors and register people to vote by mail. List qualities and qualifications and Interview prospective candidates. Form a support group of at least two hundred volunteers. On and on, but it could be done with the right leadership. Keep supporting the council members that do the right thing for the community and help un-elect those who don't come through.
sayitisntso January 19, 2013 at 05:29 pm
Power is for those who step up and take it, no one will hand it to you.
If you always do, what you have always done. Then you will always be, what you have always been.
Dan Crandell January 19, 2013 at 06:11 pm
@ SaySo ... I will be at this meeting for the sole purpose of gaining an understanding of the process. If , as you say, the decision to cancel the election is a done deal so be it. However I want to know why I can't undo a done deal. Personal convictions are enhanced and achieved with knowledge of the ground rules.
Gayle M. Montgomery January 20, 2013 at 03:16 am
Cyrus, maybe we start with identifying what an ideal candidate looks like in terms of skills, abilities, and attitudes. Isn't there something like a leadership academy in Monrovia? Are we still doing that? Are those candidates stepping forward to run for things? It would be the logical quid pro quo for the expense invested in them. I'm not talking about just lesser commissions, though they are valuable. I am speaking of the Big Kahuna, the Council.
The Scrutineer January 22, 2013 at 08:21 pm
Is this special meeting now being held at 7:30 on Thursday? I've seen conflicting information.
Dan Crandell January 23, 2013 at 01:22 am
@ Scrutineer City website reads 7:30 PM Hope to see you there
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
rubberband June 12, 2013 at 10:17 pm
See other post about this: It needed to happen...(Ancient Burial Ground that was desecrated) but IRead More maintain we should get some sort of "cleansing" or burn some incense/sage or call for an exorcism. I believe the evil mojo needs to be banished before we build again.........
donna mills June 8, 2013 at 04:40 pm
Hi Therese, I am good friends with Star Shields. He is a busy face painter, and often needs back-upRead More either at the Summer festival in Laguna Beach, now underway, or with one of his other commitments. If you're interested, I would be happy to give you his contact details via email.
Therese B. June 8, 2013 at 11:08 pm
Hi Donna! Star is a good friend of mine too!!! He is more an airbrush artist (and a darn goodRead More one!!) then a face painter. But he is truly a legend in his craft. I have been lucky enough to work with him and learn from him too! I just wish he wasn't so far away :( Nice to hear from you!
donna mills June 11, 2013 at 03:52 pm
Oh wow! what a small world! Best, Donna
rubberband June 7, 2013 at 04:22 pm
Old fashioned country vet "patchin' up" was some of the cool stuff I was taught growingRead More up. Splinting a bird's wing or leg, getting a thorn out of a slightly infected cat or dog paw was part of learning. I am NOT saying to eliminate/not see a REAL vet, however some things can be handled at home with a bit of basic medical knowledge and Bactine/hot clean water and towels/tweezers and some loving hands to hold Fido or Snowball when you can do it yourself. I am already bracing myself for the angry openly hostile messages this post might draw, so it's OK if you feel the need to do so. Watching some of my older friends who have limited income spend THOUSANDS of dollars for a beloved pet out of pressure/and what I call "pusher's guilt" sorta made me feel like mentioning that in the old days, some of the animal care was done by a wise farm woman/man...not all vets are crooks, and not all pet needs need put you in the poor house.
lynn June 7, 2013 at 07:24 pm
I love the old farmers remedies, particularly for mange however when dealing with elderly animalsRead More and certain conditions you just get around it. The farmers remedies are often slow working causing more pain then an animal needs to go through. I try holistic meds quite often for some bacterial infections and they are slow too. Cats in particular are difficult treat. They are great in some situations but in others the it is not appropriate. I will attempt the at home first then the vet. My recent situation was a neglected kitty I rescued with a 1.25 lb cyst I had no idea she had the cyst just thought she was matted. I was trying to get her shaved. Kitty's don't cooperate for though things. One thing led to another she ends up on the operating table. No rescue groups would help me and that's where my anger is directed. I have been donating to different groups monthly for more then 20 years. At one point three different groups at the same time. No one helped me when I needed it. I'm done.
rubberband June 8, 2013 at 11:31 pm
@Lynn: Reading your posts I felt some anger FOR you. HUGE animal lover here, and ALL my pets areRead More rescues/fosters except for the Robo dwarf hamster. Love my cats, and know there just some things you can't do to a kitty without risking kitty AND your own safety. What you have experienced was pretty much the exact thing I saw some older friends go thru...Care about their pets, want to get help, and can't seem to get any or get SOME but with hidden costs and "guilt trips" at the end. If no one said it, thanks for helping critters out and giving when you could. Sorry it was not rewarded.
donna mills June 3, 2013 at 01:20 pm
Gasp! Seriously? OMG--Poltergeist get behind me!!
rubberband June 3, 2013 at 01:48 pm
Donna...Poor Donna. My dear, it is too late. Call that weird yet cute little tiny lady toRead More "clean" your home and get your kids out of the television. ......oh and if you have a pool...DO NOT GO SWIMMING.
Dan Crandell June 3, 2013 at 01:58 pm
Love you Donna. Your comment should have been "Poltergeist get ""thee""Read More behind me"!!!!! All in fun.
Don Ryman May 31, 2013 at 10:07 am
ask andy Montgomery on fb
Robert Parry May 31, 2013 at 01:48 pm
I've recently spoken to Gayle. She's fine, just taking a bit of a mental hygiene breather.
Buzlightyear aka marty June 1, 2013 at 12:11 am
I am glad to hear she is good. I don't do facebook so I will simply take it that she will commentRead More again. She was my first "Patch" debate with someone on the other side of issues......You know, sentimental thing for your first time.... LOL. Just tell her Buzzlightyear "Marty" said hi if either of you two talk to her.
Buzlightyear aka marty June 2, 2013 at 03:45 pm
genevieve, and ping, You must have misread my post. I was joking that the bears were being countedRead More as if they (the bears) were part of the total population (of people)count. Then.....they stopped counting the bears as part of the population of people. A joke is not funny when explained.....it was almost funny before. Just give me an Opra ah-ha moment.....
genevieve June 2, 2013 at 07:15 pm
I didn't respond correctly, I guess. Maybe I had the wrong post, sorry. Of course bears aren'tRead More counted. I meant, as far as population of HUMANS it is expensive to live in California. Monrovia is a wonderful city bears and all. It is expensive to live pretty much anywhere in Calif.
rubberband June 3, 2013 at 01:14 pm
@ Buzlightyear aka marty...I disagree....explaining THIS joke made it even more funny.Read More ............You are officially FUNNY. >9000 srsly.