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View Winners → Arcadia Election Heating Up; Candidate Forum Next Week
Arcadia Weekly Feb 18, 2016
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Candidates have placed ads and placards all over the city hoping to grab your attention and your vote. – Photos by Terry Miller
By Terry Miller
The next municipal election in Arcadia is April 12. Two seats on council for full four-year terms are up for grabs with six candidates hoping to get your vote. There is also a four-year term for city clerk; however no one has filed papers for that position.
Some of the more vocal opponents in this election year point out that perhaps we need new blood on council rather that the seasoned, long-time politicians seeking re-election.
Former Mayor George Fasching, one such opponent of the old regime, said this in a letter to the editor in this week’s edition, “I pointed out to him [Bob Harbicht] 25 years ago that one-third of our city had no street lighting. I felt that this problem should be addressed not only as a security issue, but as a property value issue and a city development improvement. Furthermore, the existing street lighting in some areas was both insufficient and sub-standard.”
Harbicht’s response: “Nobody is forcing us to do it, so why should we?” Nothing has been done to this day. Perhaps Harbicht, whose motto has always been “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” will now be able to understand why things are more contentious in our city. It has become necessary for the citizens to get involved in order to get things done. All these issues should have been addressed and resolved years ago. “Bring Back Bob?” I do not think so.
Harbicht in his defense counters: “I have served 20 years on the Arcadia City Council, longer than anyone in the 112-year history of the city. Because of the city’s term limits rule, my 20 years have been spread over a 30-year period. I left the council 18 months ago because I reached term limits again.
I am very concerned at what has happened to Arcadia in the short time I have been off the council. I feel my calm, deliberate, logical approach is just what Arcadia needs right now.”
Newcomer, April Verlato says “I’m running for city council to be a fresh, new voice for the hardworking families and business owners who have made Arcadia their home. Arcadia needs leaders with forward-thinking ideas and it’s time for our city to prioritize public safety, commercial development and reasonable residential development standards.”
Dr. Sheng Chang says, “I want to contribute my experience again to the city because I am concerned about what happens in Arcadia now, the safety of the city and the polarized arguments about the issues of development, both residential and commercial.” Chang was on council in 1994 and re-elected in 2000. She continues, “Breathing life into our downtown is a priority of mine, but I also want to see businesses have the opportunity to succeed throughout the entire city. The issues of property zoning, floor area ratio (FAR) and mansionization are all related. Some people view all mansions as ugly even though architecturally and esthetically they have no faults.”
Burton Brink, another candidate for City Council who is currently with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, said “I want to make sure we continue to move forward and continue to keep our focus on keeping our city a safe place with police and fire services. I want to make Arcadia a place for people to spend their money at our businesses. I want to see our schools continue to get the support they need to keep our kids learning and become our future leaders.
I will work for all the residents of the city, no matter where they live. I want to see our businesses thrive and grow. I want to see our “Downtown Area” at 1st/Huntington Drive become a great place for families and residents to enjoy. I want to see the Live Oak Avenue area revitalized and improved. There are so many great things on the horizon for the city.”
At time of press we have yet to receive comments from Peter Amundson, and Paul Van Fleet who are all hoping to get a chance at Arcadia City Council dais.
– Resolution No. 7092 – A Resolution of the city council calling and giving notice of the holding of a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, for the submission of a proposed ordinance repealing the Utility Users Tax in its entirety.
– Resolution No. 7093 – A Resolution of the city council requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to render specified services to the city relating to the conduct of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
– Resolution No. 7094 – A Resolution of the city council providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for city measures submitted at Municipal Elections.
– Resolution No. 7095 – A Resolution of the city council setting priorities for filing written arguments regarding a city measure and directing the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis.
The city is holding an all-mail-in-ballot election. Ballots must be postmarked by April 12 and received no later than Friday, April 15.
In the coming weeks we will publish candidate’s statements in full for you, the voter to decide which course Arcadia should take in the next four years and beyond.
