Citizen About Town

By Nancy C. Arcuri, Editor and Publisher

E-mail: nancyarcuri@thecitizensvoice.net

Fax: 626-307-9081

At the Monterey Park City Council Meeting on December 3 the Council approved a Bicycle Master Plan for the city.

The plan has been approved by many cities in Los Angeles County at the requests of residents and local officials.

All of the Councilmembers requested that any routes chosen by staff for bike lanes be reviewed for all safety issues.

I shared with the Council and public the type of safety violations I have seen by bike riders in Monterey Park over the last two weeks: They should not run stop signs or red lights because all of the cars are stopped. They should not be weaving in the traffic lanes like they are driving drunk. They should not drive in the dark without lights and reflectors on their bikes. They should not drive on the sidewalks and endanger the people walking on them.

“The DMV states on their website: Each year in California, more than 100 people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are injured in bicycle collisions. Some bicycle related crashes are connected to the bicyclist’s behavior, while others are due to the motorist’s lack of attention.

Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations. Refer to the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with these rules.

Motorists must look carefully for bicyclists before turning left or right, merging into bicycle lanes, and opening doors next to moving traffic. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with you.”

I requested Council to please consider teaching bike safety as part of your approval of the master bike plan.

I also suggested that the state require the biker riders to have bike licenses and proof of insurance like the motor vehicles drivers.

If a bike rider damages your car you may have to use your uninsured motorist insurance to pay for the car repairs.

Many speakers, mostly young people who do not drive a car but ride their bikes on the public streets, asked the Council to approve this bike plan as it would improve the health of the residents and reduce pollution.

After the staff chooses the bike lane routes the Council will place the item on the agenda for your input.

Public safety is the highest priority for all of the residents of Monterey Park and other cities with bike lanes crisscrossing our public streets.

March 3, 2015 is Election Day for the cities of Monterey Park, Rosemead and San Gabriel.

The candidates have pulled their papers and returned them for validation by the city clerks.

I have been attending the Monterey Park Council Meetings for the last 18 years to see and hear how my elected officials make their decisions and change our laws.

I have been agreeing over the years with the logic and decisions being made by Councilmembers Mitch Ing and Teresa Real Sebastian, whom are both running for re-election.

Councilmembers Ing and Real Sebastian voted against paying $500,000, which is $50,000 over the $450,000 appraised value of the property on Isabella. I publically stated that it was not in our best interest to overpay for property.

Councilmembers Ing and Real Sebastian voted against the selling a city owned parking lot located across the street from TELACU to LINC Community Development Corporation for the construction of six low-income units with a computer room and a meeting room for the use of their residents.  This developer is also purchasing other low-income units purchased by the city for military members.

I reminded Council the city would lose a parking lot at our civic center where parking is precious.

Some Councilmembers stated that we could always buy another property, tear down the house and pave a new parking lot around the civic center.

After all what is $500,000 or more of taxpayers’ money that could be used to buy another parking lot?

This issue will be discussed again during the December 17 meeting, as the developer and city want to change their current agreement.

The residents will again be sold out to a developer by three votes from Councilmembers.

Remember the developer of TELACU received a sweetheart deal to buy and build their low-income project on our civic center property. That property was purchased by the city for the library expansion and an additional parking lot for the library.

Councilmembers Ing and Real Sebastian voted to add Latin letters (the A, B, Cs) in lieu of English letters on our Chinese business signs.

Our city attorneys determined that requiring English letters on our business signs maybe unconstitutional.

Yet English is our common language in Monterey Park where 18 different languages are spoken.

Councilmembers Anthony Wong, who is running for re-election, Hans Liang and Peter Chan voted not to require Latin letters on the business signs. They asked staff to encourage the business owners to use Latin letters on their business signs.

Please report any business signs that are missing Latin letters to the Councilmembers at City Hall (626-307-1465).

These are just some of the many important issues that I agree with Councilmembers Mitch Ing and Teresa Real Sebastian.

They are not “yes” Councilmembers. They study all of the agenda issues and question staff, city manager and city attorney on agenda items or laws that may not in the best interest of the residents, businesses and employees of Monterey Park.

I am supporting them for re-election to the Monterey Park City Council.

I want to thank my readership and my writers for their support.

The Christmas Season is a time for joy, happiness and memories.

I wish you and yours a very Merry and Blessed Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy and Healthy New Year!