West Covina News: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

West Covina city manager resigns, citing ‘personal reasons’

Georgia Valdes — Fri, 19 May 2023 05:37:24 +0000

West Covina City Manager David Carmany resigned Thursday night, May 18, ahead of a hastily assembled closed session City Council meeting in which his job was set to be evaluated.

His resignation was accepted by Mayor Rosario Diaz and the City Council in a 5-0 vote, swiftly bringing to an end a tenure that began in 2019 as the city’s top administrator.

“For personal reasons, I have decided to resign as City Manager effective immediately,” Carmany said in a statement. “It has been my honor to serve the community of West Covina.”

It was not publicly disclosed as to why the council was meeting to evaluate Carmany’s performance, but it aligned with the council’s power to evaluate the performance of a city manager any time it deems fit. Carmany’s contract with the city ran month to month.

Assistant City Manager Paulina Morales was appointed acting city manager, the city announced Friday. Morales has served the city for the past 19 years, starting as an intern, and has held various responsibilities over the years.

“Ms. Morales has a strong reputation within City Hall and is respected by her peers,” said Mayor Rosario Diaz in a statement. “I am confident that she will ably fill this role on a near-term basis while the City Council takes steps to identify a new City Manager.”

But Carmany’s resignation means that the city is without a full-time executive officer responsible for running city functions’ administration and daily operations. The city manager also implements policy decisions and enforces all municipal laws and regulations for the benefit of the community.

Carmany was a regular presence at City Council meetings, taking in and responding to public concerns, grievances and disagreements on matters of policy.

While the specific reasons for Carmany’s resignation were unclear, this decision comes after a cluster of higher-profile episodes at City Hall.

On May 5, former West Covina fire chief Larry Whithorn was awarded $4.1 million after a Los Angeles County jury found that he was wrongfully terminated.

Additionally, during a May 16 meeting, the City Council received and filed a third-party investigation report of the city’s centennial celebration, where the city manager’s office scheduled an indigenous acknowledgement at the final hour that was rejected by members of council.

Finally, Carmany had an open police case against City Council member Tony Wu, alleging that Wu threatened him with physical violence during a meeting in the spring of 2022.

Wu on Thursday, however, appeared to reach for a conciliatory note.

“I have been privileged to work with David Carmany,” Wu said. “He turned our city from almost bankrupt in 2018 to today, financially healthy. Together we went through city reform, financial hardship and a worldwide pandemic but we pulled through. No matter what happened, he is always my friend and I want to thank him for his service and wish him all the best.”

Carmany will depart after a robust career so far in Southern California municipal government.

With 30-plus years of experience in local government, having served as city manager in La Puente, Agoura Hills, Malibu, Pacifica, Seal Beach and Manhattan Beach, Carmany was appointed by the West Covina City Council on July 16, 2019.

He earned a bachelor of sciences degree in public affairs from USC in 1979, and serves on USC’s City Management Foundation Board of Directors.

Carmany’s resignation was not a first in West Covina. In May 2019, Carmany’s predecessor, Chris Freeland, resigned after having served for four years following a 4-1 City Council vote to draft, negotiate and finalize a separation agreement.

Chris Chung was city manager from 2012 to 2014, but was paid out $440,000 to retire early after the council decided they no longer wanted him at the helm. This is the same year that then State Controller John Chiang audited 2 years of West Covina financial records.

West Covina has been noted for its financial woes. In 2021, it was among 12 cities statewide deemed high-risk — “high risk for the potential of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, or that have major challenges associated with their economy, efficiency, or effectiveness,” according to the California state auditor.

“Finally, (the city’s) purchasing and contracting processes have deficiencies that its leadership has allowed to persist over several years, exposing the city to the risk of fraud and perpetuating its susceptibility to wasted public funds,” a 2019 audit report stated.

Carmany departs before the city’s annual city budget was finalized.

Indeed, while the city’s proposed 2023-24 finances were presented recently as a “rollover budget,” with no new city positions, a highly touted Sportsplex facility is $600,000 in the hole, and an independent health department – once the dream of some local leaders wanting to escape the thumb of the L.A. County Public directives during the pandemic – is not in the cards – at least not any time soon.

Officials also are projecting a shortfall in revenue and major overtime costs in the coming fiscal year, which are stretching the city’s piggy bank at a time when economists are warning of a potential national recession.

Other city manager responsibilities include keeping the mayor and City Council apprised of key issues and matters dealing with city business. The manager responds to the needs of the community, serves as the city’s liaison to local agencies and organizations, represents the city in legislative matters at the state and federal government levels and oversees the preparation of the city budget.

Carmany sought to end his tenure also striking a conciliatory tone.

“Be kind to one another, and tender hearted, too, ” Carmany’s statement said.

Things to do in the San Gabriel Valley/Whittier, May 19-26

Anissa Rivera — Thu, 18 May 2023 13:00:45 +0000

Artazan, a handcraft market inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement, roughly 1880-1920, is presented on May 20-21 at the Pasadena Convention Center. (Photo courtesy of Artazan)

Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier, May 19-26.

Raging Waters celebrates its 40th season on May 20, with the debut of “Bombs Away,” its newest 300-foot plunge ride. Riders can choose from two drop tubes to either fly straight down at 26 feet per second or loop around to splashdown. The largest water park in California will also offer its Father’s Day Flop on June 18 and an all-new Pirates Day Treasure Hunt in September. Season passes start at $99. For more information, ragingwaters.com/buy-tickets/tickets

Forest Lawn Museum – Glendale: New: “Grand Views: The Immersive World of Panoramas,” through Sept. 10. The exhibit is in partnership with the Velaslavasay Panorama in Los Angeles (www.panoramaonview.org). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Free admission. Location, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. forestlawn.com/events/grand-views/

An Evening with David Sedaris: Purchase presale tickets for the author’s talk, to be held at 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The general sale begins at 10 a.m. May 19. The one-night-only event follows the release of Sedaris’ newest book “Happy Go Lucky.” For more information, go to visitpasadena.com and click on “Pasadena Events.”

Los Angeles County Fair: The fair’s theme this year is “Spring into Fair,” through May 29. Admission is available online now for discount. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and Memorial Day (May 29). Admission online $15/$18/$21 (depending on date); ages 60 and older and ages 6-12 admission online $10/$12 (depending on date). Admission at the gate $30; $15 ages 60 and older and ages 6-12. Parking in advance online $17; $22 at the gate. Also, Fairplex is a cashless venue. Some concessionaires and vendors may accept cash, but credit or debit card is preferred. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. www.lacountyfair.com

Covina Woman’s Club’s Bunco Afternoon: Join the fun at 2 p.m. May 19. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Admission $20. Tickets will be sold at the door but come early to ensure a seat. Finger foods and drinks will be served after the games. Clubhouse, 128 S. San Jose Ave. (off of Badillo Street), Covina. covinawomansclub.org

Car show: Ruby’s Cruise car show starring American Streetrodders happens at 5 p.m. Fridays, through October. 10109 Whittwood Drive, Whittier. Come for food, family fun, trophies and prizes. Location, 10109 Whittwood Drive, Whittier. For more information, SoCalCarCulture.com. Flyer: bit.ly/44MQ9D8

Vroman’s Bookstore: Holly Goldberg Sloan discusses her novel “Pieces of Blue,” 7 p.m. May 19. Local Author Day: Clarence Irwin (“The Fourth Canton: Adventures of the Rhett Family and Co.”), Anthony J. Mohr (“Every Other Weekend – Coming of Age with Two Different Dads”) and Melina Maria Morry (“The Manhattan Mishap”) discuss their books, 4 p.m. May 21. Héctor Tobar discusses “Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of ‘Latino,’” 7 p.m. May 22. Louise Penny signs “A World of Curiosities,” 4 p.m. May 23. Joe Ide discusses “Fixit – An IQ Novel,” 7 p.m. May 24. T.J. Newman discusses “Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421,” 7 p.m. May 31. Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. vromans.com

The Dance and the Railroad: The play by David Henry Hwang, set in 1867, follows two Chinese artists and their fellow railroad workers as they hold a strike to protest inhuman conditions suffered by Chinese laborers in the American West, opening night, 8 p.m. May 19. Show runs 8 p.m. May 20; 2 p.m. May 21 and 7 p.m. May 22. Tickets are pay-what-you-choose with options, $30 or $50. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 626-356-3100. anoisewithin.org/noise-now. www.anoisewithin.org/play/dance-and-the-railroad

Wheel fun time: The Los Angeles Invitational features three gravel ride options kicking off at 7:30 a.m. May 20 and followed by the sixth annual bike/car show and swap meet, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 21. The Cub House, 2510 Mission St., San Marino. 626-755-3003. losangelesinvitational.com

Farmers market at Mount San Antonio College Farm fresh everything is available, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 20 at Parking Lot B, 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut. Aside from fruits and vegetables, find all kinds of nuts, breads, desserts, snacks, juices and ready-to-eat dishes such as dumplings. Vendors also sell handmade items and plants. 909-869-0701. Email: info@regionalchambersgv.com. Regional Chamber of Commerce – San Gabriel Valley: bit.ly/3WK4ZFj. www.facebook.com/MTSacFarmersMarket

West Covina Farmers Market: Shop for in-season fruits and vegetables, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 20 (and also on most Saturdays). The market also offers prepared foods and artisan crafts. EBT is accepted. Location, 195 Glendora Ave., West Covina. For more information, email: Fmlcevendor@gmail.com. Check here for updates: www.facebook.com/westcovinafarmersmarket

Handcraft heaven: Artazan, a springtime market inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 20 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 21. Check out more than 200 exhibits, artist demos, food and live music. The exhibits celebrate handmade artisanship. Admission $8 online; $10 at the door; admission is good for both days. Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. Artazan.com

Repair Café: A free, all-purpose repair party, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 20. Learn how fix household appliances. Bring your torn jeans, dull knife or faulty lamp. Arrive early to ensure your item is looked at. Bring your own replacement parts (no replacement parts for items will be available. This event will be indoors. There will also be plant-sharing and a free market. Park across the library at 120 Artsakh Ave. The library validates for three hours parking. Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale. For questions, 818-548-2021 or email at LibraryInfo@GlendaleCA.gov. Details, and to see what can’t be repaired: bit.ly/44NRSIs

Renaissance Pleasure Faire: Immerse yourself in the time of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and have some fun with cosplay of the time period, speaking the lingo, shopping in the marketplace, listening to music and laughing at performances, May 20-21. Fun dress code: period “faire” costume (optional). Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission $42; $21 ages 5-12; $225 season pass. There is a mandatory entry fee $12 to the Santa Fe Dam Recreation area. Parking is free, first-come, first served; VIP parking $25 (must be purchased in advance online). Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale. 626-969-4750. renfair.com/socal

Glendora Genealogical Society: Penny Walters, speaking on Zoom from England, gives a talk at the society’s next meeting, noon May 20. Walters discusses ethical dilemmas in genealogy and considering ethical issues with empathy and diplomacy. For more information and to get the Zoom link, email lorman1237@gmail.com or call 909-592-4030.

Crown City Symphony: The program includes Pelleas et Melisande Suite by Faure, L’Arlesienne Suite by Bizet and Concertina for Flute by Chaminade, with flute soloist Debbie MacMurray, 2 p.m. May 20. Free admission. First Baptist Church, 75 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena. 626-797-1994.

Third@First Concert Series: Women composers are in the spotlight for “Joy of Chamber Music,” 4 p.m. May 20. The program includes Clara Schumann’s Piano Trio in G Minor and Amy Beach’s Piano Quintet in F-sharp Minor. Free admission. First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. thirdatfirst.org

Storied science: TechLit, Caltech’s creative writing club, invites the public to an author reading and Q&A at 7 p.m. May 20. Delve into “Inner Space and Outer Thoughts: Speculative Fiction from Caltech and JPL Authors,” the group’s first science fiction anthology. Award-winning alumni and sci-fi legends S. B. Divya, Larry Niven and David Brin will read and Caltech and JPL research scientists will talk about the science behind their stories. Free admission, but make a reservation on the Eventbrite link. Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. bit.ly/Caltech-reading-tickets

Life in the Past Lane: “Museums of the Arroyo Day” returns, noon to 5 p.m. May 21. MOTA is the one day that five museums in Los Angeles and Pasadena open their doors to show off great architecture, historical discoveries, family fun and entertainment. Free shuttles will connect the museums: Gamble House; Heritage Square; Los Angeles Police Museum; Lummis Home and Garden; Pasadena Museum of History. The best plan would be to pick no more than three museums to visit. For more information, visit MuseumsOfTheArroyo.com

Civil War talk: The Pasadena Civil War Round Table presents a talk by author Mark Cannon at its next meeting,7:15 p.m. May 23. Cannon discusses his book “Lincoln’s Scout: The Diary of Horatio Cooke, Soldier, Spy, Escape Artist.” Free admission/donations appreciated. Enter the parking lot at the driveway at 165 N. Madison Ave. (second driveway south of Walnut Street). Use rear door entrance to the Blinn House, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena. For more information, PasadenaCWRT.org

Music on Main: The city of El Monte brings music to its farmers market, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 25 with 4 The People. Main Street between Santa Anita and Tyler avenues, El Monte. For more information, 626-580-2200. ci.el-monte.ca.us

Water safety fundraiser: The award-winning Rose Bowl Aquatics Center hosts “Water Safety for All,” a fundraiser featuring a paella-themed cocktail reception and documentary screening of “Drowning in Silence” on May 25. Tickets $100; $75 ages 55 and older. Reservations required. Garland Auditorium on the grounds of Polytechnic School, 1070 Cornell Road, Pasadena. Tickets: rosebowlaquatics.org/water-safety-for-all. See May 4 posting on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheRBAC/

Save the theater dates: Whittier Community Theatre is back at the newly refurbished Whittier Center Theatre. Celebrate 100 years with a new season, including “The Importance of Being Earnest (A Wilde New Musical)” opening in September. “The Ghost Train” follows in November, Neil Simon’s “California Suite” in February and “Moon Over Buffalo” in May. For more information about the plays and tickets, 562-696-0600. www.whittiercommunitytheatre.org

Ongoing

Pasadena Showcase House of Design: The 58th showcase highlights the talents of 32 interior and exterior designers who have transformed the Stewart House, a 1933 Pasadena colonial estate designed by Marston & Maybury. The estate is open for tours through May 21. Explore more than 30 design spaces and check out 20 boutique shops vendors, two restaurants, a wine bar and more than two-acres of gardens. Tour hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tour tickets are by a timed entry: $40 (1:30-4 p.m.); $50 (9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); $35 (“Happy Hour,” 4 p.m. to closing). Parking and shuttles depart from Santa Anita Race Track, Gate 6 Lot on Colorado Place. Proceeds from the tours of the house go to fund three music programs. For more information, pasadenashowcase.org

Pasadena Tournament of Roses House: The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association offers free guided tours, 2 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 31. The Tournament House tours reveals little-known facts and trivia and also includes the Wrigley Gardens. Explore the house that has served as headquarters for the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Reservations are required for the hour-long tours. For groups of 10 or more, call 626-449-4100 or email membership@tournamentofroses.com. Book a tour here: tournamentofroses.com/house-tours

Book a castle visit: Rubel Castle is an elaborate folk-art medieval castle in the foothills of Glendora, with five-story tall towers solidly built out of junk and river rocks by the late Michael Rubel and his friends. The castle offers eight scheduled tours each month. Tours are two hours long. Admission is $20 for adults; $10 ages 8-18. The property is not Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible; see website for details. Rubel Castle, 844 N. Live Oak Ave., Glendora. Glendora Historical Society voicemail, 626-963-0419. rubeltours.org

Descanso Gardens: Ongoing special art exhibit: “Shiki: The Four Seasons in Japanese Art,” in the Sturt Haaga Gallery and runs through May 21. Gardens hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The gallery is open, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $15; $11 ages 65 and older and student with valid ID; $5 ages 5-12. Location, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintidge. 818-949-4200. descansogardens.org

Kidspace Children’s Museum: The 27th annual “Butterfly Season” at the museum is open with children’s activities including going on a big safari, playing dress-up, viewing live caterpillars, moths and honeybees, through May 14. Also, learn from “Los Trompos,” an interactive art installation that honors the monarch butterfly’s cultural and ecological ties to Mexico. Tickets are by time and date: $14.95 ages 1-61; $12.95 ages 62 and older (purchase here: bit.ly/3mJOFoh). Location, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-9144. kidspacemuseum.org

Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden: Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Purchase tickets online and in advance. Admission $15; $11 ages 62 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Due to construction of a new visitor entrance, entrance is temporarily at the south parking lot and north of Ayres Hall. The arboretum is at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 626-821-3222. arboretum.org

Monrovia Historical Museum: Explore the museum, 1-4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday. Docent-led tours are available. Free admission/donation. The museum is at 742 E. Lemon Ave., Monrovia. 626-357-9537. monroviahistoricalmuseum.org

Norton Simon Museum: Ongoing special exhibits: “Saint Sebastian: Anatomy of a Sculpture,” learn about the 15th-century Italian painted sculpture from the Norton Simon collections, through July 3. “All Consuming: Art and the Essence of Food,” through Aug. 14. An online exhibit: “Representing Women: Gender and Portraiture in 17th Century Europe” (view here bit.ly/3zLRR9p). Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday and Thursday-Sunday. Admission $15; $12 ages 62 and older; free for ages 18 and younger and students with a valid ID. Location, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org

USC Pacific Asia Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Global Asias: Contemporary Asian and Asian American Art — From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation,” through June 25. Also, explore the Sunkal Ceramics Gallery and the specific galleries for art of South and Southeast Asia, China, Himalaya, Pacific Island, Japan, Korea and Silk Road. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is by advance timed purchase, $10; $7 ages 65 and older and students with valid ID; free for ages 17 and under. Also, free admission from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays and on the second Sunday of the month. 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-787-2680. pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu

Whittier Museum: Exhibits on aspects of Whittier history including agriculture and Quaker settlers. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission/donations. Location, 6755 Newlin Ave., Whittier. 562-945-3871. Email: info@whittiermuseum.org. whittiermuseum.org/visit

Send calendar items to Anissa V. Rivera at sgvncalendar@gmail.com. Please send items at least three weeks before the event. Please list phone, email and/or website for additional information.

West Covina widens access to its low-cost Uber rideshare program

Georgia Valdes — Wed, 17 May 2023 22:52:21 +0000

West Covina’s City Council lowered the age restriction from 65 to 55 years of age and removed age limits for disabled residents to use the city’s Uber pilot program at its Tuesday, May 15 meeting.

“Driving is a necessity that we don’t realize how important it is until, for whatever reason, we can’t do it anymore,” said a 33-year resident who advocated for the changes during the meeting after her husband suffered an injury. “My husband feels he has lost his independence, which is pretty depressing.”

The program began in September 2022. It allows eligible riders to pay just $3 for up to a $20 one-way ride with the program paying the rest. A caretaker is able to share the ride at no extra cost. Anything over $20 is paid by the rider.

As of the time of the vote, only $2,000 has been spent of the initial budget of $50,000.

The alternative option for West Covina riders is the dial-a-ride program, a fleet of seven alternative-fuel vehicles that follow the city’s fixed-route shuttle service and the dial-a-ride service.

To apply for either program, click here .

West Covina councilmember under LA County Sheriff investigation, officials said

Georgia Valdes — Wed, 17 May 2023 21:04:56 +0000

West Covina’s city manager said he has filed a police report concerning City Council member Tony Wu, accusing the elected official of threatening to punch him, according to city officials and filing documents.

The report was filed in February 2023 with the West Covina Police Department and was forwarded to officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who confirmed they have opened an investigation. It’s unclear what criminal charges, if any, could result.

The investigation follows a series of complaints about Wu’s behavior from members of city staff, including Human Resources documents alleging that Wu’s verbal outbursts create a hostile work environment at City Hall.

Wu denies all of the allegations, saying he has not lost his temper nor raised his voice at members of city staff or others.

City Manager David Carmany said he’d filed the police report in the wake of several statements made by Wu during encounters with city staffers, including himself.

The filing comes on the heels of the city hiring an outside investigative firm to look into why an indigenous prayer program — discouraged by some City Council members, including Wu — was rejected for the city’s February centennial.

“I have the responsibility to create a safe and functioning City Hall for our staff and community,” Carmany said in a statement. “Following multiple, separate incidents involving councilman Tony Wu and City Staff — including myself — the city engaged a third-party investigator to determine the facts of the incidents. That investigation confirmed important details about incidents involving councilman Wu and has now resulted in the opening of a criminal investigation into the councilman’s behavior.”

The allegations against Wu — all of which he denies — accuse him of making physical threats against Carmany as well as of retaliatory actions that officials allege are creating a hostile work environment at City Hall.

Officials with the West Covina Police Department denied the San Gabriel Valley Tribune’s public records request for the report, citing a state exemption on personnel disclosure, but confirmed that because of conflict of interest concerns the case was forwarded to the Sheriff’s Department.

Commander Joe Mendoza of the Sheriff’s department confirmed that there was an ongoing investigation with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Division. Once this unit finishes its investigation, it will then be referred to the Justice System Integrity Division of the District Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether to file any charges.

In a formal Human Resources department memorandum, dated March 29, 2022, Carmany alleged that Wu threatened physical violence during a meeting discussing upcoming city projects, including the Meritage Plaza West preliminary site plan.

“Regarding the (Meritage) site plan, in an angry tone, Councilmember Wu stated, ‘I am going to punch you in the face,’” according to the memo, which included Carmany’s reply that “workplace violence was unacceptable.”

Ultimately, Carmany would file the police report based on the HR document. According to the document, Carmany also reported the incident to City Attorney Thomas Duarte.

Wu, in an interview with the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, said that this did not occur and added that it “isn’t his style.” He called into question the accuracy of Carmony’s depiction of the incident because the city manager filed the police report more than a year after the alleged incident.

“(It) never happened,” Wu said. “I’m a senior member and pretty calm … I never get angry. No matter how they try to poke me — It’s just business; It’s nothing personal.”

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Carmany added city staffers are “fully cooperating with the investigation and also remaining independent from the investigation process to ensure the case is handled like any other case.”

City Human Resources department memos detail additional encounters between staffers and Wu. Allegations date back at least a year and accuse Wu of creating a hostile workplace by using retaliatory verbal threats against city staffers.

In a second HR memorandum, dated Aug. 9, 2022, West Covina Fire Chief Vincent Capelle said Wu yelled at him in public during August’s Badge Pinning Ceremony, held at Fire Department No. 2.

West Covina City Councilmember Tony Wu, left, and City Manager David Carmany visit the West Covina Sportsplex on June 23. (Photo courtesy of Tony Wu)

The city of West Covina invited State Sen. Josh Newman, D-West Covina, to attend the event and address the public. Newman accepted the invitation to attend but turned down the offer to formally address attendees.

According to the report, on the day of the event, Wu — who felt that the senator was not properly acknowledged — wanted to invite Newman to speak. According to Wu. But comments from the senator were not on the program, and the fire chief continued with the event as scheduled.

As the event concluded, the memorandum said that Wu pointed at Capelle in front of people attending the event and shouted, “Don’t you ever (expletive) disrespect me again!” Wu allegedly continued to voice his frustration throughout the evening, the memo said.

Wu acknowledged that he was upset because he believed Newman was disrespected by the fire department and worried about the implications on the city’s budget. Still, he denied shouting the statement.

According to the report, on the same night, Wu told Human Resources Director Helen Tran: “Why are we giving Fire anything if the chief does not listen? Stop hiring firefighters and cut the Fire Department budget.”

Later that week, Carmany said he told Wu that the incident was causing a hostile work environment, Carmany said Wu said he “didn’t give a damn,” and insisted on firing Capelle. Wu denied saying this.

In an interview, Capelle said that the event highlighted years of retaliation from Wu that he believes began when he refused Wu’s demand to halt the West Covina Firefighters Association from backing Colleen Rozatti for mayor in 2020.

Capelle added that he has submitted at least five formal HR complaints of retaliation.

Wu denied this, saying he and Capelle are friendly and treat one another with respect.

Former IT manager Shawn Granger said Wu has a “egregious” history of abusive behavior. While he never was the target of Wu’s verbal outbursts, Granger said his staff consistently was. Turnover increased as a result, he said and Wu’s actions are why he eventually left his position with the city.

Abe Amoudi, who worked under Granger from 2019-2021, said he and other IT team members facilitated the council’s live broadcasts of meetings during the pandemic.

Under Wu’s lead as mayor, he said the council was “unappreciative” of their work and “openly hostile” as they publicly discredited their efforts and threatened to terminate the IT team completely.

The tension came to a head, Amoudi said, when he attempted to speak to Wu about equipment issues. A vendor cited to Amoudi that the equipment and set up was sound, and that the issue could be a user error. With the vendor present, Amoudi said he approached Wu who “exploded” and proceeded to demean him.

“He called me like an effing idiot,” Amoudi recalled. “He said I should be ashamed of myself” and that he and others should de fired.

After a moment, Amoudi said Wu apologized but walked away before the tech issues could be reviewed.

Amoudi said he made a formal complaint but did not pursue the issue further. Ultimately, the environment was too overwhelming and he left his job, he said.

Wu said he does not recall Amoudi or this incident. He did recall technical issues with equipment but that it “isn’t his agenda” to fire staff and deferred that to the city manager’s office.

“We do not run the city,” Wu said in an interview. “People always give me a lot of credit, but it’s not my job to run the city.”

He added that he always thanked the staff for their efforts despite faulty equipment, and never treated staff with disrespect.

Both Carmany and Wu were named in a recent lawsuit that accused both of forcing out a former city fire chief from his job.

On May 5, Larry Whithorn, a nearly 30-year veteran of the West Covina Fire Department, won a $4.1 million jury verdict after he was fired in April 2019 due to age discrimination and retaliation for reporting a hostile work environment.

Wu and Planning Commissioner Glenn Kennedy allegedly started vocally pushing for Whithorn’s firing more than a year before the fire chief received his actual termination letter, the lawsuit states.

Once Wu became part of the council majority in November 2018, Whithorn said he was asked repeatedly by certain councilmembers and the city’s human resources director when he would be retiring. When Whithorn complained of a hostile work environment, he was reassured that only the city manager could fire him.

Within a month of taking on the city manager position, Carmany met with Whithorn and asked him to step down. In the lawsuit, Whithorn’s attorneys accused Carmany of “chastising his performance, berating Whithorn in front of his co-workers and direct reports and in private and refusing to work with Whithorn,” the lawsuit states.

On Tuesday, May 16, the West Covina City Council unanimously received and filed the investigator’s report on the indigenous prayer, which found that comments by Wu and Mayor Rosario Diaz discouraged a last-minute plan for an Indigenous land acknowledgment at the city’s February centennial.

Film It West Covina welcomes San Gabriel Valley student submissions

Georgia Valdes — Mon, 15 May 2023 23:19:30 +0000

For the first time, Film It West Covina annual student film festival has opened short-film submissions to students ages 5 to 21 throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

For the festival’s fifth iteration, this year’s theme — Dreams — challenges young filmmakers to share their imaginations on the big screen with a chance to win cash awards.

“I’ve always been passionate for the arts,” said Film It Board Member Stephany Barbosa. “This was just kind of a way to try to give back to the community.”

As a lifelong resident of the San Gabriel Valley, Barbosa noted the dwindling arts programs in the area. This inspired her to volunteer with Film It’s board of directors after West Covina Council Member Letty Viado-Lopez advocated for the program.

This festival is primarily student run, so Film It West Covina also offers internship opportunities with the project for students looking for hands on work in the industry.

Opportunities in 2023, include musical performances, graphic design, video editing, photography, filming, marketing, social media, event planning, emcee, presenters, I.T., sound tech and festival tech.

“We try to have the students connect and network with not only industry experts, but also with schools,” said Barbosa. “So any film school that we’ve reached out to that is available to come that day, will come out and help the students get connected and network with them, so they have a better idea of the industry and how to get there.”

Film submittions will be judged on theme, cinematography and editing. The finalists will premiere during the Aug. 18 festival. Beside individual prizes, the school with the most film submissions also receive a cash prize to use toward bolstering curriculum.

July 1 is the final day to submit a short film, and can be received via email to filmitwcsubmission@gmail.com or through www.filmitwestcovina.com.

To sponsor the film festival, visit www.filmitwestcovina.com/sponsor-2023-festival.

West Covina leaders’ comments doomed Indigenous blessing, report says

Georgia Valdes — Sat, 13 May 2023 16:16:36 +0000

An outside investigator’s report on West Covina’s botched centennial Indigenous land acknowledgment has concluded that while city officials did not act with implicit bias or “overt discrimination,” one councilmember’s characterization of the ceremony as “too political” along with other officials’ comments were so offensive to the planned tribal guest speaker that they prompted her to pull out of the event.

In the aftermath of the February centennial, the cancellation of the acknowledgment — and blessing from the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California — sparked an outcry from many in the region’s Indigenous community.

During Feb. 21’s City Council meeting, a heated three hours of public comment was critical of Mayor Rosario Diaz and City Councilman Tony Wu for what appeared as their role in discouraging the ceremony.

Public criticism culminated in an apology from the city manager and the council’s approval of an investigation into how and why the centennial celebration programming was planned and ultimately fell apart. Questions also focused on whether the entire City Council had been informed and who authorized the program in the first place. The city manager’s office was instructed to hire an outside investigator.

The investigation — conducted by the JL Group, LLC, at the behest of the city manager’s office and which is on the agenda for Tuesday’s City Council meeting — shed light on actions of city staffers and elected officials that led to the botched prayer.

It confirmed that the night before the Feb. 18 centennial event, the city manager’s office approved the addition of the acknowledgment, requested at the “last minute” by Councilmember Brian Tabatabai. The request was accommodated through Assistant City Manager Roxanne Lerma, who was organizing the centennial.

According to the report, local resident Jamie Rocha, of the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California, had reached out to Tabatabai and offered to facilitate the land acknowledgement ceremony.

Lerma — who was under no obligation to obtain pre-approvals from the City Council for any of the performers, guests, or vendors for the event — was tasked by Carmany to be inclusive of all cultural, racial, religious, and ethnic groups within West Covina and had already brought Chinese Dragon Dancers, Folklorico Performers, Filipino-American and Latin groups into the event, according to the report.

As such, after checking with Rocha what the ceremony would be, Lerma offered Rocha a time slot to offer what was supposed to be a land acknowledgement with council members that “acknowledges the Indigenous people as the original caretakers of the lands we now reside on.”

Rocha accepted a booth location and the time slot for program, according to the report.

Nicolas Rocha, Chairmen for the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation addressing West Covina City Council members

While only one councilmember — Tabatabai — was aware of the land acknowledgement prior to the event, nothing found during the investigation indicated that any other programming passed through the council ahead of time or that the other councilmembers were required to be told in advance.

Still, it was that fact that riled other councilmembers.

On the day of, according to the report, Tabatabai joined Rocha, but as the council members assembled near the main stage, a bemused Wu approached asking what was going on, stating “this was not the time or place for a political statement,” and questioned why the larger council was not informed of the moment.

On the night of the event, urgent calls were made. Approvals were affirmed. But by then, the back-and-forth among city officials soured Rocha on doing an acknowledgement or blessing in the first place.

‘Too political’?

Ultimately, the mayor, Wu, Councilmember Ollie Cantos and Tabatabai began expressing their own opinions, within earshot of Rocha. Wu reiterated his disapproval because it was “too political.”

Without approaching Rocha, Wu chose to leave the event, saying it was the mayor’s decision to make, according to witnesses and the report.

According to Tabatabai, Wu appeared agitated but Wu later insisted that he was simply tired and went home.

The exchange among officials happened in front of Rocha and her mother, who watched and listened. By the time Diaz had approached Rocha to ask about the process involved in giving a blessing, Rocha said “she was personally offended the ceremony was deemed a political statement as she felt it marginalized indigenous people,” according to the report.

But at that point, according to the report, Diaz spurred further emotion from Rocha after comparing Rocha’s participation in the event to “showing up at Diaz’s quinceanera to celebrate her own 15th birthday.”

Rocha was sent reeling from the comment, and while Diaz ultimately said Rocha could go ahead with the ceremony, by then Rocha was “too emotional to move forward” and pulled herself out of the event, as well as the booth that Lerma had secured for her.

Diaz could not be reached for comment.

Wu, responding to the report during an interview Friday, said that he believed the statement to be political not because of the statement Rocha presented — one he now says he has no issue with — but because of Tabatabai’s “agenda” and alleged support for Land Back, a movement that calls for transferring power and wealth back to Indigenous people and land restitution to support Indigenous sovereignty.

“We were here trying to unite people together,” Wu said. “Including Asian people, Hispanic people, African American people — all people are invited. We want to see the future, we don’t want to continue to bring hate. If we continue to spread hate into our children or into our community, then we cannot come together.”

Tabatabai said that while he practices land acknowledgements — and did so the night of Feb. 17 to the crowd gathered — he never discussed Land Back theory or movements with the City Council as a councilmember nor as a resident.

“That hasn’t been part of what I have been trying to do within the city,” he said. “I’ve been trying to build partnerships with people who have been excluded from West Covina and bring them into the fold of the city and that’s just going to make our city better and stronger.”

“The agenda that they’re attaching to me is based on, I think, framing of a progressive and is taking all the most extreme Fox News talking points and just attributing them to me,” he added.

Still, the night of the centennial, Rocha’s statement did not refer to partisan divisions nor Land Back theory or indigenous sovereignty.

It read: “The city of West Covina acknowledges the Indigenous people as the original caretakers of the lands we now reside on. We Acknowledge that the City of West Covina are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Gabrielino-Shoshone, Tongva and Kizh Nations. We not only recognize the importance of acknowledging our ancestral history of our city, but to also acknowledge that these Indigenous communities still thrive here to this very day. While the history may be painful and violent to recall, it is not only necessary but vital to acknowledge this so history will not repeat itself.”

Additionally, per the summary report, she and Tabatabai welcomed any edits to the statement from the other council members before going on stage.

Wu reiterated that he left that day because he was not properly notified of the programing and, at the time, understood the acknowledgement to be divisive.

“Why didn’t they tell us we had this program,” Wu said. “The point is — where is the disclosure? Where is transparency?”

Ultimately, Wu said Tabatabai never previously approached the council to educate them on land acknowledgements and Tabatabai said Wu has never asked to learn about land acknowledgements.

The investigation emphasized that it found no evidence that the discussions or decisions were based upon any implicit bias or overt discrimination against Rocha or her tribe though the exchange, which Rocha posted 90 minutes later on Facebook, drew condemnation.

Text messages shed more light

In the methodology of the investigation, the report listed emails as correspondence used to conclude the findings.

But text messages obtained through the West Covina city clerk’s office from the night of the centennial, shed more light on the back-and-forth of city officials.

Wu messaged Carmany: “None of you are here and put this thing on without our approval, I have no part of this and you can do anything you want I am going home.”

Later Wu sent: “Mayor overrode your decision. No Political statement in our centennial celebration.”

That same night, in a Feb.18 text exchange between Councilmember Ollie Cantos and Wu, the two described Tabatabai’s inclusion of Rocha as a political stunt aimed to divide the council.

Music teacher Bill Martinez of San Dimas leads his choir students from Hollencrest Middle School in West Covina in singing “Like a Mighty Stream” at the centennial celebrations for the city of West Covina Saturday in the city’s downtown area, on Feb. 18, 2023. (Photo by Anissa Rivera)

“He wants his political beliefs to be force down into our throats and approved by our incompetent (city manager) at the most (joyous) time of the centennial celebration to create hate and separation among us,” Wu said. “He is just a bad, evil person.”

During the council meeting on Feb. 20, Cantos would introduce a motion on March 7 to strip Tabatabai of his mayor pro tem title over the episode.

“If we are to do this with Native Americans, then what about slavery with African Americans or Chinese ancestors who were exploited through the building of the Chinese railroad or etc. etc. etc. it is political because it is espousing a philosophy that is not non-partisan,” Cantos wrote to Wu.

“And, before Mexico, and Arizona there were dinosaurs that were destroyed by a large comet that created the Grand Canyon, so we need to remember the dinosaurs came before people but from Mexico,” Cantos added. “But even before dinosaurs there was God who created Earth. Then who created the universe? It just goes on and on.”

Later in the exchange, while discussing which religious groups are involved in city affairs, Cantos stated, “We don’t have a mosque in West Covina. We don’t have a synagogue here either as far as I know. It isn’t against those religions. We are just asking churches to participate who are based here right?”

“Inviting Christians doesn’t mean that we are excluding others,” Cantos added. “That would be ridiculous for anyone to say that.”

Temple Ami Shalom of the San Gabriel Valley, is a Jewish place of worship located in West Covina on East Temple Way. The Islamic Center of the San Gabriel Valley, while not in West Covina, is located in neighboring Rowland Heights. Rocha and her family are long time residents of West Covina and Indigenous people have lived on the land that is today known as West Covina since before colonization.

Wu said he stands by the text messages but added that he feels that there is now a “witchhunt” happening against him.

Cantos could not be reached for comment.

The entire episode was enough for 25-year resident Angie Gillingham to also file a Public Records Act request of the text exchange.

“The fact that Councilman Wu considers ‘our’ as being the ‘Council’ for celebration, is clearly not representing all of the 105,000 population in our city,” Gillingham said. “He wants to make it exclusive instead of inclusive … If this is inclusive, then why are we singling out the other groups.”

“It just went a direction that was very disturbing to me,” she added.

Tabatabai ultimately kept his position as mayor pro tem after a May 21 vote, with Cantos voting against the removal.

Upon seeing the exchange, he said he was disappointed by the conversation.

“The most offensive part right is that whole diatribe where they went through every racial group and then you know, finally going to the dinosaurs — It was disgusting,” Tabatabai said, adding that the public deserves an apology. “The hypocrisy is galling — most of the community sees through it … none of that talk was what was best for the community.”

Months after the incident, Rocha has moved on.

“I am going to be completely honest: the whole investigation report the city was doing fell into the back burner in my mind,” she said, responding to the release of the report.

She just wanted to help educate the public on the area’s Indigenous roots, and ultimately that’s what happened, she said.

“That was my goal when I asked to do the land acknowledgement, and even though what I went through was ugly, it had me connect to people beyond West Covina and be supported by those communities. I couldn’t ask for a better outcome than that.”

The summary report is posted on West Covina’s website within the staff reporting documents ahead of the May 16 City Council meeting. At the time of this reporting, it was unclear how much city funding was paid to JL Group, LLC, for the investigation.

Things to do in the San Gabriel Valley/Whittier, May 12-19

Anissa Rivera — Fri, 12 May 2023 13:00:26 +0000

The Rose Bowl Flea Market is held on the second Sunday of the month. Purchase admission for May 14 online. In the photo, patches of blue above the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Thursday, March 30, 2023. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily New/SCNG)

Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier, May 12-19.

There are as many activities to do on Sunday, Mother’s Day, as there are kinds of moms. Whether you go for brunch, a hike or the theater, here’s hoping this holiday make all the mothers of the San Gabriel Valley happy.

Jazz on Hill: Returns after three years with a celebration of Roy McCurdy at 10 a.m. for a history class, 4 p.m. for a master class, and 7 p.m. concert on May 12. Free admission. Reservations required: pasadenaconservatory.org/event/jazz-on-hill-2. Pasadena Conservatory of Music, 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. 626-683-3355. pasadenaconservatory.org

Los Angeles County Fair: The fair’s theme this year is “Spring into Fair,” through May 29. Admission is available online now for discount. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and Memorial Day on May 29. Admission online $15/$18/$21 (depending on date); ages 60 and older and ages 6-12 admission online $10/$12 (depending on date). Admission at the gate $30; $15 ages 60 and older and ages 6-12. Parking in advance online $17; $22 at the gate. Also, Fairplex is a cashless venue. Some concessionaires and vendors may accept cash, but credit or debit card is preferred. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. www.lacountyfair.com

Open house: Discover young artists at Glendora Art Academy’s open house, 7 p.m. May 12. Pick up students’ work and enjoy light refreshments. Free admission. First Christian Church of Glendora, 300 N. Glendora Ave. 626-335-2240. Email: fccgfaa@gmail.com.

Farmers market at Mount San Antonio College: Farm fresh everything is available, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 13 at Parking Lot B, 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut. Aside from fruits and vegetables, find all kinds of nuts, breads, desserts, snacks, juices and ready-to-eat dishes such as dumplings. Vendors also sell handmade items and plants. 909-869-0701. Email: info@regionalchambersgv.com. Regional Chamber of Commerce – San Gabriel Valley: bit.ly/3WK4ZFj. www.facebook.com/MTSacFarmersMarket

Whittier’s Founders Day Community Picnic: The Whittier Historical Society and city of Whittier present the picnic, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 13. The event includes living history performers, live music, vintage car display, crafts, lawn games, a slam poetry contest and vendors. There will also be a beard and mustache competition. The city of Whittier was incorporated in 1898 and was named in honor of the Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. Fun dress code: 1890s period attire. Central Park, 6532 Friends Ave., Whittier. 562-945-3871. Details: bit.ly/42daz6Z

West Covina Farmers Market: Shop for in-season fruits and vegetables, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 13 (and also on most Saturdays). The market also offers prepared foods and artisan crafts. EBT is accepted. Location, 195 Glendora Ave., West Covina. For more information, email: Fmlcevendor@gmail.com. Check here for updates: www.facebook.com/westcovinafarmersmarket

San Gabriel Fire Department’s Fire Service Day: Event includes tours, mock firefighting demonstrations, paramedics demonstrations and fire safety information, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 13. Station 51, 1303 S. Del Mar Ave., San Gabriel. SanGabrielCity.com

Renaissance Pleasure Faire: Immerse yourself in the time of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and have some fun with cosplay of the time period, speaking the lingo, shopping in the marketplace, listening to music and laughing at performances, Saturday-Sunday, May 13-14 and 20-21. Fun dress code: period “faire” costume (optional). Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission $42; $21 ages 5-12; $225 season pass. There is a mandatory entry fee $12 to the Santa Fe Dam Recreation area. Parking is free, first-come, first served; VIP parking $25 (must be purchased in advance online). Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale. 626-969-4750. renfair.com/socal

Community expo: The Shops at Montebello host a community expo, “Peace, Love and Good Vibes,” with games for children, live performances, demos and raffles, noon-4 p.m. May 13. Shoppers may receive coupons, freebies and samples. Event is “mall-wide” at 2134 Montebello Town Center Drive. montebellochamber.org/expo

Noise Now: A Noise Within and TheatreWorkers Project present “Unmasked,” an interactive theater piece written and performed by 11 members of Cal State Los Angeles’ Project Rebound, at 4 and 7 p.m. May 13. Admission is pay-what-you-choose among these price options: $5, $15 and $25. Location, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 626-356-3100. anoisewithin.org/noise-now

Rose Bowl Flea Market: Find what you’ve been searching for or discover a new collectible, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 14. Admission $12; ages 11 and younger are free with an adult; $20 for early admission between 5 and 8:45 a.m. (purchase all admissions online). The flea market is held on the second Sunday of the month. Location, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. 626-577-3100. rgcshows.com/rose-bowl

Forest Lawn Museum – Glendale: May 14: “Grand Views: The Immersive World of Panoramas,” through Sept. 10. The exhibit is in partnership with the Velaslavasay Panorama in Los Angeles (www.panoramaonview.org). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Free admission. Location, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. forestlawn.com/events/grand-views/

Mount Wilson Observatory’s Concerts in the Dome: The Lounge Art Ensemble of Peter Erskine on drums, Bob Sheppard on saxophone and Darek Oles on bass takes the stage, so to speak, within the 100-inch dome at 3 and 5 p.m. May 14. Tickets $55. Notes on attending the concerts: Access to the dome performance level is by a 53-step staircase. Mount Wilson Observatory is a mile high in elevation so the air is noticeably thinner. There is no ADA-compliant access. No children ages 12 and younger are permitted. Angeles Crest Highway (CA Highway 2) from the 210 Freeway at La Cañada Flintridge (use the map here: www.mtwilson.edu/1map). For more information, mtwilson.edu. Details and purchase tickets: www.mtwilson.edu/events/sunday-afternoon-concert-in-the-dome-may-14-tbd/

Camerata Pacifica: Sopranista Samuel Mariño makes his United States debut performance, 7:30 p.m. May 16. Tickets $68. Rothenberg Hall at the Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 626-405-2100. huntington.org. Details and to purchase tickets: huntington.org/event/camerata-pacifica-sopranista-samuel-marino

Vroman’s Bookstore: Erica Baurmeister discusses her novel “No Two Persons,” 7 p.m. May 15. Dean King discusses “Guardians of the Valley: John Muir and the Friendship that Saved Yosemite,” 7 p.m. May 16. Connie Wang discusses “Oh My Mother! A Memoir in Nine Adventures,” 7 p.m. May 17. Andrew McCarthy discusses “Walking with Sam: A Father, A Son and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain,” 7 p.m. May 18. Holly Goldberg Sloan discusses her novel “Pieces of Blue,” 7 p.m. May 19. Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. vromans.com

An Evening with David Sedaris: Purchase presale tickets for the author’s talk, to be held at 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium: use offer code “David” to access the presale price through 10 p.m. May 18. The general sale begins at 10 a.m. May 19. The one-night-only event follows the release of Sedaris’ newest book “Happy Go Lucky.” For more information, go to visitpasadena.com and click on “Pasadena Events.”

The Dance and the Railroad: The play by David Henry Hwang, set in 1867, follows two Chinese artists and their fellow railroad workers as they hold a strike to protest inhuman conditions suffered by Chinese laborers in the American West, opens 8 p.m. May 19. Show runs 8 p.m. May 20; 2 p.m. May 21 and 7 p.m. May 22. Tickets are pay-what-you-choose with options, $30 or $50. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 626-356-3100. anoisewithin.org/noise-now. www.anoisewithin.org/play/dance-and-the-railroad

Ongoing

Send calendar items to Anissa V. Rivera at sgvncalendar@gmail.com. Please send items at least three weeks before the event. Please list phone, email and/or website for additional information.

Former West Covina fire chief awarded $4.1 million in wrongful termination suit

Jason Henry — Sat, 06 May 2023 01:00:07 +0000

A former West Covina fire chief who sued the city for wrongful termination was awarded $4.1 million Friday, May 5, by a Los Angeles County jury.

Larry Whithorn, a nearly 30-year veteran of the West Covina Fire Department, argued he was fired in April 2019 due to age discrimination and retaliation for reporting a hostile work environment caused by a city commissioner who “was harassing him, disparaging his name, verbally assaulting him and campaigning to get rid of him,” according to the suit.

Whithorn was represented by attorneys Anna Olevsky, John David and Anthony Nguyen.

“Mr. Whithorn is feeling vindicated,” Olevsky said in an interview. “The way in which they treated him was simply egregious misconduct and, thankfully, he was able to share his story with a jury of his peers, and they understood that he was credible and that he truly did suffer emotional and economical damages. And, fortunately, they awarded him accordingly for that suffering.”

Whithorn’s termination “derailed his career” and his family life, Olevsky said.

“Today, we see a little piece of justice,” she said.

In a statement, West Covina City Attorney Thomas Duarte indicated the court battle may not yet be over.

“We respect the judicial process and the jury’s role in it, but we also respectfully disagree with the verdict that was reached,” Duarte stated. “We intend to file post-trial motions to address certain issues with the court and will appeal this matter if necessary.”

Reached by phone, Duarte declined to answer additional questions about the case.

Whithorn joined the West Covina Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic in 1991 and was promoted to fire chief in 2014. The chief alleged he began experiencing harassment after he spent roughly eight months on medical leave in 2017, according to the lawsuit.

City officials allegedly painted Whithorn as an “absentee” fire chief and “he experienced backlash from many, including individuals in a supervisory and higher position, for taking time off,” the lawsuit states.

That same year, the West Covina Firefighters Association issued a vote of no confidence against Whithorn for allegedly threatening to demote union members or to change their schedules and duties for picketing City Hall.

Whithorn, who took additional time off in 2018 to care for his sick father, argued he was targeted for his absences by a new City Council and other city officials, according to the lawsuit. Councilman Tony Wu and Planning Commissioner Glenn Kennedy allegedly started vocally pushing for Whithorn’s firing more than a year before the fire chief received his actual termination letter, the lawsuit states.

Then-City Manager Chris Freeland, Human Resources Director Edward Macias and Finance Director Marcie Medina all resigned suddenly in March 2019. Within a month, Freeland’s replacement, David Carmany, met with Whithorn and asked him to step down, too.

In the lawsuit, Whithorn’s attorneys accused Carmany of “chastising his performance, berating Whithorn in front of his co-workers and direct reports and in private and refusing to work with Whithorn,” the lawsuit states.

Whithorn declined to sign the resignation letter and was terminated three days later. His attorneys alleged he was not given the appropriate notice or a proper chance to appeal.

Carmany, at the time, said the city was seeking new leadership to “establish bold new goals for improved community service.”

Things to do in the San Gabriel Valley/Whittier, May 5-12

Anissa Rivera — Thu, 04 May 2023 13:00:58 +0000

Vendors sell antiques, vintage clothes, collectibles and vinyl records in Pasadena City College parking lots on May 7 at the Pasadena City College Flea Market. Upcoming dates, June 4 and July 2, (Google Street View)

Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier, May 5-12.

Raise a glass to the 1862 Mexican victory over French troops and celebrate Mexican culture at the many Cinco de Mayo parties in the San Gabriel Valley.

Have fun at the Cinco de Mayo Festival in South El Monte with live performances, a boxing show and food vendors, 6-9 p.m. May 5. Free admission. South El Monte Community Center, 1530 Central Ave. 626-579-2043.

Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl, the second-annual event, 1-7 p.m. May 6. The family-friendly event includes family fitness activities, live music, a youth soccer tournament, a marketplace and screenings of “Coco” (2017) and “Encanto” (2021). Free but reservations are requested on the website. Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. Details on the website: bit.ly/41ZzXwp

Los Angeles County Fair: The fair’s theme this year is “Spring into Fair,” May 5-29. Admission is available online now for discount. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission online $15/$18/$21 (depending on date); ages 60 and older and ages 6-12 admission online $10/$12 (depending on date). Admission at the gate $30; $15 ages 60 and older and ages 6-12. Parking in advance online $17; $22 at the gate. Also, Fairplex is a cashless venue. Some concessionaires and vendors may accept cash, but credit or debit card is preferred. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. www.lacountyfair.com

West Covina Farmers Market: Shop for in-season fruits and vegetables, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 6 (and also on most Saturdays). The market also offers prepared foods and artisan crafts. EBT is accepted. Location, 195 Glendora Ave., West Covina. For more information, email: Fmlcevendor@gmail.com. Check here for updates: www.facebook.com/westcovinafarmersmarket

Family art workshop at the Huntington: Get inspired at a collage art workshop, 9:30 a.m.-noon May 6. Start at the gallery with a talk about Los Angeles-based artist Njideka Crosby’s collage-based paintings and end with a workshop where children can create their own self-portrait collage. All materials provided. This program is for children ages 7-11. Fee $45, for one child plus an accompanying adult, as well as admission to The Huntington. The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. For more information, email mahverdyan@huntington.org. huntington.org. Reservations: huntington.org/event/family-workshop-collage-creation

Renaissance Pleasure Faire: Immerse yourself in the time of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and have some fun with cosplay of the time period, speaking the lingo, shopping in the marketplace, listening to music and laughing at performances, Saturday-Sunday, to May 21. Fun dress code: period “faire” costume (optional). Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission $42; $21 ages 5-12; $225 season pass. There is a mandatory entry fee $12 to the Santa Fe Dam Recreation area. Parking is free, first-come, first served; VIP parking $25 (must be purchased in advance online). Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale. 626-969-4750. renfair.com/socal

Vroman’s Bookstore: Stephen Buoro discusses “The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa,” 1 p.m. May 6 (on Crowdcast; register for the link: bit.ly/41Xl51g). Mona Gable discusses “Searching for Savanna — The Murder of One Native American Woman and the violence Against the Many,” 7 p.m. May 9. Vanessa Wilkie discusses “A Woman of Influence: The Spectacular Rise of Alice Spencer in Tudor England,” 7 p.m. May 11. Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. vromans.com

The Pasadena Chorale: “Brahms and Beyond,” at 7:30 p.m. May 6. Enjoy some of Brahms’ most beloved choral works and explore the music of living composers influenced and inspired by the German composer. Admission is free but ticket reservations are required. First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. pasadenachorale.org

Pasadena City College Flea Market: Find antiques, vintage collectibles, new treasures or vinyl records, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 7. Free admission. Upcoming dates: June 4; July 2. Use the parking structure #5 on Bonnie Avenue ($2). The market is in outdoor parking lots 1, 3 (on Hill Avenue) and also in parking lot structure #4 (levels 2 and 3; Del Mar Boulevard). The college is located at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-585-7906. Email: fleamarket@pasadena.edu. pasadena.edu/community/flea-market. Updates, www.facebook.com/pccfleamarket

Home Sweet Monrovia: Save the date for the 39th annual tour of vintage homes curated by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. Explore Monrovia’s rich architectural heritage, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7. Houses include: an 1887 Queen Anne; 1900s Craftsman homes; a 1931 Spanish Colonial Revival; an 1885 Eastlake Victorian. The Monrovia Historical Museum and Anderson House Museum will also be open for viewing. Tickets are $25 advance; $30 on event day (purchase on the website or at Charlie’s House, 430 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia). mohpg.org

For little gardeners: Get an inspiring view seated in front of Diego Rivera’s “The Flower Vendor” as you listen to “The Little Gardener” by Emily Hughes, during “Stories in the Afternoon,” 3 p.m. May 7. Ideal for ages 4-8. Storytime is limited to 15 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up at the Information Desk when the museum opens. Free with museum admission. Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org

Octavia’s Bookshelf: Denise Crittendon discusses “Where It Rains in Color,” 6 p.m. May 9. Location, 1361 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. 626-421-6222. octaviasbookshelf.com

Duarte Farmers Market: is open from 4 to 7:30 p.m. May 10 (and most other Wednesdays). Southeast corner of the Santa Teresita Assisted Living parking lot, 819 Buena Vista St., Duarte. duartechamber.com/duarte-farmers-market. Updates on Facebook: bit.ly/41OI0wJ

Music on Main: The city of El Monte brings music to its farmers market, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Mariachi Divas celebrates Mother’s Day on May 11 and 4 The People takes the stage on May 25. Main Street between Santa Anita and Tyler avenues, El Monte. For more information, 626-580-2200. ci.el-monte.ca.us

Just Like Heaven Fest: The lineup includes Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MGMT, Azealia Banks, Future Islands, Empire of the Sun, M83, Hot Chip, Caribou and the Walkmen, noon-11 p.m. May 13. Tickets $369 or $389 VIP (plus fees); $649 Clubhouse (all general admission tickets are sold out). No refunds. Brookside at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. justlikeheavenfest.com

Ongoing

Norton Simon Museum: New exhibit: “All Consuming: Art and the Essence of Food,” through Aug. 14. Ongoing special exhibit: “Saint Sebastian: Anatomy of a Sculpture,” learn about the 15th-century Italian painted sculpture from the Norton Simon collections, through July 3. An online exhibit: “Representing Women: Gender and Portraiture in 17th Century Europe” (view here bit.ly/3zLRR9p). Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday and Thursday-Sunday. Admission $15; $12 ages 62 and older; free for ages 18 and younger and students with a valid ID. Location, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org

Send calendar items to Anissa V. Rivera at sgvncalendar@gmail.com. Please send items at least three weeks before the event. Please list phone, email and/or website for additional information.

West Covina in a financial hole on Sportsplex; and a new health department? Not this year

Georgia Valdes — Thu, 04 May 2023 00:23:07 +0000

A handful of residents gathered to meet with city officials this week to discuss West Covina’s 2023-24 proposed $129 million spending plan, and they were met with a sobering outlook.

While the city’s finances were presented as a “rollover budget,” with no new city positions, the small but inquisitive crowd learned that a highly touted Sportsplex facility is $600,000 in the hole, and an independent health department – once the dream of some local leaders wanting to escape the thumb of the L.A. County Public directives during the pandemic – was not in the cards – at least not any time soon.

Officials also are projecting a shortfall in revenue, and major overtime costs, which are stretching the city’s piggy bank at a time when economists are warning of a potential national recession.

As the city’s proposed budget states: “Fiscal due diligence is necessary.”

Specifically, residents wanted to know: How much is the West Covina Sportsplex facility costing city taxpayers? And what is the status of the West Covina Health Department initiative?

In 2021, the city added the Sportsplex on Azusa Avenue to its list of parks, boasting its replica baseball fields on nearly 30 acres, batting cage, picnic areas, lighting for night sports events and “multi-sport pavilion.” But the city also took over its costs.

For the upcoming fiscal year, $853,915 is estimated to be spent on it from the city’s general fund, with estimated revenue of only $161,567, putting the city about $600,000 in the hole.

Residents gathered to hear West Covina’s 2023-2024 budget proposal. (Georgia Valdes | Southern California News Group)

As such, many residents at the meeting opposed the city managing operations for the facility.

Last fall, the city published proposals for vendors to lease and operate one or both of the two full-service clubhouse restaurants with bars located within the facility, but so far has not received any bids, according to assistant City Manager Roxanne E. Lerma, who was present during the meeting. Add this to the fluctuating field usage over the past year, and the possibility of cutting down on the losses appears low.

“Right now we have invested; we’ve invested the time, energy and money into bringing those facilities back up to standard — a lot of things that we could not avoid, such as deferred maintenance that had been there for years that needed to be addressed,” Lerma said.

Lerma added that the city hopes to increase reservations as the year continues.

Health Department

Responding to direction from former Mayor Tony Wu in 2021, the city sought provisional approval from the California Department of Public Health for the creation of a fiscally sustainable municipal health department. If it ever got going, it would be among a sparse number of municipal health departments that includes Long Beach and Pasadena.

According to city officials, for the past three years, the CDPH has not provided direction regarding the regulations and services the city may assume.

Bottom line, officials said, the West Covina Health Department initiative is on pause.

While last year’s budget did estimate a cost for the health department under the guidance of TransTech consultants, this year’s 2023‐24 budget does not include revenue and expenditures for a health department.

“At that time the city was assuming that we would be able to move forward sooner than later on the health department but since then we’ve discovered that’s not the case,” said West Covina’s Finance Director Stephanie Sikkema. “It’s going to be a very slow-moving process before we can ever move into operational. So, last year’s fiscal budget did include a placeholder budget for health department operations, however, none of those transactions ever occurred.”

The project was to be funded via the American Rescue Plan Act, totaling $19,566,027. According to city officials, these funds were specifically meant for COVID recovery initiatives. The health department being in line with such, the city contracted with the engineering firm TransTech for $598,000. The company then appointed and added a West Covina health director to its payroll — Dr. Basil Vassantachart.

Vassantachart, who works in family medicine in El Monte, said that there are grants that could provide funding for public health needs in West Covina.

“Each public health department has their own unique public health programs to address their health needs and gaps of their community that they serve,” Vassantachart said. “Depending on the health needs and gaps of their community, there may be additional funding and grants available to help support those programs.”

He noted that officials were continuously exploring other potential grants that could apply to the city, including the CITED (Capacity and Infrastructure, Transition, Expansion, and Development) funding from the California Department of Health Services. But he noted that arrangements were still in the works “with our community partners before we can move forward.”

Vassantachart did not confirm what health needs and which gaps the West Covina Health Department will address, nor what community partners or ongoing programs the department intend to collaborate with.

The push for a local health department came in the thick of the pandemic, as the L.A. County Public Health Department was issuing public health directives in a jurisdiction that for nearly 60 years included West Covina. Such directives rubbed some in the city wrong.

In December of 2020, the city — in response to what officials said were “complaints from residents and the business community and a desire to provide a more appropriate response to the pandemic based on West Covina’s data,” the West Covina City Council directed staff to explore methods to “improve local public health.”

That same month, the city engaged with Valley Physicians Medical Group, through Vassantachart, to provide consulting services on options for creating a health department.

By February of the following year, the City Council sought to terminate the services of the L.A. County health officer, and by May 2021 had authorized the city manager to hire its own public health officer, through Transtech, which provides municipal services to public agencies.

City Councilmember Brian Tabatabai, who had voted no on the measures, said this week that “the Health Department will not be a part of the budget. They have placeholders, but since the city is working off a fantasy premise that it will be self-funded but there hasn’t been any analysis.”

Such criticism echoed similar concerns over the health department and the Sportsplex.

“The Sportsplex had been treated similar to the health department — it is an unknown,” said longtime resident Jefferson DeRoux. “We don’t know what the health department will bring us, if it will correct the problem … the city is actually taking on a business and it’s really failed to solicit interest that is meaningful and has dragged it along for quite some time. That raises concerns — budgetary concerns — because when these two entities take off all these unknowns are going to hit us. There is going to be a large impact on the city finances.”

While the majority of speakers at this budget session were against the health department, Matthew Smith, who operates West Covina’s Nothing Bundt Cakes on Covina Parkway, is in favor of the city’s endeavor.

He believes that by independently establishing an in-house health department, the city can bridge the gap between health department and city building code enforcement to streamline euntreprenuerial build outs in West Covina.

“We release power to the county to shut down your favorite restaurant that the city cannot keep it,” Smith added. “I am not sure that I am comfortable with letting an outside county agency shut down West Covina businesses.”

The Outlook

With regard to the overall budget projection, general fund expenditures for the fiscal year 2023-24 are projected to be more than $66.5 million — a $2.6 million increase from the current fiscal year’s original budget. Currently, property tax remains the city’s largest revenue source and is projected to be almost $38 million.

Sales tax, the next largest revenue source, is estimated to be $23 million, but is also expected to slightly decrease over the next fiscal year if a recession descends on the country. Additionally, the city’s reserves have fallen from $25 million in fiscal year 2021 to $20 million and is expected to stay there for the current year.

According to Sikkema, West Covina has more expenditures than it has revenue — and the expenditures are increasing. West Covina’s total projected operating and capital improvement expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year are more than $129 million when revenue for all fund types combined is over $123 million.

Overtime was cited as a major burden on the city. Based on prior years actuals with an estimated increase in line with base salary increases, the general fund will pay overtime fees of $7.2 million. Most of this overtime is from Fire (51.4%) and Police (46.6%), according to projections.

Among challenges listed in the proposed budget, one appears to highlight the biggest topic of debate during the community meeting — “fiscal prudence.”

“Capital needs remain underfunded,” the report states. “Clearly, municipal facilities are not to standard. Maintenance of buildings, streets, and parks has been deferred and as a result services have suffered. Typically, assets run to failure, operate until they break down.”

The budget report sites as an example Fire Station No. 1, which has been determined uninhabitable, forcing the city to setup up temporary quarters.

“The budget is a reporting document,” Lerma said. “It allows us to see where we’ve been, helps us see where we are and gives us an idea of where we are going.”

The city’s new budget takes effect on July 1 and the fiscal year ends on June 30 of next year.

Ultimately, the City Council must still approve the plan.

The full spending proposal can be found at /www.westcovina.org/departments/finance/budget-finance-reports/annual-budget.