Temple City Voice

This is a breaking news story. More information to follow.

This evening, the City Council of Temple City voted 3-2 to appoint Tom O’Leary as the newest member of the Planning Commissioner.

O’Leary currently sits on the Parks and Recreation Commission. He fills the seat left vacant by Carl Blum. Blum stepped down in June.

“I’m happy” commented O’Leary after he was offered the position.

The City Council had conducted interviews with two other candidates. Mayor Pro Tempore Dave Capra made his first official appearance since his absence earlier this month.

O’Leary will begin his post as Planning Commissioner after the City Council officially approves his appointment on August 19, 2008.

Last Wednesday, members of the Temple City Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) unanimously selected fellow Commissioner Nanette Fish as their new chairman. Fish, who succeeds Commissioner Christopher Goad, will serve her term as chair for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Parks and Recreation Commissioners also voted 5-0 to elected Cynthia Sternquist as its vice-chairman. Fish’s first meeting as chairman was a crowded one. The unusually large attendance surprised Fish, but she was pleased to see a great number of citizens speaking up.

“I’m happy so many people came and participated,” Fish said after the meeting adjourned. “I hope seeing this large group makes them want to come to our other meetings as well.”

As the new chairman of this organization, Fish has ideas for more community-commission interaction.

“[My main goal is] to let Temple City residents know they’re welcome to join in,” said Fish. “I would love to see more participation from them and see the same enthusiasm they had tonight with other important issues.”

Fish, a twenty-four-year Temple City resident, has been a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for almost 4 years.

“I spent a lot of time at these parks with my kids when they were younger,” Fish recalled. “Being there for football, soccer, and Little League made me want to get involved more with the parks they played at.”

Fish’s roots in Temple City give her a passion for community involvement. With her husband of twenty-four years and two children in the Temple City Unified School District, Fish is emotionally involved with the city on all sides. She will be helping with the Camellia Festival next year as well. As an active member of the community, Fish hopes the receptive forum of the PRC will draw in other people who want to share their beliefs.

The Parks and Recreation Commission holds open meetings that discuss the governing rules and usage of Live Oak Park and Temple City Park. The Commission reviews matters concerning the parks before they reach the City Council. Anybody is welcome to attend meetings and express their community opinions.

“The turnout tonight was great,” Fish stated. “I definitely want to see this again.”

This article was written by Katie Brown. It was published in the Temple City Voice on July 23, 2008.

This is a breaking news story.

An earthquake struck Southern California this morning around 11:42 a.m. Preliminary reports estimate the magnitude of the quake as 5.4.

Temple City High School summer school students were immediately told to evacuate from school buildings to the JV field. There were no reported injuries.

Susan Lew, property manager and administrator of the Temple City Marketplace appeared before the City Council of Temple City to request for a grant under the City’s Façade Improvement Program. Lew’s request was denied by the Temple City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on April 15, 2008. The City Council of Temple City serves as members of the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Lew stated she was planning to improve the Temple City Marketplace, home to Applebee’s, Togo’s/Baskin Robbins, Starbucks, and Roadhouse: Coffee Stop. Her planned improvements include repainting the entire center, stonework improvements, repaving the entire parking lot, and landscaping.

Lew’s first priority was to repaint the entire center and add stonework improvements to the center (This news article took place in April 2008. Lew has already completed repainting the Temple City Marketplace).

CRA Vice-Chairman Dave Capra informed Lew façade improvements to the site appeared to be stonework and paining. Capra added that painting was not considered an improvement to the façade; rather it was a maintenance issue.

Agency member Ken Gillanders and CRA Chairman Cathé Wilson agreed with Capra. Wilson added in order for the grant to be approved, the improvement must be a major changeover.

Lew responded that it would cost approximately $1-2 million to do a major façade improvement and the costs far exceeded the budget. Lew added she was planning to repave the entire parking lot within six months.

Agency member Fernando Vizcarra supported providing some form of contribution from the City, but urged Lew to invest more money to modernize the center.

Vice-Chairman Capra agreed that the Temple City Marketplace needed improvements, but would like to see an agreement written on paper. Lew disagreed, stating it was not necessary to put an agreement in writing because she was committed to improving the site.

With the lack of support from the Community Redevelopment Agency, Lew failed to garner a contribution from the City.

In April 2007, Lew appeared in front of the City Council to request a lift of a cap on restaurant uses within the Temple City Marketplace. The City currently caps the amount of restaurant uses within the center to 15%. The Council voted 3-2 last year to deny raising the cap to 25% of restaurant uses.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on July 23, 2008.

Mayor Pro Tempore Dave Capra has missed the two regularly scheduled City Council meetings this month. His absence has allowed opposition councilmembers the opportunity to exercise new power in city matters. If he is unable to return soon, the residents or City Council of Temple City may demand his resignation.

Councilman Dave Capra, re-elected to a second term last March, is part of the three-member majority bloc that sits on the City Council. His absence comes as the City is discussing redevelopment to increase sales tax revenue.

“He is being excused because he is ill” stated Temple City Mayor Cathé Wilson, in a response directed toward a question about Capra’s absence at the July 16 City Council meeting.

Earlier at the meeting, the City Council failed to come to an agreement regarding the acquisition of several parcels along Temple City Boulevard and Las Tunas Drive. The Council voted 2-2 in the matter. Because of the unexpected tie vote, the City could not move forward with the plan. A local political observer noted the idea would have been carried had Councilman Capra been present.

According to the Pasadena Star News, Capra was hospitalized at Methodist hospital in the neighboring city of Arcadia for a minimum of two weeks. The paper added that Capra was released last Tuesday.

Capra’s term ends in 2011. If he is forced to resign because of health reasons, the City Council will appoint a Temple City resident and voter to fill his remaining term. Possible successors could be former City Council members and individuals on city commissions.

“He will come back,” stated Mayor Wilson last Tuesday. “He is fine.”

This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published by the Temple City Voice on July 23, 2008.

Two months after Councilman Ken Gillanders introduced the idea of a moratorium on non-sales tax producing businesses, the City Council of Temple City finally enacted an emergency ordinance on non-retail businesses in Temple City. On Tuesday, April 1, 2008, Councilwoman Judy Wong joined Councilmembers Dave Capra, Ken Gilllanders, and Cathé Wilson in voting for adoption of the moratorium.

The moratorium on non-retail businesses affects properties on Las Tunas Drive between Sultana Avenue and Rowland Avenue. All incoming businesses must provide at least 50% of sales tax for its business services in order to move into Temple City. Existing businesses will not be affected by the moratorium; however, any new tenants will be subject to the rules established by the moratorium.

The government of Temple City operates on revenues generated by sales tax. With a decline in sales tax in recent years, City Manager and City Attorney Charles R. Martin has warned the City must act; otherwise, there may be a need for a utility tax.

In February 2008, Councilman Gillanders proposed the idea of a moratorium to stop non-sales tax producing businesses from occupying land that could be available to retail tenants.

A vote was subsequently taken, however, it failed, 3-2, despite receiving a majority of the Council’s approval. According to City Manager and City Attorney Charles R. Martin, the emergency moratorium required a supermajority, or four out of five council votes.

On April 1, Councilwoman Judy Wong switched her vote on the moratorium issue, allowing the measure to be enacted. Wong stated she voted for the moratorium because it was restricted to Las Tunas Drive as compared to the previous moratorium which would affect the entire city.

Councilman Fernando Vizcarra, who casted a dissenting vote thought the moratorium, was “a punishment.” Vizcarra also voted against an earlier measure of the emergency moratorium.

Councilmembers Capra, Gillanders, and Wilson noted the moratorium was a precautionary measure. All three voted for the moratorium the first time the City Council considered the idea.

There were several alternatives that could have been taken, including the City purchasing property on Las Tunas and renting it out to sales tax producing businesses, stricter code enforcement, or evaluation of home businesses.

The emergency moratorium was approved 4-1 and will take effect immediately. The moratorium will exist for forty-five days unless the City Council considers extending the ordinance.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on July 16, 2008.

A proud mother of two daughters and a wife of an educator, Trang Lai now has a new addition to her already hectic schedule: principal of a Temple City Unified School District (TCUSD) elementary school. On June 25, Lai was officially appointed the new principal of Cloverly elementary school.

In 2002, Lai joined the TCUSD as a reading teacher for Emperor. Later, she became the assistant principal for Emperor and Longden elementary schools. More recently, Lai served as the curriculum coordinator for the TCUSD. When Lai learned she was given the position, she was overjoyed.

“I just feel very comfortable here” stated Lai, during an interview with the Temple City Voice on July 2, 2008. Lai spoke about her bond with the TCUSD and added “It’s better to be principal if you have the support of the staff.”

Why Cloverly? Without a moment’s hesitation, Lai responded, “What’s not to like?” She went on to praise Cloverly as a “nice looking campus” with an “active student council.”

Lai sees potential at Cloverly elementary school. Her goal is to help Cloverly achieve status as a Blue Ribbon school, which is considered the highest honor bestowed upon any American school.

In 1991, Lai began her teaching career as a sixth grade teacher in Ontario, California. She was then promoted to assistant principals of various schools not limited to the TCUSD, including Janson elementary school (Garvey Unified School District) and La Rosa and Longden elementary schools.

When asked whether or not Lai sees herself moving up the ladder to an administrative position at either Oak Avenue Intermediate School or Temple City High School, Lai stated she was not interested. Lai considers herself a “elementary [school] person” and believes each school “deserves people who know the system better.”

It is evident that Mrs. Lai is a gregarious and warmhearted individual, receiving much praise from her colleagues. “We’re all proud of Trang… She’s a great person,” says Dr. Christina Luna, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.

“I think it is good to have an Asian American role model” noted Lai. Lai is Vietnamese, while her husband is Chinese.

Lai’s favorite stuffed animal is Hello Kitty’s amphibian friend Keroppi and her favorite color is green.

This article was written by Sophia Chang. It was published in the Temple City Voice on July 16, 2008.

Last Wednesday, July 9, the City of Temple City was swung off its feet by the Blues band, “Flattop Tom & His Jump Cats.” The band, posed posed on top of a white pagoda, was dressed smartly in bright red and black tuxedoes. Their energetic symphony had the denizens of Temple City busting out their moves all over the park.”

Got some blues for ya!” Flattop Tom would spontaneously cue his musicians to switch the mood after every few pieces, as their band is a versatile one capable of performing various types of Blues. Most of the music played was classic Big Band style, reminiscent of Glenn Miller’s songs.

Since 1992, Flattop Tom & His Jump Cats have been playing music. On Wednesday evening, they were promoting their newest CD. A black T-shirt hung on the pillar of the pagoda with their logo emblazoned on the front: a red and white shield with the silhouettes of a swing-dancing duo.

Flattop Tom & His Jump Cat’s lively performance was one amongst other splendid musical acts in “Concerts in the Park” series, a Wednesday night event hosted by the City of Temple City. The Concerts in the Park lasts throughout the summer. The event takes place every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Temple City Park.

Tonight, “The Wonderelles” will be performing live, so bring your lawn chairs and enjoy this complimentary event.

This article was written by Sophia Chang. It was published by the Temple City Voice on July 16, 2008.

June 30, 2008 was the last official day of Dr. Joan C. Hillard’s role as Superintendent of the Temple City Unified School District (TCUSD). Dr. Joan C. Hillard became the sixth Superintendent of the District when she arrived in 1999. For nine years, Hillard served Temple City schools and reigned as test scores and other academic indicators were rising in the TCUSD.

In February, the Temple City Board of Education voted 4-1 to not extend Hillard’s contract as Superintendent, paving the way for a new Superintendent to lead the District. Board Member Matt Smith cast the sole dissenting vote.

Hillard’s tenure as Superintendent was filled with low morale among the district’s unions. She received a no-confidence vote by the Temple City Education Association (TCEA) in 2004. The Temple City Education Association is the local teachers’ union.

Voters in the Temple City Unified School District ousted incumbent Robert McKendrick during the November 2007 School Board elections; however, they elected three TCEA-endorsed candidates, Temple City Board of Education Vice-President Robert Ridley and Board Members Rachel LaSota and Janet Rhee, to fill three spots on the School Board.

Hillard’s last Temple City Board of Education meeting took placed on June 11, 2008. Three days later, on June 14, the Board of Education appointed Chief Business Official David Jaynes as Acting Superintendent. Jaynes officially took over on July 1.

In a press release statement released by the Temple City Unified School District on June 18, it was noted that nineteen individuals filed applications for the position of Superintendent, the District’s top administrative position.

On July 1, the District released another statement naming Dr. Chelsea Kang-Smith as the finalist for the position of Superintendent. Kang-Smith currently serves as an area superintendent with the San Diego Unified School District.

Board President Joe Walker commented “We are extremely pleased that she will bring her years of expertise here to Temple City and are excited to have her become part of our community.”

The Temple City Board of Education made a visit to San Diego on July 2 for a site visit.

If confirmed, Kang-Smith will become the seventh Superintendent of the Temple City Unified School District.

This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on July 9, 2008.

On Wednesday, June 25, the Temple City Board of Education brought up an issue that seemed to raise no opposing views: dedicating a building, if not the entire Community Learning Center (CLC), as a tribute to retiring principal Doug Sears. Sears, the principal of the Community Learning Center for twenty-nine years, announced he was retiring.

Six members of the audience who address the Board were strongly in favor of renaming the building or the entire CLC, speaking highly of Sears.

“He has a unique combination of discipline and empathy,” said Ken Miller, an audience member who addressed the Board.

Those who spoke stated Sears was the prime source of motivation behind students’ success. Sears was the driving force that pushed students onward when they felt the world had forgotten them. During his twenty-nine years of instruction and guidance, Sears has never given up on his students, as testified by grandparents and parents of graduated CLC students.

One audience member did note that individuals who have buildings named after them are typically deceased and she was “pretty sure that Sears does not plan on passing away anytime soon.” The good-humored Sears suggested a ritual sacrifice, but the Board seemed unenthusiastic about the idea.

All Board Members were in favor of the proposal; however, a decision has yet to be made considering whether or not to name a building or the entire CLC in Sears’ honor.

Sears and his wife, Sally Sears, who taught World History at Temple City High School, are both retiring from the Temple City Unified School District. Both are residents of Temple City.

This article was written by Sophia Chang. It was published in the Temple City Voice on July 9, 2008.