Temple City Voice

The Temple City Voice will not be publishing on November 27, 2009 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

 Thank you for your understanding and support. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Opponent of Piazza development elected Temple City mayor.

Written by RANDY SHUN / Published November 27, 2009 (ONLINE ONLY)

An unpleasant atmosphere filled the council chambers on Tuesday evening as the city council considered a rare reorganization of the legislative body.

Judy Wong, the first and only Asian mayor of Temple City, was removed from the largely ceremonial position. The vote was 4-1.

Long-time residents, including former councilman Chuck Souder and prominent business owner Jerry Jambazian, spoke before the city council at its meeting on July 21, 2009 to ask councilwoman Wong to step down as mayor.

Before an official vote took place, a teary Wong stated, “I’ve done nothing wrong and I’m fighting these false charges and will be proven innocent.”

“All I can ask is [to] be patient with me,” she continued. “The truth will come out and I will be totally exonerated.”

Wong, along with former mayor Cathé Wilson and former city council and state assembly candidate Scott Carwile, are accused of illegal solicitation and receipt of bribes. On June 10, a 21-count indictment against the three criminal defendants was unsealed.

“There are lots of things that I need to do in order to prove that I am innocent,” said Wong, “and once that is done, all of you who are being mean to me will regret it, what you have done to me.”

“This call for re-organization…is not a determination of guilt or innocence,” said councilman Tom Chavez. Chavez requested the city council consider the issue or reorganization on July 7.

Chavez further stated, “This has nothing to do with one person, but rather, for the best interests of our city.”

Fernando Vizcarra, an ally of councilwoman Wong, agreed with Chavez.

“We all get painted with the same brush, regardless of whether we’ve been involved or not, oh, you [the public] say, they’re politicians, that’s what they do…at some point in time we’ve got to take a stand. We’ve got to do something and I think we’re at that point,” Vizcarra commented.

“This is not the most pleasant session I’ve had so far. I was hoping the issue of council reorganization would resolve itself without coming to a vote tonight,” stated councilman Vincent Yu, the second Asian American elected to the City Council.

Yu continued, “The legal challenges before the city and before Mayor Wong are definitely a distraction from the normal city business functions, for the better good of the city, I would be in support of council reorganization.”

The councilman called Wong his “friend” and reminded the public that “everyone is innocent until proven guilty.”

Newly appointed city councilwoman Cynthia Sternquist, like her council colleagues, praised Wong as “dedicated” to Temple City, but supported council reorganization.

“Unfortunately, the indictment of mayor has given the residents and the public the perception that its city officials are not trustworthy,” she stated.

She further noted, “I believe that we can’t afford the distraction of a long legal battle. We must heal and move forward. And I believe the selection of a new mayor this evening, at this time, will help us do so.”

After all the city councilmembers had spoken, the city clerk called for nominations for a new mayor and mayor pro tempore.

Yu nominated councilman Vizcarra for the position of mayor. Vizcarra was confirmed on a 4-0-1 vote. Councilwoman Wong abstained.

Sternquist then nominated councilman Yu for the position of mayor pro tempore. Yu was confirmed on a 3-0-2 vote, with both Wong and Yu abstaining.

Wong’s position as councilmember remains intact. She will return to trial on August 26.

Carly Fiorina officially declares her campaign for the Senate.

Written by RANDY SHUN / Published November 20, 2009

Carly Fiorina will be running to represent California in the United States Senate.

Fiorina announced her candidacy on November 4.

She will be competing against state assemblyman Chuck DeVore. If elected in next June’s state primary, Fiorina will run against incumbent Barbara Boxer.

Fiorina, John McCain’s campaign economic advisor, intends to run on moderate Republican issues, but will mainly concentrate on developing solutions to job losses and economic slumps.

Previously the CEO of Hewlett-Packard, she currently faces off against Devore for the Republican nomination. In recent polls the public favors Fiorina to Devore, 22 percent to 21 percent respectively.

Fiorina’s run for a Senate seat, provided she receives the necessary nomination, is at odds with Boxer’s. While Boxer’s approval rating currently hovers around 48 percent, Fiorina believes recent events (verbal scuffles over race and honorifics) will detract from Boxer’s appeal. “After chemotherapy, Barbara Boxer just really isn’t that scary anymore,” says Fiorina.

Fiorina has received fire for hypocrisy. When citing the need for new job, critics claimed she fired over 28,000 employees while serving under Hewlett-Packard.

“It’s a shame,” when questioned about her lack of voting over the years.

Democratic U.S. senator Boxer is seeking to defend her three-term seat, a feat believed difficult due to her diminishing approval ratings.

However, Boxer’s past stances set her apart from Fiorina. The incumbent has sponsored legislation to preserve wildlife and promote clean energy, support autism and AIDS research, increase gun control, and facilitate job creation. Project Vote Smart ranks her at 90-100 percent approval over a majority of her approval ratings.

Boxer, Chair of the Senate environmental committee, has faced similar run-offs. In 1992, she squared off against talk show host Bruce Herschensohn and won with less than 5 percent. The gap increased as she defeated former state Treasurer Matt Fong and Secretary of State Bill Jones by ten and twenty points, respectively.

Despite persisting rumors, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is term-limited, will not run for a Senate position.

Tina Cunningham, director of BTSA Consortium for Temple City and Duarte Unified, offers corrections to a previously published article on the program.

Written by SOPHIA CHANG / Published November 20, 2009

The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) program held its monthly workshop last Tuesday, November 10.

Supporter providers and participating teachers attended a performance by Encompass, a theatrical group, of Horizon Line. Horizon Line is a play that helps teachers learn about ways to handle students’ biases and conflicts.

The BTSA is a two-year state-run program for teachers with preliminary teaching credentials.

In 1998, the Temple City Unified School District (TCUSD) implemented the BTSA program. Five years later, BTSA involved into today’s BTSA Induction program.

Tina Cunningham, director of the BTSA Consortium for Duarte Unified School District and TCUSD, joined the District in 2002.

Cunningham has previously praised the success of the BTSA Induction program, citing that 96 percent of teachers, who entered TCUSD in 2004 and participated in the BTSA program, are still teaching with the District.

For TCUSD, there are a total of 13 participating teachers and 9 support providers.

Besides a two-hour monthly meeting, both participating teachers and support providers meet a minimum of once a week. Cunningham reviews the credentials of potential candidates and contacts the chosen teacher-mentor.

The stipend of a support provider is approximately $1500 annually, along with a few benefits.

“BTSA is completely self-supporting,” states Cunningham in a September interview with the Voice. “It’s completely funded by the state.”

The BTSA program was created to address the issue of teachers quitting their jobs due to the classroom related stress. According to Cunningham, BTSA serves “as a means to offer support for new teachers.”

This news article updates and revises the previously published article, “District BTSA Program Begins a New Year.”

On November 17, Temple City High School Dragonflicks hosted its annual talent show in Room 601.

Written by CHRIS DU / Published November 20, 2009

At 6:30 p.m. teachers, students, and parents flocked in to watch the fifth annual Dragonflicks talent show in Room 601.

The various shows performed by students included singing, dancing, and playing the piano and cello.

The talent show was judged by Temple City High School (TCHS) teachers Mr. Russell, Mrs. Ferntheil, Mr. Latuerbach, and Mrs. Li. The grand prize was 100 dollars.

It was taken home by JJ Bassete, who played a self-arranged Pachabell’s Canon on the piano. Elyssa Brown won second place dancing to Then you Look at Me by Celine Dion. Ariana Barett won third place with How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore by Adele.

The contenders prepared over the course of three weeks. Students first had to audition. They then had to sell tickets for Dragonflicks and finally do a dress rehearsal before the big day. Many groups worked very hard to prepare for their precious minutes on stage.

Calvin Lu’s group, which performed as the Jackson Five, rehearsed for around 20 hours to get things right. “It was irritating and a lengthy process, but we felt accomplished once it all came together,” said Lu.

“This year’s talent show probably had the best talent we’ve seen in a long time,” said Mr. Kidd, the Dragonflicks advisor.

TRI Products Inc., hosts a community event: recycling unused electronic products.

Written by IVY VUONG / Published November 20, 2009

The Electronic Waste Collection took place at the student parking lot of Temple City High School (TCHS) on the weekend of November 14-15, 2009.

Hosted by TRI Products Inc., the purpose of the event was to recycle electronic products and promote community outreach by emphasizing the need for joint action.

For everything that is recycled, TCHS receives a fair percentage of the money, which is then contributed to the 2010 Grad Nite fund.

Donors dropped off unwanted electronic items, or e-waste, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

E-waste includes computers, monitors, printers, motherboards, UPS and PDA networking equipment, copiers, scanners, VCR/VCD/DVD players, fax machines, home entertainment systems, car batteries, cellular phones, portable devices, and printer/toner cartridges.

Although many accessories were accepted, household batteries, refrigerators, washers, dryers, paints, solvents and cleaners, used oil, light bulbs and hazardous waste were rejected, either physically cumbersome or potentially toxic to handle.

Lori Scinta, a parent of a current TCHS senior praised the event and community participation. She explained that most people do not recycle their electronic waste, the material ends up in landfills.

This has a deleterious effect on the environment and a person’s health because of multiple unsafe elements, including mercury, lead, antimony, cadmium, barium, arsenic, and chromium can spread through air or leak into water supplies, causing irreparable damage to the lungs, skin, heart, brain, eyes and kidneys.

Also, the environmental impact is significant. Improper disposal can lead to run which damages any organism exposed to contamination.

After being deposited at TCHS, the e-waste is organized into piles depending on the type of waste. TRI Products Inc., then provides trucks to gather the heaps.

“We already filled one huge truck,” said Scinta.

These trucks go to a factory where the accessories are disassembled and are later sold to the state of California.

Defendants to return to court after Piazza project deadline

Written by MATTHEW WONG / Published November 19, 2009 (ONLINE ONLY)

A pre-trial hearing over the Piazza bribery controversy took place in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, July 9, 2009.

The defendants, Temple City mayor Judy Wong, former councilwoman Cathé Wilson and former state assembly and city council candidate Scott Carwile stood before Superior Court judge Patricia Schnegg.

Wong, Wilson and Carwile are accused of illegal solicitation and receipts of bribes. A 21-count indictment against the three defendants was unsealed on June 10.

The prosecution handed over evidence to the defense attorneys at the pre-trial hearing, according to the Pasadena Star News. The defense also picked up copies of the grand jury testimony transcript.

“My client is not guilty of any wrongdoing,” said Sanford Perliss, the legal counsel for councilwoman Wong, to Star News reporter Alfred Lee.

All three criminal defendants have pleaded not-guilty of the charges stemming from developer Randy Wang. In September 2008, Wang filed a counter-suit against the city of Temple City alleging he gave elected officials money in exchange for support of his project.

Shortly after, an official probe by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office-Public Integrity Division began. The D.A.’s office raided City Hall and the homes of former councilmember Dave Capra, Carwile, Wilson and Wong.

On May 27, former Piazza construction manager Jay Liyanage pleaded guilty to a felony charge of giving bribes in 2006. He is expected to testify against Wilson.

Former councilman Capra was also forced to resign from office on June 2.

Due to his willingness to cooperate, the developer will not be charged for any criminal conduct said head district attorney David Demerjian.

Deputy district attorney Max Huntsman is in charge of the case. The defendants are expected to return to trial on August 26.

August 2009 deadline for the project’s completion nears

The $75 million project, formerly known as the “Temple City Galleria” and “Piazza Las Tunas,” was approved by a previous city council in May 2006.

From 2006 to present, Wang has held two groundbreakings, worked with three different construction management firms and proposed changes thrice, in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The developer has until August 23, 2009 to complete his project as mandated by the developer’s agreement he and the city of Temple City signed.

Failure to do so will allow Temple City to purchase the 3.7 acre site for $5 million. However, if city officials are found guilty of Wang’s bribery claims, the contract signed between Wang and the City will be void.

Since the City and the developer sued one another, about $171,000 in legal expenses have been spent by Temple City, as of April 30.

The clothes one wears can determine how he or she is treated much more than one likes to think.

Written by KATIE BROWN / Published November 13, 2009

The clothes draped about one’s body can be defined as simply as man’s obligation to common decency; strategic “cover-ups,” if you will. However, fashion has clearly evolved into something “more” from the time anthropologists estimate its advent — around 100,000-500,000 years ago.

Originally just animal skins to keep warm, clothing and fashion turned more to decoration and ornamentation as centuries progressed and certain fashion-inspired eras prevailed.

Now, sociologists argue that fashion has become a psychological trigger for moods and emotions. Not only a trigger; fashion has an almost extreme mental influence on both the wearers and the observers.

According to an independent study, only 7 percent of a first impression what is said, 38 percent is how it is said, and a whopping 55 percent is appearance and clothing. Judgments may be passed on almost solely what one is wearing.

For a school project, a group of seventh-graders decided to brave the prepster-mecca, Abercrombie and Fitch, the alternative-haven, Hot Topic, and the fantasy-lover’s corner, Games Workshop. As an experiment, they dressed as different stereotypical style genres. A motley group they were as they entered the respective stores; one dressing as an exaggerated Goth with black lipstick and spiked jewelry, another conforming to a more preppie, popped-collar style, and the third sporting typical ‘nerd’ attire.

They found, as one may predict but not actually expect, that their clothing altered their treatment and reception in each store.

In Abercrombie and Fitch, the ‘Goth’ and ‘nerd’ were virtually ignored, while the ‘prep’ was asked most solicitously whether he needed assistance. Similar behavior occurred in all three stores. The students’ conclusion? That people are judged by and therefore treated differently for their choice of clothing.

The same can be said for job interviews. Statistics dominate which indicate that an employer is less likely to hire a person whose appearance does not measure up, regardless of how they interview personally.

Fashion’s multi-colored, multi-faceted elements allow for both positive and negative perceptions from the outside. Due to this flaw in human superficiality, fashion’s means for judgment stunt what appears to be a growing, changing, and thriving industry.

TCHS held their Homecoming dance on Saturday, November 7, in Beckner gym.

Written by IVY VUONG / Published November 13, 2009

The week preceding Homecoming, plenty of girls students were inundated with bouquets of flowers.

Boys asked their dates using lyrics from the song “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, the theme selected by the Temple City High School (TCHS) Associated Student Body, due to it’s popularity.

“It’s a Love Story, baby just say…” many responded with just as the lyrics followed: “Yes.”

Preceding the dance, TCHS held a Homecoming Rally with the intent to gather and raise spirits for the upcoming dance and also to promote it.

During the assembly, the five Homecoming princesses played two games. One was to pick a close friend in which they would answer a series of questions. Points were collected based on which pair had the most matched answers.

The second of the games was a people scavenger hunt. A list of items, such as finding someone wearing red shoes, someone wearing flannel, someone that has freckles, or someone who is willing to sing “Love Story” in front of everyone was issued. The assembly also consisted of sports updates, and performances by Band, Cheer, Pep Flags, and Song.

That Homecoming Friday night, Temple City Rams played South Pasadena Tigers and won 35-12. In the Homecoming half-time presentation, the Brighter Side Singers sang “Love Story”, as the Spirit of Temple City Band, Color Guard, and Song dancers simultaneously performed.

As the princesses’ escorts walked the princesses out, a script was read about the prince’s family, Romeo, and the princesses’ family, Citian. (Hence Romeo and Temple City.) The whole creation itself was it was both aesthetically and mellifluously sound. Stephanie Dang, also ASB President, was announced as TCHS’s 2009 Homecoming Queen and was crowned by last year’s queen Susan Deng.

The dance itself was held in the high school’s gym, Beckner Ballroom, with the foyer decorated with wallpaper of a castle, with lyrics from “Love Story,” and a picture of a prince and princess.

Homecoming princess Christie Wang noted how eventful it all was. “I had a lot of fun at my first and last Homecoming Dance,” she said. “I will definitely cherish all of the memories I’ve gained from the entire Homecoming experience.”

A mistrial was declared after jurors failed to convict the defendants.

Written by MATTHEW WONG / Published November 13, 2009

Jurors are deliberating in the re-trial of a local Temple City murder in 2007 after the prosecution and defense attorneys had given their closing arguments.

Phillip Adrian Guerra and Christopher Gilbert Lopez, both 20 and of Temple City, are charged with committing a drive-by shooting that killed Deandre Netter, a relatively new Temple City resident, on July 25, 2007. The defendants face one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

A mistrial was declared in April after resulting in a hung jury. The jury had voted to convict Guerra by an 8-4 margin, while it failed to convict Lopez by a 4-8 margin.

Both Guerra and Lopez have pleaded their innocence.

The re-trial of the 2007 Golden West murder began on Monday, October 26, 2009.

Both the opening and closing statements of the second trial focused on the testimony of Dejohn Netter, the twin brother of the victim. The defense attorneys argued that Dejohn’s statements to the police changed and that he could not identify the driver and shooter.

During a court proceeding on October 27, Dejohn testified that he could identify the defendants.

According to Pasadena Star News reporter Alfred Lee, the jury foreman of the first trial said jurors decided to acquit due to problems with Dejohn’s testimony.

Last Monday, November 2, Michael Minjarez, who previously testified in the first trial, stated he did not see Guerra or Lopez. Minjarez was walking with the Netter twins when Deandre was shot on the 5700 block of Golden West Avenue. His court testimony contradicted earlier statements he gave to the authorities in 2007.

Fernando Vizcarra, Temple City mayor, also testified in the re-trial. Vizcarra was outside of his home when he heard shots being fired. He attempted to revive Deandre and called 9-11.

The jury began deliberating on Tuesday, November 10 after deputy district attorney Teresa Sullivan and the defense attorneys rested their cases.

Lopez and Guerra are currently being housed at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

For more detailed coverage of the 2007 murder re-trial, please visit the Pasadena Star News online.