The City of San Gabriel is planning to develop the old "Monster Park" or "Dragon Park". This was one of my favorite parks when I was a small child. It's a unique sand pit full of giant concrete slides sculpted in a ocean theme, and climbing toys that you don't really see anymore. If you're new to the area, even if you are an adult, you really need to check it out. Kids really like the climbing opportunities!

See: Save Monster Park and sign the petition!

Nice turnout at the kick-off for Victor's Campaign.  BOE member Judy Chu and 49th District Assemblyman Mike Eng both popped in to join in the festivities.  Rosemead Councilmembers John Nunez and John Tran were also there, as were Garvey School Board members Bob Bruesch, Henry Lo, and Felipe Agredano.  Rosemead Council candidate Polly Low and the usual suspects from SOC were also in attendance, to lend their enthusiasm to this launch.

On my way to Victor Ruiz's campaign kick-off, I saw something that I think really sums up what this election is all about.

The first picture attached below is of the northeast corner of Valley and Temple City.  Basically, it's what people coming to Rosemead from the east would see upon crossing the city line:  A closed business, peppered with Imperial-Taylor signs.  Doesn't that really say what they're all about?  Under their thirty years of leadership, their legacy has been empty lots and shuttered businesses on what should be our main commercial drag.  Want more shuttered businesses?  Re-elect Imperial and Taylor.

The next time certain Rosemead City Council members brag about their wonderful city website, ask them why they can't manage something as simple as posting the agenda to the website.  The last city council meeting (January 23) was never announced on the website, and the agenda was never posted to the website.  I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think they announced or posted the previous city council meeting on the website, either.  And, of course, they have never posted minutes of the meetings.  Considering how much time they spend discussing the minutes in chambers, you'd think this was something important enough that the entire city ought to have access to them.  We shouldn't have to pay to make sure that they are keeping an honest administrative record of their actions.

For the first time in over 20 years, Rosemead is updating its general plan.  In theory, the general plan presents the "big picture" for what the city is supposed to look like, what sorts of developments we want, what we don't want, and where we want them.  So, for example, it required a spot-change of the city's old general plan to allow the Wal-Mart Supercenter to be placed where it was.

This is probably my least-favorite fable, but I wonder if it might have some lessons with regard to Rosemead?

http://allaboutfrogs.org/stories/scorpion.html

You know, about six weeks ago, I was trying to catch up on my pile of newspapers.  The pile builds because I often subscribe to both the Los Angeles Times and San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and I frequently don't have time to read them until the weekend.

As I went through one day's pile, I came across an insert for See's Candy, suggesting what a wonderful holiday gift they make.  And, just like that, I was reminded of David Perea.

Another title for this post could be, "Mike Eng has a LOT of friends!"  Something on the order of 1,000 individuals crowded into Luminarias to join Mike Eng for his re-affirmation of his oath of office.  One of the speakers joked that he thought he accidentally walked into a gubernatorial event by mistake.

About a dozen SOC members were proud to be a part of this celebration.