Congratulations to local power couple Judy Chu and Mike Eng!

Mike Eng cruised to a landslide victory in the race for the Democratic nomination for the 49th Assembly District.  With 100% of the precincts reporting, Eng captured 9,696 votes, or 52.1% of the total votes cast in a three-way race for his party's nomination.  His nearest competitor finished nearly 3,000 votes behind him.

On Friday, May 26, it was announced that Judge Klausner had lifted the preliminary restraining order against our recall election.  I haven't yet read his full decision (I don't even know if he issued a written decision).  So our much-anticipated election is probably going to be back on.  The story in Saturday's San Gabriel Valley Tribune is linked below:

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_3871783

Still no news on the Imperial v. Castruita litigation.  It's a little perplexing why Judge Klausner hasn't lifted his preliminary restraining order against our recall election.  With Padilla v. Lever removed as precedent, there is very little reason to expect that Imperial's lawsuit will prevail on the merits.  And with that, the preliminary restraining order should be lifted.

You'll recall that Imperial v. Castruita is the case in which Councilman Jay Imperial sued his own city to prevent the February 7 recall election from going forward.  In response to that suit, Judge Klausner issued a preliminary restraining order against our election.  But it's now been about three weeks since the city of Rosemead asked for "clarification" on the Imperial v. Castruita litigation in light of the Ninth Circuit Court's decision to withdraw the original three-judge panel's decision and grant an en banc rehearing in Padilla v. Lever.

No new posts in a while, so I'll go ahead with this one:

My wife and I saw a preview for "Over the Hedge" a few months ago.  Actually looked like something we might like (we're funny that way).  It seemed to be a story of suburban sprawl and its effects on local wildlife.

Then, a few weeks later, we started seeing "tie-in" advertisements on television.  Wal-Mart is apparently the official retail partner of the movie.  How's that for irony?  The epitomy of big-box sprawl wants to be associated with the wildlife that they destroy and displace?  And DreamWorks SKG, which has about as much money as God, selling out on their "message" for money.

Sorry to report the passing of another long-time SOC supporter, Al Mehlman.

Al and Jewel had previous suffered the loss of their son, Larry.  In lieu of flowers, Jewel asks that donations may be made in support of the Larry Mehlman Memorial Prize, which helps fund outstanding 4th and 5th year students in Biological Sciences at UC Irvine.  Click on the "read more" link below for giving instructions.

Good news, first:  The city will ask Judge Klausner to lift his restraining order on our February 7 recall election.  Bad news:  The election date will be much later than I would have hoped.  Also, nothing is certain until Judge Klausner actually does lift his restraining order and our city council allows the recall election to be reinstated.

*****

The details, and some complaints:

"Representatives from the Department of Alcoholic Bevarges Control will be explaining the ABC hearing and protest process as it relates to the Wal-Mart application in the city of Rosemead."

Evergreen Baptist Church, 1255 San Gabriel Blvd, Rosemead, CA  91770.  The ABC contact name is Hilarie Vasquez, at 626-927-1060.

Apparently the ABC wants to "educate" us about the licensing process.  Attend the meeting if you can, both to learn about the process and to let them know that you oppose a 24-hour liquor outlet across the street from an elementary school.

The lead attorney in a gender discrimination suit against Wal-Mart is having a presentation at UCLA on Wednesday, March 22, 4:45 pm - 6:00 pm.  I'm attaching the flyer in Word format.