Arcadia’s Election Picks Up Steam

By Terry Miller

At last Wednesday’s candidates’ forum, Measure A, which could repeal the Utility User’s Tax (UUT) and the Saving Arcadia Ballot Initiative – rational development standards on new construction – dominated the questions from the audience at the Arcadia Library.

Concerning the UUT repeal, it was unanimous among the candidates that they would vote “no” on Measure A, with many illustrating that by removing $7 million in revenue from the UUT, Arcadia would be very different. Each candidate expressed that they would adopt a version of Floor Area Ratio (FAR), which very clearly illustrated their position on the Saving Arcadia Ballot Initiative.

We offer, this week, a taste of what each candidate offers for the upcoming mail-in election:

Burton Brink:

Candidate Burton Brink – Photo by Terry Miller

As an Arcadia native I graduated Arcadia High School in 1982. My family has resided in Arcadia for over 49 years. I am married with four children.

I became a Deputy Sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1989. I was promoted to Sergeant in January 2009. I am currently assigned to the Executive Division of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, located at the Hall of Justice, in downtown Los Angeles.

I am on the Board of Directors for the Professional Peace Officer Association of Los Angeles County and Charitable Foundation.

I have worked for the cities of Arcadia, Bradbury, Duarte, South El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, Temple City, and La Canada Flintridge. I have also worked with town councils in the unincorporated areas of Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte (M.A.D.), San Gabriel, El Monte, East Pasadena, Montrose, Altadena, and La Crescenta.

I want to make sure we continue to move forward and continue to keep our focus on keeping our city a safe place with police and fire services. I want to see our schools continue to get the support they need to keep our kids learning and become our future leaders.

Arcadia must be fiscally wise, provide efficient community services and maintain our community programs with safe and beautiful neighborhoods. I want to see our schools continue to be the great learning environment.

I look forward to representing all the residents of our great city!

April Verlato:

Candidate April Verlato – Photo by Terry Miller

I was born and raised in Arcadia. It is where I went to school, it is where I have my business and it is where I have chosen to raise my family. This is a unique city with a proud past and promising future, and I am honored to call Arcadia home.

I am running for city council to be a fresh, new voice for the hardworking families and business owners who have made Arcadia their home. Arcadia needs leaders with forward-thinking ideas and it’s time for our city to prioritize public safety, commercial development and reasonable residential development standards.

Arcadia’s downtown is full of potential, which is why I helped form the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association. Breathing life into our downtown is a priority of mine, but I also want to see businesses have the opportunity to succeed throughout the entire city.

Arcadia is an ideal place to live because it is a safe community, which is why I am concerned about the recent increases in residential burglaries and the affect this has had on our neighborhoods. Public safety starts with supporting our police department and working with its officers to find solutions.

Arcadians need someone on the council who is looking out for their interests and is willing to put in the hours to get the job done. I served on the Zoning Review Committee, established by the city, and worked to build a consensus on new residential development standards. I advocated for and will continue to stand up for the protection of homeowners’ privacy, views, and property values. Our quality of life depends on it.

Sheng Chang:

Candidate Sheng Chan – Photo by Terry Miller

I have lived in Arcadia for 38 years. All my children received education from Arcadia public schools. I was elected to the Arcadia City Council in 1994. I got elected again in 2000 and became one of the Centennial Mayors in 2003.

Arcadia has had increased crime rates since 2014 when Proposition 47 was passed and many criminals had been released. We need to increase our police force, strengthen our neighborhood watch programs, implement bilingual mechanism, and actively utilize the international social media, such as LINE and WeChat between the residents and the police department.

The issues of property zoning, floor area ratio (FAR), and mansionization are all related. We need to establish a fair and reasonable way to regulate the size of the new houses. A proper sliding scale will be an option, so that larger lots have a lower FAR and smaller lots a higher FAR

Another option, which I am in favor of, is to offer a greater power to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) to determine what kinds of houses are suitable in their respective neighborhood in each Home Owner Association (HOA), currently existed in the north side of Arcadia only. In the south side of the city, I would let the city staff continue their good jobs of reviewing and approving the new residential developments, with a condition that they should consider more inputs from the respective neighbors. I would like to see more intercultural activities to promote understandings among different ethnic groups of the community.

The city’s police and fire departments are my first priority in budgeting. I will make sure the city’s finance is well balanced. There should not be waste of money.

Bob Harbicht:

Candidate Bob Harbicht – Photo by Terry Miller

I have served 20 years on the Arcadia City Council, longer than anyone in the 112-year history of the city. Because of the city’s term limits rule, my 20 years have been spread over a 30-year period. I left the council 18 months ago because I reached term limits again.

I am very concerned at what has happened to Arcadia in the short time I have been off the council. I feel my calm, deliberate, logical approach is just what Arcadia needs right now.

I have the experience Arcadia needs:

– 20 years Arcadia City Council, several terms mayor.

– Also served as Mayor of Duarte.

I have demonstrated a deep commitment to our community:

– Named “Citizen of the Year” last year, with my wife Patsy.

– President, Arcadia Educational Foundation.

– Chairman, Lucky Baldwin District (nine cities), Boy Scouts of America.

– President, Arcadia Rotary Club.

– President, Arcadia High School Drill Team Booster Club.

– Board, Arcadia Public Library Foundation.

– Board, AYSO Soccer, and others too numerous to mention.

I have the business management experience to bring to my service on the council: 30 years president of a nationally known marketing research consulting firm, which I founded (Harbicht Research Inc.).

I have dealt with 30 years of the decisions that must be made to have a profitable company

Peter Amundson:

Candidate Peter Amundson – Photo by Terry Miller

I feel blessed to be born and raised in Arcadia; I stayed and raised my family here. I served as a councilman and mayor. There is something very special about representing your hometown. I have spent most of my life serving my community.

Arcadia’s founder “Lucky” Baldwin described Arcadia as paradise. People move to Arcadia because it is an oasis in Los Angeles County. Arcadia has great schools, strong public safety, and robust civic participation. Arcadia must be safe. I want to find solutions that will close massage fronts for prostitution, eliminate strip clubs, marijuana drug locations, and keep sex offenders out.

I am independent. I will not take money from developers. I believe neighborhoods need greater input in the development process. I successfully fought for citywide neighbor notification. I am not afraid to stand up for what is right.

City money comes from you. It is your hard earned dollars that fund Arcadia. I have an obligation to ensure it is spent wisely, honestly, and efficiently.

With limited resources we have to prioritize. During my council tenure I realized that Arcadian’s needed a real downtown. As mayor I made it a priority and continue as a Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association Board member.

Arcadia’s motto is, “A Community of Homes.” I think it damages our community when monster mansions, often vacant, replace beautiful single-family homes. I support the Citizens Residential Zoning Committee ideas as a step in the right direction.

As CEO of a successful business I know things change. I will strive to direct and promote changes that benefit our community. Arcadia is paradise and I am dedicated to keeping Arcadia great.

Paul Van Fleet:

Candidate Paul Van Fleet – Photo by Terry Miller

I am running in this 2016 city councilman election to be a representative of all the people of Arcadia. I will be available to all of the people of Arcadia, all of your concerns are important to me. I will be a fresh new set of eyes looking over the city council’s past present and future votes. I hope to be able to speak to all of you directly and answer any questions you may have.

We can all agree there are some big concerns this election ; however, many smaller ones will also have a large impact on the lives of Arcadians if not correctly addressed.

I have a wide range of job skill sets which will serve me well as your councilman.

The next candidate forum is at Highlands Oaks Elementary School, 7PM March 17, sponsored by The Arcadia Highlands Home Owners’ Association and Santa Anita Oaks Home Owners’ Association

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