Reader Voices Concern About Incumbent in Arcadia’s Election

Image used for illustration only. – Courtesy photo

Recently, the City of Arcadia has changed from city-wide voting to District voting. I live in District 5 where incumbent, Roger Chandler, has been challenged by newcomer, Joyce Platt.

Mr. Chandler has served as a Councilman in Arcadia for decades and has overseen and strongly encouraged unrestricted residential development, decimating some of our once-beautiful neighborhoods. These neighborhoods now exhibit chaotic, almost cartoonish streetscapes where once the development was compatible with existing homes and in compliance with our General Plan and Design Guidelines.

I do not suggest that Mr. Chandler is benefiting in any tangible way from his unwavering support of developers, rather I believe that some people simply have no sense of proportion or scale and no sense of tasteful design. Sadly, it seems that Mr. Chandler is one of them. And so, although we are grateful to Mr. Chandler for any contributions he may have made to our City over the years, I feel it is time for a change.

I am encouraging my neighbors in District 5 to vote for Joyce Platt who has lived in the City for over 40 years. Joyce is retired from teaching in the Arcadia School District where she was respected and admired for her intelligence, organization skills and innovative approach to problem solving and devotion to her students. She is well-known as a Community Volunteer who has demonstrated good judgment resourcefulness and leadership.

Her platform centers on crime reduction, reasonable and responsible development, balanced budgets and maintaining high quality education in the City. I believe the same qualities that made Joyce an outstanding educator and Community Volunteer will ensure her success as a Councilwoman.

Please consider casting your ballot for Joyce Platt. I can promise that she will give each resident and every issue a fair, honest and courteous hearing.

Billie Tone

– Arcadia

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