Donna Baker throws hat in for a council seat
By Terry Miller
Longtime Monrovia executive Stephen Grollnek and newcomer Mellisa Taylor have qualified for next year’s municipal election in the city of Monrovia. Both hope to unseat longtime Mayor Tom Adams next March.
Additionally, incumbents Becky Shevlin and Gloria Crudgington qualified for their seats on the dais for the municipal election which will be consolidated with county elections.
Well-known local realtor Donna Baker threw her hat in the ring for City Council and Mayor Tom Adams has qualified for reelection.
Larry Spicer and Alex Blackburn retain their seats until 2021.
While Friday was the deadline to qualify, there is the write-in option for additional candidates to enter the race which will be accepted Jan. 6–Feb. 18.
Monrovia Weekly requested statements from all those who currently qualify for the municipal election next year. Due to space limitations in print, the following is a brief summation of each candidate’s declaration. In future issues of Monrovia Weekly and our website, we will focus in greater depth.
The Candidates (in alphabetical order by last name)
Tom Adams
Longtime Mayor Adams is popular in the community and has served the city for many years. “Four years ago, I asked for your vote to become mayor. I was so disappointed in the fact that our infrastructure was failing. We had a water main leak every other day; some of our roads were failing. I knew that something needed to be done or we could go beyond the point of return. I knew we needed a change, one that would set us on a path to breathe new life into Monrovia.
“Now, thanks to your trust and a City Council that sees the importance of taking care of our hometown we are on the road to completion in the largest public works project in the history of Monrovia. In less than a year, all of the curbs, gutters, sidewalks, water mains, sewer lines and roads will be up to at least the 70% mark.
“Our bond rating is now AA, with only one level above that. We are currently working on achieving a AAA bond rating, one that will save the city a considerable amount. Six years ago we were constantly experiencing a revolving door at the City Manager’s office. I am very proud that we are back to having solid management!”
Donna Baker
Baker has lived with her husband, David, in Monrovia for 30 years. “I have dedicated myself to making Monrovia a better place through my involvement, leadership and uncompromising commitment to the city. I feel I know the heartbeat of the community and want to earn your trust that I will get things done.
“I believe I can make a difference with my focus on citizen-driven issues, accountability and working hard to get the job done. My prior commitment to the City of Monrovia shows through in everything I’ve done in our community. I look forward to hearing your concerns and ideas on what we can do together to make a difference!”
Gloria Crudgington
Crudgington, completing her first term in office, has spent 30 years as a marriage and family therapist which she says has come in handy. “Our City Council works together wonderfully even when we start out disagreeing. We have enacted legislation to protect our architectural heritage and prevent mansionization. At the last possible moment, we managed to obtain Metro money to restore our train depot. I ran in 2015 with a specific agenda: our infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, sewers, etc.) was falling apart, Arcadia-style McMansions were starting to spring up, and record numbers of historic homes were getting slated for demolition. In addition, our historic train depot was languishing and we had failed to close the deal on a grant to restore it. Council members were fighting like cats and dogs. As a 40-year Monrovia resident, I was angry about the situation and ran in order to fix.” shared Crudgington.
Steve Grollneck
Although Grollneck admits he won’t win, he says he still has to run periodically and claims the current Mayor “has put Monrovia in a situation we can no longer ignore: higher proposed taxes, more potholes than ever, crime on rise.” Grollneck has long been a thorn in the side of many councilmembers over the years. He believes the future is bleak and that change is necessary at the top.
While he does garner votes, he told Monrovia Weekly that he knows that he cannot possibly win.
KGEM personality Ralph Walker says Grollneck is “legendary” for upsetting the apple cart.
Becky Shevlin
Shevlin expressed: “I am proud and honored to have been able to serve you for the past 10 years and pledge to continue to work hard for you, staying connected, involved, and informed to meet the needs and challenges of all my fellow Monrovians. I believe I am qualified, prepared and committed to represent and work with you to provide critical support to — fight for local control; have strict oversight for our Measure K funds; provide sustainability of our renewal efforts; address homelessness issues and preserve our rich heritage and sense of community — to assure a prosperous future for all Monrovians.”
Melissa Taylor
Taylor is a “community organizer, policy research consultant, a mother, a wife, and I am running for mayor of Monrovia with a fresh approach to leadership in our community. I have been called to public service to ensure that every single resident and hardworking taxpayer’s needs are taken into consideration and respected.
“I hold a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, and a background in business and economics. Over the past year, I have helped to establish and lead the San Gabriel Valley chapter of the nation’s largest gun violence prevention organization to make our community safer. My background will help create a sustainable future, founded on principles of equality and opportunity.
“Monrovia’s diverse community, hometown feel, and beautiful outdoor spaces make me proud to call this place home and I know we can do more! When I look at my children, I know the choices we make today impact their future, and the future of all our children. My priorities include actionable plans with real solutions for climate change, affordable housing, diversity and inclusion, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.”
Beginning in March of 2020, as required by State law, Monrovia municipal elections will coincide with statewide primary election dates. General municipal elections will be held in March of even-numbered years to elect members to serve on the City Council, and as city clerk and city treasurer. There are five members of the Monrovia City Council, including the directly elected mayor who serves a two-year term, and four councilmembers serving a four-year term of office. The city clerk and city treasurer are also elected and serve a four-year term.
The next regular municipal election will be held on March 3, 2020, for the positions of mayor (vote for one) and councilmembers (vote for two).
Important Dates
- Feb. 5 – First day to request vote-by-mail ballot.
- Feb. 18 – Last day to register to vote.
- Feb. 22 – Vote centers open. Check lavote.net for your vote center location.
- March 3 – Election Day.
- March 5 – Official canvass by Registrar/Recorder County Clerk begins.
- March 27 – Registrar/Recorder County Clerk tentatively scheduled to certify results.
- April 7 – City Council scheduled to certify results and re-organize.
For more information contact City Clerk’s Office at (626) 932-5599.
