Two Candidates File for Tom Adams’ Monrovia Mayoral Seat Next Year

Donna Baker throws hat in for a councilseat

By Terry Miller

LongtimeMonrovia executive Stephen Grollnek and newcomer Mellisa Taylor have qualifiedfor next year’s municipal election in the city of Monrovia. Both hope to unseatlongtime Mayor Tom Adams next March.

Additionally,incumbents Becky Shevlin and Gloria Crudgington qualified for their seats onthe dais for the municipal election which will be consolidated with countyelections.

Well-knownlocal realtor Donna Baker threw her hat in the ring for City Council and MayorTom Adams has qualified for reelection.

Larry Spicerand Alex Blackburn retain their seats until 2021.

While Fridaywas the deadline to qualify, there is the write-in option for additionalcandidates to enter the race which will be accepted Jan. 6–Feb. 18.

MonroviaWeekly requested statements from all those who currently qualify for themunicipal election next year. Due to space limitations in print, the followingis a brief summation of each candidate’s declaration. In future issues ofMonrovia Weekly and our website, we will focus in greater depth.

The Candidates (in alphabetical order by lastname)

Tom Adams  

LongtimeMayor 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 disappointedin the fact that our infrastructure was failing. We had a water main leak everyother day; some of our roads were failing. I knew that something needed to bedone or we could go beyond the point of return. I knew we needed a change, onethat would set us on a path to breathe new life into Monrovia.

“Now, thanks to your trust and a CityCouncil that sees the importance of taking care of our hometown we are on theroad to completion in the largest public works project in the history ofMonrovia. In less than a year, all of the curbs, gutters, sidewalks, watermains, sewer lines and roads will be up to at least the 70% mark.

“Our bond rating is now AA, with onlyone 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 constantlyexperiencing a revolving door at the City Manager’s office. I am very proudthat we are back to having solid management!”

Donna Baker

Baker haslived with her husband, David, in Monrovia for 30 years. “I have dedicatedmyself to making Monrovia a better place through my involvement, leadership anduncompromising commitment to the city. I feel I know the heartbeat of thecommunity and want to earn your trust that I will get things done.

“I believe I can make a differencewith my focus on citizen-driven issues, accountability and working hard to getthe job done. My prior commitment to the City of Monrovia shows through ineverything I’ve done in our community. I look forward to hearing your concernsand ideas on what we can do together to make a difference!”

Gloria Crudgington

Crudgington, completing her first term in office, hasspent 30 years as a marriage and family therapist which she says has come inhandy. “Our City Council works together wonderfully even when we start outdisagreeing. We have enacted legislation to protect our architectural heritage andprevent mansionization. At the last possible moment, we managed to obtainMetro 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 ofhistoric homes were getting slated for demolition. In addition, our historictrain depot was languishing and we had failed to close the deal on a grant torestore it. Council members were fighting like cats and dogs. As a 40-yearMonrovia resident, I was angry about the situation and ran in order to fix.” sharedCrudgington.

Steve Grollneck

AlthoughGrollneck admits he won’t win, he says he still has to run periodically andclaims the current Mayor “has put Monrovia in a situation we can no longerignore: higher proposed taxes, more potholes than ever, crime on rise.”Grollneck has long been a thorn in the side of many councilmembers over theyears.  He believes the future is bleakand that change is necessary at the top.

While hedoes garner votes, he told Monrovia Weekly that he knows that he cannot possiblywin.

KGEMpersonality Ralph Walker says Grollneck is “legendary” for upsetting the applecart.

Becky Shevlin

Shevlinexpressed: “I am proud and honored to have been able to serve you for the past 10years 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. Ibelieve I am qualified, prepared and committed to represent and work with youto provide critical support to — fight for local control; have strictoversight for our Measure K funds; provide sustainability of our renewalefforts; address homelessness issues and preserve our rich heritage and senseof community — to assure a prosperous future for all Monrovians.”

Melissa Taylor

Taylor is a “community organizer, policyresearch consultant, a mother, a wife, and I am running for mayor of Monroviawith a fresh approach to leadership in our community. I have been called topublic service to ensure that every single resident and hardworking taxpayer’sneeds are taken into consideration and respected. 

“I hold a master’s degree in urban andregional planning, and a background in business and economics. Over the pastyear, I have helped to establish and lead the San Gabriel Valley chapter of thenation’s largest gun violence prevention organization to make our communitysafer. My background will help create a sustainable future, founded onprinciples of equality and opportunity.

“Monrovia’s diverse community, hometownfeel, and beautiful outdoor spaces make me proud to call this place home and Iknow we can do more! When I look at my children, I know the choices we maketoday impact their future, and the future of all our children. My prioritiesinclude actionable plans with real solutions for climate change, affordablehousing, diversity and inclusion, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.”

Beginning inMarch of 2020, as required by State law, Monrovia municipal elections willcoincide with statewide primary election dates. General municipalelections will be held in March of even-numbered years to elect members toserve on the City Council, and as city clerk and city treasurer. There are fivemembers of the Monrovia City Council, including the directly elected mayor whoserves a two-year term, and four councilmembers serving a four-year term ofoffice. The city clerk and city treasurer are also elected and serve afour-year term.

The nextregular 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 – Firstday 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 centerlocation.
• 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 Officeat (626) 932-5599.