Message from the Mayor
Community Chronicles: A Recap of Events and Programs
Water Safety Day at the Pool
Duarte community members made a splash for safety at our Water Safety Day at the Pool event on Saturday, May 11. From informative sessions to hands-on demos, we are proud to see everyone diving into safety awareness.
Summer Kick-Off: 80's Night
On Thursday, June 20, Duarte kicked off the first day of Summer with a trip to the 80s! DJ Phil provided live music, followed by the band of the night, the Flashbax. Attendees enjoyed a free cosmic swim at the Duarte Pool and engaged in arts and crafts activities, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere to kick off the first day of Summer in Duarte.
Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Show
On Wednesday, July 3, approximately 8,000 people filled Duarte Sports Park, delighting in a dazzling fireworks display, delicious food from vendors, community booths, and an electrifying performance by the featured band, Sangria. Families enjoyed a spectacular performance from Duarte Dance and a t-shirt giveaway, complete with a t-shirt launcher.
Summer Concerts in the Park
During July, the Parks and Recreation Department hosted a series of Concerts in the Park featuring a lineup of energetic bands that had our community members dancing each week. This summer's featured bands included Bruno & The Hooligans, Vilma Diaz y La Sonora, Family Style Band, and Soto the Band. Attendees enjoyed live music each night alongside local food trucks and vendors, lawn games, and more.
On June 5, 2024, The LA County Homeless Initiative collaborated with the Office of Supervisor Barger, the City of Monrovia and the City of Duarte to conduct the Pathway Home operation.
Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home program brought 13 people experiencing homelessness off the streets of Duarte and into safe interim housing where they received supportive services and other resources to help them transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing. The Monrovia and Duarte operation is LA County’s 16th Pathway Home encampment resolution since the inception of the program in August 2023.
Duarte City Manager Brian Villalobos said, “The City of Duarte is grateful to Pathway Home. They are housing Duarte residents who have been living on the streets for five, ten, and in some cases, twenty-plus years. They finally have a path to a permanent housing solution.”
Pathway Home is a Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative-led encampment resolution program that is a critical component of the County’s comprehensive response to the local emergency on homelessness adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2023. By leveraging emergency powers and partnerships with local jurisdictions, Pathway Home is a full-circle solution that brings people off the streets, into immediately available interim housing accompanied by a comprehensive suite of supportive services, and, ultimately, into safe, permanent homes.
On November 5, 2024, Duarte residents living in Districts 2, 3 and 7 will vote on their City Council representatives in addition to the Presidential election. The Duarte City Council is comprised of seven members who are directly elected by Duarte voters. Currently, Vinh Truong represents District 2, Jody Schulz represents District 3, and Toney Lewis represents District 7. One City Councilmember will be selected to fill the seats in each of these districts for a term of 4 years, expiring in 2028. For those interested in pursuing a City Council seat, the nomination period runs from Monday, July 15, 2024 to Friday, August 9, 2024.
The Council serves as the legislative body for the City and is responsible for establishing City policies, adopting City ordinances and resolutions, holding public hearings, adopting the City’s budget, and authorizing City expenditures. City Council also appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and the members of City commissions and committees.
Additionally, in response to a citizen led ballot initiative filed in 2023, the City Council adopted a resolution to add a cannabis retail sales and tax measure to the November General Municipal Elections ballot.
Registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on a measure authorizing the City Council to adopt an ordinance to permit up to two retail cannabis dispensaries in Duarte and to tax cannabis businesses up to 10% of gross receipts.
Prior to making its decision, the City Council held two cannabis workshops and engaged a third-party consultant to research and provide information regarding the potential revenue received from cannabis sales in Duarte, impacts on public safety, and other issues relating to cannabis sales.
Community Spotlight
Senior Center Volunteer of the Year
Since 1991, the City of Duarte has acknowledged a senior member who provides extraordinary volunteer service, devoting their time and effort to making the Duarte Senior Center a better place. This year, the City Council recognized Marion Stone as Duarte’s 2024 Senior Volunteer of the Year.
Marion Stone is not only an active volunteer at the Senior Center, but she also volunteers at the Duarte Woman’s Club. Due to Marion’s dedication, she was recently recognized as the Woman of the Year for the Duarte Woman’s Club and will also be recognized as Older American of the Year at the County level.
City Employee Spotlight
At the regular meeting on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Outreach Coordinator Tony Hadloc was recognized by the City Council for his outstanding work with people experiencing homelessness. Hadloc has shown unwavering commitment and consistently goes above and beyond to make a positive impact in the lives of everyone in the community
“To say that we are appreciative is an understatement. I’m sure not only myself, but a lot of my colleagues have received emails regarding all the good work that Tony continues to do,” said Mayor Truong. “Between the coordination with the County and City of Monrovia, you guys have done a great job and it really shows on the streets.”
“This recognition is so well deserved, I’m truly proud to know him. Every time I’ve seen him interact with the public, staff, and the community, he always has a positive attitude,” said Mayor Pro Tem Cesar Garcia. “The numbers that I just saw in the recent update serves as proof that he has built a rapport with the unhoused and leads with compassion, empathy, and respect. The love he has for the city and the community shows in everything he does, so I want to congratulate him for all of his hard work.”
The City is honored to have an employee who provides exemplary public service in a caring and respectful manner. Hadloc’s use of professionalism and humility in his duties is truly admirable.
“It’s an honor to serve the City of Duarte. This is definitely a team effort that goes all the way back from when Brian Villalobos was the Director of Public Safety and gave me the freedom to reach out to all the organizations out there and build great working relationships,” said Outreach Coordinator Tony Hadloc. “I want to thank Public Safety Director Larry Breceda for his coaching and my partners, Juan, Don, and Emily for always being there for me.”
Upcoming Events
National Night Out & Movie in the Park: Join us with your family, friends, and neighbors on Thursday, August 8 from 6 - 9:30 PM at Tzeitel Paras-Caracci Park (2701 Royal Oaks Drive) to celebrate our annual Nation Night Out, hosted by Duarte Public Safety and the Parks and Recreation Department! It's a night that promotes police-community partnerships, emergency preparedness, and crime prevention to make our community safer and a more caring place to live. The event will include Neighborhood Watch Program Information, Crime Prevention and Safety Tips, Emergency Preparedness Resources, First Responder Vehicles Displays, a Dunk-A-Deputy Fundraiser, Inflatable Attractions, and Arts & Craft Stations.
At 8 PM, the event will include a Movie in the Park, Migration (Rated PG). Free movie snacks will be provided while supplies last.
For more information, please contact Duarte Public Safety at (626) 359-5671 ext. 316 or the Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 357-7931.
Duarte Boxing Club Youth Boxing Show: Attention all boxing fans! The Duarte Boxing Club is proud to announce the presentation of the 2024 Duarte Boxing Club Youth Boxing Show starting at 1 PM on Saturday, September 14 at the Duarte High School Gym (1565 Central Avenue). This will be an exciting day for fans and supporters of amateur youth boxing in Duarte and surrounding communities.