In a highly controversial move at this week’s Planning Commission meeting, Ashod Mooradian, Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian’s appointed commissioner, “summoned” indicted former state Sen. Ron Calderon to the meeting to advocate the opening of a liquor store immediately adjacent to Montebello Intermediate School, despite vocal parent concerns and numerous community objections.
This was the second attempt by Mr. Mooradian to approve the controversial liquor store at 1400 W. Whittier Blvd. He called on an indicted former legislator to make his point.
Mr. Calderon faces 24 charges, including bribery, money laundering and tax fraud, which carry a maximum sentence of 400 years in prison.
It was exclusively revealed in the Montebello News that current Montebello City Council candidate Vanessa Delgado, who is endorsed by Mr. Hadjinian and Mr. Mooradian, bought her house from Mr. Calderon’s brother Tom.
Mr. Mooradian, who is running against U.S. federal prosecutor Charles Pell for Montebello City Treasurer, spoke as chairman in favor of approving the liquor store, despite vociferous objections from the Montebello Unified School District and community members.
Residents spoke of the possible dangers associated with liquor stores in the community so close to neighborhood schools.
One person stated that the city should attempt to attract different types of businesses, since there are “already enough liquor stores in Montebello.”
But it was the appearance of Ron Calderon that surprised everyone, and that he spoke in favor of the liquor store.
In a long-winded speech that smacked of intimidation, Mr. Calderon demanded support for the approval of the application, testifying that “he knew the owner.”
Immediately after the speech, an emboldened Mr. Mooradian made a motion to approve the conditional use permit but was soundly rebuked, as none of the other three commissioners – Commissioner Bagoian was absent – seconded the motion.
An angry, stunned Mooradian insisted that the commissioners explain why “they did not support his action.”
Commissioner Daniel Gonzales expressed reservations with the proposed hours of operation, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Desperate for approval, Mr. Mooradian proceeded to change the hours of operation to 7 a.m. to midnight, and made a second motion to approve the permit.
Once again, the Hadjinian-appointed commissioner was soundly rebuked by the other three commissioners.
The three seemed to become more annoyed and showed that they were not intimidated by the mayor, his chairman, or Mr. Calderon’s plea for the liquor store.
Commissioner Sergio Zazueta expressed concerns about the sale of alcohol near a school and park. He noted that the nearby Superior and Walgreen stores sell alcohol.
Commissioners Gonzales and Cuevas agreed.
A fuming Mr. Mooradian spoke of his “disappointment with the Planning Commissioners of the City of Montebello.
“Denying this permit is not the right call,” he said
Mr. Mooradian insisted that “there is no moratorium on alcohol in our city. This is an arbitrary decision by the commission.”
Undaunted, Mr. Cuevas made a motion to deny the application. Mr. Zazueta seconded the motion, and Mr. Gonzalez added his yes vote to deny the conditional use permit.
An indignant Mr. Mooradian stuck to his convictions and voted yes.
Mr. Hews of the Hews Media Group-Community News, may be contacted at loscerritosnews.net
