Voters Reject Police Station Bid : Elections: Measure that would have taxed home and apartment owners $49 a year failed by 123 votes.

Monrovia police will have to work in their 30-year-old station awhile longer after voters defeated a special tax for a new $8.8 million police station.

Proposition A, which would have taxed every house and apartment unit in the city $49 a year, failed Tuesday by 123 votes. It had to be approved by two-thirds of voters to pass. The final tally was 1,671 for and 1,020 against.

About 18% of city voters went to the polls.

“The low turnout was a sad commentary that more people aren’t interested,” said Mayor Bob Bartlett. “I’m disappointed. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle. The majority should rule but, it takes only one-third to defeat it, which means that one-third can tell two-thirds whether we can or cannot have it.”

He said the city doesn’t have enough money to replace the Lime Avenue police station, which was built in 1961. It is too small and not earthquake-safe. A possible solution is a citizens committee to create a nonprofit group to raise funds, Bartlett said, though he has not discussed this idea with the full council.

Police Chief Joseph Santoro was a bit more optimistic. “I think getting 62% of the vote is significant considering the economy and problems out there,” he said.

“However, we need to continue the effort and let the city know that the police station is something that is desperately needed to provide the level of law enforcement and protection they deserve.”

But Susan Leslie Smith, executive director of Foothill Apartment Assn. in Pasadena, which represents about 100 owners in Monrovia, was elated about the vote.

“The board of directors and staff spent a great of time and effort to defeat it, because it was not going to be good for property owners, especially ones of multiple units.

“I’m sure the city will bring this item back again,” she said, “but, hopefully the city will revise and make it more equitable for owners of multiple units.”

Final Results MONROVIA Proposition A--Bonds, special tax 9 of 9 Precincts Reporting Needed two-thirds support for passage. Winner in bold (with *).

ISSUE VOTE % Yes 1,671 62.0 No* 1,020 38.0