PASADENA: In a claim filed last week,...

PASADENA: In a claim filed last week, the city’s former safety officer alleges he was fired for reporting safety problems in the city’s Fire Department. George Leverette, 59, said he learned in April that a Cal-OSHA investigation of alleged safety problems within the Fire Department was under way. He attempted to cooperate with state investigators and resolve the problems internally, he said, and reported communications and training deficiencies in the Fire Department directly to Fire Chief Kaya Pekerol on May 17. Leverette was fired from his $49,000-a-year job June 3.

PASADENA: The city has declined to settle a federal lawsuit against the city by the American Civil Liberties Union. On May 25, the ACLU of Southern California filed a suit against the city, claiming that its courtesy code ordinance is unconstitutional. The code, which requires City Council members to be courteous, was approved in 1992, partially because of a volatile councilman, Isaac Richard. In response to the lawsuit, the City Council has approved a resolution, noting that the courtesy code applies only to conduct, not speech.

SAN MARINO: Local business leaders, aided by City Manager Keith Till, are hoping to create a business improvement district to revitalize the Huntington Drive area, where “For Lease” signs are becoming common. The district would cost businesses $65,000 for marketing, planning, street banners, flower pots and other promotional items. The average business would pay $17.59 per month, with a maximum of $25 per month.

SIERRA MADRE: Two residents are planning to circulate a citywide initiative petition to restore two Planning Commission seats eliminated by the City Council last month. Caroline Brown and Linda Thorton have published a notice of their intent to circulate a petition to amend Sierra Madre’s code to restore the Planning Commission to seven members. In approving the change last month, the council said a five-member commission would be more efficient and have fewer absentees. The two community activists must gather the signatures of more than 10% of Sierra Madre’s registered voters to get the issue on the ballot. They need 746 signatures.