Monrovia

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce wishes to express its dismay over your feature article (Aug. 2), “Newport Prospering on a Name,” and the extremely negative reference to Monrovia. I quote: “Muller is convinced that Ambrosia’s (an Orange County restaurant) ill-fated jump to Costa Mesa--away from its corporate clients--would be like moving Ma Maison to Monrovia.”

The chamber resents this implication and comment, because its inference is truly insulting and downgrading to a community.

Our city was recently selected by the California Downtown Assn. to host the association’s annual four-day conference, because of the community’s outstanding accomplishments. The city was selected as an example of how to give rebirth to a city. Monrovia is the fourth oldest incorporated city in Los Angeles County and will be celebrating its centennial next year. The community is proud of its heritage and its roots.

Monrovia also prides itself on its many fine restaurants,one of which is La Parisienne. La Parisienne is considered one of the finest French restaurants in Southern California, having received the California Restaurant Assn.’s 3-Stars for 12 consecutive years. The chef, Julienne Esperiquette, was a chef at Maxim’s in Paris for more than seven years.

JANICE G. MARUGG

Executive Vice President

Chamber of Commerce

Monrovia