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Stand Apart. Learn Together

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Stand Apart. Learn Together BAILEY CANYON PARK FALL CLEANUP SET FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 8:00AM- NOON The Sierra Madre Environmental Action Council (SMEAC) could use your help! Put on your work gloves and join us at Bailey Canyon Park (at the top of Grove), we’ll be pulling weeds, clearing out dead brush and improving paths. In addition to light snacks and beverages, we offer you; fresh air, exercise and enjoyable teamwork experience. Hope to see you there! SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 VOLUME 9 NO. 46 WATER, TAXES AND PUBLIC SAFETY THANK YOU OFFICER JOHN FORD FOR 35 COUNCIL CAREFULLY WEIGHS OPTIONS YEARS OF SERVICE TO SIERRA MADRE The Sierra Madre City Council The council directed staff indicating that the city remains once again tackled the three to contact each of the top in compliance with Measure topics that weigh heaviest on water abusers in an attempt UA.’ Council directed staff to most Sierra Madreans minds: to see what measures can be continue preparing the UUT Water - conservation and done to reduce their water for the April Ballot. quality; Taxes - the upcoming consumption. Except for leaks Utility User Tax ballot measure that were undetected, penalties Public Safety and Public Safety - shall or will will be enforced. the city continue to maintain On the issue of whether to its Police Department or Utility User Tax proceed investigating the cost contract out those services of contracting the LASD to to the Los Angeles County April 12, 2016 is the date that provide Police Services for Sheriff’s Department. Potential citizens of Sierra Madre will Sierra Madre should the UUT solutions were reviewed again, have the opportunity to vote fail, the council unanimously or as one frustrated council on whether or not to impose a decided to proceed with Option member said, “it seems as Utility User Tax of 10% to avoid I of the second phase of the though we keep going over the an almost $1 million budget proposal. The option will give same thing every time we meet:. deficit. Without its passage, the council further insight into city services, which include the actual costs of contracting Water Conservation public safety will dramatically out police services, however, change in Sierra Madre. it will not cost Sierra Madre At the last council meeting However, at the last two council additional funds at this point. there was much concern over meetings speaker after speaker the penalties assessed. Overall came to the podium supporting Mayor John Capoccia reiterated 83% of the city’s population the UUT. Tuesday, the UUT that the council was not making is meeting their water oversight committee gave its a decision to hire the Sheriff’s conservation goals, however report and confirmed that the but simply putting all options the remaining 17% - overusers income generated from the on the table. Capoccia noted - are cause for great concern as taxes approved in 2008 were that the public has indicated The Sierra Madre community is going to miss SMPD Officer John Ford who, after 35 years the city is well below the state in fact being used as directed. “20 to 1” that they want to of faithful service has retired. Picture above with Ford are (l to r) Public Safety Director and mandated level and has received Further, Committee Member keep the SMPD, however, the Chief of Police Larry Gianonne, Officer Ford, Sergeant Ken Berry, Sergent Ruben Enriquez a warning. Those who are Paul Savoie who presented council needs to have complete and Captain Joe Ortiz. Best wishes and thank you for your years of dedication. exceeding their conservation the report pointed out that information in the event the Photo courtesy SMPD levels are only part the reason ‘the increase in public safety UUT fails in April. The next Sierra Madre is only at 21% expenditures over the base year council meeting will be held on COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER FOR PLANTING DAY conseration vs. the 30% required of 2008 ($1,920,695) exceeded November 24th. by the state. Water main breaks the increase in UUT revenues MVNews are also contributing to the over the base year ($1,277,795) city’s water saving deficit. in the amount of $642,900, SIERRA MADRE SEARCH AND Facebook post. She got stuck in an area where she could not hike back up the hillside because of loose, RESCUE HELP SAVE HIKER crumbly soil, and could not descend. A successful search effort took place at Rubio According to various news reports, a 23-year-old Canyon on Nov. 9, 2015.There was no cellphone Reseda woman who said she was lost for two days reception, and she had very little food, water and no in the mountains above Altadena was rescued after warm clothing. her cries for help were heard Monday morning, “The hiker told me she was ‘in over her head,'” Page authorities said. wrote on Facebook. “We are all thankful she (was) Searchers responded after callers reported located and made it off the mountain.” someone yelling for help in from the area of Mount The hiker was airlifted in a Los Angeles County Lowe Drive and Maiden Lane just before 9 a.m. Fire Department helicopter to Farnsworth Park in She told her rescuers she had been stranded for two Altadena, where she was assessed and then taken days, according to sheriff’s Deputy Dan Page. The by ground to Huntington Memorial Hospital in woman said she was on a hike to Echo Mountain, Pasadena for treatment for possible hypothermia. a popular hiking destination, when she took “the The county Fire Department, the Altadena wrong trail” and became lost, Page wrote in the Mountain Rescue Team and the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team participated in the search, CALENDAR Pg. 2 as did search dogs. Sierra Madre, CA. – Thank youit be by volunteering, donating or SIERRA MADRE NEWS FLINTRIDGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Community Planting Day volunteers! helping us spread the word. Over 75 volunteers from around the In an effort to show our appreciation, Pg. 3 community gathered at City Hall last the City of Sierra Madre and the Sierra Saturday morning to help add new life Madre Garden Club are issuing a PASADENA/ALTADENA to the landscapes surrounding the City’s limited number of memorial bricks for Pg. 5 public buildings. Planting day volunteers those still seeking to add their legacy included a rich mix of young children, to the new gardens. A limited supply of adults, and seniors all eager to lend their 30 bricks will be available for purchase SAN GABRIEL VALLEY talents to the project. Working together, at City Hall from now until November they installed nearly 300 plants in just 30th. All donations are tax-deductible Pg. 6 two and half hours. and payments must be made by check Planting Day was the culmination of at the time of application submission. ARCADIA NEWS Pg. 7 months of planning and work aimed Additional photos from Community MONROVIA/DUARTE Pg. 7 at improving the City’s landscape by Planting Day are currently available replacing water-thirsty lawns with on the City’s Facebook page. To learn drought-resistant gardens. The City more about purchasing memorial EDUCATION & YOUTH of Sierra Madre owes a special debt bricks please contact City Hall at: Pg. 8 of gratitude to all who made this 626-355-7135. community project a success whether BEST FRIENDS Pg. 9 HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Pg. 10 THE GOOD LIFE learn together. Pg. 11 stand apart. FOOD & DRINK Pg. 12 FIND OUT WHAT PREP HAS TO OFFER! ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Pg. 13 Flintridge Prep Admissions Open House BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS Sunday, December 6, 2015 THE WORLD 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pg. 14 Register at www.flintridgeprep.org OPINION Pg. 15 Coed 500 Students Grades 7-12 LEGALS Pg. 16 Middle School & High School Presentations 2 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Mountain View News Saturday, November 14, 2015 Weather6-Day Forecast Wise Sierra Madre, Ca. Sun: Sunny Hi 60s Lows 40s Mon: Ptly Cldy Hi 60s Lows 40s Tues: Sunny Hi 60s Lows 40s Wed: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 40s Thur: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s Fri: Sunny Hi 70s Lows 50s Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service CITY OF SIERRA MADRE CALENDAR OF EVENTS Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed below are held at City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, Ca. 626-355-7135 NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday, November 24, 2015 6:30 pm SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER 1630 AM EMERGENCY RADIO & During the week of Sunday, November 1st, to Sunday, November 8th, the Sierra Madre Police Department responded to approximately 228 calls for Free on-air publicity for local events service. Sierra Madre’s EMERGENCY radio station is now accepting scripts for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about community events. Tuesday, November 3rd PSAs will be broadcast on the air at no charge. The station operates At 3:31 pm, Sierra Madre Police responded to the station lobby regarding 24/7 and can be heard at 1630 on the AM dial. a grand theft report. Upon arrival, Officers made contact with the victim Any local non-profit or non-commercial organization can have who informed them that earlier that day she received a phone call from a their event information broadcast to the public on Sierra Madre boy claiming to be her grandson and the he had just been arrested and was Community Information Radio. The station covers the city of Sierra in need of help. While on the Madre, plus surrounding areas of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Monrovia. phone with the boy, a man came on the line and stated he was a police Your event must: captain from Santa Barbara Juvenile Detention Center and explained to • Benefit a non-commercial or non-profit entity the woman that her grandson was being held as an accessory and could be • Be open to the public bailed out and that she would receive a call back with more information.
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