Sierra Madre 4th of July Parade - Monday, July 5th SATURDAY JULY 3, 2010 VOLUME 4 NO. 26 There is also not sufficient revenue to replace aging parts or to match available federal funds of $10 Water Woes million dollars to do major capital improvements. For instance, the Mira Monte Reservoir was recently rebuilt utilizing the matching grant Sierra Madre’s pristine Water program with the federal government. Funds for matching grants come from the Water System is the source of great pride Revenue Reserves. Those reserves are now below acceptable levels and leave the city vulnerable in and great concern the event of a disaster or emergency. Photos and Story By Susan Henderson Recently, the city council was advised of the need for a rate increase for water users and There are few small towns that have just about everything. A clean, began the process of increasing the water rates. safe environment, their own fire and police departments, good Those plans have inspired a campaign against schools, talented, dedicated city staff, a war chest of community the fee hike. As the result of a state proposition, volunteers and……water. (“Prop 218”), certain utility fee increases can be Yes, Sierra Madre even has its’ own supply of water and doesn’t blocked through a process that allows citizens to have to rely on surrounding purveyors of water to sustain the city. protest the action. Opponents of Sierra Madre’s In1882, The Sierra Madre Water Company was formed, 25 years proposed rate increase have surfaced and are before the town was incorporated. asking residents to sign documents in “protest” of the rate hike. If they are successful and ascertain Sierra Madre’s water supply is primarily derived from four wells Sierra Madre’s pumping station drawing from the East Raymond Basin aquifer (85%) and two support of more than half of the rate payers in natural spring tunnels located on either side Sierra Madre, the city will not be allowed to raise of the county flood control dam in Little Santa water rates. As of this writing, however, no other viable alternative Anita Canyon. These wells are the source of to increasing water revenues has been found and without increased great pride, and once again, great controversy. revenue, the maintaining and integrity of the city’s water resources The local supply is managed by the Water properly will be in jeopardy. Division of the Department of Public works Over the years, there have been many legal battles over water rights and has the responsibility for maintaining but this developing modern day ‘feud’ is not over who has access to water quality, and pumping, treating, and the water but over the costs associated with maintaining the water distributing water to residents and businesses system and who should pay for them. In a city that has total control in town. The water is collected in a reservoir of its water resources, there are those who appear to be opposed to at the City’s maintenance facility and then paying it. pumped to other reservoirs around town. The The city’s current water delivery system, which dates back to the water is then distributed through a network of early 1900’s requires constant maintenance and improvements. As pipelines in our streets. recently as this week, as if a warning to the city that the system’s Current revenues from water users are not need for maintenance is immediate, an aging water main broke in sufficient to continue operating the city’s aging the canyons. It appeared that the main (shown below) had not been water system properly. This is primarily due replaced since the 1930’s. to the fact that there has been no rate increase On July 13th, the city council will hold a public hearing in since July 2006 to keep up with the escalating accordance with the conditions of Prop 218. Protests must be costs of, for example, electricity which runs the submitted to the council by that date. pumps. For more information go to: www.cityofsierramadre.com Related articles on the city’s water rate increase go to: http://mtnviewsnews.com/v04/htm/n25/p01.htm and http://mtnviewsnews.com/v04/htm/n21/index.htm. 4th of July Electricity power the city’s water resources Activities Saturday, July 3rd A Pre-Parade Party in Memorial Park 5:00-10:00 p.m., The Food Booths and Beer Garden, operated by volunteers from local nonprofit groups, will open at 5:00 p.m. The popular Bubble-Wrap “Fireworks-O- Rama,” a playful event for the youngsters 6:00 p.m. Aluminum Marshmallow, known for its exhilarating “Age of Aquarius Horns,” classic 60s and 70s rock ‘n’ roll. Seating for this, and all other concerts, is on the green, so concert-goers will want to bring along a lawn chair or blanket. Sunday, July 4th Be ready to rock and roll by 5:30, Rate hike opponents solicit support in Kersting Court when Rocktail will be performing Photo by C. Bertrand Water main breaks such as the one pictured above are the result of aging in concert. The band specializes in pipes that need replacing. classic rock and typically invites the audience to sing along with their favorite tunes. Not to leave West Nile Virus Found out the kids, at 8:00 p.m. there will New Water Tanker Makes Parade Debut be a showing of the movie “Shrek.” In San Gabriel Valley By Dean Lee Officials at the San Gabriel Valley Monday, July 5th After fighting fires for over 35 Musquito and Vector Control years, the fire department has finally District that a dead crow found in 8:00 am Women’s Club decided, this year, to retire their water Covina was infected with the West tanker, replacing it with a brand Nile Virus. Officials at the district Breakfast Essick House one that will make its first public Sunnyside Ave & sounded the alarm for residents to appearance in the Fourth of July day take the appropriate precautions, Sierra Madre Blvd. parade. Fire Marshal Richard Snyder especially during this holiday said maintaining the old truck just got weekend. 10:00 Parade Begins to be too much. Precautions include wearing long “Usually we go out on mutual aid pants and long sleeved tops and 11:30 Memorial Park assignments, to bushfires, and last year using musquito repellant. Community Picnic it got called out five or six times but Residents are also cautioned against Food Booths we didn’t take it,” he said. “We didn’t leaving standing water outdooes, a take it because we didn’t think it was breeding ground for musquitos. Vendors mechanically sound.” Family Activities West Nile virus (WNV) is a Snyder said they drove the new mosquito-borne disease that was tender down from Sacramento three found in the US in 1999, Every 12:00 Concert weeks ago. year there has been cases of WNV Night Blooming Along with the new water truck, reported in California. To date, in Jazzmen the department also bought a new Los Angeles County, there have been ambulance and one new fire engine. 4 cases reported to date. Water Play Zone Guidelines Snyder said they plan to take two older Sierra Madre Fire Marshal Rich Snyder and new tanker. For more information on WNV go Sierra Vista Park is now the only engines out of service, replacing them Photo by Dean Lee to: http://www.sgvmosquito.org/ with just one. The new ambulance, he designated water play zone (west has a stainless steel tank he said. Phos- California. side of the park on the grass lawn). added, will also be in the parade on July 5. Chek is a non toxic fire retardant used The Sierra Madre Fire Department to fight wildfires. “We have 8,000 pounds [of will be spraying water into Sierra The cost of the truck was part of PLEASE a large citywide capital spending “Our water tanker was the only Phos-Chek] that we are spying as a Vista Park for children and families water tanker that is a mobile Phos- preventive measure for the Four of to play in. Only water/squirt guns program, he said ,which also included new public works vehicles. Snyder Chek mixer,” he said, explaining that July activities,” said Pasadena Fire will be permitted at the water play they made sure the new one was as Information Officer Lisa Derderian. zone. Absolutely no water balloons did not specify the price of individual vehicles, but said the city gets well. “That is one of a kind.” “Not only are there thousands of REMEMBER: or use of water hoses will be Although, not yet in city service, the people that attend the show at the tolerated at the water play zone or reimbursed on many assignments, “It will eventually pay for itself.” Finance tuck has been at work the last week bowl, but thousands that surround the NO anywhere along the parade route. applying Phos-Chek along the San Rose Bowl area as spectators.” Absolutely NO water will Director Karen Schnaider, he said, oversaw the vehicle’s leasing. Gabriel Mountain foothills cities. Snyder said they used the truck for be allowed along the parade Snyder, along with Pasadena Fire, the first time last weekend applying FIREWORKS route. Parking signage will He added that the new truck is similar to the old one in technical spent all day Wednesday spraying Phos-Chek at Chantry Flats. He also exhibit a “No Water Zone” Phos-Chek around the Rose Bowl in said the fire retardant is good until it IN SIERRA notice along Sierra Madre Blvd.