Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 29, 2010

4


Mountain Views News Saturday, May 29, 2010


City Looks into Norton Simon Art 
Possibly Stolen by Nazis in WW II

 By Dean Lee

 Overall violent crime rates 
were down in Pasadena last 
year according to a report 
issued Monday by Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, 
although murder, forceful 
rape, larceny-theft and arson 
were all slightly up from 
2008. The city saw 5 murders 
last year compared to 3 the 
year before. 

 The report compiled for 
cities with populations over 
100,000 showed 483 violent 
crimes in the city last year 
down from 621 the year 
before. There were 78 less 
robberies in the city down 
from 260 to 182. Aggravated 
assaults were also down 
from 337 to 271; however, 
forceful rape was up from 
21 in 2008 to 25 last year. 
Nonviolent property crime 
was down slightly from 4,182 
to 4,158. In 2008 there were 
367 motor vehicle thefts also 
down from 311 last year. 

 Larceny-theft accounted for 
3,023 reported crimes in the 
city up from 2,957 in 2008. 
Arson was also up from 18 
instances to 23. 

 The report states that 
all crime numbers are 
submitted voluntarily by 
law enforcement agencies. 
The violent crime category 
includes murder, forcible 
rape, robbery, and aggravated 
assault.

 The FBI report indicates that, 
“as a whole, law enforcement 
agencies throughout the 
Nation reported a decrease 
of 5.5 percent compared with 
figures reported for 2008.” 
The number of property 
crimes in the United States in 
2009 decreased 4.9 percent. 
Property crimes include 
burglary, larceny-theft, and 
motor vehicle theft. “Arson 
is also a property crime, 
but data for arson are not 
included in property crime 
totals. Figures for 2009 
indicate that arson decreased 
10.4 percent when compared 
to 2008 figures,” according 
to FBI Director Robert S. 
Mueller III.

 Pasadena has already seen 
two murders this year, 
including a 20-year-old-
man killed in a shooting 
Tuesday night. A 17-year-old 
young adult was shot and 
killed in February at a bus 
stop near Fair Oaks Avenue 
in Northwest Pasadena 
according to police. 

City’s Murder 
Rate Up, 
Although 
Crime Down 
Overall


By Dean Lee

 City Councilmember Steve 
Madison raised concerns 
Monday night over a pair of 
16th century wood panels, 
once owned by a Nazi leader, 
on display at the Norton 
Simon Museum saying that 
they may in fact belong to a 
Connecticut family who is 
again asking for the paintings 
back. Madison asked the 
city’s involvement?

 Marei von Saher, of 
Greenwich, Conn., had 
unsuccessfully sued the 
museum for the paintings, 
depicting Adam and Eve, 
in 2007. Recently, Attorney 
General Jerry Brown filed a 
“friend-of-the-court” brief 
May 19 asking the U.S. 
Supreme Court to consider 
an appeal. The paintings were 
appraised last year at $24 
million. 

 “I was surprised to learn that 
there was even an allegation 
the Norton Simon was even 
in possession of such a piece,” 
Madison said suggesting city 
attorney Michele Bagneris to 
look into the matter. “The city 
owns that property and leases 
it to the Norton Simon… I’d 
like to think that someone 
who’s operating a museum 
on city property might be less 
swayed by technicalities.” 

 Madison also said the 
litigation issue focused on 
the statute of limitations 
and whether it is still timely 
for someone to bring a 
claim about the seizure of 
art during WWII. Other 
reports say the case was ruled 
unconstitutional and thrown 
out of court by United States 
District Judge John F. Walter 
Oct. 18, 2007 for the same 
reason. 

 Brown’s request for a new 
appeal is on the grounds that 
California law does extended 
the statute of limitations for 
heirs of Holocaust victims and 
is constitutional even though 
twice, the Ninth Circuit 
Court of Appeals denied 
Ms. Von Saher’s request 
for a reconsideration of its 
decision that the California 
statute is unconstitutional. 
The first ruling came August 
19, 2009 and then more 
recently on January 14. 

 A statement released May 
20 by The Norton Simon 
Art Foundation (NSAF) 
said they had done an in-
depth archival research and 
comprehensive legal analyses 
concluding that the NSAF 
has proper title and that, 
“consistent with its fiduciary 
duties, it is required to defend 
its rights vigorously.” 

 Reports say von Saher 
claimed the two painting, by 
German artist Lucas Cranach 
were stolen from her father-
in-law, art dealer Jacques 
Goudstikker, after he fled the 
Nazi invasion leading up to 
WWII. 

 The NSAF agreed that the 
paintings did fall into the 
hands of the German’s during 
the period, however, give 
a different account of their 
history. 

 According to the NSAF 
“Adam and Eve” were 
confiscated and auctioned off 
more than a decade before 
World War II by the Soviet 
Union’s Stalinist government 
at a forced estate sale in 
Berlin. “The USSR’s actions 
were met with outrage, 
and the auction was widely 
reported to be unlawful,” the 
statement reads. “Ms. von 
Saher’s predecessor attended 
and bought Adam and Eve 
at that Berlin auction. In her 
lawsuit against the NSAF, 
Ms. von Saher alleges that 
the artwork was actually 
originally taken by the 
Bolsheviks from a church in 
Kiev.”

 The statement continues 
giving complicated details 
that “under a lawful 
settlement under existing 
Dutch law, Ms. von Saher’s 
mother-in-law left the panels 
with the Dutch government,” 
after “United States armed 
forces found the paintings 
and returned them to the 
Netherlands as part of the 
restitution policies jointly 
adopted by the Allied 
governments.” The paintings 
returned to the U.S. in 1960 
through an auction in Berlin. 

 Reports also said the 
paintings were once owned 
by Nazi leader Hermann 
Goering. The paintings were 
eventually sold in the early 
1970s to Norton Simon and 
his foundations, and have 
been on display for over 30 
years. 

 Von Saher could not be 
reached for comment at press 
time Thursday.

Well known 
Dodger dies 
of Uncertain 
Cause

Autopsy to be 
released next week, 
massive hart attack 
suspected. 

 Pasadena Fire Department 
Paramedics responded Sunday 
night to the home of former 
Dodger pitcher Jose Lima. 
According to police Lima was 
found to be in full cardiac 
arrest and transported to a 
local hospital where he was 
later pronounced dead. 

 The specific cause of death 
is unknown. The Los Angeles 
County Coroner’s Office 
Said Tuesday an autopsy 
is pending although a hart 
attack is suspected. Due to 
the undetermined cause of 
death, Pasadena police said 
detectives responded and 
will be following up with the 
Coroner’s Office report.

 A statement made by the 
Los Angeles Dodgers owner 
Frank McCourt read. “We 
are shocked and saddened to 
learn of the tragic loss of Jose 
Lima. Though he was taken 
from us way too soon, he truly 
lived his life to the fullest and 
his personality was simply 
unforgettable. He had the 
ability to light up a room and 
that’s exactly what he did every 
time I saw him. His memorable 
contributions to the Dodgers in 
2004 and throughout baseball 
will always be remembered. 
Our deepest condolences and 
prayers go out to his family 
during this extremely difficult 
time.”

 According to McCourt, 
Lima had rejoined the team 
within the past month as 
a member of the Dodger 
Alumni Association and 
was preparing to open a 
youth baseball academy this 
summer in Los Angeles to help 
teach the game he loved to 
youngsters. He was committed 
to making appearances in the 
community on behalf of the 
team, including an upcoming 
musical performance at a 
Viva Los Dodgers event this 
summer.

 He attended a game at Dodger 
Stadium on Friday night 
McCourt said and received 
a rousing ovation from the 
crowd when he was introduced 
between innings.

 Funeral arrangements are 
pending.

Norton Simon Museum 

Two Young Men Shot 
Resulting In One Fatality

 Officers responded Monday 
night to reports of shots 
fired in the area of Lincoln 
Avenue and Zanja Street. 
Approximately five minutes 
later, at 10:27 p.m. a local 
hospital notified the police 
department of the arrival 
of two gun shot victims, 
Emilo Landaverde, 22, and 
Oscar Mendez, 19, both 
Pasadena residents. Victim 
Landaverde later died from 
his injury. Victim Mendez was 
treated and remains in stable 
condition. The suspect was 
described as a Male Hispanic 
wearing a white t-shirt. 

 “The motive for this shooting 
is unknown,” says Interim 
Chief of Police Christopher 
Vicino. “Our detectives 
responded to the scene last 
night and are still investigating 
this senseless crime. It is our 
intent to find out who did 
this, bring them to justice 
and provide the families with 
some sense of closure.”

 Police are asking anyone 
having information about 
this incident to contact the 
Pasadena Police Department 
at 626-744-4241 or Detectives 
at (626) 744-4522. 

Police Officer Unintentionally 
Discharges Weapon in Car

 
According to an issued 
statement Monday, a 
Pasadena police officer 
accidentally shoot out the 
front windshield of a patrol 
car while initiating a felony 
traffic stop in the 1100 block 
of North Raymond Avenue. 
Another officer in car was 
taken to a local hospital 
complaining of hearing loss. 

 Police said the two officers 
were responding to a domestic 
violence call approximately 8:45 
a.m. The names of the officers 
were not given. 

 “I will release a full statement 
when all the facts are known,” 
said Interim Police Chief 
Christopher Vicino. 

 At the time, Officers were 
following Armando Garcia, 35, 
of Pasadena, a parolee wanted 
for felony assault on his live-in 
girlfriend Sunday night. 

 As police recognized Garcia 
driving the vehicle they 
initiated a traffic stop. Instead 
of yielding, Garcia turned into 
a driveway, accelerated and 
crashed into a parked car police 
said. 

 “Due to the dangerous nature 
of felony car stops, officers 
were readying their weapons 
when one of the officers 
unintentionally discharged 
his sidearm,” Vicino said. “No 
one was injured as a result of 
the discharge, nor was there 
any damage to any residential 
property.” 

 Responding officers assisted 
according to police and Garcia 
was taken into custody without 
further incident. 

 Vicino also said that 
administrative services 
and detective personnel 
responded to the scene and are 
investigating. 

 “It will take some time to 
gather and assess all of the 
details,” he said. “Our officers, 
detectives and community 
outreach personnel will be 
contacting people in the 
area and compiling witness 
statements.”

Kinneloa Avenue Extension Opened 


By Dean Lee 

 Well, it was, kind of, a 
parade Thursday afternoon 
as Councilman Steve 
Haderlein refused to let it 
rain on a gathering for the 
grand opening of the long 
awaited Walnut Street and 
Kinneloa Avenue extension 
intended to help traffic flow 
adjacent to the 210 Freeway. 

 Just in time for the busy 
Memorial Day weekend, 
Haderlein and the city of 
Pasadena Public Works 
Department cut the ribbon to 
the 1,700-foot extension. At 
5 p.m. the street was opened 
to all traffic for the first time. 
Haderlein was joined by Vice 
Mayor Victor Gordo and 
other city officials to do the 
honors. 

 Prior to the opening of 
the street, the public was 
encouraged to be among the 
first to bike, jog or walk along 
the extension. And they 
did just that, with a parade 
that began on Walnut and 
Sunnyslope and continue to 
Foothill Boulevard passing 
under the 210 Freeway and 
looping back to Walnut. 

 According to city staff 
Walnut Street has been 
extended from Sunnyslope 
to Kinneloa avenues, and 
Kinneloa has been extended 
north to Foothill Boulevard, 
under the 210 Freeway. 
The extension provides an 
alternate route, improve 
traffic circulation, and ease 
traffic congestion on Foothill 
Boulevard, especially near 
Sierra Madre Villa Avenue. 

 The project also includes 
traffic signals, street 
improvements on Walnut 
Street between San Gabriel 
Boulevard and Altadena 
Drive, and more. 

 A detailed description of 
the project is posted on the 
District 4 website at http://
www.cityofpasadena.net/
district4/ .

Pet of the 
Week


Haderlein leads the pack opening Kinnaloa Avenue 

 Meet Phantom, a beautiful 
black and white cat in need 
of a new home. He may 
seem shy at first but he is 
very affectionate and loves 
to snuggle. Come visit with 
this great cat today!

 The regular cat adoption 
fee is $70 which includes 
the spay or neuter surgery, 
microchip, vaccinations, 
and a free follow-up health 
check at a participating vet.

 Please call 626-792-7151 
and ask about A269389 
or come to the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA, 
361 S. Raymond Ave , 
Pasadena CA , 91105 . 
Our adoption hours are 
11-3 Sunday, 9-4 Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, and 
Friday, and 9-3 Saturday. 
Directions and photos of 
all pets updated hourly 
may be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org

Citizen Journalism Boot Camp 

 

 
Get hands-on multimedia 
journalism training! What 
makes news? Is it better to 
use a video instead of a still 
photo? How can I get this 
story out?

 Pasadena Community 
Network and this newspaper 
are holding a seminar on 
Citizen Journalism. Putting 
the news in your hands. 
Learn how to find the story, 
the tools needed to capture 
the story and the means to 
tell the story using the power 
of video, audio and print 
along with the internet. Free 
orientation June 29, 11a.m.- 
1p.m. at the PCN studios 
2061 N. Los Robles Ave. 
#109. For more info contact 
Aaron Wheeler (626) 794-
8585. Cost of the six week 
camp is $10 which covers all 
instructional materials and 
equipment. 

Learn Not Just How 
to Blog But How to 
Report the News

Supervisor Calls for Report on Vehicle 
Forfeiture Ordinance to Stop Illegal Dumping

 Los Angeles Supervisor 
Michael Antonovich introduced 
a motion Tuesday that asked for 
a report on the legal standing 
of the County’s illegal dumping 
ordinance. 

 “Posing a danger to public 
health and safety, Illegal 
dumping continues to be a 
significant problem in Los 
Angeles County -- decreasing 
property values, lowering the 
quality of life and contributing 
to urban blight,” he said “Vehicle 
seizure for those used in this 
crime is a valuable tool to deter 
potential dumpers.”

 In July, 2004, this Board 
of Supervisors adopted an 
ordinance granting law 
enforcement the authority to 
utilize the seizure and forfeiture 
of vehicles used in illegal 
dumping. 

However, the California 
Supreme Court in O’Connell 
vs. City of Stockton has cast 
doubt on the enforceability of 
the ordinance. The Court found 
that where local law conflicts 
with state law, state law would 
prevail. 

 More recently, however, 
the Governor signed into law 
Vehicle Code Section 22659.5 
which took effect in January 
2010 and provides local 
governments, through adoption 
of local ordinance, the authority 
to impound vehicles used in the 
course of illegal dumping under 
certain circumstances. 

 Supervisor Antonovich’s 
motion, unanimously approved 
by the Board of Supervisors, 
directs County Counsel to work 
with the Sheriff’s Department, 
the District Attorney’s Office. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com