Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 14, 2010

4

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, August 14, 2010

Gang Suspect Arrested 
for Attempted Murder

Vicino 
Selected For 
Riverside 
Position

State Rock May Get Tossed

By Dean Lee

 What started out an idea 
by some to bring awareness 
to the dangers of asbestos by 
dethroning Serpentine as the 
State’s official rock and removing 
the rock classification altogether 
has geologist at odds with 
lawmakers in Sacramento as 
they get set to vote on SB 624. 
A vote could come as soon as 
Monday. 

 At issue is olive green Serpentine, 
historically associated with small 
amounts of chrysotile, a variety 
of asbestos. 

 State Senator, 24th District, 
Gloria Romero authored the 
bill, which simply removes 
the category of the state rock 
from the Government Code. 
Geologists and teachers have 
called the issue a waste of time 
saying Serpentine is important 
to California’s history. 

 Teala Schaff, Press Secretary for 
Romero said if the bill passed 
the Assembly, it would go for 
a final vote on the Senate floor. 
She said that would happen by 
the end of the month. The bill 
would still have to be signed by 
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger 
she added. 

 The bill has also been 
heavily amended, since being 
introduced, to remove language 
declaring Serpentine Rock 
dangerous and a source for 
chrysotile asbestos and that 
exposure to it increases the risk 
of the cancer mesothelioma. 

 Sierra Jenkins a Field 
Representative for Romero said 
having a state rock is misguided. 

 “The original thinking, that 
Serpentine should be a state rock 
in the first place was based on 
junk science,” Jenkins said. “We 
really did it because we thought 
it contained asbestos and that 
it was supposed to move the 
asbestos industry. In that logic, 
it makes sense to now drop it.” 

 She also said the asbestos 
language was removed for fear 
of lawsuits. 

 Jenkins added the bill originated 
when Linda Reinstein, Executive 
Director and Co-Founder of the 
Asbestos Disease Awareness 
Organization, approached 
Romero to sponsor the bill. 

 Dr. Leon Silver, retired Professor 
for Resource Geology at Caltech, 
said Serpentine should stay the 
state rock agreeing with well-
known mineralogist Malcolm 
Ross who has been outspoken 
on the issue. 

 Ross had said chrysotile is less 
harmful than some other forms 
of asbestos and harmless to 
casual exposure. 

 Silver said, “I myself feel that in 
its natural form, asbestos is no 
problem in California.” 

 He said the issue is in other 
states, and Canada, where 
the asbestos is mined in large 
quantities. He said only a 
large exposure to it will cause 
mesothelioma. 

 Asbestos also has to be airborne 
where it can become trapped in 
the lungs, he explained. 

 He said dropping Serpentine, as 
the state rock, does not address 
the real issues of mesothelioma 
which he explained industry was 
well aware of. 

 Outcrops of Serpentine can be 
found in the Cost Ranges, above 
San Luis Obispo to the Oregon 
boarder, he also explained. It 
is most commonly used for 
decoration, from landscaping to 
jewelry.

 
Attempted murder charges 
were filed last week against a 
known local gang member in 
connection with a shooting 
August 2, in the 200 block of 
Del Monte Street. 

 Pasadena Police Detectives 
said they arrested Eli 
Wright, 26, of Pasadena, for 
the attempted murder of 
Tremaine Woodard. They 
added Woodard was not 
associated with any gang 
and may have been shoot by 
mistaken identity. 

 Wright, however, is a 
suspected member of the 
Pasadena Denver Lanes 
Blood gang police said. 

 The Los Angeles County 
District Attorney’s office 
filed the attempted murder 
charges with gang allegations 
on Wright. He was arraigned 
Tuesday with a bail set at $2 
million. 

 “This case was solved through 
tenacious investigative 
efforts by detectives, who 
were following leads and 
gathering information from 
a number of resources”, said 
Detective Lieutenant Tracey 
Ibarra. “Detectives learned 
that suspect Wright had 
driven to the area to assault 
an individual standing near 
Woodard and the victim was 
shot during the encounter.”

 “Recognizing the 
importance of keeping our 
community informed and 
safe, personnel from various 
sections of the department 
reached out to local residents 
through one-on-one 
dialog to provide accurate 
information,” says Chief 
of Police Phillip Sanchez. 
“Events like this can generate 
fear in neighborhoods. We 
attempted to mitigate this 
reaction by making sure we 
spoke to as many people as 
possible following the assault 
to alleviate their concerns.” 

 In related news, 34 
members and associates of 
the Pasadena Denver Lanes 
Blood gang were arrested 
Tuesday in Lancaster as part 
of a sting operation. Police 
said they believe the gang 
has branched out into the 
Antelope Valley. Eleven of 
the suspects were charged 
with trafficking crack cocaine 
according to police. They 
also said six suspects were 
still at large as of Wednesday 
morning.

 
Pasadena Police Deputy Chief 
Christopher Vicino, a 25-year 
veteran of law enforcement, 
announced Thursday he will 
resign his position in Pasadena 
to begin a new job Assistant 
Chief of Police for the Riverside 
Police Department. He is set to 
begin in September. 

 The announcement was by 
made Chief of Police Phillip 
Sanchez along with Riverside 
Chief Sergio Diaz. 

 “I am excited to have been 
selected for this job. There 
are many challenges ahead, 
but I am looking forward to 
each and every one of them. 
I will miss the outstanding 
employees of the Pasadena 
Police Department, along with 
the great city they protect, but 
I feel my job is done here and 
it is time for me to move on”, 
said Vicino. Vicino served 
as the Interim Chief of Police 
in Pasadena for ten months 
in 2008 and again for eight 
months in 2010. He has been 
Pasadena’s Deputy Chief since 
2006 and has over a decade of 
command level experience. 

 “Chris Vicino has dedicated 
his entire career to Pasadena” 
says Chief Sanchez. “I have 
known him for nearly a decade 
and have a great deal of respect 
for his abilities.” 

Vicino will join newly 
appointed Riverside Chief 
Sergio Diaz to rebuild the 
executive command staff 
of the Riverside Police 
Department. “The men and 
women of the Riverside 
Police Department are hard 
working crime fighters. They 
have a great reputation in the 
law enforcement community 
and I will be honored to join 
their ranks. They deserve 
committed leadership that 
will help develop them for the 
future”, explained Vicino. The 
Riverside Police Department 
serves 350,000 residents with 
over 400 sworn police officers 
and 200 civilian employees in 
a geographical area that spans 
80 square miles.

 In July, Vicino was a finalist for 
the vacant city chief position 
although passed up with 
Sanchez ultimately getting the 
job. Vicino made no indication 
he was leaving Pasadena until 
Thursday’s announcement. He 
was not available Thursday for 
comment.

Glenna Watterson, longtime Secretary of the Natural Sciences 
Division at Pasadena City College holds a sample of Serpentine 
the state rock of California. 

 

 After ten years as Music 
Director of the Pasadena 
Pops, Rachael Worby has 
announced that effective 
September 30, 2010, she will 
conclude her tenure with the 
organization.

 In a statement Rachael 
Worby said, “Being Music 
Director of the Pasadena 
Pops has been a joyful, 
fulfilling experience. I wish 
the Pasadena Symphony – 
POPS all continued success.”

 Worby will complete this 
season’s concerts conducting 
programs “All That Jazz” this 
Saturday, August 14, and 
“Hooray For Hollywood,” 
Saturday, September 25. 
Both concerts will take place 
on the Lawn adjacent to the 
Rose Bowl.


Conductor 
Rachael 
Worby Steps 
Down

Police Unaware of Miranda Changes

By Dean Lee

 Pasadena Police Chief Phil 
Sanchez said Wednesday 
night that he was unaware 
of any of the new changes 
to the Miranda warnings, 
the 44-year-old law giving 
suspects the right to a lawyer 
and to remain silent —only 
now the suspect must “opt in” 
to do so.

 The changes, including 
that a suspect must now tell 
police they wish to remain 
silent and that the rights are 
only good for two weeks, 
were outlined by numerous 
sources online. 

 The Associated Press last 
week called The Supreme 
Court’s major revisions, 
“death by a thousand 
cuts” citing the National 
Association of Criminal 
Defense Lawyers.

 Police Lieutenant. Phlunte 
Riddle, who has been 
accompanying Sanchez as he 
gets acquainted with the city, 
referred any further comment 
to the City Prosecutor 
Michele Beal Bagneris. 
A phone call to her office 
Thursday was not returned. 
Riddle also declined to say if 
officers would be retrained.

 Sanchez was sworn in as the 
city’s new Police Chief last 
month.

 In July, a divided Supreme 
Court, voted 5-4 that once 
an arrestee had been read 
their rights and questioning 
had begun, the suspect must 
now declare that they want 
to remain silent and cannot 
simply stay silent. 

 Justice Sonia Sotomayor said 
that requiring a defendant 
to speak, requiring a clear 
declaration, weakened the 
right. She warned that the 
decision “turns Miranda 
upside down.” 

 Sierra Madre Police Chief 
Marilyn Diaz said last week 
that she had not read the 
Supreme Court’s rulings 
although she was aware 
of some of the changes, 
including the requirement 
that a defendant must speak. 
She said once the rulings 
were reviewed, she would 
implement any changes or 
training immediately. 

 On February 24, The 
Supreme Court also set a 
14 day maximum period 
Miranda warnings are 
valid although made no 
changes to how the rights are 
implemented. 

 Opponents called the ruling 
an invitation to, “catch and 
release.” After two weeks 
police can now bring a 
suspect back into custody as 
if they never invoked a right 
to a lawyer. 

 The court also ruled in 
February 7-2 that police 
officers are not required to 
use exact language while 
advising suspects of their 
rights. The ruling said that 
police agencies do not need 
to repeat the precise wording 
used by federal agents. The 
ruling states that officers 
must only communicate the 
same essential message. 

 Diaz said it is up to individual 
departments to decide what 
to tell an arrestee.

A representative of 
The ACLU of Southern 
California although said they 
had a lawyer specific to the 
Miranda Rights, a phone call 
was not returned by press 
time seeking comment.

Schiff Receives Boost in Effort 
to Expand Alternative Energy 
Education, Career Training

 
Congressman Adam Schiff 
announced that the Financial 
Services Appropriations bill 
includes $138,000 for the 
Small Business Employment 
Training Program for 
Careers in the Solar Industry 
at Pasadena City College 
(PCC). Specifically, the 
funding will be used to 
support further development 
of PCC´s solar installation 
program.

 “This funding will help train 
individuals for jobs in small 
businesses that design and 
construct environmentally 
sustainable buildings, and 
it will help small businesses 
with a green technology 
focus find the qualified 
employees they need to 
grow and prosper,” Rep. 
Schiff said. “Ultimately, this 
program will help power 
small business growth in 
the alternative energy field, 
while helping people gain 
jobs in a burgeoning field.” 

 Although the bill still has 
several more legislative 
hurdles to clear, inclusion of 
the funding in the measure is 
a very positive step.

 “We´re really excited about 
this great news and want 
thank Congressman Schiff 
for his steadfast support 
for Pasadena City College 
and the communities in 
the 29th District,” said Dr. 
Mark Rocha, Pasadena City 
College President. “This 
funding will be used for our 
Entrepreneurship program 
– a classic example of how 
appropriation funding for 
community colleges really 
helps the local economy. 
We´re going to put this 
funding to work right away 
in the community, directly 
supporting and training 
people locally about how to 
start and grow a business, 
which is good for everybody.”

 Pasadena City 
College may receive 
funding to support 
education, training 
for green jobs

Pet of the 
Week


S-64e Helitanker Arrives For Fire Season

 
To enhance rapid initial air 
attacks on wildfires in Los 
Angeles County, the Fire 
Department has renewed 
their lease for an S-64E 
Helitanker from Erickson 
Air-Crane, announced 
Supervisor Michael 
Antonovich.

 With a 2,500 gallon tank that 
can drop water, retardant, or 
foam mix, the Erickson Air-
Crane S-64E Helitanker is 
one the world’s most versatile 
and powerful, aerial fire 
suppression tools. A ram 
scoop hydrofoil allows the 
Helitanker to refill from fresh 
water and sea water sources 
in less than 45 seconds. A 
flexible hose snorkel features 
a high pressure impeller and 
can draw water from any 
water source 18 inches or 
deeper as fast as 45 seconds. 

 The Helitanker will begin 
operations on Monday, 
August 16, 2010, out of the 
Department’s Van Nuys 
Airport Tanker Base. This 
is the third year of a Board 
approved five-year lease 
agreement for the seasonal 
use of the Helitanker.

 
Charlie, an adorable, six-year-
old, Cocker Spaniel is friendly 
and gets along with other 
dogs. He is also housebroken 
and loves to play. Charlie 
needs a home where he will 
receive plenty of attention and 
exercise. Come visit with this 
cutie today!

 The regular dog adoption fee 
is $120, which includes medical 
care prior to adoption, spaying 
or neutering, vaccinations, 
and a follow-up visit with 
a participating vet. Charlie 
qualifies for the Seniors for 
Seniors program where people 
over age 60 can adopt a pet 
over 5 years for just $20!

 Please call 626-792-7151 
and ask for A274677 or come 
to the Pasadena Humane 
Society & SPCA, 361 S. 
Raymond Ave , Pasadena 
CA , 91105 . Our adoption 
hours are 11-4 Sunday, 
9-5 Tuesday, Wednesday, 
Thursday, and Friday, and 
9-4 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 August 17, class 
from 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

 To reduce racial and gang-
motivated jail violence, 
the Board of Supervisors 
extended an agreement with 
the Amer-I-Can Foundation 
to continue disturbance 
mediation training classes 
to jail inmates, announced 
Supervisor Michael D. 
Antonovich. 

 Funded by the Inmate 
Welfare Fund, the 12-month, 
$300,000 contract will be 
primarily targeted to male 
inmates housed at the Sheriff 
Department’s North County 
Correctional facility in 
Castaic.

 On average, the Sheriff’s 
Department houses 18,251 
inmates on a daily basis, 
3,852 of whom are housed 
at the North County facility. 
The average length of stay 
for inmates in the County 
jail system is 54.3 days. 
Approximately 150,763 male 
inmates enter and leave the 
County’s jails on an annual 
basis. Currently, Los Angeles 
County provides funding for 
educational classes, alcohol 
and drug prevention, life skill 
programs, and other services 
to help inmates who have 
completed their sentences 
successfully re-enter society 
reducing the possibility of 
recidivism.

County Renews 
Contract To 
Provide Training 
For Jail Facilities

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