Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 30, 2011

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

DIAZ (cont. from pg. 1)

part-time sworn and non-
sworn staff to provide better 
patrol coverage throughout 
the City and aid in follow-up 
investigations.” 

 Diaz also increased the number 
of volunteers that assist 
the department and expanded 
community outreach by 
meeting with local businesses, 
creating the Chief’s Community 
Advisory Board and 
revitalizing Sierra Madre’s 
Neighborhood Watch Program. 
There are now 46 NW 
block captains.

 But she is quick not to take 
credit for the progress of the 
department by herself. “The 
credit for the transformation 
of the police department is 
due to the work of the extraordinary 
men and women who 
work there. Sierra Madre is 
fortunate to have exceptionally 
committed police employees 
who regularly sacrifice 
time with their families 
and loved ones to ensure that 
our community is well served. 
I am proud of the members of 
the police department beyond 
words, and as a resident, I am 
grateful for their presence.

 Diaz plans to retire at the end 
of the year and after five years 
of service to Sierra Madre, she 
will receive a vested pension 
of approximately $16,000 per 
year. 

 During the transition, Captain 
Larry Giannone will 
serve as Interim Chief. Giannone, 
before coming to 
SMPD four years ago, served 
the Monterey Park Police Department 
for 23 years.

 S. Henderson/MVNews

3


Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 30, 2011 

What’s Going On In Sierra Madre? Part 2 of 2 

by Chris Bertrand, On Special Assignment 

Sierra Madre Police Officers 
Arrest An Alleged “Peeping Tom”

In the early morning hours of April 25, 2011, a male was 
looking into a residence window in the 400 Block of Sierra 
Madre Boulevard. The startled female resident immediately 
called the police. Police units arrived in the area within a 
minute and began checking the area.

A plain-clothes officer located the male in the driveway of an 
apartment complex a few doors down from the original call. 
The victim positively identified Roger Wright, a 37-year-
old resident of Sierra Madre, as the person looking in her 
window. Wright was arrested for 647 (i) P.C. – Prowling, 
and booked at the Sierra Madre Jail. 

The Sierra Madre Police Department is currently 
investigating a number of prowler complaints in this area 
since December 2010. Investigators are still reviewing these 
cases however; they believe that Wright may be involved. 
The Sierra Madre Police Department is encouraging any 
one that may have encountered a person looking in their 
windows late at night to call Sergeant Joe Ortiz at 626-355-
1414. 


ASSISTED LIVING DEVELOPER 
UNDER CONTRACT TO 
PURCHASE FORMER SKILLED 
NURSING FACILITY, 225-45 W. 
SIERRA MADRE BLVD.

With the weeds growing through the cracks 
in the pavement at the former skilled 
nursing facility across from City Hall, the 
site has become more of an eyesore each 
year that it stands empty and dilapidated. 
Fountain Square Development West LLC 
partner, Billy Shields, confirmed April 20th, 
that they have entered into a contract to 
purchase the site, but have not closed on a 
purchase. 

“Three of us are involved, and I will be 
leading the development out here in the 
West,” noted Shields. “We plan to build, then 
become owner operators of this residential 
community.”

In March, Shields appeared before the 
City Council, not with a formal plan 
or formal application, but to open an 
exploratory dialogue with the community. 
The organization’s idea is to develop a fully 
licensed, assisted living community housing 
about ninety, with a staff of approximately 
25, including 24/7 nursing. A part of the 
facility would accommodate Alzheimer’s or 
dementia residents. 

Shields explained further, “We’ve made 
preliminary application to the city, which 
allows them to respond to some of the basic 
parameters we are proposing. We’re anxious 
to get their comments and key questions 
answered, and to have the different 
departments look at the plans. Within a 
month of that meeting, we plan to meet 
requirements for the formal application.”

Shields, a resident of Poway, played for the 
San Diego Chargers, the New York Jets and 
1984 Super Bowl champion San Francisco 
49ers, before moving to senior living 
community development at Virginia-based, 
Sunrise Senior Living, where he spent 17 
years.

“I’ve enjoyed the senior living business, 
particularly when we open new 
communities… when we see the families 
and the residents move in a frail elderly 
resident. It’s so much more rewarding than 
building apartments and commercial real 
estate,” reflected Shields.

The Fountain Square team all came with 
experience from Sunrise, before creating 
their own senior development organization. 
Sierra Madre will be their third project, after 
their first in suburban D.C., and a second in 
White Plains, New York. 

Shields invites Sierra Madreans to view the 
website for their New York assisted living 
residence at www.TheKensingtonAL.com, 
with the sidebar note that each development 
is customized to the style of the community. 

Shields and his partners welcome input on 
Fountain Square’s development ideas from 
neighbors and the community at 858-748-
0201. The group also plans forums, perhaps 
on the site grounds, as the process evolves. 

RESIDENTIAL NEW 
CONSTRUCTION AT STONEGATE

On the residential front, the Stonegate 
development at North Baldwin and Carter, 
has been lender-owned by Capital Source 
for some time. New agency representation 
was assigned to Century 21 Village recently 
for the 29 lot subdivision. 

Listing agent Mike Lepore commented, 
“Eight home sites have closed and two 
additional lots are in escrow, one being 
the 1940’s era, Willis house. The barn is 
still available and continues to be a unique 
opportunity for the right buyer. There has 
been strong interest in the properties and 
the sales trailer is open Saturday and Sunday 
from 1- 5 and the Century 21 Village office, 
38 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. has a Stonegate 
sales person available daily from 9- 6.”

Aguilar indicates that, of the closed 
Stonegate sales, one lot has applied to build, 
and a second is close to applying.

Interest in another Capital Source owned 
property, the Stonehouse parcel, located 
in northeast Sierra Madre, has been “Very 
quiet lately,” according to Aguilar, “with 
only occasional inquiries asking what can 
be done with the land and periodic inquiries 
from individuals interested in buying the 
entire property.” Elsewhere in town, two 
new homes are under construction, one on 
N. Sunnyside and another on N. Grove. 

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS AT 
ALVERNO 

Officials at the private Catholic girls’ school, 
Alverno High School, are moving forward 
with their master plan. As part of that 
evolving plan, the school agreed to cap its 
student population at a lower number than 
currently allowed. 

Alverno has published an environmental 
review and circulated it for public comment, 
before a hearing tentatively scheduled for 
June. . According to Castro, the city has 
received 22 comment letters on the project 
as of April 20, and will respond to those 
letters. 

Plans include a 12,000 square foot 
multipurpose building, converting existing 
softball fields to regulation soccer and 
softball field, enhancing the perimeter 
with fencing and landscape, creating a 
small amphitheater, relocating the tennis 
court and reconfiguring traffic flow and 
parking. Aguilar indicates there is still some 
opposition, and expects that neighbors will 
continue to be very involved and engaged 
in the process, and follow the developments 
closely. Head of School, Ann Gillick says, 
“We are excited to move into the future with 
the City of Sierra Madre.” 

Sierra Madre 
Library 
Director 
Announces 
Retirement 
after 34 Years

Sierra Madre Public Library 
Director Toni Buckner has 
announced her retirement after 
34 years with the City of Sierra 
Madre. Toni shepherded the 
library from the era of the card 
catalog to online databases 
and brought web access and 
computer literacy to library 
services for use as a regular 
service to library patrons.

Toni’s has worked continuously 
to find much needed funding for 
the library resulting in several 
grant awards that included 
building improvements, the 
establishment of the jointly 
owned archives collection and 
the library technology grant 
which created the City’s web 
services and allowed the library 
to offer more online access 
to the library’s collection and 
major online databases. When 
asked which project she was 
most proud of she promptly 
replied, “The Friends’ Garden. 
It’s where design, function and 
beauty came together through 
the joint efforts of volunteers, 
community organizations and 
hardworking city employees. 
Before the Library opens and 
throughout the day there are 
people reading books, using 
the Library’s Wi-Fi or taking in 
the view of the mountains.” 

While working as a Library 
Assistant, Toni attended USC 
and graduated in 1980 with 
a Masters in Library Science. 
She then became the children’s 
librarian until moving to the 
directorship in 1985. She 
remarked, “I often say, I have 
the best job in town. I get to 
work with people who use 
and work in libraries, who 
are motivated and believe 
they have something positive 
to contribute. Learning for 
librarians and library users is a 
lifelong endeavor.” She credits 
her success during her career 
to the many talented people 
she has worked with over the 
years, particularly the Library 
staff, the Board of Trustees, 
and the many volunteers of the 
Friends of the Sierra Madre 
Library. She also is grateful for 
the support of her husband 
Bob and daughter Lily. 

City Manager Elaine Aguilar 
stated, “Sierra Madre’s Library 
has benefited greatly with 
Toni’s leadership. When 
one stops to think about the 
technological changes alone -- 
Library Director Toni Buckner 
oversaw a significant number 
of changes during her 30 
years with Sierra Madre. Toni 
was responsible for getting 
the City on the World Wide 
Web, she brought computers 
into the library, she created 
new programs to keep people 
coming to the library during a 
time when most other libraries 
were experiencing decreasing 
visits. Toni’s dedication to the 
library and the Sierra Madre 
community has been truly 
astonishing, and I hope that 
she continues to share her 
talents with us.”

September 26, 2011 is Toni’s 
tentative retirement date, 
giving her time to troubleshoot 
problems after launching the 
new City website, finish raising 
money for the Children’s 
Library remodel, and to 
support the transition to the 
next director. 


Sierra Madre Police Blotter

During the week of Sunday, April 17TH, to Saturday April 23RD, the Sierra Madre Police Department 
responded to approximately 372 calls for service. See crimereports.com for updated information. 

Sunday, April 17Th:

2:40 AM- Possession of Marijuana in Vehicle, 300 blk. N. Lima St. An officer noticed a suspicious 
vehicle with two males. Further investigation revealed 0.7 grams of Marijuana and a metal canister 
for Marijuana inside the vehicle. Both subjects were released with a citation and the Marijuana was 
taken into evidence. 

3:23 AM- DUI Alcohol/Drugs, Baldwin Ave and Grandview Ave. An officer stopped a 21 year old 
Sierra Madre motorist for a Vehicle Code and determined that the driver was under the influence of 
alcohol. The driver was arrested and transported to Pasadena Police Department for booking. 

2:42 PM- Attempted Residential Burglary, 1200 blk. Arno Dr. Unknown suspects tried to open 
a garage door but were unable due to a shelving unit blocking the garage door from opening all the 
way. Nothing was taken from the residence. The suspect(s) fled in an unknown direction. 

Monday, April 18TH:

5:18 AM- Danger to Self/Others/Gravely Disabled, 100 blk. Auburn Ave. Officers responded to 
a call regarding a male juvenile that was yelling in front of a residence. The minor was mentally ill 
and was taken into protective custody on a 72 hour hold for a psychiatric evaluation and treatment. 
The minor was armed with a knife at the time, and officers were able to take him into custody 
peacefully. Officers later collected numerous knives and swords from his home. his mother of the 
circumstances. She said that he had heard him mention that he had weapons. 

12:46 PM- Petty Theft, 160 blk. N. Canon Ave. Unknown suspect(s) stole a chain, lock and sign 
from Sierra Madre School-Upper Campus. 

1:31 PM- Residential Burglary, 150 N. Mountain Trail Ave. The victim went on a business 
trip from March 27, 2011 through April 1, 2011 and he noticed that his Minolta camera and bird 
were missing, and his computer was vandalized. Total loss value is $2250. He suspects his former 
girlfriend may have taken the loss.

Tuesday, April 19Th:

2:05 PM- Suspicious Circumstances, 242 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. This incident involves the possible 
theft of gasoline from a vehicle parked in the public parking lot, behind the police department. The 
victim mentioned that she had put $5 of gasoline in her vehicle and when she went back 2-3 hours 
later she noticed that the gasoline was at 1/16 instead of 1/8 of gasoline filled up. 

6:51 PM- Use Another’s Personal Identification to Obtain Credit/Etc, 600 blk. Woodland Dr. 
This incident involves unknown suspect(s) making fraudulent charges to the victim’s debit card. 

Thursday, April 21St :

8:20 AM- Hit and Run/Death or Injury, East Highland Ave and Merrill Ave. A hit and run 
occurred between a SUV and a skateboard. The victim, a juvenile, received minor injuries and said 
that the driver drove away. 

Saturday, April 23ND:

9:09 AM- Petty Theft, 180 blk. Santa Anita Ct. Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle 
parked in the driveway and stole his wallet with a Capital One credit card, AAA membership card, 
Staples rewards card, Ralph’s card and a Costco membership card, his California driver’s license, 
Maui Jim sunglasses, Ray Ban sunglasses, a black canvas CD case, and a USB cord. Total loss value 
$530.00. 

9:55 AM-Petty Theft, 300 blk. San Gabriel Ct. Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle 
on a driveway and stole a coin purse embroidered with an Indian elephant print, a daily planner, 
manila envelope, wallet animal print, cellular phone charger, assorted cds, prescription glasses, and 
an expired California driver’s license. Total loss value $175.00. 

6:35 PM- Petty Theft, 150 blk. Esperanza Ave. Unknown suspect(s) entered a vehicle parked on the 
street and stole a vintage Coca Cola cooler. 

7:12 PM- Vandalism/Under $400, 70 blk. Esperanza Ave. Unknown suspect(s) cut the cord to the 
cover of a motorcycle on the victim’s carport. 

 The Friends of the Sierra 
Madre Library are putting the 
final touches on the 49th Annual 
Sierra Madre Art Fair on 
Saturday May 7, 9:30am to 6pm 
and Sunday 9:30am to 5pm.

Expect to find 100 artists displaying 
their fine art and demonstrating 
their individual 
techniques. You’ll enjoy various 
mediums, including oil 
paintings, jewelry, watercolors, 
glass art, wood and metal art, 
drawings, pottery, ceramics, 
mixed media, hand-woven 
baskets, rugs and photography. 
The Fair continues to draw 
highly talented and skilled artists 
from all over the country, 
including the Featured Artist 
and wood-turner Ivy Schuman 
of Chatsworth.

 Live music will be featured 
throughout the weekend at 
Sierra Madre Memorial Park, 
located at 222 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd. Local bands scheduled 
to perform at the band shell 
are: The String Planet (Saturday 
and Sunday 11:00a to 
1:00p); The Eclectic Connection 
(Saturday 2:00p to 4:00p); 
and Cowbop (Sunday 2:00p 
– 4:00p). Also, scheduled at 
the southeast section of 
the park, you can hear: Sister 
Ann and Her Wayward 
Boys (Saturday 10a to 12 
noon); Mike Tims (Saturday 
1 p-2 p) Jane Fuller 
(Saturday 3p to 5p); Banna 
Beg Mall (Sunday 10a to 12 
noon) and The Joel Penner 
Jazz Trio (Sunday 2p to 4p)

A full food court is expected 
to include offerings from: 
Ruby’s Diner, BF Factory 
French Crepe and Mediterrean; 
Taquito Lover, Korean 
BBQ, Kealey’s Poppin Kettlecorn, 
Hawaiian Shaved Ice and 
the Friend’s quick and sweet 
breads (always a sell-out). Finish 
it off with Rangpur Lime 
Juice from the Sierra Madre 
Historical Preservation Society.

For the kids, you’ll find the 
Sierra Madre Creative Art’s 
Group craft activity called “Insects 
in the Garden). 

The young ones will enjoy 
drawing their favorite insect, 
then create their own garden of 
plants and flowers, using a variety 
of different materials.

In addition to satisfying every 
one of your senses, you’ll help 
to Friends of the Sierra Madre 
Library to support programs 
and services. This past year, the 
Friends donated over $58,000 
for library equipment and upgrades. 
For additional event 
information, contact Art Fair 
Chairperson Sharon Murphy 
at (626) 355-3977, or sierramadrelibraryfriends.
org.

49TH ANNUAL 

SIERRA MADRE ART FAIR


Wood-turner Ivy Schuman