Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 11, 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

BURGLARY (Cont. from pg. 1)

Officers stopped the suspects 
on Mountain Trail Ave., 
where they were taken into 
custody without incident. 
Officers found the victim’s 
stolen property inside the 
truck. 

 Luis Loya and Adrian 
Rodriquez, both 18, of 
Pasadena, were booked for 
residential burglary and 
taken to the Pasadena City 
Jail. Bail for each was set at 
$50,000.00. 

Captain Larry Giannone said, 
“The victim in this case did 
a great job by calling 9-1-1 
immediately and providing 
the dispatcher with accurate 
information throughout this 
horrifying event. His actions, 
along with the officers’ quick 
and effective response, resulted 
in the arrest of two burglary 
suspects and the recovery of 
stolen property.” 

3


Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 11, 2011 

IN HER 
HONOR

Parents and Supporters 
Rally To Support 
Auditorium Name 
Change

 Recently, parents and supporters 
of retiring Sierra Madre School 
Principal Gayle Bluemel, asked 
the Pasadena Unified School 
District Superintendent to 
rename the lower campus 
auditorium. 

 In a letter to Superintendent 
Diaz. PTA President Melissa 
Castillo stated, “As you well 
know, our beloved Gayle Bluemel 
is retiring from our district after 
37 years, 21 of which she has spent at Sierra 
Madre School. We were thinking about ways 
in which we could honor Gayle, and her 
career, and we came up with what we believe 
would be the perfect way to celebrate her 
accomplishments. Thus, I am writing to you 
to request your approval of our proposed plan.

Because Gayle has spent her entire career in 
PUSD as an advocate for the arts, and because 
she has spent the past 21 years leading arts 
performances in our Sierra Madre School 
Auditorium, we are requesting that it be 
named “The Gayle L. Bluemel Auditorium.”

 This effort by the PTA has been embraced 
by many other Sierra Madre residents and 
organizations, including this newspaper, The 
Mountain Views News. Bluemel, who will 
serve as Sierra Madre’s 4th of July Parade 
Grand Marshall, has made an indelible mark 
on our school and our town. For more 
information contact Melissa Moore Castillo,

PTA President 626-355-2610.

Sierra Madre Honors…

Nominations Are Now Being Accepted


This is an exciting event 
and the City’s opportunity 
to recognize and honor 
the true treasures of Sierra 
Madre, its volunteers, 
City Commissioners and 
employees. Sierra Madre 
Honors… Recognition and 
Appreciation Dinner will 
recognize all out-going City 
Commissioners as well as 
extraordinary community 
members, organizations and 
employees. Please take a 
moment to review the awards 
listed below and nominate 
any person you feel is eligible 
for such an honor.

To nominate a member of the 
Sierra Madre Community 
for one of the Awards, please 
include the person’s name, 
phone number, address, 
and 1-page explanation of 
nomination along with your 
name and phone number, 
and return to City Hall, the 
Community Recreation 
Center, or email to city@
cityofsierramadre.com.

George Maurer Lifetime 
Service Award

Presented to a person/entity 
that most strongly represents 
a commitment to serving and 
volunteering, which is the 
true spirit of Sierra Madre.

Wistaria Award

In recognition of City/
Community partnership, 
presented to a local business 
or organization whose 
major contributions to the 
City/Community of Sierra 
Madre have demonstrated a 
true partnership that assists 
in and provides services, 
programs, or enhances 
the general welfare of the 
community as a whole.

Police Chief’s Special 
Award

Presented by the Sierra 
Madre Chief of Police to 
an individual who has 
demonstrated outstanding 
dedication to duty (employee) 
or service (community) in 
resolving a community law 
enforcement-related issue.

Public Safety Award

Presented by the Mayor 
to an individual, either 
an employee or citizen, 
who took action to protect 
and maintain the safety of 
the community by taking 
lifesaving action.

Public Service Award

Employee of the Year – 
presented by the Mayor 
upon the recommendation 
of the City Manager to an 
extraordinary city employee 
who has represented 
remarkable customer and 
public service as well as 
dedication to the citizens of 
Sierra Madre over the course 
of a year.

Community Youth Service 
Award

Presented to a young adult 
in the community who 
demonstrates dedication and 
outstanding service to the 
community.

This year’s Sierra Madre 
Honors... Recognition 
and Appreciation Dinner 
will be held on Thursday, 
September 29, 2011. For 
more information on the 
nomination process or on 
the event, please contact the 
Community & Personnel 
Services Department at 
626-355-5278 or city@
cityofsierramadre.com.

Photo by Bill Coburn

THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE 
HAS A NUMBER OF VACANCIES 
ON COMMISSIONS 
AND COMMITTEES LOOKING 
FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU 
TO JOIN!

The Sierra Madre City Council encourages citizen participation 
in its decision-making process through the 
use of citizen commissions. Currently, there are six citizen 
commissions established by the Council to advise 
and assist them in dealing with specific problems (presently 
the Planning Commission has the responsibilities 
of the Cultural Heritage

Commission). 

 

The following vacancies on the various Commissions 
include:

-Community Art Commission – 3 Vacancies

-Community Services Commission – 2 Vacancies 

-Library Board of Trustees - 2 Vacancies 

-Senior Community Commission -1 Vacancy 

-Tree Advisory Commission – 1 Vacancy 

 

These advisory bodies are able to study a variety of issues 
and problems in detail. After gathering all pertinent 
information, hearing arguments, and weighing 
values, they recommend to the Council what they consider 
the best action to take. In certain situations, commissions 
are empowered to make specific decisions, 
subject to appeal to the Council. Public notice on all 
commissions are prepared in compliance of the Maddy 
Act. Applications may be obtained at City Hall or the 
City website at www.cityofsierramadre.com should you 
wish to apply. Applications will be accepted until all 
positions are filled; however the first review will take 
place on June 14, 2011. For more information please 
call 626-355-7135.

ASCENSION 
PARISHIONERS 
CELEBRATE NATURE 
AND A RESTORED 
PAST WITH “MASS ON 
THE GRASS”

Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 
25 East Laurel Avenue in Sierra 
Madre will be celebrating its annual 
start of summer with “Mass on the 
Grass” on June 26, 2011 at 10:15 a.m. 

 For the past 20 years the community 
and parishioners have gathered 
together to celebrate with an outdoor 
mass the restoration of the Church 
that was significantly damaged in 
the 1991 Sierra Madre Earthquake. 
It was through faith, strength and 
fellowship with the community that 
Churchgoers were able to restore 
the Church’s nationally recognized 
historic structure (designed by 
English architect Ernest Coxhead 
in 1889.) The outdoor mass on 
the Church’s beautiful grounds 
recognizes this accomplishment and 
celebrates the blessings of nature 
with family and friends. 

“Mass on the Grass” is followed by a 
BBQ picnic on the Church grounds 
with children’s games and activities. 
Everyone is welcome to join us in 
this celebration. No reservations 
required. 

 This event makes for a wonderful 
family outing to meet new neighbors 
and check out a wonderful 
community church. For more 
information, please call (626) 
355-1133 or visit: www.ascension-
sierramadre.com. 

Sierra Madre Police Blotter

During the week of Sunday, May 29th, to Saturday June 4th, the Sierra Madre Police Department 
responded to approximately 344 calls for service. See crimereports.com for updated information. 

Sunday, May 29th:

12:03 PM- DUI Alcohol /Drugs, Michillinda Ave and Orange Grove. An officer stopped 
a 62-year old female Pasadena motorist for a Vehicle Code violation and determined that 
the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and transported to 
Pasadena Police Department for booking. 

2:13 PM- DUI Alcohol/Drugs, Sierra Madre Blvd and Michillinda Ave. An officer stopped 
a 22-year old Pasadena motorist for a Vehicle Code violation and determined that the driver 
was under the influence of alcohol. The 21-year old passenger from Newport Beach was 
intoxicated. The driver and the passenger were both arrested and transported to Pasadena 
Police Department for booking.

6:59 PM- Grand Theft/Auto, Firearms, Animals, Etc., 200 blk. Lima St. An officer driving 
a police car equipped with an automated license plate reader alerted him that he had driven 
by a Mercedes Benz sedan stolen from the Hollywood Division of the LAPD. Several officers 
looked for the car, but couldn’t find it. The original officer went off duty and was driving 
home when he saw the Mercedes Benz going northbound on Baldwin Ave. toward Orange 
Grove. The officer followed the car and called the Police Department. Officers responded to 
the stolen car’s location and arrested the 39-year old former Sierra Madre resident for Grand 
Theft Auto. The officer took the suspect to the Pasadena Police Department for booking. 

Tuesday, May 31st:

12:30 PM – Attempted Extortion, S. Rancho Rd. A resident received a call from a suspect 
claiming to be a DEA agent who accused the resident of buying illegal pharmaceutical drugs 
over the Internet. The suspect said that the U.S. Customs had intercepted the shipment and 
told the victim that she needed to pay a fine to U.S. Customs to avoid a police response to 
her home and possible jail time. The victim suspected a scam and called the suspect’s phone 
number with a Virginia area code to find out where the shipment was being sent. The 
suspect gave the victim a former business address of hers as the shipping destination. The 
victim notified SMPD. A DEA employee verified that this is a scam being run out of the 
Dominican Republic. The case is being referred to the DEA for follow-up.

6:39 PM- Residential Burglary, 100 blk. Esperanza Ave. A Sierra Madre resident left her 
apartment unlocked. On Tuesday between 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 PM the suspect entered the 
apartment and stole the victim’s black and silver 60G Apple IPod and a black and silver 
Apple IPad with a brown case. The loss was valued at $700.00. 

6:39 PM- Residential Burglary, 100 blk. Esperanza Ave. A Sierra Madre resident left his 
apartment unlocked while he went to run errands with a woman who lives adjacent to him 
in the same complex. When he returned, both he and the woman (see above entry) had been 
burglarized. His HTC model Hd7 black cell phone was missing from atop his computer. 
The loss is valued at $200.00.

Saturday, June 4th : 

10:38 AM – Elder Abuse, 200 blk. W. Highland Ave. An uncle and nephew were arguing 
when the uncle picked up his cell phone to call police. The nephew grabbed the cell phone, 
and in doing so, knocked his 86-year old grandfather to the ground, causing a head injury. 
Paramedics treated the victim, and police arrested the suspect for elder abuse and took him 
to the Pasadena Jail for booking.


City of Sierra Madre

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

To: Citywide

From: The City of Sierra Madre

Subject: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Sierra Madre gives notice, pursuant to State of California Law, that the City Council will hold a Public Hearing on 
June 14, 2011, at 6:30 PM, or soon thereafter, to hear testimony on the adoption of the City of Sierra Madre, City Redevelopment 
Agency and City of Sierra Madre Public Financing Authority FY 2011-2013 Biennial Budget.

The City is proposing the biennial budget to be effective July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 upon approval by the City Council 
with the following resolutions for consideration:

RESOLUTION NO. 11-43; CRA RESOLUTION NO. 442; and PFA RESOLUTION NO. 66: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY 
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE ADOPTING THE BIENNIAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2011-2012 
AND 2012-2013 AND APPROPRIATING THE AMOUNTS BUDGETED.

RESOLUTION NO. 11-44: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE SETTING THE 
APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 AT $ 8,151,128 IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XIII-B OF 
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION NO. 11-45: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE ESTABLISHING 
A SCHDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR CITY SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2013.

RESOLUTION NO. 11-46: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE APPROVING THE STATEMENT OF 
INVESTMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012.

RESOLUTION NO. 11-49: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE ADOPTING 
SALARY MATRICES FOR MEMBERS OF THE SIERRA MADRE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES ASSOCATION, POLICE OFFICERS 
ASSOCIATION, UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEE GROUPS (CONFIDENITAL-EXEMPT AND MANAGEMENT) 
AND PART-TIME AND SEASONAL EMPLOYEES

The draft copy of the City’s budget document is available at City Hall, the Sierra Madre Library, and the City’s website (www.
cityofsierramadre.com) for the public to review.

If you have any questions about this matter please contact Administrative Services Director Karin Schnaider at 626.355.7135. 

 

DATE AND TIME OF HEARING PLACE OF HEARING

City of Sierra Madre City of Sierra Madre

City Council meeting City Council Chambers

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

(Hearing begins at 6:30 p.m.) Sierra Madre, CA 91024

All interested persons may attend this meeting and the City Council will hear them with respect thereto.

For further information on this subject, please contact the Administrative Services Department at (626) 355-7135.

By Order of the City Council

Karin Schnaider,

Administrative Services Director