SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012

VOLUME 6 NO. 7

SIERRA MADRE 
ELECTION 
COVERAGE 

 On April 10, 2012, voters in Sierra 
Madre will go to the polls and select 
three people from a field of seven to sit 
on the City Council and elect a new City 
Treasurer and City Clerk. They will also 
vote on a local ballot measure on whether 
or not to extend the User Utility Tax and a related advisory measure.

 The city council race will fill two seats for new four year terms and one seat 
for the unexpired two year term vacated by former Mayor Joe Mosca.

 The Mountain Views News will provide our readers with comprehensive 
coverage of this election. Each week, as we have done in the past, we will 
profile the candidates and give each of the candidates the opportunity to 
introduce themselves to our readers by answering the following questions: (All 
candidates are being asked to answer the same questions)

1. Why are you running for Office? 

2. What are your plans if elected?

 

The revised schedule:

 

THIS WEEK: Incumbent Mary Ann MacGillivray for City Council -Below 

February 25th Candidate John Capoccia for City Council - 4 year term

 Campaign Kick Off: February 19th

 Website: John@Capoccia4CityCouncil.com

March 3rd Candidate Gene Goss for City Council - 4 year term

 Campaign Kick Off: Sunday February 26

 Website: www.genegoss.com

March 10th Candidate John Harabedian for City Council - 4 year term

 Website: www.johnharabedian.com

March 17th Candidate Colin Braudrick for City Council - 2 year term

 Campaign Kick Off: February 29th

 Website: www.colin4cc.com

March 24th Candidate Chris Koerber for City Council - 2 year term

 Website: www.chrisforsierramadre.com

 Camdidate Bill Tice for City Council - 4 year term

 No website available at this time.

 It is our sincere hope that each candidate will submit their answers so that 
we can share them with our readers. A separate letter has been sent to each 
candidate asking them to participate.

 In addition to the candidate spotlights, we will attempt to cover the various 
forums sponsored by local organizations. Where possible, the unedited video 
of these forums will be broadcast on the paper’s website.

 Our reporting on this election will be as fair and objective as possible. However, 
please keep in mind that our columnists are always free to share their opinions. 
Their opinions are their opinions and may or may not reflect the position of the 
paper. This is true in all things, not just this election.

 We will also provide for you the calendar of important dates regarding the 
election. It is our goal to do whatever we can to help you make an informed 
decision on April 10, 2012. Susan Henderson, Publisher and Editor 


SIERRA MADRE SCHOOL CELEBRATES 
BLACK HISTORY MONTH


Black History Month is being celebrated in classrooms throughout the country during the month of February. 
At Sierra Madre’s Elementary and Middle School, in addition to invididual classroom projects, students were 
treated to a special assembly courtesy of the African American Parents Council. Above, Baba the Storyteller, 
enthralled Sierra Madre School students, staff and parents on February 15 with his music and interactive stories. 
A Kora musician and Master Teller of Tales Baba the Storyteller iskillfully used his ancient African harp to 
discuss the history of African Americans and stressing how important the celebration of all cultures is today. 

Photo by Chris Bertrand/MVNews

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE TO 
HOST STATE OF THE CITY 
EVENT ON FEBRUARY 27, 2012

On Monday, February 27, 2012 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm the 
City of Sierra Madre will host its 2nd Annual State of the 
City address at the Community Recreation Center in the Sierra 
Madre Room at 611 East Sierra Madre Boulevard. This 
year’s theme is “Preserving Our Sense of Community” and 
this event will highlight programs and services the City has 
provided over the past year and give residents insight to the 
City’s goals for the next fiscal year. 

Mayor Pro Tem Josh Moran will emcee the evening. A special 
performance by Bethany Christian School Choir Students 
will precede Mayor John Buchanan’s State of the City 
Address. Representatives from each City Department will 
be available to answer any community questions and a City 
booth will highlight current programs and projects.

Although the event will not air live on SMTV3, the event will 
be recorded and rebroadcast on Channel 3 for Time Warner 
customers and can be viewed on the City’s website no later 
than March 5. 

Refreshments will be provided by local Sierra Madre restaurants. 
This event is made possible by the support of our 
sponsors: Athens Services, Southern California Edison, Liebert 
Cassidy Whitmore, West Coast Arborists, San Gabriel 
Valley Municipal Water District, and Jan’s Towing. 

For more information on this event please contact 
626.355.5278

INCUMBENT MARY ANN MACGILLIVRAY

I am running for re-election to the City Council 
to continue my service to the citizens of Sierra 
Madre. My record demonstrates my commitment 
to preserving and maintaining the small town 
character and unique charm of our community. 
I believe in government by the people and for 
the people and will listen to all residents of Sierra 
Madre.

 

I remain dedicated to the General Plan Update 
process and will continue to work diligently 
with the committee and all residents until it is 
completed and adopted by the City Council. 
The document provides a clear vision for the 
community over the next 20 years and the 5 
Guiding Principles set forth in it, authored by the 
people of Sierra Madre, serve as a barometer for policy decisions.

 

My leadership, experience and analytical skills enable me to continue to:

 

1. Assure that our public safety services are funded. This is an essential priority.

2. Fight overdevelopment and protect our property values.

3. Protect our hillsides from disfigurement and public safety dangers, and 
preserve our open space.

4. Stand vigorously against misguided and unfunded State mandates that 
threaten our right to live as we choose.

5. Ensure the responsible and appropriate use of City resources without unduly 
increasing the tax burden on our residents.

6. Protect our precious water resource from the contamination and over-use 
caused by overdevelopment.

7. Utilize the experience and knowledge of our residents to help formulate 
policy decisions they are expected to pay for.

8. Support and defend initiatives voted in by the people, such as Measure V.

9. Resolve our current financial crises with prudence and responsible planning.

10. Restructure the budget process to be cost-based so that spending is 
commensurate with revenue and we retain the services desired by the people 
who pay for them.

11. Simplify the budget to make it clear and understandable for everyone.

12. Protect the needs of seniors.

13. Support recreational programs and the library.

 

If we are fiscally responsible and creative in problem solving, we can rely on 
ourselves to resolve the challenging issues we face now and in the future, so that 
our beloved Sierra Madre will remain the unique gem of our foothills. 

www.maryann4sm.com Campaing Kick Off: Saturday, February 25th


FRIENDS OF THE SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY 
EVENT A WINE TASTING DELIGHT


Only Place In Town owner Mike Kefalas, left, and Bottle Shop proprietor Bill Sullivan do a little ‘tasting’ while 
an unidentified attendee encourages them. Photo by Chris Bertrand

Sue LaVoe, Chairperson and the Friends of the Sierra Madre 
Library hosted a very well attended Wine and Cuisine Tasting 
on Sunday at Alverno’s Villa del Sol d’Oro. 

 More than two dozen vintners brought their finest wines 
for guests to sample and local restaurants provided delicious 
hors d’oeuvres that were appropriately paired with the 
wines. In addition, music and Magic Castle magicians were 
on hand. A silent auction was also held. The funds from 
the event will help support library services and programs.

 If you would like to learn more about the ‘Friends’ visit 
their website at sierramadrelibraryfriends.org.


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