Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 28, 2012

SMPOA continued from page 1

A very vocal group of Sierra Madre residents may see this latest 
claim as another reason to contract out public safety services as 
the cost of defending such actions is an additional strain on the 
city’s budget.

 

 Lackie, Dammeier, & McGill are also representing former 
SMPD Officer John Ellins in an appeal that is currently pending 
in Federal Court. Ellins, sued the city and former Police Chief 
Marilyn Diaz in 2009. The City won that lawsuit, however, an 
appeal is currently pending. (See related story on right).


3

Mountain Views-News Saturday July 28, 2012 

The Saga Continues…..

FORMER SMPD OFFICER JOHN 
ELLINS LOST HIS LAWSUIT 
AGAINST THE CITY - APPEAL 
STILL PENDING

 Among the actions handled by the law firm of Lackie, 
Dammeier, & McGill, the ‘police officer’s lawyers’, a 

federal lawsuit filed in 2009 still lingers. At that time, former 
SMPD Officer John Ellins sued the city and SMPD Chief 
Marilyn Diaz alleging that Diaz did not readily sign his advanced 
Police Officers Standards and Training (POST) certificate 
in retaliation for his leadership in a vote of no confidence 
against her by the rank and file. 

When the lawsuit was filed, Ellins was also President of the 
Sierra Madre Police Officers Association (from 2006 until 
January 2010). Ellins has, since then, left the SMPD.

 According to the official court records, Diaz delayed 

signing his certificate because,when the documents were 
presented, Ellins had two internal affairs investigations 
against him; had recently been reprimanded by Internal 

Affairs after another investigation, and was also under investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

 

 The two investigations that were pending resulted in suspensions. Ellins was suspended for 125 hours for “associating 
with a convicted narcotics offender and attempting to dissuade a Sergeant from issuing a parking ticket to this ex-convict”. 
He was also suspended ”for not citing or arresting a marijuana suspect”. Ellins' earlier reprimand was for “stating to a city 
employee that residents who did not follow a fire evacuation plan ‘deserved to die’.

 The LA District Attorney’s office was investigating Ellins for “allegations of selling and using anabolic steroids, assault 
with a deadly weapon, and sexual misconduct while on duty”. No charges were filed against Ellins as a result of that 
investigation.

 When the investigations were completed and Ellins completed the suspensions were imposed upon him, Diaz eventually 
did sign the certificate and Ellins received the retroactive pay increase to which he was entitled.

 The court ruled against Ellins and in favor of the City and Chief Diaz in January, 2011. However, Ellins immediately 
filed an appeal which is still pending. Ellins left the department in 2010. He was President of the POA from 2006-2010.

 T he City Attorney and Council discussed the appeal in closed session at the last council meeting.

REMEMBRANCE


Edward Royal Hawkins

Edward Royal Hawkins II, of La Crescenta, born December 23, 
1961, passed away in his sleep on July 20, 2012 in Sierra Madre, 
California. He is survived by his wife, Meg (Campbell) Hawkins, 
his daughter, Sophia Camille, age 13, and his son, Keaton Hugh, 
age 11.

Ed was born in La Canada to Yvonne (Lechlinski) Hawkins and 
Robert Royal Hawkins. He graduated from La Canada High 
School, class of 1980, and then served for four years as an Aircrewman 
in the United States Navy. He graduated from the Art 
Center College of Design in Pasadena with a degree in product 
design and went on to found and run the company Cool Military 
(www.coolmilitary.com), producing custom-made designs for 
military units around the world.

He will be dearly missed by his parents and six siblings, brother 
Bob and wife Jackie Hawkins of Seattle, Washington, brother 
Joe Hawkins of Mobile, Alabama, brother John and wife Kelley 
Hawkins of Granada Hills, brother Tim and wife Eva Hawkins 
of Atascadero, brother Tom Hawkins of Santa Monica, and sister 
MaryRose and husband Ken Lovgren of Chico; and by his brothers-
in-law Dan and Tim Campbell, his sisters-in-law Lynn Karp 
and Carla Berrey, his mother-in-law Nancy Campbell, and all of 
his friends and family.

Memorial Services will be 11:00 am Friday, July 27 2012 at St. 
Bede Catholic Church in La Canada. In lieu of flowers, a memorial 
fund has been set up at Bank of America in La Crescenta. Any 
donations can be made to account 325001945713 either in person 
or online via www.bankofamerica.com

SIERRA MADRE FREE CONCERT 
IN THE PARK SERIES - Presented by 
Athens Services and the Sierra Madre Issei 
Memorial Foundation

Join the City of Sierra Madre this summer for the Concerts 
in the Park, beginning Sunday, July 8, 2012 and occurring 
every Sunday through August 26, 2012. The concerts are FREE 
thanks to the support of Athens Services and the Sierra Madre 
Issei Memorial Foundation, along with numerous community 
hosts. Concerts begin at 6:00pm and run through 8:00pm. 
All concerts will be held at the Memorial Park Bandshell, 222 
W. Sierra Madre Blvd. next to City Hall. Seating is on the 
green so remember to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Alcohol 
is prohibited. Spectators are encouraged to support local 
organizations that may provide refreshments. For additional 
information please contact the Community Services Department 
626-355-5278.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK SCHEDULE:

July 29 – Aluminum Marshmallow (Classic Rock) sponsored by 
the Sierra Madre Civic Club Hot dogs and home-made pie with 
ice cream for purchase

August 5 – TAIKOPROJECT (American Taiko Drummer 
Ensemble), hosted by L.A. County Arts Commission Concert 
and “learn taiko” segment with hands- on demonstration

August 12 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIWANIS - JJ Jukebox (60’s 
and 70’s Rock) sponsored by Kiwanis and Friends of the Library


August 19 – The Grove (Classic Oldies) sponsored by 
Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters Association The Subs 
(Mainstream Acoustic) opening act

August 26 – Take Two (Top 40’s) sponsored by Dr. Roger Joe, 
DDS, The Lodge at Sierra Madre, and Crosslife 
Community Church

DOWNLOADING 
CITY DOCUMENTS 
MADE EASY

City Council agenda packets 
are now available online 
from the City’s webpage. 
Stop by the Library anytime 
during open hours and they 
will show you how to access 
and download the meeting 
packets. Other boards and 
commissions have also begun 
putting their agendas and 
meeting packets online as 
well. 

The Library is located at 440 
W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024, (626) 355-
7186, www.sierramadre.lib.
ca.us 

HONORS DINNER NOMINATIONS BEING 
ACCEPTED

Nominations Due Friday, August 3, 2012 at 5:00 pm. Submit to City 
Hall or email to city@cityofsierramadre.com.

 

This is the City’s opportunity to recognize and honor the true treasures of Sierra Madre, 
its volunteers, City Commissioners and employees. Sierra Madre Honors Dinner will 
recognize all out-going City Commissioners as well as extraordinary community members, 
organizations and employees. To nominate a member of the Sierra Madre Community for 
one of the Awards, please include the person’s name, phone number, address, and explanation 
of nomination along with your name and phone number, and return to City Hall 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 over the course of a lifetime, 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 which 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. Youth must be 18 years or younger to qualify.

 

For more information on the nomination process or on the event, please contact City Hall at 
626-355-7135 or city@cityofsierramadre.com.

E-READER 
WORKSHOPS SLATED 

Learn how to download free 
eBooks from the Sierra Madre 
Public Library to your Kindle, 
iPad, Nook or other device. 
Free classes will focus on 
how to download free books 
from the Library Overdrive 
service and will include a 
demonstration Please call 
or check the Library website 
schedule.