Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 11, 2012

5

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views News Saturday August 11, 2012

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

SPOTLIGHT ON ALTADENA’S AWESOME SHERIFF’S STATION:

AMAZING PERSONNEL AND VOLUNTEERS

 
Last night was the 29th 
National Night Out, a most 
effective and enjoyable 
program begun to promote 
neighborhood spirit 
and police-community 
partnerships in a drive for a 
safer nation. We drove up to 
Altadena-it was the THIRD 
time I have attended one of 
their Sheriff’s Department 
events in the last four months, 
and once again I was totally blown away.

 This past May I attended the last leg of the 
Sheriff’s Memorial Run. I met their new 
Commander, a most friendly Captain John 
Benedict, who has great plans for the station. 
I anticipated a quick passing of the torch, but 
saw a podium, display table, mounted photos of 
this year’s four honorees, (Deputy Constable Ed 
Brown, LASD, Signal Hill PD Officer Anthony A. 
Giniewicz, Alhambra PD Officer Ryan Stringer 
and Hawthorne PD Officer Andrew Garton), and 
a stand for the torch. A beautiful ceremony ensued. 
Sheriff Chaplain Bledsoe gave a solemn invocation 
followed by Deputy Greg Gonzalez leading the 
Pledge of Allegiance. Captain Benedict related a 
history of the Memorial Run, and Deputy Gabriel 
spoke of this year’s honorees. The Torch was 
placed and Chaplain Bledsoe ended the ceremony 
with a prayer. Everyone enjoyed a barbecue 
at decorated tables under canopies to protect 
from the sun. The last runners , (Benny Cabajal, 
LASD Homicide Deputy, his son Nathanial and 
girlfriend Barbara Hererra; Julio Garcia, LAPD, 
SW Division; Marlon Franco, LAPD Hollywood 
Division; Wally Stephen, LASD Mountain and 
Rescue, Altadena; Eugenia Cancudia, State 
Parole El Monte; and Lorena Gonzalez, LA 
County Probation Compton), never expected the 
meaningful ceremony and barbecue! They were 
so impressed and grateful. (Thanks, Cpt. Benedict, 
Dep. Gonzalez, Zoe and Jonathan, Revell Revati 
and ALL who helped!) 

 All good things come to an end and a few months 
back, Lt. Roosevelt Johnson was transferred to 
Sheriff’s Headquarters. There was a wonderful 
“Good bye and Thank you” to Lt. Johnson and 
“Welcome” to Lt. Mike White. Attending were 
Chief Neil Tyler who attended came to thank Lt. 
Johnson for a job well and Lt. Johnson’s beautiful 
wife Belinda, a Sergeant with LASD-that’s how 
this awesome couple met! A grateful Captain 
John Benedict related what a fine job Lt. Johnson 
had done at the Station and gave him a beautiful 
Certificate. Brenda from Supervisor Antonovich’s 
office presented a scroll. Volunteers from the 
Station attended to assist with this great sendoff- 
a cake, fruit, beverages and most important-love 
and camaraderie between the volunteers and the 
members of LASD at the Altadena Station.

 Since Lt. Johnson went to Headquarters, Lt. 
Duane Allen became the Operations Lieutenant. 
After graduation from the Academy in 1988, 
Lt. Allen ‘s assignments include Pitchess North 
Facility, the first COPS team at Temple Station, 
training officer and detective at Altadena Station, 
and NORSAT. After promotion to 
Sergeant, he went to Temple Station, 
Sheriffs Headquarters Media Bureau and 
Youth Foundation and Carson Station. 
When he promoted to Lieutenant, he 
returned to Altadena-first to Detective 
Bureau-now as Operations Lieutenant.

 I met Lt. Michael White, now at the 
Detective Bureau. His twenty-five year 
career includes the Inmate Reception 
Center, Carson Station, and Major 
Crime Bureau. After promoting to 
Sergeant, Lt. White worked at Lost Hills/
Malibu Station, the Community College Bureau, 
and Headquarters. His promotion to Lieutenant 
brought Lt. White to Temple Station till reassigned 
to Altadena.

 Last night’s Altadena’s National Night celebration 
was held at Loma Alta Park. Many display tables 
explained great programs like VIDA for troubled 
youth, volunteering to make a difference and “Say 
No to Drugs”. Also there were photos of various 
Search and Rescue Teams such as the LASD 
helicopter and the LASD Mounted Team. For 
the children, color books about safety, a HUGE 
bouncer, pony rides and “Quakey-Shakey”. They 
held a wonderful barbecue-people were asked to 
bring a dish to share, but the Sheriff’s provided 
hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages and two cakes. 
Dep. Gabriel was cooking, Revell was helping, 
as were their MANY wonderful volunteers, 
whose names I don’t have. Everyone there was so 
friendly and the Sheriff’s and volunteers work so 
well together. That’s why I call it, the “Awesome, 
amazing Altadena Station.”


Captain Benedict and Lt. Johnson

Community Emergency Response Team

TRASH TRUCK 101 
TRAINING FOR 
FIREFIGHTERS

 On Tuesday, August 7, visitors 
to the Huntington Library 
were treated to an unusual 
sight. Firefighters from South 
Pasadena, San Gabriel and 
Pasadena joined San Marino 
Fire Department in a waste 
hauling vehicle safety training 
taught by Athens Services, San 
Gabriel Valley’s leading waste 
and recycling service provider.

 This training was organized 
by the San Marino Fire Department 
and conducted by 
Athens’ Maintenance Manager 
Gabriel Yllescas. 

 With temperatures rising and the increasing propensity for waste hauling vehicle fires, this training is a timely 
reminder for the public that hazardous wastes, flammable wastes, combustible wastes and many other types of 
unpermitted materials are not to be mixed in the municipal solid waste stream. Athens drivers and Firefighters 
have much experience in the protocol of extinguishing trash truck fires so they do not become a hazard to the 
public on the roads.

 “Athens is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for our employees, our customers, and 
anyone who may be affected by the service that Athens provides,” says Gary Clifford, Chief Operating Officer of 
Athens Services. As a former Police Officer from Pasadena and South Pasadena, Clifford stresses the importance 
of working collaboratively with first responders. 

 Other safety topics covered in this multi-agency training includes basic operation of the refuse truck in the 
event where driver is immobilized, including the Compressed Natural Gas safety system, the hydraulics system, 
and basic driver safety programs as mandated by CAL-OSHA (hazard communication, injury and illness prevention 
program).


Read The Paper Online At: www.mtnviewsnews.comVOLUME 5 NO. 23
SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011Inside This Edition...
CALENDAR Page 2 
Sierra Madre News Page 3More News Page 4Pasadena/Altadena Page 5Arcadia 
Page 6Monrovia/Duarte Page 7Education & Youth Page 8Class of 2011 Page 9Good Food & Drink Page 10Arts & Entertainment Page 11Legals Page 12Left/Right Page 13Opinion 
Page 14The World Around Us Page 15 
The Good Life Page 16Homes & Property Page 17 
FYI 
Page 18Research Supporting 
Mitigated Negative Dec-
laration Called “Woefully 
Inadequate”
By Susan HendersonOn Thursday, the Sierra Madre 
Planning Commission heard from 
both supporters and opponents of the 
Final Mitigated Negative Declaration 
(MND) for the Alverno High School 
Master Plan. The plan includes 
expansion of the school’s facilities 
that include a 12,860 square foot, two 
story multi-purpose building; a 2,900 
square foot amphitheatre and a new 
multi-purpose sports field to replace 
the existing softball field.
Currently the school is operating 
under a Conditional Use Permit 
that was originally approved in 
1959. Alverno has not done any 
major renovations since that time. 
It is proposing the improvements 
and expansion in order to maintain 
its ability to compete with other 
private schools and maintain its’ 
enrollment. Currently the enrollment 
is approximately 350 young women.
After years of negotiations with 
neighbors and city officials, an Initial 
Study was done in March of this year 
to review the overall impact of the 
project on the community. In May, a 
Final Mitigated Negative Declaration 
was prepared for the Sierra Madre 
Planning Commission. On Thursday, 
the MND was reviewed and the 
commission requested additional 
information from city staff before 
approving the document.
Residents who live in the area sur-
rounding the school are split in their 
opinions of the project. Many of the 
more vocal opponents have lodged 
their complaints with the school and 
the city. As a result, a series of com-
munity meetings were held last year 
that resulted in the school and the city 
mitigating certain issues, but there are 
still concerns being expressed over po-
tential increases in noise and traffic. 
There is also concern about the impact 
of the project on the trees in the path 
of the expansion. 
According to CEQA, a Negative Decla-
ration (or Mitigated Negative Declara-
tion) can be prepared only when there 
is no substantial evidence that the 
project may have a significant effect on 
the environment. And while the city 
has submitted documentation to sup-
port a MND, opponents do not agree. 
The consensus of those opposed to the 
project is that the data used to support 
the MND was “woefully inadequate”. 
Before the MND was submitted 
to the planning commission, the 
state’s clearinghouse submitted the 
application from Alverno to numerous 
agencies for review. Reviewing the 
application to insure that the school’s 
plans would not violate any state laws 
or have an adverse impact on resources 
in the area were the California 
Departments of Fish and Game, 
Parks and Recreation, Transportation, 
Regional Water, Quality Control, Cal 
Trans and the Highway Patrol. In 
addition, the North American Heritage 
Commission reviewed the application. 
Of the agencies contacted by the state, 
only one, Cal Trans, issued a letter to 
the city. In it, the agency asked the city 
to limit heavy construction equipment 
to off-peak hours and to remain 
mindful of concerns regarding water 
run-off.
The planning commission listened to 
speakers on both sides of the issue in 
a marathon session that resulted in 
postponement of any action on the 
MND until July.
The 2011 Election Committee is 
looking for a few more volunteers 
for the Altadena Town Council Elec-
tions on Saturday, June 11. There are 
five polling locations to choose from: 
Charles White Park 77 Mountain 
View Street (Ventura Street side) 
Farnsworth Park 568 East Mount 
Curve Avenue 
Gordy’s 843 West Woodbury Road 
S& J Auto 1904 New York Drive 
Webster’s 2450 North Lake Avenue 
Shifts are:
9:00–11:00; 11:00–1:00 and 1:00–3:00 
We also need ballot counters from 
3:00 to 4:30 at the Davies Building at 
Farnsworth Park. Feel free to take a 
polling shift, a ballot counting shift 
or both!
Email atcelection@yahoo.com to 
volunteer or contact Eric PierceChair- 2011 Election CommitteeAltadena Town Council atcelection@
yahoo.com or call 626 664-4300Alverno's Principal, Ann Gillick, was 
among several from the school and 
contracted specialists who made 
presentations at Sierra Madre's 
Planning Commission recent meet-
ing. Over thirty persons spoke dur-
ing public comment, with only a 
handful of dissenters. The commis-
sion discussed the current iteration 
of the plan until 11 p.m., asking for 
further work from the school. The 
plan will be revisited next by the 
commission in July. Photo by Chris BertrandPost Commander Dave Loera sa-
lutes as Paul Puccinelli performs 
Taps at Memorial Day serviceA standing room only crowd es-
timated at more than 200 people 
turned out to honor the nation’s 
fallen soldiers at Pioneer Cemetery 
today, Memorial Day, at a ser-
vice put on by Sierra 
Madre’s Harry L. Em-
bree VFW Post 3208.
Commander Dave 
Loera presided over 
the ceremony, which 
began with the posting 
of the colors by mem-
bers of the VFW, fol-
lowed by the Pledge of 
Allegiance.. Rev. Pat-
rick Brennan of Mater 
Dolorosa gave the in-
vocation, and Patrick 
and Mary Cronin led 
the crowd in singing 
the National Anthem, 
America the Beau-
tiful and God Bless 
America.
Commander Loera in-
troduced Mayor John 
Buchanan, who spoke 
briefly about Memo-
rial Day, thanking the 
veterans and applaud-
ing the VFW members 
for the spirit in which 
they present the ser-
vice on an annual basis. He asked 
the crowd to remember that “this 
day is their special day, but so too, 
is tomorrow.”
Buchanan then introduced keynote 
speaker Council Member Mary-
Ann MacGillivray. Ms. MacGil-
livray spoke for just under twenty 
minutes, reciting statistics on the 
number of casualties and deceased 
in various wars, and quoting presi-
dents, statesmen, historians and 
military figures. She reminded the 
audience that Sierra Madrean How-
ard Miller, who is buried in Pioneer 
Cemetery, and whose widow, Tom-
mie Anne still lives in town, was 
one of the men who raised the flag 
at Iwo Jima. And she spoke of what 
America is, and that others strive to 
be like America.
“We’re a collective mix of greatness 
and greed, high tech and heart-
land. We are the country of Mickey 
Mouse and Micky Mantle, from 
John Smith to John Glenn and Atlas 
Booster, from Charles Lindbergh to 
Charlie Brown, from Moby Dick 
to Microsoft. We went from Kitty 
Hawk to Tranquility Base on the 
moon in less than seventy years. 
We’re blue grass and rock and roll, 
Marvel Comics and the Bill of 
Rights. In short, we are everything 
that everybody wants to be.”
She spoke of the recent passing of 
a 110-year old WWI veteran, the 
last remaining veteran from World 
War I. And she spoke of the need 
to keep the stories of our WWII 
veterans alive. She then introduced 
the VFW members that had served 
in WWII, allowing each to stand 
and be recognized, and they were 
recognized with a standing ovation 
and a long round of applause.
She introduced Staff Sergeant Ken 
Anhalt, who was a tail gunner on 
B-24 bombers. Petty Officer Gor-
don Caldwell, who served on the 
USS Saratoga, was next, followed 
by Staff Sergeant Art Contreras, 
who served in the Pacific The-
ater and was awarded the Purple 
Heart for his service. Michael Do-
menico, a US Army Engineer who 
served in Belgium, Luxembourg 
and Germany, as well as the Pacific 
Theater. She introduced Petty Of-
ficer Ted Evans, who served from 
1945 to 1949 in the Philippines, 
Japan and China, and Petty Officer 
George Metzger, who served from 
1943 to 1946, including Okinawa. 
“These gentlemen are our World 
War II heroes,” she concluded the 
introduction.
She closed by reciting the third 
verse to America the Beatiful, call-
ing it a “fitting end to this day.” The 
words to that verse are:
O beautiful, for heroes provedIn liberating strife.
Who more than self their country 
lovedAnd mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refineTill all success be noblenessAnd every gain divine!
Following the traditional laying 
of the wreaths by members of the 
VFW, Paul Puccinelli performed a 
flawless rendition of “Taps” on the 
bugle. The service was followed by 
a lunch of sandwiches, chips and 
beverages.
Entire video link: http://www.sier-
ramadrenews.net/?p=2497Photo Story by Jeff Brown at 
http://www.youtube.com/user/
jab3jab48#p/u/0/-izPdOIrVbEHEROES: REMEMBERING AND REMEMBEREDMemorial Day Services Hosted by VFW Post 3208Story and Photos by Bill CoburnPost Commander Dave LoeraVeterans Gordon Caldwell and Art ContrerasALTADENA TOWN 
COUNCIL SEEK-
ING ELECTION 
VOLUNTEERSAlverno Neighbors Remain 
Concerned Over Master PlanThe Class of 2011 - Part I Page 9Subscribe Today!
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