Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 15, 2012

4

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 15, 2012 


Search and Rescue Save 
Dog Over 150 Foot Cliff

City Oks 

$2 Million 
Retrofit of 
Station 39

 

Earlier this month Montrose 
Search and Rescue along with 
the assistance of Sierra Madre 
Search and rescue, were 
called to Angeles National 
Forest approximately 5:45 
p.m. to assist with the rescue 
of a dog that had fallen 150 
feet over a hiking trail. 

 The owner of the dog hiked 
out of the canyon when he 
was unable to rescue the 
dog on his own and drove to 
the Angeles National Forest 
Ranger station on Angeles 
Crest Highway to call for 
help. 

 Montrose Search and Rescue 
team contacted the owner 
who hiked back to where the 
dog fell with team members. 
Working in the rain and fog 
with 24 rescuers, the teams 
were able to repeal down 150 
feet of a steep cliff to retrieve 
the dog that was stuck in 
debris. The team was able to 
calm the dog to rig a hoist 
around the dog so they could 
bring the 100 pound dog 
back up to the trail. Once the 
dog was on the hiking trail, 

they strapped the dog, who 
had minor injuries, into a 
litter and hand carried the 
litter to a point large enough 
to attached the litter’s wheel. 
The team members with the 
help of Sierra Madre Search 
and Rescue members, used 
ropes to assist with the 
hiking out of the litter and 
members back up the steep 
hill, out of the canyon. 

 The dog has minor injuries 
from his fall and is recovering 
with his grateful owner. 

 There are over 150 members 
of the eight Search and 
Rescue teams of the Los 
Angeles County Sheriff’s 
Department, who were 
activated for over 450 search 
and rescue missions last year, 
making it one of the most 
active counties for search and 
rescue missions in the nation. 
Reserve deputies and civilian 
volunteers are supervised by 
full-time sheriff’s deputies. 
If interested in joining our 
team, call Sergeant Burton 
Brink at 818-248-3464.

 The city council voted 
earlier this month in favor 
of authorizing $1,959,000 
for the project specifications 
for the Seismic Retrofit 
and Rehabilitation of Fire 
Station No. 39— the move 
comes after accepting a bid 
by Mallcraft, Inc.

 According to a city staff 
report, the project involves 
the seismic retrofit and 
interior remodel of the 
existing station building, 
accessibility and technology 
upgrades, new mechanical, 
electrical and plumbing 
systems, and construction 
of a patio deck and 
emergency generator room. 
Life safety enhancements 
include fire sprinkler and 
alarm systems.

“It’s on schedule and should 
be opened by this time next 
year,” City Manager Michael 
Beck said.

 Staff said, required by 
Pasadena’s pilot Local 
Subcontracting and Local 
Hiring Program, Mallcraft’s 
good faith effort submittal 
shows outreach to 14 local 
subcontractors. They also 
currently employ four 
Pasadena residents who will 
be assigned to the project.

 “They [the project] will 
start early next year,” Beck 
said.

 Staff also said during 
the design phase, last 
year, the Department of 
Public Works included a 
new exterior deck in the 
plans to compensate for 
square footage lost due 
to accessibility/restroom 
requirements and to 
enhance firefighter quality 
of life. The cost associated 
with the deck construction 
and the inclusion of 
furniture and equipment 
in the project necessitate 
the request for additional 
funding in the amount of 
$211,000.

 Staff also said that the total 
cost allocated to the project 
is $2.4 million.

Council Flip-flops on 710 Tunnel Project

By Dean Lee

 Although it seemed the city 
council was on track to support 
a resolution against the 710 
tunnel gap project Monday 
night, with numerous residents 
opposed to it, the council failed 
to gain enough votes to pass 
a resolution, instead opting 
to send Los Angeles County 
Metropolitan Transportation 
Authority a strongly worded 
letter.

 The council did vote 
unanimously in favor of sending 
Metro leaders a statement from 
Mayor Bill Bogaard saying they 
are strongly opposed to the idea 
of allowing truck traffic in any 
proposed tunnel plans. 

 Council members, along with 
Bogaard and opposed residents, 
said a tunnel would increase air 
pollution in west Pasadena and 
could force some drivers into 
neighborhoods to avoid paying 
tolls.

 They also questioned the high 
cost of the project as well as the 
impacts of tunnel construction 
and the dangers of earthquakes. 
The letter would also echo 
the strong negative views, 
in the community, against a 
tunnel project, Bogaard said, 
something, “They need to keep 
in mind.” 

 Along with Bogaard, Council 
members, Victor Gordo, Steve 
Madison and Gene Masuda 
voted to oppose any tunnel 
plans.

 Council members, Margaret 
McAustin, Terry Tornek, and 
Jacque Robinson all said they 
did not support the tunnel 
option but hesitated to pass an 
opposing resolution before the 
completion of environmental 
review to be released sometime 
early next year.

 Robinson had proposed the 
idea of sending the issue back to 
voters in a ballot measure saying 
that everyone should have the 
opportunity to participate in the 
decision.

 Gordo blasted Metro leaders 
saying that for 50 years, Metro 
had failed to take into account 
any solution that involves, 
“moving people differently,” 
he said supporting alternatives 
such as rail or bus. 

 The council also said they 
wanted a separate —from the 
Metro EIR— city funded study 
to look at the effects of a tunnel 
on nearby neighborhoods. 

 Monday’s meeting was held 
at the Pasadena Convention 
Center instead of city hall to 
accommodate a large crowd. 
Police estimated about 150 
people showed of which 
about 30 spoke, almost all in 
opposition, with only three 
members of the public outright 
supporting the project. 


DISTRICT 3 
APPLICATIONS 
BEING 
ACCEPTED

 Applications will be available 
for two weeks for Pasadena 
residents living and registered 
to vote in City Council District 
3 who are interested in seeking 
appointment to fill the vacancy 
on the City Council due to 
Chris Holden’s election to the 
State Assembly. 

 Applications will be available 
until Thursday, Dec. 27 from 
the City Clerk’s Office, 100 
N. Garfield Ave., Room S228, 
during regular business hours, 
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except for 
Dec. 14 and Dec. 25 when City 
Hall is closed. 

 All original applications must 
be hand-delivered to the City 
Clerk’s Office no later than 
5:30 p.m. No postmarks, 
email submissions or faxes will 
be accepted. Applicants must 
be at least 18 years old; and 
must be both registered to vote 
in and reside within District 
3 when their application is 
issued to them by the City 
Clerk.

 Once appointed, the 
successful applicant will 
serve until May 6, 2013. By 
submitting an application, 
all applicants agree with the 
Council’s preference that the 
successful appointee will not 
be a candidate for the regularly 
scheduled election in March 
2013 to fill the District 3 seat. 
The appointee also will not be 
eligible to qualify as a write-
in candidate for the same 
election.

 For more information call 
the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 
744-4124. 

City-Owned Pine Tree Cut 
Down For Safety Reasons

Montrose Search and Rescue team rescue dog

See Exciting, Olympic-
Style Boxing Competition

 
Come join the Villa-Parke 
Boxing Club for its Biannual 
Amateur Boxing Match 
on Saturday at the Villa-
Parke Community Center 
Gymnasium, 363 East Villa 
Street. Exciting, Olympic-
style boxing begins at 1:00 
p.m. and will feature Pasadena 
club members and pugilistic 
competitors from throughout 
Southern California. 

 Approximately 15 to 20 action-
packed, Olympic-style bouts 
are scheduled to take place in 
various weight classifications 
with boxers from 8 years old to 
34 years old. The event is open 
to the public and a voluntary 
$5.00 donation for adults is 
requested. Children under 12 
years old are free. 

 The show is sponsored by 
the City of Pasadena Human 
Services and Recreation 
Department. Contact Marcus 
Lee at (626) 744-6532 for more 
information.


Citizen 
Journalism 
Meet-up

Pet of 
the Week

 The Department of Public 
Works last week removed 
an Italian Stone Pine tree at 
781 N. Hill Ave., one of the 
largest in Pasadena, because 
the tree’s health is declining 
and it poses a safety issue to 
the public. 

 As part of the City’s Tree 
Removal Policy, the Parks 
and Natural Resources 
Division of Public Works 
posted the tree for removal 
and included the removal 
on the September 2012 
Tree Removal List provided 
to the City Council. The 
Urban Forestry Advisory 
Committee was informed 
of the pending removal at 
its October 12 meeting. 
Information about the 
removal has also been 
provided to adjacent 
neighborhood associations 
for distribution. 

Kenneth Graham, Forestry 
Superintendent, is managing 
the removal of this tree. For 
more information, contact 
Mr. Graham at (626) 744-
3880 or by e-mail kgraham@
cityofpasadena.net. 

 
Learn not just how to 
blog but how to report 
the news

 

 The Pasadena Community 
Network and this newspaper 
are holding a workshop on 
Citizen Journalism. 

 This group is the place where 
aspiring journalists can learn 
from trained professionals 
and support their local 
community by covering what’s 
really happening in their 
neighborhoods.

 We will put the news in your 
hands. Learn how to find 
the story, the tools needed 
to capture the story and the 
means to tell the story using the 
power of video, audio and print 
along with online social media 
The next meeting is Dec. 18 
from 6:30 p.m. to 8p.m. at the 
Pasadena Community Network 
- Studio G, 2057 N. Los Robles 
Ave.

 For more info call 626.794.8585.

 Nesta is an eight-year-
old, large gray tabby. He’s 
very curious and enjoys 
being held. He’s a staff and 
volunteer favorite too! 

 Nesta’s adoption fee is $70, 
which includes his neuter 
surgery, a microchip, the first 
set of vaccinations, as well 
as a free follow-up health 
check at a participating vet. 
New adopters will receive 
complimentary health and 
wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well 
as a goody bag filled with 
information on how to 
care for your pet. He also 
qualifies for our Seniors 
for Seniors program in 
which the adoption fee is 
waiver for eligible adopters 
60 years old or older. Ask 
an adoptions counselor for 
more information during 
your visit 

 Call the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA at 
626.792.7151 to ask about 
A317161, or visit at 361 S. 
Raymond Ave. in Pasadena. 
Adoption hours are 11-4 
Sunday, 9-5 Tuesday –
Friday, 9-4 Saturday. Pets 
may not be available for 
adoption and cannot be 
held for potential adopters 
from phone calls or email. 
Directions and photos of all 
pets can be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org.

Sheriff Baca Speaks to Bright 
Future Scholars in Altadena

Armenian 
Genocide 
Memorial 
Project to 
Move Forward

ChapCare Health Centers 
to Get $2.6 Million Grant

 
Adam Schiff announced 
Thursday that Community 
Health Alliance of Pasadena 
(ChapCare) will receive a five 
year federal grant in the amount 
of $2,677,501 annually from 
the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS). This 
grant was awarded to ChapCare 
to continue to provide services 
to tens of thousands of 
medically under-insured and 
uninsured residents throughout 
the San Gabriel Valley.

 “For nearly two decades, 
ChapCare’s work in the San 
Gabriel Valley has exemplified 
quality care and attention to the 
needs of the local community. 
With these new federal funds, 
they will be able to continue 
providing health services 
to many more low-income 
families,” said Rep. Schiff. 
“ChapCare provides healthcare 
to many who are underserved 
and lack preventive services. 
This grant will ensure that their 
important work can continue 
and expand.”

 “With Rep. Adam Schiff’s 
generous support, ChapCare 
was able to secure continued 
federal funding,” said Margaret 
B. Martinez, ChapCare’s 
Chief Executive Officer. 
“As a result, ChapCare will 
continue to provide excellent, 
comprehensive, and innovative 
health care that is accessible 
to residents of the San Gabriel 
Valley.”

 The Health Center Cluster 
Grants Program is administered 
by the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) and is 
awarded on a competitive basis 
to applicants with a reputation 
of quality and competent 
care to their community. The 
Health Resources and Services 
Administration (HRSA) 
oversees the program.

 ChapCare is a network of 
HRSA-funded community 
health centers that has provided 
medical services to countless 
under-insured and uninsured 
residents of the San Gabriel 
Valley for almost 15 years. 
The organization operates 3 
health centers in the Pasadena 
area, and a mobile van in the 
El Monte region. ChapCare 
provides over 54,000 primary 
healthcare visits annually to 
over 15,000 patients. ChapCare 
will open a new health center in 
the City of South El Monte in 
February 2013.

 The Pasadena Armenian 
Genocide Memorial 
Committee (PASAGMC) 
announced last week that the 
Committee received a total 
of 17 design proposals for the 
Armenian Genocide Memorial 
project proposed to be located 
in Memorial Park in the City 
of Pasadena. (Six (6) of the 
design proposals are from the 
students at the Pasadena Art 
Center College of Design.

 The Committee has formed 
an independent panel of 3 
distinguished professional 
judges to review and rank 
all 17 design proposals. 
The review panel’s written 
recommendations will be 
forwarded to the Board which 
will make the final selection.

 The design review and 
selection process will take 
place in the very near future.

 Additional inquiries should 
be directed to PASAGMC 
offices at (626) 795-1750 or 
pasagmc@aol.com.

 Sheriff Baca was a keynote 
speaker today at the Quality 
of Life Center’s Bright Future 
Scholars in Altadena. CEO 
and Dean of Scholars Dr. 
Sandra Thomas welcomed 
mentors Los Angeles Sheriff 
Lee Baca, Altadena Sheriff’s 
Captain John Benedict, 
Senator Carol Liu, Congress 
member Judy Chu and 
General Manager of the 
Pasadena Water and Power 
Phyllis Currie to speak to 
Altadena and Pasadena 
youth. 

 The Sheriff spoke about 
growing up in Los Angeles 
and his journey to becoming 
the leader of the largest 
Sheriff’s Department 
in the nation, the Los 
Angeles County Sheriff’s 
Department. 

 Dr. Thomas told the 
audience that she was 
extremely proud of the 
success of the now nationally 
acclaimed programs; one 
such being the Bright Futures 
Scholars Support Program. 
Participating scholars 
focus on daily leadership 
development as well as 
marketability preparation 
towards future goals.