Happy Thanksgiving


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013

VOLUME 7 NO. 47


A COMMUNITY GIVES THANKS

CITY INCREASES 
GOVERNMENT 
TRANSPARENCY, 
LAUNCHES OPEN DATA 
PROGRAM

Just as residents begin to contemplate whether or not to support an increase in 
water utility rates and whether or not to extend and increase the User Utility 
Tax that will support our police, fire and paramedics, the city announced the 
launched “an interactive and user-friendly online platform of the City’s financial 
data”. There is also a program that allows you to find what the specific impact of 
a water rate increase will be on our household. These programs are designed to 
help citizens better understand the city’s finances and why city leaders feel the 
increases are necessary.

Using software developed by OpenGov.com, a Silicon Valley software startup, 
there will be “an unprecedented ability to access, understand, and analyze the 
City’s budget.” 

The one site, “OpenGov has provided a low-cost way for residents to dig deeper 
into the City’s budget,” said City Manager Elaine Aguilar. “I hope Sierra Madre 
residents will make use of this new tool 
to see how the City spends the residents’ 
money.” 

The public is encouraged to explore the 
City’s financial data via the OpenGov 
platform on the City’s web site, or directly 
at sierramadre.opengov.com.

“The City of Sierra Madre is leading the 
way for transparency in government in 
the 21st century,” says Zachary Bookman, 
CEO and co-founder of OpenGov. “By 
making its financial data transparent 
for its citizens, the City of Sierra Madre 
deepens the bond with its community 
and gives meaning to the term ‘access to 
information.’” 

As cities, counties, and other jurisdictions 
continue to transition to the digital age, 
it has become increasingly imperative for 
cities to utilize state-of-the-art technology 
to share financial data with residents in a 
user-friendly way. In a time when people 
are increasingly demanding open and 
transparent government, OpenGov is 
providing cities with a simple way to share 
data with the community.

Founded by Stanford technologists, 
and backed by prominent Silicon Valley 
entrepreneurs and investors, OpenGov develops user-friendly transparency 
software for operational intelligence and budget analytics.

Learn more at opengov.com.

 Sierra Madre was recently recognized in a Los Angeles County City Internet 
Strategy Analysis as one of the most transparent cities in the county.

The analysis also revealed:

• Culver City and Sierre Madre have the best overall strategies based on 
our measuring standards.

• 51 of the 88 cities have a presence on Twitter or Facebook.

• 64% of cities make their City Council meetings available online.

• More cities had an official Facebook account (47%) than an official 
Twitter account (43%).

http://www.tripepismith.com/los-angeles-county-city-internet-strategy-analysis-
3rd-edition/

In order to make informed decisions and to monitor how your tax dollars are 
being spent, residents are encouraged to utilize these resources.

If you have trouble with the sites, contact city hall at 626-355-7135.

“Continually utilizing the 
latest technology is really 
the key to addressing many 
of the challenges our City 
faces now and will face 
in the future. The budget 
transparency tool is a cheap 
and simple way of giving 
our residents complete access 
to the City’s finances in 
a user-friendly format. It 
also allows us as a Council 
to communicate more effectively 
with residents regarding 
our budget priorities, 
goals, and challenges going-
forward. This level of access 
is really unprecedented, 
so we hope that residents 
utilize the tool and give us 
feedback.” 

City Councilman 

John Harabedian

Speakers included: (l to r) Father Michael Higgins, Mater Dolorosa, Deacon John Hull, St. Rita’s Church, 
Reverend Linda Marshall, Sierra Madre United Methodist Church, Reverend Dr. Jolene Cadenbach, Arcadia 
Congregational UCC, Rabbi Alan Lachtman, Temple Beth David; Father Michael Bamberger, Episcopal 
Church of the Ascension and Mr. Steven Licata, Bahai Faith. Photo by S. Henderson

On Wednesday, the Sierra Madre Woman’s Club held their annual Community Prayer Breakfast at the historic Essick 
House. The event was filled with community leaders, city officials and members of the general public most of whom had 
waited an entire year in anticipation of partaking in the famous ‘Quiche’ prepared by club members. 

The event brings together people from various religious backgrounds with a common goal. The theme that was a part of 
every speech included references to giving thanks this holiday season for our lives and families and also being thankful for 
our community.

Eunice Banos, adorned in historic attire, played the piano for guests as they arrived and during the opening songs. Chairperson 
for the breakfast was Dr. Shahrzad Arzani. Mary Carney, President of the club, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

The Women’s Club is one of the oldest, if not the oldest service organization in 
Sierra Madre. Established in 1907. it is also a member of the General Federation 
of Women’s Clubs. There are over 100 active area women who are dedicated to 
friendship and service. Our members enjoy our events, programs, fundraisers, 
and supporting our community through donations and service

Also Inside this week: 

SIERRA MADRE

Calendar Page A2

Sierra Madre News Page A3

PASADENA/ALTADENA

Pg. A4


County Releases 
Devil’s Gate Report

AROUND SGV Pg. A5

ARCADIA NEWS Pg. A6 

MONROVIA/DUARTE 

 Pg. A7





EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. A8

FOOD & DRINK

Thanksgiving Recipes Pg. A9

BEST FRIENDS Pg. A11

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Pg. A12

THE GOOD LIFE 

 
Pg. A13

Savvy Senior

Senior Happenings

This and That

45N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre Ca, 91024(626)355-1596Come one, come all, the more the merrier!
Bean Town’s AnnualChristmas Benefit 
Santa Claus Is Coming 
To Bean Town 
All Donations Go To 
The Sierra Madre SchoolArts Program. 
On Saturday 
December 14, 
From 1pm-3pmA photographer will be on hand if you forget your camera.
Photos will be e-mailed to you after the event.
SECTION B

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SMALL 
BUSINESS SECTION 

 Pg. B1

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

 Pg. B2

WORLD AROUND US /
SPORTS Pg. B3

BUSINESS

What’s an I-Cloud? Pg. B4

LEFT TURN/RIGHT 
TURN/OPINION 

 Pg. B8

SMTV Channel 98 

Program Guide Pg. B9

Shop Small Business Saturday

LEGAL NOTICES Pg. B11




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