SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 
VOLUME 8 NO. 10 
2014 SIERRA MADRE WISTARIA FESTIVAL 
SUNDAY - MARCH 16, 2014 
SMPD ARREST SUSPECT IN KERSTING 
COURT BURGLARY Stolen Vehicle Recovered 
MEASURE UUT – YOUR CITY, YOUR CHOICE 
Editorial By John Capoccia, Member of Sierra Madre City Council 
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 
VOLUME 8 NO. 10 
2014 SIERRA MADRE WISTARIA FESTIVAL 
SUNDAY - MARCH 16, 2014 
SMPD ARREST SUSPECT IN KERSTING 
COURT BURGLARY Stolen Vehicle Recovered 
MEASURE UUT – YOUR CITY, YOUR CHOICE 
Editorial By John Capoccia, Member of Sierra Madre City Council 
later, people are moving here for the affected by the demise of small “mom 
same reasons. Let’s ensure that future and pop” retailers in favor of big-box. 


Sierra Madre, CA On Wednesday 
generations feel the same. Please take a As a result, our sales tax revenue is 

afternoon Sierra Madre Police 
hard look at what your tax dollars do to miniscule, approximately 2% of our 

Department received multiple calls of 
keep Sierra Madre the wonderful place General Fund revenue. Most would 

a person that was being very aggressive 
that it is before you vote. agree that it’s a good thing that we 

in soliciting for money in the Kersting 
don’t have big-box or other chain type 

Court area. The individual, laterYou’ll recall that when I ran to serve retailers here in Sierra Madre, but the 

identified as 33 yr. old Ismael Villarrealyou on our City Council two years ago, penalty is diminished revenue. 

of Pasadena, was also seen going in and 
I was against Measure 12-1, which was 

out of several businesses in the area as 
similar to what’s before you in Measure In 2008, Measure U was placed on the 

well as looking into parked vehicles. 
U, but different in significant ways. I ballot to raise the UUT from six percent 

Officers arrived on scene within 
was against Measure 12-1 because: to twelve percent, and it expanded the 

minutes of the call and when Villarreal 
categories of utilities to be taxed. There 

saw the first police unit arrive in the 

1. It would have automatically were two reasons for the tax increase. 
area he took off running. He was later

raised your utility tax to 12% on June One was to give our Police Department 

located in the Buccaneer Bar and taken30, 2013 without a council vote (I a raise in pay, as their compensation fell 

into custody without incident. Thedidn’t think a 12% tax was necessary significantly behind their peers in the 

investigation revealed that Villarrealand I still don’t)San Gabriel Valley. The other reason 

was taking money from the tip jars at

On April 8, Sierra Madre will vote on 

2. It was premature. The current was to provide continuing funding 
several of the local business and had

Measure UUT, which is asking you 

10% tax rate is scheduled to sunset for our newly formed Paramedic 

driven to the area in a vehicle that was

to decide whether or not to cap and 

starting July 1, 2015. There was no program, which was implemented the 

stolen out of Fontana. 
Tax rate. Measure UUT is not raising need to make a decision three years year before using start-up money from

extend the current 10% Utility Users 

early while still sorting out the effects of the sale of the canyon fire station. A 

Villarreal was booked at the Los Angeles County Jail for Commercial Burglary

your utility tax rate. You’re paying 10% 

the dissolution of the Redevelopment citizen’s committee recommended the 

and Grand Theft Auto and is being held on $20,000 bail.
Agency and the recession, and before utility tax increase that was placed on

today, and if you vote yes on Measure

UUT, you’ll continue to pay the same 

giving the new council a chance to the ballot. 

WISTARIA FESTIVAL SHUTTLE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!

10%. If Measure UUT fails, the tax 

assess Sierra Madre’s finances

rate will sunset to 6% by June 30, 2016, 

3. Public Safety was fully funded It’s interesting to note that at the 
Shuttle tickets to ride up to view the Wistaria Vine 

resulting in a loss of approximately 

in the then-current budget. I did not time Measure U was placed on the 

at the annual Wistaria Festival are still available for 

$1,000,000 annual revenue. I’m voting 

believe that public safety would have ballot, Sierra Madre had received four 

purchase! The 2014 Wistaria Festival will take place 

in favor of Measure UUT, and I’ll 

been in jeopardy had Measure 12-1 years of healthy property tax revenue 

on March 16th, 2014.

explain why in a three part series. I 

failed, and thus far there have been no increases as a result of the huge run


 The Festival features tours of the world’s largest 

hope you’ll agree with me and vote Yes 

harmful effects up in residential property values. Even 

blossoming plant, certified by the Guinness Book of 

on Measure UUT. 

with the revenue surge, the citizen’s 

World Records. Each year, the property owners upon 

Two years have elapsed, and your City committee recommended the UUT 

whose land the vine sits open their homes to allow 
choice – Do you want to continue Council and staff has continued to increase. Sierra Madre’s voters agreed 

Measure UUT gives Sierra Madre a 

thousands to view the vine. Dozens of Sierra Madre 

exercise prudent expense management. with the recommendation, approving 

residents volunteer to act as docents at the property, 

to provide the means for our town 

Allowing the UUT to sunset will be Measure U by 62%. I’m sure it 

telling the story of the vine, which was originally 

to prosper as it has, or shall we force 

detrimental to keeping Sierra Madre helped that the Council Members 

planted from a 1-gallon pot that was purchased for $0.75 in 1894. In addition 

revenue reductions that could have 

the terrific place as we know it. Kurt Zimmerman, John Buchanan, 

to the tours of the vine, the two main downtown streets of Sierra Madre are 
Don Watts, Joe Mosca, and Enid Joffe

far-reaching and unpredictable effects? 

closed to traffic so that crafters and artists can set up booths to display and sell 

First, some background. We’ve had

My wife Marta and I moved to Sierra unanimously supported the tax and their arts/crafts. Downtown village shops are open, and musical acts perform 

a Utility Users Tax since 1993. The

Madre thirty one years ago. We were signatories to the “Argument in 

at multiple outdoor venues. Memorial Park is transformed into a combination 

original UUT was implemented to

came here because of Sierra Madre’s Favor” that appeared on the ballot. 

Kids/Food zone and a hub of information about local non profits.

mitigate the effects of Proposition 13,

small town atmosphere, low crime The shuttle to the vine from downtown avoids a long uphill walk from 

which limited property taxation below Our Police officers were given raises in

rate, eclectic neighborhoods, central downtown to the neighborhood in which the vine sits. Tickets for the shuttle 

the rate of inflation. Property Taxes three consecutive years of 9%, 8% and

downtown, and its proximity to the are $15 for adults. Seniors (over 65) and children (6 to 16) receive a discounted 

are the main source of revenue to fund 7%, which merely served to bring them

beautiful San Gabriels. Sierra Madre rate of $7. Children under five ride for free. Families of 6 or more can ride the 

municipal operations for most, if not from far below their peers in the San

had a great reputation as a place to shuttle of $30. (No more than 2 adults). 

all cities. Sierra Madre was forced to Gabriel Valley, to where they are now,

raise a family. I can attest to that, our You can purchase tickets on the chambers website, www.sierramadrechamber.

find new sources of revenue or cut which is at or very near the bottom.

three children thrived growing up in com or by stopping by Savor The Flavor, Beantown or The Bottle Shop.

services below a level that its citizens

this wonderful town. Thirty one years Additional information on the festival can be found in Section B of this paper. 

would tolerate. Sierra Madre was also (continued on page 3) 


ELECTION COVERAGE 
On April 8, 2014, voters in Sierra Madre will go to the polls and select three people from 
a field of four to sit on the City Council. They will also vote on a local ballot measure to 
extend the city’s current User Utility Tax Ordinance. 
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: 
1. Why are you running for City Council? 
2. What are you going to do for Sierra 
Madre? 
3. How do you plan on accomplishing 
your goals? 
(All candidates are being asked to 
answer the same questions and their 
answers will be published unedited.) 
The paper will also review the pros 
and cons of the proposed User Utility 
Tax Ordinance. 
The schedule will be as follows: 
March 8th Candidate Rachelle Arizmendi 
March 15th Candidate Noah Green 
March 22nd Candidate Eugene Goss 
March 29th Candidate Forum Review 
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 papers 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 8, 2014. 
Susan Henderson, Publisher and Editor 
Sierra Madre 2014 

Inside this week: 

City Council Candidate 

SIERRA MADRE 

RACHELLE ARIZMENDI

Calendar Page 2 

Sierra Madre News Page 3 

I am running for City Council to 
help maintain and enhance the 

PASADENA/ALTADENA 

quality of life in our neighborhoods. 

Assemblyman Holden Pg. 4
Seeks Second Term 


For the past 14 years, I have been 
the Education Project Director fora large non-profit organization, 
managing an annual budget of over 
$20 million and 300 employees 

AROUND SGV Pg. 5 

serving thousands of children and 
their 

ARCADIA NEWS Pg. 6 

MONROVIA/DUARTE

families at 27 schools. I have the 

Pg.7 

knowledge and experience toestablish and enforce fiscal 

EDUCATION & YOUTH

discipline. 

Pg. 8 

As a long-time Sierra Madre homeowner, I am dedicated to maintaining home 

FOOD & DRINK 

values. That means, I will work towards limiting and controlling development 
to preserve the unique charm of Sierra Madre. 

Pg. 9 

As a part-time PCC faculty member, I know the importance of strong neighborhood 
schools. I will work with the PUSD to make sure our neighborhood 
schools receive our fair share of resources. I am endorsed by the organization 

BEST FRIENDS

 Pg. 10 

representing PUSD teachers. 

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

My civic engagement activities include serving on the City of Sierra Madre's 

Community Services Commission, serving as a member on the LA Child Care 
Planning Committee, the PBS SoCal Advisory Committee, and other nonprofit 
boards. 

Pg. 11 

THE GOOD LIFE Pg. 12 

With your support, I will make certain that Sierra Madre is on the right track 
by working to: 

BUSINESS NEWS Pg. 11 

HOMES & PROPERTY 

SIERRA MADRE KIWANIS CLUB PRESENTS: 
USER UTILITY TAXES - The Pros and Cons 
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 12:00 noon 
The Lodge in Sierra Madre33 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, Ca. 
SIERRA MADRE WOMAN’S CLUB & CHAMBER OF 
COMMERCE PRESENT: 
COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM 
Thursday, March 13, 2014Call: 355-5111 for details 
- Establish and enforce fiscal discipline
- Limit and control development
WORLD AROUND US

- Keep downtown an appealing and neighborhood friendly area
Pg. 13 

- Work with the PUSD to improve our neighborhood schools 
LEFT TURN/RIGHT 

In addition, I will prioritize Public Safety, Neighborhood Protection, and Water 

TURN/OPINION Pg. 14 

issues. This includes working proactively with our police department, city employees, 
community members, and exploring other possible sources of funding. 

MORE WISTARIA 

I'll work to keep Sierra Madre a beautiful, safe place where individuals, seniors 
and families can flourish. I will always give priority to the quality of life in our 

& SIERRA MADRE 

neighborhoods. 

NEWS & FEATURES 

Please call me at 626-660-6294 or visit www.arizmendiforcitycouncil.com 

IN SECTION B 

I respectfully ask for your vote. 


Read The Paper Online At: www.mtnviewsnews.com