SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014

SIERRA MADRE HONORS

VOLUME 8 NO. 41


PRESIDENT OBAMA DESIGNATES SAN GABRIEL 
MOUNTAINS NATIONAL MONUMENT


On Friday in Frank Bonelli Park in San Dimas, Cobgresswoman 
Judy Chu (CA-27) was praised by President Barack Obama 
as he declared more than 346,000 acres of national forest land 
there the nation’s newest national monument. The President 
said in his remarks, ”It’s not just the natural beauty of the San 
Gabriels that makes it invaluable. Within these hills lies millennia 
of history, including the ancient rock art of Native peoples -- the 
first Americans. And just as this region teaches us about our past, 
it has always offered us a window into the future. It was here at 
the Mount Wilson Observatory that Edwin P. Hubble showed the 
universe to be ever-expanding, and it’s where astronomers still 
explore the mysteries of space. I can think of no better way to honor 
our past and protect our future than by preserving the San Gabriel 
Mountains.” 

The effort to protect the San Gabriel Mountains started eleven 
and a half years ago with the introduction of a bill by then-
Representative Hilda Solis. The result was a 10-year study by the 
National Park Service, which included 66 stakeholder meetings, 
and 16,800 public comments, most overwhelmingly in support of 
more resources for the San Gabriel Mountains and Rivers. 

After the release of the study, Chu drafted a bill on the San Gabriel 
Mountains and Rivers, conducted over 40 stakeholder meetings, 
earned the support of the San Gabriel Council of Governments 
and the San Gabriel Valley Water Association. 

Opponents Not Happy

Not all elected officials are in favor of the designation. Two days 
prior to the President’s visit, LA County Supervisor Michael 
Antonovich released the results of a report he requested from the 
LA County Department of Public Works and Fire that detailed 
the negative impact of the designation. 

“This list of issues is alarming. We have been told repeatedly that 
this designation will have no impacts on County operations, yet 
our County departments immediately identified multiple areas 
of concern,” said Supervisor Antonovich. “We now have more 
questions than answers, and unfortunately, we will be unable to 
definitely determine the potential impacts of a designation prior 
to the President’s ill-advised Executive Order.”

The report identified areas of 
concern, including:

· Fire suppression

· Water resources

· Flood control facilities

· Roads

“Congresswoman Chu and 
the President are bypassing 
stakeholders by rushing this 
Monument Designation,” said 
Antonovich. However, The 
Antiquities Act of 1906 gives 
the President the authority to 
declare a national monument 
on federal lands, if they are 
historic landmarks, historic and 
prehistoric structures, and other 
objects of historic or scientific 
interest. 

The designation will allow 
federal resources to come to 
the area for management and 
maintenance. The area provides 
70% of the open space and 30% 
of the drinking water for the 15 
million people who live within 
90 minutes of the site.

 S. Henderson/MVNews

City Manager Elaine Aguilar with Community Youth Service 
Award Winner Alexi Zate and Mayor John Harabedian.

Photo courtesy City of Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre Honors… is the City’s opportunity to recognize and honor 
the true treasures of Sierra Madre, its volunteers, City Commissioners 
and employees. 

 Sierra Madre Honors… recognizes all out-going City Commissioners, 
and awardees selected from nominations submitted to the Mayor’s Ad-
Hoc Committee comprised of past recipients. The following are the 
awardees for 2014: 

George Maurer Lifetime Service Award Robert Young 

Community Youth Service Award Alexi Zate

Public Service Award Selena Yang and

 Kyle Schnurr

Police Chief’s Special Award Brian Ho

 Kenneth Berry

Public Safety Award Community Emergency

 Response Team

Wistaria Award 4th Of July Committee

 In addition the following persons were honored as outgoing 
commissioners:

Paul Alva Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Rachelle Arizmendi Community Services Commission

David Crochetiere Community Services Commission

Gene Goss Library Board of Trustees

Lisa Fay Matthiessen Energy, Environment & Natural Resourcs

Bill Nelson Senior Community Commission

Pete Siberell Library Board of Trustees

PJ Siberell Community Services Commission

The event was held on October 9th at the Villa del Sol d’Oro (Alverno) 
in Sierra Madre. Opera Star Suzanna Guzmán was the MC for the 
evening. The SM Middle School Service Club (Kiwanis Builders Club) 
served as hostesses and dinner was catered by Corfu Restaurant in 
Sierra Madre.

"We are blessed to have the most beautiful landscapes 
in the world. We have a responsibility to be good 
stewards of them for future generations." 

-- President Obama, October 10, 2014 
Photo By Pete Sousa


FREE 
COMPOST 
GIVEAWAY

Join the City of Sierra 
Madre and Athens 
Services for the annual 
fall compost giveaway on 
Saturday, October 11th 
from 9:00am-12:00pm 
in Sierra Vista Park. 
This event is free to all 
Sierra Madre resi-dents 
(I.D. required). Please be 
sure to bring your own 
containers as this is a 
self-serve event. Shovels 
will be on-site for your 
use. 

Inside this week: 

CALENDAR Pg. 2

SIERRA MADRE NEWS 
Pg. 3

PASADENA/ALTADENA

 Pg. 4

ARCADIA NEWS 

MONROVIA/DUARTE 

 Pg. 5

Not everyone is happy about the designation as a few protestors were seen in San Dimas 
not far from the site of the dedication.

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. 6


FOOD & DRINK

 Pg. 7

BEST FRIENDS

 Pg. 8

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Pg. 9

THE GOOD LIFE

 Pg. 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Pg. 11

SECTION B 

AROUND SGV Pg. B1

THE WORLD AROUND US

 Pg. B2

 BUSINESS NEWS Pg. B3

 OPINION Pg. B4

 LEGAL NOTICES Pg. B5