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Happy Holidays! SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2017 VOLUME 11 NO. 51 SIERRA MADRE EDITION Artist Sonny Salsbury created this painting depicting The Osti Christmas Decorations. Salsbury is also a Grammy nominated musician who was born in Pasadena. He is the brother of Judith Brandley, owner of Leonora Moss in Sierra Madre. His holiday artwork has beenon the cover of every Christmas Edition of this paper. Happy Holidays FRoM all oF Us To all oF yoU ANGELS OF THE ARENA It was a season of celebration in Rome: only a year earlier in 403 A.D., the Roman Empire had battled the determined army of the Visigoths, who had surprised Emperor Honorius by surrounding his position. In a cleverly planned counter attack, Stilico, the man who historian Edward Gibbon described as “the last of the Roman generals,” would come to the Emperor’s rescue, and drive the Visigoths out. Over the ensuing year, the Visigoths were steadily forced from the empire of Italy onto that place where they were powerless to threaten Rome. The vanquishing of the Visigoths would usher in the desire of a grand celebration in Rome. Among this triumphant euphoria of the nation, there appeared a citizen of a different sort. Rome welcomed people from every place of the world, but one man was entirely different. The eyes of the city observantly watched, as the man stoically ambled over the ancient stone-paved rocks of their streets. He paused for a moment to admire a fruit he had never encountered before, and it was there, that an inquiring merchant of the marketplace asked: “What business do you have with Rome?” As strange as it might seem, the man named Telemachus, was powerless to answer the question; unable to explain the compelling impulse that had brought him to their city. His long journey of many weeks had taken him through the tiny town of Bethlehem on the day of Christmas. It was unseasonably warm, as he went out on that Christmas night to those famous fields where shepherds still the city’s name, or suggesting any idea that gathered their sheep. He took to the highest hill to stare at stars that held the memories of keen eyes and alert ears, he obediently of a million nights, and even those of world’s first Christmas. The spirit of that Christmas toward Rome. night is what Telemachus carried into the ancient city of Rome that New Year’s Day in Year’s celebration, as the gladiator games 404 A.D. Telemachus’ existence was of prayerful air of the colosseum was sweetened in the seclusion, and he was completely content to remain apart from the world, until the spices. The sun of that afternoon burned with extraordinary occurrence of celestial strength began to penetrate his domain. These the colosseum floor to glow in the brilliant occurrences began with visions of Rome, and Telemachus watched as the people in time, the visions dominated his dreams. These true-to-life dreams commenced in entering the stadium, and he encountered different ways, but they always ended with Telemachus entering the gates of the great passed through its gate. It was then that city. He dared not tell anyone of this dramatic theatre of thought, but his dreams begat see two gladiators wielding their swords dreams, and even the conversations that at the top of his lungs “Stop!” It was a bandied about the mouth of strangers would ultimately contain their assorted references useless command as the mighty cheers of of Rome. Telemachus purposely avoided mentioning might raise the name of Rome to someone’s lips, but the more desirous Telemachus became of liberating Rome from his mind, the more stubbornly did the name surface. Telemachus’ wisdom judged that he was powerless to suppress the wind or change the direction of the sea, and being a monk harkened to the hints of Heaven and started The whole of Rome closed for the New became the focus of city’s attention. The steam-inspired scents of wine, saffron and particular glory, causing the silver sand of beauty of a diamond. the boisterous roar of the crowd as he he look down from the top of the arena to in the great game of death, he screamed REMEMBRANCE ANGELS continued on Page 2 CITY CLERK RESIGNS Melinda Carillo, Sierra Madre City Clerk who was elected in 2016, has resigned. Carillo submitted her letter of resignationto the council on Friday, alleging, “the lack of honest communication, collaboration and supportI have experienced as CityClerk from City Staff andCouncil has required meto evaluate my position asCity Clerk. “ Most notably, Carillo expresses dissatisfaction with the compensation forthe position. Specifically, her letter indicates her displeasure with the council’s decision toeliminate additional compensation for the City Clerk to handlethe upcoming 2018 and future elections. In November, the council unanimously voted to follow the modelof other cities with an elected City Clerk where the elected officialhandles those duties required by law, but election activities arehandled by the election consultant and city staff. By so doing, the city will save $7,500 per year. (http://mtnviewsnews.com/v11/ htm/n48/index.htm). There have also been questions about Carillo’s performance. Council minutes are not up to date and available to the public as required. According to the City’s online access, the last minutes available to the public are from October 24, 2017. At that meeting, the council approved minutes from two September meetings. At the time of her resignation, minutes for the last 3 council meetings were not available online and had not gone to the council for approval. In November, Mayor Arizmendi questioned why a key election deadline had been missed. On November 2nd, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk sent to Carillo a request for “pertinent information necessary to properly schedule and initiate your City’s General Municipal Election to be held on April 10, 2018” with a deadline for a response by November 16, 2017. According to sources, after the county did not receive a response from the City Clerk, contact was made with the City Manager’s office and city staff completed the questionnaire and submitted it to the county to avoid Sierra Madre’s election not being scheduled. In her letter, Carillo denies missing the deadline but emails from the Elections Coordination Division contradict Carillo’s account. The resignation letter also criticizes the city council for not reviewing the election fee issue with her in private rather than at an open city council meeting. If the council had done so it would have been in violation of the Brown Act. This is the first time for as far back as anyone can remember that an elected City Clerk in Sierra Madre has resigned from office. When Mayor Rachelle Arizmendi was asked about a replacement for Carillo and the process, Arizmendi said, “it is the responsibility of the council to act in a manner that does not adversely impact the upcoming election” and she plans to do so. Specifics on what will be done were not available, however at press time. Arizmendi did state that no city staff would be working at polling places or in any election capacity that might compromise the integrity of the election. The Sierra Madre Municipal election is scheduled for April 10, 2018. There will be three council seats open and two ballot measures for residents to consider. S. Henderson/MVNews EUNICE LESTER BANIS Born to loving parents, Daniel obtained at any cost. Moral training David and Arrie Deloach on and living choices were imperatives July 7, 1924, Eunice Lester Banis with Eunice! She always bragged arrived in Savannah, Georgia about her children’s successes to all. as our country was celebrating Eunice and Joe moved to Sierra the Roaring 20s, an era of Madre in 1965. Eunice was known independent self expression. in the family and community as a Eunice was certainly destined unique personality and active person. to be a strongly independent She drove a motor scooter well into person. her seventies. When not driving Eunice spent her early herself, she would hop on the back of years as a proper southern girl a “real” motorcycle with pop or one attending local schools and of the boys. She swam every day at training in classical piano and the Sierra Madre pool until around later organ. She taught piano 10 years ago and continued weekly lessons as a young adult but this swims at the Y until 5 years ago. She ended abruptly upon meetinga handsome Army Air Corp pilot at a USOHalloween dance in town. Joseph Banis swepther off her feet (even though he was a “Yankee”!!) and the two were wed the following January 6th. She was widely known for her annual January 6thOpen House, which celebrated their anniversaryand The Feast of the Three Kings/Epiphany! Eunice and husband, Joe, welcomed 6 childrenthrough the years. Eunice was a “Tiger Mom” waybefore that term was in use. She firmly insisted thateach child be/achieve their very best! Education was a priority and the best medical care was enjoyed her last swims on her 93rdbirthday and other days this past hot summer. Eunice loved her Sierra Madre community andgreeted friends daily in town, at church and atevents, concerts and meetings. She played piano/ organ for St. Rita’s 7:30am Sunday mass every week, at the S.M. Women’s Club (honored as a LifetimeMember) and SMCC Bible Study for over 50 years. Eunice treasured her friends, and not ever wantingto burden them, would reply to inquiries of wellbeing, even when ailing, with “I’m a perkin’.” *continued on page 2) Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Mountain Views News 80 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. #327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.604.4548 www.mtnviewsnews.com |