SIERRA MADRE EDITION


SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2017 

VOLUME 11 NO. 4

FORMER CITY TREASURER GEORGE 
ENYEDI PASSES AWAY

CITY COUNCIL SEALS 
THE DEAL

Sierra Madre has lost another treasure. 
Smart, charming, energetic, handsome 
and strong….just a few adjectives that 
described Sierra Madre’s former City 
Treasurer, George Enyedi. He was a wealth 
of knowledge on finances, volunteerism, 
loving life, and living well. He never met 
a challenge that he couldn’t handle. What 
made him so amazing is that until he was 
well into his 80’s, it was hard to keep up 
with him! George passed away quietly at 
his home on Tuesday at the age of 91. He 
was truly an amazing man that will be 
missed.

Volunteerism and working to improve the 
quality of life in Sierra Madre were always 
a big part of Enyedi’s life. He was an active 
member of the Sierra Madre Cemetery 
Association, The Sierra Madre Playhouse, 
The Sierra Madre Mountain Conservancy, 
SMEAC, and the Sierra Madre Kiwanis 
Club, just to name a few. 

Recipient of numerous civic honors, 
George was the Sierra Madre Citizen of 
the Year, and was bestowed with the city's 
George Maurer Lifetime Achievement 
Award to name a few.

By profession, George was a Certified 
Public Accountant and senior partner in 
the firm of Enyedi, Marshall and Montanez 
in downtown Los Angeles. It was this 
experience that made him the choice of 
Sierra Madreans when he ran for Treasurer in 2011. It was also his financial experience that kept both 
the Sierra Madre Cemetery and the Sierra Madre Playhouse from closing several years ago. 

Enyedi and his wife, Gerda came to the United States in 1952 from Cluj, Transylvania, a province of 
Romania, settling in Pasadena, California. They moved to Sierra Madre in 1961. George was looking 
for a house “on top of a hill” and found the perfect place in Sierra Madre. His home has magnificent 
views of the San Gabriel Valley and is a stone’s throw away from the natural habitat of bears, deer, coyotes 
and mountain lions. The Enyedi’s reared 3 sons, Klaus, Hans and Kurt in Sierra Madre and the family 
has expanded to include 3 daughters-in-law. In a conversation with him several years ago, he had 6 
grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters, all living in Southern California. Gerda, his beloved wife of 
60 years, passed away in April of 2006 something he really never recovered from.

George Enyedi, through all the ups and downs that life brought his way, epitomized strength, conviction 
and compassion. When one speaks of the glue that holds this town together, his name is right there at the 
top of the list. George Enyedi truly was a first class gentleman with the heart of a lion. 

S. Henderson/MVNews


Gabriel "Gabe" Engeland 
Will Become City Manager 
on March 13th

 
On Tuesday, the Sierra Madre City 
Council confirmed the hiring of 
Sierra Madre's next City Manager, 
approving a five year contract which 
was reported in the Mountain 
Views News last week. (http://
mtnviewsnews.com/v11/htm/n03/
p01.htm ). 

 A press release issued by the city 
on Monday stated, " Mr. Engeland 
(“Gabe”) is an experienced City 
Manager with outstanding 
qualifications and references from 
all past employers. Gabe has been 
on a City Manager “track” in his 
professional career for the past six 
years, and most recently has been 
serving the City of Trinidad, Colorado 
as its City Manager since 2015, where 
he oversaw a staff of 178 employees and 
a budget of $38.9 million dollars." 

Trinidad is a full service city, including 
police, fire/paramedic, electric utility, 
water utility, waste water, gas, library, 
golf course an landfill, in addition 
to the general fund services of public 
works, human resources, finance and 
budget, development and economic 
services; Trinidad has a population 
of 10,000 and a service area of 
approximately 15,000."

The release goes on to quote Engeland as saying, "Gabe intends to fully engage with the 
community and make Sierra Made home with his wife and new baby daughter. “I am 
excited to be part of team Sierra Madre and my wife and I are looking forward to our move 
to this wonderful community.” 

The position in Sierra Madre will yield a substantial increase in salary for Engeland. 
According to the City of Trinidad's 2016 Budget, the new city manager will receive 
approximately $79,000 more a year. In Trinidad where Engeland was City Manager for just 
about two years, he was paid $103,000 a year. In Sierra Madre his contract calls for a base 
salary of $182,000. 

Engeland, pictured above, will be missed by 
the town of Trinidad according to an article in 
their local paper, The Chronicle-News, 

Trinidad Mayor Phil Rico lauded Engeland 
and his contributions to the city during his 
tenure here. Rico credited Engeland for 
turning around Trinidad’s finances and 
balancing the budget for the first time in 
years. 

Photo credit The Chronicle-News


NANO CAFÉ: THE NEW RESTAURANT IN TOWN

SIERRA MADRE SEARCH AND RESCUE, CAL TECH AND 
CAL STATE MENTORS FOR ALVERNO HIGH SCHOOL 
RECEIVED THREE OF SIX ROTARY HUMANITARIAN STAR 
AWARDS PRESENTED BY THE SIERRA MADRE ROTARY CLUB

Nano Café is proud to announce that they are 
the owners of 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. and 
have been since October. Due to the fact that 
the building is 65 years old the past several 
months has been a soft opening so that the 
restaurant could be restored and is now 
young and new again. Even the water system 
now produces 100% percent purified water.

 Traditionally local musicians and 
singers have entertained there and still do. 
Wednesday thru Saturday evenings. You can 
call Nano 626-325-3334 for schedules, times 
and reservation’s or just ask when you are 
there. It’s truly a great place for your party, 
business meeting, family gathering or date 
and can accommodate up to one hundred 
people.

 Nano has always been an ‘A’ 
restaurant. Customers are made to feel special 
and the food is so good that they keep coming 
back. Breakfast starts at 6am and is served 
all at until 5. Lunch is available as well until 
five o’clock. Dinner is from 5-9pm. Cocktails 
are served daily and evenings. Of course 
from 3-6 is happy hour. If you are a sports 
fan you may enjoy watching the games in 
the cocktail lounge while you eat and drink. 
The restaurant is open daily and holidays. 
Everyone is always welcome and the staff 
looks forward to serving you in doors and out 
on the new patio. The Mountain Views News 
is delighted to welcome Nano Café to Sierra 
Madre.

Image result for sierra madre search and rescue
Rotary of Sierra Madre is raising public awareness 
of scientific advances and their positive impacts 
on humanity. The individuals and groups honored 
have created impactful advancements in science and 
technology, which improves human health and well 
being around the globe. 

 The four major categories of humanitarian benefit 
are Environmental Improvement, Health and 
Medical, Disaster Relief and Recovery, and Improved 
Sharing of Knowledge

 This was truly the Academy Awards Event of 
Humanitarians. Marie Csete, PhD, created a beautiful 
ceremony presentation for each of the nominees. 

 Ms. Csete served as well on the board of advisors 
with Pamela R. Aschbacher, PhD, Joel W. Burdick, 
PhD, Richard L. & Dorothy M Hayman, PhDs, John 
F. Raffensperger, PhD, Michael Ryschkewitsch, PhD, 
Philip R. Troyk, PhD, and Brett Wingeie, PhD. Go to 
RHStar.org to see credits of board of advisors.

 Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team, President, 
Arnold Gaffery is recognized for 2016 RHSTAR 
Trophy Recipient for Disaster Relief and Recovery 

 Nominated for the development of search and 
rescue MapSar technology (continued on page 6)

YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO ENTER THE SIERRA MADRE ROSE 
FLOAT ASSOCIATION 2018 FLOAT DESIGN CONTEST:

This year’s design contest will be held until Friday, 
February 3rd 2017. The 2018 Theme, "Making 
A Difference" was chosen as a way to honor and 
celebrate all of the people in our communities, who 
quietly and without desire for reward or recognition, 
act in selfless, generous and kind ways to aid or benefit 
others.” shared Tibbet. “It’s about the human acts of 
kindness that enrich the lives of others and are the 
source of inspiration, hope, joy and optimism for all 
of us.” Please see the description of the parade theme 
at www.smrosefloat.org/get-involved/design-a-float. 
Submit your designs by 5pm on February 3rd.