SIERRA MADRE EDITION

 
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017 


VOLUME 11 NO. 18

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO GUNS 
CONFISCATED IN SIERRA MADRE


Full List Of Seized Items 
Made Public

Public records recently released show 
the contents of the two truckloads of 
weapons seized in a raid at the Sierra 
Madre home of Pasadena Police Lt. 
Vasken (Kenneth) Gourdikian in 
February, 2017. (http://mtnviewsnews.
com/v11/htm/n07/index.htm), The 
residence contained as many as 62 
items of which 57 were guns. One 
of the items seized, a handgun, has 
been valued at $3,800. Various other 
news sources have placed a total value 
of the guns taken to be between $50- 
$100,000. According one source, 
“A wide range of guns were seized, 
including 34 pistols, valued at about 
$27,900, 21 rifles or rifle receivers, 
valued at about $20,450, and two 
shotguns, valued at about $2,600.” The complete list can 
be viewed at:

https://www.forfeiture.gov/pdf/ATF/OfficialNotification.pdf

 The guns were confiscated as part of a federal 
investigation by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
Firearms and Explosives. Recently the Los Angeles 
office warned of a “growing trend” of law enforcement 
officers engaging in unlicensed, illegal firearms dealing.

 In March, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF in 
Los Angeles, Eric D. Harden, warned that the agency 
has learned of an “emerging problem” with respect to 
law enforcement officers buying and then reselling 
guns, in possible violation of federal firearms law. The 
involved guns include many which are considered “off-
roster” under California law, meaning that they can be 
purchased only by law enforcement officers and are 

not available to the general public. “In some instances, 
ATF has discovered officers who purchased more 
than 100 ‘off roster’ firearms that were subsequently 
transferred to non-law enforcement individuals,” 
Harden continued. “Such transactions potentially 
constitute violations of federal firearms laws, to include 
dealing firearms without a FFL, and lying on a federal 
firearms form when purchasing said firearm — also 
known as ‘straw purchasing. Whether or not there is 
a relationship between the raid of Gourdikian’s home 
and the advisory sent by the ATF recently is not known.

 

At press time, there have been no charges filed against 
Gourdikian, and because of the ongoing investigation, 
very little information has been made public. 
Gourdikian remains on administrative leave from the 
Pasadena Police Department. MVNews

Two truckloads of weapons were seized fromVasken (Kenneth) 
Gourdikian's Sierra Madre home in February

DR. BILL PATZERT TO SPEAK ON 

“DROUGHTS AND DELUGES”


World renowned Climatologist, Dr. Bill Patzert will speak to 
the Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 
noon. 

 Patzert has been a research scientist in oceanography at 
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of 
Technology, since 1983. He explores the ocean’s role in climate 
variability, seeks to improve climate forecasting using NASA-
generated global data in concert with longer, land-based 
records of temperature and precipitation, and communicates 
scientific knowledge to the general public through popular 
articles and media interviews. Patzert also is a member of 
NASA’s Sea Level Change Team. Prior to joining JPL, Patzert 
was a research oceanographer at the Scripps Institution of 
Oceanography, University of California, San Diego.

 On Tuesday, he will speak on Droughts and Deluges and 
California’s forecast.

 The Kiwanis Club meets at The Lodge, (formerly the Masonic Temple), 33 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre. Lunch will be served at noon ($10). The program, which is free, will begin at 12:40. 
For reservations, please contact Kiwanis President Judy Webb-Martin at 626-688-2273.

WORKS BEGINS ON SIERRA 
MADRE MAIN SEWER LINE

Sierra Madre Public Works has contracted with 
Nu-Line Technologies, LLC to rehabilitate the 
city's sanitary sewer main line. The following 
areas will be serviced:

1 West Orange Grove Ave,

200 South Lima St,

600 East Grand View Ave,

300 Acacia St,

400 North Canon,

Churchill Road at Old ranch Rd,

1100 Arno Drive,

600 Woodland Dr,

700 Woodland Dr,

700 Sturtevant Dr,

500 Sturtevant Dr,

300 North Baldwin Ave.

 The rehabilitation includes cleaning, video, and 
installation of pipe lining. In some areas pipe 
replacement may be needed. The project began 
on May 2nd and crews canbe seen throughout 
the city working over sewer manholes.

Sierra Madre Public Works and Nu-Line 
Technologies kindly request everyone observe 
the temporary parking restriction signs posted 
on your street. “No Parking / Tow Away” 
that will be posted 48 hours in advance of 
enforcement. Access to individual driveways 
will be maintained at all times.

All affected residents will also receive a letter 
from the contractor “Nu Line Technologies” 
with instructions and project details. Expect 
intermittent traffic delays. The project will 
continue through Mid-June.

 If you have any questions please contact; Sierra 
Madre Public Works Department, Clare Lin at 
626-355-7135 X802 or Nu-Line Technologies 
LLC, Project Superintendent, Jorge Beltran (626) 
295-0542, or our main office at (760) 634-5153.


SIERRA MADRE SIDEWALK PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

It was announced earlier this week by the Public Works Department, in an effort " to improve 
pedestrian safety and walk-ability in the community", that the Sidewalk Partnership Program is 
still available. The program began in 2010 and assists property owners with repair of damaged 
sidewalks. Under this program, the City will cover the expense of labor and equipment and the 
homeowner only has to cover the cost of the concrete. 

 It should be noted that:

- This program applies only to the elimination of a potential hazard. 

 - The program includes work to repair sidewalks, driveways, and curb/gutters. 

 - Residents will receive an inspection of the site to determine if they qualify, whether trees or 
roots will need to be addressed, and the total area of the replacement. 

 - Residents will be provided with the full cost of participation before agreeing to participate. 

 - Trees and roots may require additional consideration, and the removal and replacement of 
trees would be at the property owner’s expense. 

 - Scheduling of work is contingent on the variable work load of the Public Works Department.

 For additional information, please email Clare Lin in the Public Works Department at clin@
cityofsierramadre.com or call 626-355-7135 Ext 802.


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