SIERRA MADRE EDITION

 
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017 


VOLUME 11 NO. 19

SIERRA MADRE'S NEW POLICE CHIEF-JOE ORTIZ


City Hall was packed to capacity on Wednesday night when Sierra Madre honored its 47th Police 
Chief, Joe Ortiz. The audience was filled with supporters of Chief Ortiz including former SMPD 
Chiefs (retired) Larry Giannone and Marilyn Diaz and members of the LA County Sheriff's 
Department, the SMPD and SMPD Volunteers, the Arcadia, Monrovia, Azusa, El Monte, 
Pasadena, Alhambra, Glendora and South 
Pasadena Police Departments and the Sierra 
Madre community witnessed the swearing 
in of Ortiz. The Honorable Judge Donna 
Hollingsworth administered the Oath of Office. 
Newly appointed Captain Donna Cayson was 
the MC for the evening.

 City Manager Gabe Engeland welcomed the 
Chief to his new position and Ortiz was 'pinned' 
by his wife Shawna and sons Dillan and 
Damien (pictured above). Monsignor Richard 
Krekelberg, Pastor of St. Rita Church in Sierra 
Madre provided the Invocation. 

 Chief Ortiz received a standing ovation at the 
end of his remarks, the biggest hug and welcom 
a community could give! 

MVNews/ Photos By Dave Felt (above) and 
City of Sierra Madre


4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION PROCEEDS KEY IN 
HISTORIC HEASLEY FIELD RENOVATION

4TH OF JULY GRAND 
MARSHAL NAMED

The volunteers 
of the Sierra 
Madre 4th of 
July Committee 
are pleased 
and excited 
to announce 
that the 2017 
Fourth of July 
Parade Grand 
Marshal will be 
Sierra Madre’s 
very own Derek 
Podrebarac. 

“The Grand Marshal is a person or persons whose 
efforts over a long period of time has been beneficial 
to the community of Sierra Madre. The title of Grand 
Marshal is intended to honor a person or persons’ 
volume of work, dedication and overall enhancements 
to our community.” Derek is an inspiring leader and 
volunteer and has demonstrated time and time again 
he is the Spirit of Sierra Madre, giving every time he 
can. 

Derek Podrebarac who has spent the last 17 years 
calling Sierra Madre home with his family grew up 
in the San Gabriel Valley, born in Pasadena, growing 
up in La Crescenta, living in South Pasadena and 
Monrovia and then Serra Madre. Derek exemplifies 
what it means to be a true Sierra Madrean through his 
passion for giving back to his community. In addition 
to his position as a Real Estate Agent for Podley 
Properties, the impacts of Derek’s volunteer efforts 
are felt throughout numerous organizations. He is 
frequent volunteer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 
regularly giving blood to save the lives of those who 
rely upon his rare blood type. A tireless advocate 
for others in need, Derek volunteers for Habitat for 
Humanity, having previously used his vacation time 
to help rebuild homes in the aftermath of Hurricane 
Katrina, and more recently Habitat for Humanity 
projects in Mississippi. He has generously donated his 
time to homeless shelters in Pasadena, and is an active 
leader in his local church. Derek’s passion for baseball 
has led him to become a devoted leader with Sierra 
Madre Little League, having coached and managed 
baseball teams in the league for the past 7 years, often 
contributing his talents and energy to multiple teams 
and age groups simultaneously. 

continued on page 3 

 
Every year at this time, the top Baseball and Softball teams from many neighboring cities come to our treasured Heasley Field for playoffs. This year they have 
been noticing something bigger than the delicious burgers at the Heasley Diner (supplied by Taylor’s).

 Through the Winter and Spring, the new Sierra Madre Little League board invested nearly $50,000 to upgrade Heasley to Major League standards. 

 “For generations Heasley has been a regional destination,” SMLL President Noka Aldoroty offered,” not only during the regular season but for many leagues 
over the course of each year. It was with huge pride in Sierra Madre, and memories made at Heasley for over 100,000 annual visitors, that we committed to these 
aggressive investments, and to raise the extra money to subsidize them.”

 Sources of these funds include popular new Heasley and Little League apparel designed by Clauson Arts, a Methodist Hospital, and the Darlas, Nolan and 
Peterson Families operating the busy Heasley Diner formerly run by Lisa Carlson.

 Many locals are also unaware that the famous Sierra Madre Beer Garden, held every July 3rd at Memorial Park as part of the massive family celebration, is 
the biggest annual benefit for SMLL. The producer of this event is the “Friends of Sierra Madre Little League”, a division of the SM Civic Club, who donates the 
majority of proceeds from this event to SMLL.

 “We are reaching out to make sure everyone possible stays in town for Independence day festivities, from the Beer Garden July 3 through the parade on July 4,” 
says Beer Garden committee chair Russ Meek. “These are the biggest events anywhere East of the Rose Bowl, and it is so special to be involved during our town’s 
proudest hours. Helping throw these events has become its own fun tradition for many locals, so we welcome new faces to join this great team.” 

 Russ Meek, Beer Garden Event Chair, 626.827.5011 / bestwinela@gmail.com


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