SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2018 
VOLUME 12 NO. 05 
SIERRA MADRE EDITION 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2018 
VOLUME 12 NO. 05 
SIERRA MADRE EDITION 
SMPD Chief Joe Ortiz (right) welcomed Sergeant Kyle Bailey. Sgt. Bailey to the force this week. Baileyhas over 25 years in law enforcement with the Azusa Police Department. Kyle's grandfather was a Constable 
with Azusa PD and his father, Wayne Bailey, spent his career here in Sierra Madre and retired asSierra Madre's Chief of Police! Say hello to Sgt. Bailey whenever you get a chance. 

Photo courtesy SMPD 


WHO IS REALLY BEHIND MEASURE D? 


Are outside influences leading the charge to stop the city’s Utility User's Tax? 

On April 10, 2018 the residents of Sierra Madre will be asked whether or not to retain the existing UserUtility Tax (UUT) which provides funding for vital services in the city. The current tax was approved by 
voters by a wide margin in 2016 despite organized attempts to defeat it. In fact, the opposition, wagedby “Citizens For An Affordable Sierra Madre – No On Measure UUT 2016” campaign, terminatedprior to Election day. (http://mtnviewsnews.com/v10/htm/n15/index.htm). While the committee is 
still listed as ‘active’, activity surrounding Measure D has not yet surfaced. 

Measure D is sponsored by residents Earl Richey, a vocal longtime opponent of Sierra Madre’s city 
government and David McMonigle. It asks voters to abolish the existing Utility Users Tax that funds 
services like Police, Fire and Public Works in Sierra Madre. The tax generates a substantial portion 
of Sierra Madre’s General Fund and is paid for by taxing businesses, homeowners and renters, based 
upon their usage of qualifying utilities. As the city has no commercial tax base to speak of, like 
Arcadia or San Marino, the impact of a repeal would be significant. 

So, the question was asked, “who is really behind the push to repeal the tax?” It appears that In 
addition to those who signed the petition to qualify for the ballot, the California Tax Limitation 
Committee (CTLC) has their eyes on Sierra Madre. The group’s website has five city ‘profiles’ listed: 
San Marino, Pasadena, Ventura, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena and Glendale. Of those cities, only 
Sierra Madre has a recent posting as of January 28, 2018. The information listed from 2016 does not 
reflect the current financial position of the city. 

As election day gets closer, residents who live in Sierra Madre and vote in Sierra Madre, will need 
make an informed decision about the tax by learning how it impacts the quality of life and what life 
would be like without it. 

S. Henderson/MVNews 
ELECTION COVERAGE 
On April 10, 2018, voters in Sierra Madre will go to the polls and select three people from a field of four to 
sit on the City Council. They will also vote on Measure D (see related story above). The Mountain Views 
News will provide our readers with comprehensive coverage of this election. Each week, as we have done 
in the past, we will profile the candidates and give each of the candidates the opportunity to introduce 
themselves to our readers by answering the following questions: 
1. Why are you running for City Council? 2. What are you going to do for Sierra Madre? 
3. How do you plan on accomplishing your goals? 
(All candidates are being asked to answer the same questions and their answers will be published unedited.) 
The paper will also review the pros and cons of the proposed 
Measure D and the Advisory Measure. The schedule will be as 
follows: 
March 3rd Candidate Andy Bencosme 
March 10th Candidate Gene Goss 
March 17th Candidate Denise Delmar 
March 24th Candidate Rachelle Arizmendi 
March 31st Measure D and the Advisory Measure 
It is our sincere hope that each candidate will submit their answers so that we can share them with our 
readers. A separate letter has been sent to each candidate asking them to participate. 
In addition to the candidate spotlights, we will attempt to cover the various forums sponsored by local 
organizations. Where possible, the unedited video of these forums will be broadcast on the papers website. 
Our reporting on this election will be as fair and objective as possible. 
We will also provide for you the calendar of important dates regarding the election. MVNews 
WELCOME SGT. BAILEY 

Son of former SMPD Chief joins the department! 


THE LIBRARY SURVEY IS 
ON THE WAY! 

A Word From City Manager 
Gabe Engeland 

In early February every residential address will receive 
a survey asking for input on the future of theLibrary. The documents gathered here will giveadditional details on the state and condition of 
the current Library building and also will provideinformation relevant to the proposal to move theLibrary from its current location to the RecreationCenter at Sierra Vista Park.

 We are posting all available information in ourtransparency portal in an effort to help residentsbecome better educated on the issue prior to completing 
the survey. 

People have strong feelings about the Librarybuilding and the services the Library provides toour community. This survey will give every household 
the opportunity to express their opinions on 

this topic and inform the 
City Council of the desiresof the city as a whole. Thereis no wrong answer to thesurvey and we are committed 
to providing qualityLibrary services to the community 
regardless of theoutcome of the survey. 

If, after reviewing the documents, 
you have additionalquestions please feel freeto contact me directly atGEngeland@CityofSierraMadre.
com or call me at 626 
355 2917. 

All of this information can 
be found at: 
www.CityofSierraMadre.
com/Transparency 

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