Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, January 12, 2019

PARALLEL (continued from page 1)

 Currently the city has a $1.2 million dollar surplus in the general fund and 
the ability to continue to fund a fully staffed fire department in the future. 
And while Engeland feels that this approach is 'safest' for Sierra Madre, the 
lack of advance notice and complete information has angered many, especially 
since residents have approved the UUT to keep the Police, Fire and Paramedics 
in Sierra Madre.

 Engeland says his approach is basically to cover all possible outcomes, yet 
the staff report is worded as though the decision has already been made. 

 

 Many members of the SMFD needless to say, are not happy. A rather 
lengthy Letter To Citizens of Sierra Madre can be found on page B3.

 The City Manager assures those he speaks with that this is just the beginning 
of the process and that nothing has been finalized (true), yet there is a 
great deal of backlash from the actions taken so far. 

 In the meantime, the SMFD will continue staffing up and Arcadia will 
consider the dismantling of the department.

 *According the the Verdugo website, The Verdugo Fire Communications 
Center (VFCC) was established on August 1, 1979 by the founding cities of Burbank, 
Glendale and Pasadena. The purpose of VFCC was to allow the three 
cities to make optimum use of fire service resources and increase the overall 
effectiveness of the fire defense system of the joint cities. The agreement also included 
a “no borders” clause – the closest fire engine responded to calls regardless 
of jurisdiction. 

 Today, VFCC continues to be jointly owned by the Tri-Cities and provides fire, 
EMS and rescue dispatch services on a contract basis to the Hollywood Burbank 
Airport as well as 10 other cities in the region including Alhambra, Arcadia, 
Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, 
South Pasadena and Vernon. Although their website indicates Sierra Madre is 
included, their participation appears to be limited to the dispatching of calls 
to the city.

2

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Mountain View News Saturday, January 12, 2019 

 
Weather Wise

6-Day Forecast Sierra Madre, Ca.

 Sun Ptly Cldy Hi 60s Lows 50s 

 Mon: Rain Hi 60s Lows 50s

 Tues: Rain Hi 60s Lows 50s

 Wed: Rain Hi 60s Lows 50s

 Thur: Rain Hi 60s Lows 50s

 Fri: Rain Hi 60s Lows 50s

Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service

SIERRA MADRE CITY MEETINGS

 

CALENDAR 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed below are held at 
City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, Ca. 

626-355-7135

City Council

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

 Planning Commission 

January 3rd, 2019 at 7:00 pm

January 17th, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Community Service Commission 

January 21st, 2019 at 6:30 pm

Senior Community Commission 

January 3rd, 2019 at 3:00 pm CANCELLED

Special Meeting January 10th, 2019 at 3:00 pm

Library Board of Trustees

January 23rd, 2019 at 7:00 pm

 Energy, Environment, and Natural Resource 
Commission 

January 16th, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Can’t make it to the meeting, but still want to share your 
thoughts? You can mail or drop off a written statement to City 
Hall or email city@cityofsierramadre.com before 30 the night 
of the meeting and your statement will be delivered to all the 
Council Members.Sierra Madre City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024 (626) 355-7135 

JOIN US FOR LUNCH

KIWANIS CLUB OF 

SIERRA MADRE

Since 1927!

We meet every Tuesday at 
Noon

33 E Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, 
JANUARY 15, 2019

GUEST SPEAKER:

Sierra Madre City Manager Gabe Engeland

Lunch Begins at Noon and costs $10 - 

Programs begin at 12:30 and are free!

FOR LUNCH RESERVATIONS PLEASE 
CALL: 626-688-2273


1630 AM EMERGENCY RADIO & 

Free on-air publicity for local events

 Sierra Madre’s EMERGENCY radio station is now accepting scripts 
for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about community events. 
PSAs will be broadcast on the air at no charge. The station operates 
24/7 and can be heard at 1630 on the AM dial.

 Any local non-profit or non-commercial organization can have their 
event information broadcast to the public on Sierra Madre Community 
Information Radio. The station covers the city of Sierra Madre, plus 
surrounding areas of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Monrovia. 

Your event must:

• Benefit a non-commercial or non-profit entity
• Be open to the public
• Be of general interest to local citizens


Just 
write a Public Service Announcement that describes your event 
and e-mail it to radio@cityofsierramadre.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