SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2022 VOLUME 16 NO. 3VOLUME 16 NO. 3 
real estate 
Jan Greteman 626.975.4033 
jan@jangreteman.com 
jangreteman.com #01943630 
Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273 
jwmartin@dppre.com #00541631 
Katie Orth 626.688.0418 
korth@dppre.com #00942500 
Your Story. Your Home. Your Team. 
Together Stronger. 
We're doing very well for our clients in 
buying and selling homes. 
Call us today for a free home assessment 
with no obligations. 
THE 
WEBB-MARTIN GROUP 
JUST SOLD 
JUST SOLD 
143 East Highland Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
225 South Sunnyside Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
790 Hamilton Avenue 
Pasadena, 91104 
143EHighland.com225SSunnyside.com2 Beds | 1 Bath | 889 sf | 4,578 sf lot 
4 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,538 sf | 8,211 sf lot 
3 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,250 sf | 3,361 sf lot 
1923 Spanish-Style Bungalow 
Mid-Century Ranch 
1924 Storybook Cottage 
Sold at $921,500 
Sold at $1,102,500 
Listed at $895,000 
HappyWe look forward to 
serving all your buying 
and selling real estate 
needs in 2022! 
Happy 
Sincerely, 
Judy, Katie and Jan 
The Webb-Martin GroupNew 
YearYear 
NewNewNew 
Open House Sunday 1-4pm 
Sold Over Asking with Multiple Offers 
Sold Over Asking with Multiple Offers 
"The time is always right to do what is right."- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
HONOR THE DAY WITH SERVICE & CIVILITY - JANUARY 17, 2022 
MINER HARKNESS, A TRUE SIERRA 
MADRE TREASURE, PASSES AWAY 
“The mountains are callingand I must go, and I will 
work on while I can, study-
ing incessantly”
-John Muir 
On December 25, 2021,
Miner Yerxa Harkness 
passed away at his home 
in Hailey, Idaho at the age 
of 92. He died peacefully 
with a gentle fire near and 
a quiet view of the snowyhills and river, surrounded 
by his family.
Miner was born 
in Pasadena, California on 
October 6, 1929 to Alice 
Yerxa Harkness and Edson 
Miner Harkness of Sierra 
Madre, California. 
He grew up in Si-
erra Madre, swimming the 
canyon pool and huntingHastings Ranch. Miner’s 
heart forever remained 
in the mountains and the 
coast he was born in. He 
spent many of his early 
summers in San Clemente 
as a surfer and lifeguard. 
He was an avid surfer, as 
well as a member of the 
San Onofre Surfing Club,
for many years. Nature was his lifelong passion. 
When his nation called, Miner answered. He joined the Na-
tional Guard and was quickly drafted into the US Army. Miner served 
with honor in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He was deployed as 
a member of a heavy mortar company in the 24th and 40th divisions of 
the US Army and was honorably discharged at the end of his service. 
Miner remained a proud veteran for the rest of his life. 
After coming home, Miner took over his father’s insurance 
company, Miner Harkness Insurance. He expanded the reach and im-
pact of the business and provided insurance to friends, neighbors, and 
the community for over 50 years. Still, Miner’s true love was the Sierra 
Madre Search and Rescue Team. His Army training and larger-than-
life personality made him a natural leader. As a fixture of the team, he 
helped pioneer new uses for bloodhounds and helicopters in mountain 
rescue. Over 30 years, almost a decade as President, and many lives 
saved, he developed tactics and protocols that pushed mountain rescue 
forward. 
In 1962, he married the love of his life Sara whose steadfast sup-
port helped him achieve all that he did. Together they raised three sons 
and two daughters. In the first half of his life, Miner built a successful 
business, raised a family, and contributed to his community. He trained 
bloodhounds to save lives in the mountains of the Western United 
States, surfed thousands of waves, skied hundreds of runs, and had a 
seemingly limitless capacity to find friends wherever he went. When an 
accident stole his ability to surf and ski and climb at just 59 years old,
Miner took up new interests with the same passionate intensity with 
which he lived his entire life. 
In his later years Miner retired to Idaho where his love of nature 
helped shepherd a new generation. Miner and Sara set deep roots in 
their new community. An active member of the Presbyterian Church 
and the local Legion chapter, Miner was a fixture in many a Fourth of 
July and Wagon Days parade. He continued to honor his lifelong love 
for the outdoors and, even as he relied on a cane and later a wheelchair,
he never missed a hunting season or a chance to go fishing. Not age or 
worried family or illness could stop him. More than once, he took his 
electric wheelchair so far off road he had to be towed out. At 92 years 
old, Miner was still looking for the next Elk or preparing to take a boat 
out for a day of fishing. 
(continued on page 2) 
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2022 VOLUME 16 NO. 3VOLUME 16 NO. 3 
real estate 
Jan Greteman 626.975.4033 
jan@jangreteman.com 
jangreteman.com #01943630 
Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273 
jwmartin@dppre.com #00541631 
Katie Orth 626.688.0418 
korth@dppre.com #00942500 
Your Story. Your Home. Your Team. 
Together Stronger. 
We're doing very well for our clients in 
buying and selling homes. 
Call us today for a free home assessment 
with no obligations. 
THE 
WEBB-MARTIN GROUP 
JUST SOLD 
JUST SOLD 
143 East Highland Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
225 South Sunnyside Avenue 
Sierra Madre, 91024 
790 Hamilton Avenue 
Pasadena, 91104 
143EHighland.com225SSunnyside.com2 Beds | 1 Bath | 889 sf | 4,578 sf lot 
4 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,538 sf | 8,211 sf lot 
3 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,250 sf | 3,361 sf lot 
1923 Spanish-Style Bungalow 
Mid-Century Ranch 
1924 Storybook Cottage 
Sold at $921,500 
Sold at $1,102,500 
Listed at $895,000 
HappyWe look forward to 
serving all your buying 
and selling real estate 
needs in 2022! 
Happy 
Sincerely, 
Judy, Katie and Jan 
The Webb-Martin GroupNew 
YearYear 
NewNewNew 
Open House Sunday 1-4pm 
Sold Over Asking with Multiple Offers 
Sold Over Asking with Multiple Offers 
"The time is always right to do what is right."- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
HONOR THE DAY WITH SERVICE & CIVILITY - JANUARY 17, 2022 
MINER HARKNESS, A TRUE SIERRA 
MADRE TREASURE, PASSES AWAY 
“The mountains are callingand I must go, and I will 
work on while I can, study-
ing incessantly”
-John Muir 
On December 25, 2021,
Miner Yerxa Harkness 
passed away at his home 
in Hailey, Idaho at the age 
of 92. He died peacefully 
with a gentle fire near and 
a quiet view of the snowyhills and river, surrounded 
by his family.
Miner was born 
in Pasadena, California on 
October 6, 1929 to Alice 
Yerxa Harkness and Edson 
Miner Harkness of Sierra 
Madre, California. 
He grew up in Si-
erra Madre, swimming the 
canyon pool and huntingHastings Ranch. Miner’s 
heart forever remained 
in the mountains and the 
coast he was born in. He 
spent many of his early 
summers in San Clemente 
as a surfer and lifeguard. 
He was an avid surfer, as 
well as a member of the 
San Onofre Surfing Club,
for many years. Nature was his lifelong passion. 
When his nation called, Miner answered. He joined the Na-
tional Guard and was quickly drafted into the US Army. Miner served 
with honor in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He was deployed as 
a member of a heavy mortar company in the 24th and 40th divisions of 
the US Army and was honorably discharged at the end of his service. 
Miner remained a proud veteran for the rest of his life. 
After coming home, Miner took over his father’s insurance 
company, Miner Harkness Insurance. He expanded the reach and im-
pact of the business and provided insurance to friends, neighbors, and 
the community for over 50 years. Still, Miner’s true love was the Sierra 
Madre Search and Rescue Team. His Army training and larger-than-
life personality made him a natural leader. As a fixture of the team, he 
helped pioneer new uses for bloodhounds and helicopters in mountain 
rescue. Over 30 years, almost a decade as President, and many lives 
saved, he developed tactics and protocols that pushed mountain rescue 
forward. 
In 1962, he married the love of his life Sara whose steadfast sup-
port helped him achieve all that he did. Together they raised three sons 
and two daughters. In the first half of his life, Miner built a successful 
business, raised a family, and contributed to his community. He trained 
bloodhounds to save lives in the mountains of the Western United 
States, surfed thousands of waves, skied hundreds of runs, and had a 
seemingly limitless capacity to find friends wherever he went. When an 
accident stole his ability to surf and ski and climb at just 59 years old,
Miner took up new interests with the same passionate intensity with 
which he lived his entire life. 
In his later years Miner retired to Idaho where his love of nature 
helped shepherd a new generation. Miner and Sara set deep roots in 
their new community. An active member of the Presbyterian Church 
and the local Legion chapter, Miner was a fixture in many a Fourth of 
July and Wagon Days parade. He continued to honor his lifelong love 
for the outdoors and, even as he relied on a cane and later a wheelchair,
he never missed a hunting season or a chance to go fishing. Not age or 
worried family or illness could stop him. More than once, he took his 
electric wheelchair so far off road he had to be towed out. At 92 years 
old, Miner was still looking for the next Elk or preparing to take a boat 
out for a day of fishing. 
(continued on page 2) 
CITY OFFICES CLOSE PUBLIC 
ACCESS AS VARIANT SPREADS 

The City of Sierra Madre made 
the decision to close City facilities 
to the public for 30 days, effective 
January 12, 2022 due to the rising 
cases of COVID. During this time 
staff will continue to conduct Citybusiness either on-site or remotely. 
Appointments may be made by 
calling each respective department. 

In the last seven days, Sierra Madre 
has seen an large increase of more 
than 101 new cases of COVID 19 
and/or its variants. That is the largest 
7 day increase since the pandemic 
began.

 Neighboring cities have also experienced 
a concerning increase 
in cases: Arcadia 528 new cases, 
Altadena 460, Pasadena 424, Monrovia 
430, Duarte 243 and South 
Pasadena 205. The death rate, however 
have only increased by 5 for all 
cities combined. 

In Sierra Madre Police and Fire 
Department lobby is closed but 

may be accessed by first ringing the 
door bell. 

City Manager Jose Reynoso the 
decision to close for 30 days once 
it became clear that the infection 
numbers were continuing to increase 
and a few staff members 
were ill. In an effort to mitigate any 
continued spread it became evident 
that steps needed to be made to 
protect City staff and the public. 

Currently all programs at the Hart 
Park House Senior Center have 
been paused and the Library is 
looking to identify programming 
that can be managed virtually. 

The annual Honors Dinner and 
Award Ceremony has also been 
postponed until February 9, 2022 
and will be moved to a virtual 
platform instead of an in-person 
reception. 

MVNews 

MAYOR GENE GOSS KICKS OFF 
NEW YEAR 


More remote and hybrid 
meetings to come as 
Omicron surges 

By Kevin McGuire 

“So, it is a new year, and we all want 
to try to be as positive and forward-
thinking as possible in the first week 
of the new year,” Mayor Gene Goss 
stated in the first City Council meeting 
of 2022. 

Mayor Goss then read a series of famous 
quotes about “change,” including this one from Socrates: "The secret 
of change is to focus all of your energy not on the fighting the old, but on 
building the new." 

The meeting, which took place in City Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 
11th., was short and sweet, running about 35 minutes before many 
empty seats. In addition to the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Edward Garcia, and 
Council Members Rachelle Arizmendi, Kelly Kriebs, City Attorney, Aleks 
Giragosian, City Manager Jose Reynoso, and City Clerk Laura Aguilar were 
in attendance. Council Member Robert Parkhurst was not present but did 
send his comments for items on the agenda. 

Agenda Shortened 

Due to the COVID Omicron variant spreading like wildfire across the Los 
Angeles area, presentations by the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation 
Society and Fire Chief Bartlett on the Implementation of the Reserve Firefighter 
Program were canceled. Presentations will remain shut down until 
further notice. The council did confirm the Mayor's committee assignements 
for 2022. 

Public Comment E-mails 

City Council has been discussing ways to reduce the length of meetings, 
which have run 2 to 3 hours or more, at times. City Clerk Aguilar announced 
that e-mailed public comments would be posted on the city website 
and no longer read during the live meetings as a way to save time. 

This was met with some pushback by Gary Hood, one of the few residents 
in attendance. “I think [it] further distances the community,” Hood said. 
“More than 50% of the community are senior citizens, the voting community… 
I don’t think the senior citizens are all that up on the electronics, so 
I think that by not reading public comments at the City Council meetings, 
you’re losing contact with a pretty good portion of the voting communities. 
So, I would like to see you reconsider that,” Hood stated. 

Hybrid and Teleconferenced Council Meetings

In March 2020, like many legislative bodies across the country, Sierra 
Madre went remote due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Governor Newsom, 
at the time declared a State of Emergency and authorized executive orders 
which modified the Brown Act, the state’s local agency public meeting law. 

As the pandemic continued into 2021, many local governments in California 
wanted to continue remote, teleconferenced meetings to protect the 
public's health and safety. A bill was passed to accommodate this, but unlike 
the executive orders, Bill AB 361 requires the city to “make affirmative 
findings to take advantage of the more flexible teleconferencing standards.” 

On the day of this meeting, January 11, 2022, 34,827 new COVID-19 cases 
were reported in Los Angeles County due to the surge of the omicron 
variant. 

As a result, City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 22-05 authorizing 
hybrid and fully remote teleconferenced meetings for 30 days. At the 
end of the 30 days, Council will have to reevaluate the situation and decide 
whether to pass another resolution for a 30-day extension. 

The hybrid option means that City Council Members can attend meetingsin-person or remotely without upsetting the quorum necessary to conduct 
city business. The city would have to provide means for the public to join 
meetings remotely if they so choose. 

With that vote, the first meeting under Mayor Gene Goss concluded. For 
more information, visit the City website at cityofsierramadre.com.