BALLOT MEASURE (continued from page 1)

the circumstances of the city budget and the 
lack of revenue to sustain our own city fire, 
police, and paramedic programs,” Walsworth 
stated. He stressed the importance of educating 
the public on this issue and asked for the City 
Council’s help. 

Many members of Emergency Services also 
spoke in support of the initiative and asked the 
City Council for its support. 

Councilmember Edward Garcia drove 
the point that Sierra Madre wants to stay 
“autonomous” and not have to outsource 
emergency services in the city. “We want to be 
able to have a Council elected by the city and 
have autonomy over the leadership of our own 
police department,” Garcia noted, paraphrasing 
the people’s opinion back in 2016 when the 
city moved from a volunteer to full-time staff. 
Garcia said the people wanted to retain police 
and fire services. 

“With the changes we have in our town now, 
the services are getting better…and as science 
and technology increase, and we must keep 
up with that and provide our citizens with the 
best service we can,” stated Councilmember 
Kristine Lowe, a former firefighter in Sierra 
Madre. Lowe also mentioned the importance 
of being part of a mutual aid program. 

After quoting a few budget numbers and 
showing the increasing deficits rising into 
the millions over the next five years, Pro Tem 
Mayor Parkhurst highlighted the situation’s 
urgency: “The problem is here now. And we 
need to solve it today,” Parkhurst said. “We are 
behind you 100%, and we are going to make it 
happen.”

City Council unanimously submitted the 
initiative without alteration for inclusion on 
the November 5, 2024, General Municipal 
Election ballot. The City Attorney will prepare 
an impartial analysis, and two town hall 
meetings will take place to inform the public 
and allow public comment on the initiative. 

2

Mountain View News Saturday June 29, 2024

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