Sierra Madre Springs Forward: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY!


SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025

VOLUME 19 NO.10VOLUME 19 NO.10

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides 
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proximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.EAt WMG, we’ve always 
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SIERRA MADRE'S CHIEF CELEBRITY

CITY SEEKS DAMAGES 
FROM SOUTHERN 
CALIFORNIA EDISON 
OVER EATON FIRE 
DESTRUCTION

(Sierra Madre) The City of Sierra Madre initiated legal proceedings 
today against Southern California Edison for damages 
to public lands, trail systems, and infrastructure caused 
by the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

“The January fire devastated irreplaceable wilderness areas 
that are central to Sierra Madre’s identity and character,” 
stated Mayor Robert Parkhurst. “Our historic wilderness 
areas and the Mount Wilson Trail – treasured community 
resources that draw visitors from across Southern California 
–now require extensive rehabilitation that will burden our
city for years to come.”

The litigation follows Edison’s February 6 disclosure to the 
California Public Utilities Commission admitting that a 
“fault was detected” on its Eagle Rock-Gould transmission 
circuit coinciding with the fire’s ignition time and location. 
Video and photographic evidence show flames erupting 
near the base of Edison transmission towers in Eaton Canyon 
moments after electrical anomalies were recorded.

Damage sustained by Sierra Madre includes:

•Severe ecological harm to the Sierra Madre Historical Wilderness Area
•Destruction of significant portions of the historic
Mount Wilson Trail network
•Heightened vulnerability to post-fire mudslides requiring immediate mitigation
•Damage to municipal infrastructure including
roads and water systems


The lawsuit contends that despite explicit warnings from 
the National Weather Service about extreme fire danger and 
winds forecasted to reach 100 mph in the foothills, Edison 
failed to adequately de-energize its equipment in high-risk 
areas.

“What makes this disaster particularly troubling is its preventability,” 
Mayor Robert Parkhurst added. “The documented 
weather warnings provided Edison with ample 
notice of the dangerous conditions developing in our community.”


The legal action includes eight causes of action ranging from 
inverse condemnation to violations of Public Utilities and 
Health & Safety codes. In addition to compensation for 
direct damages, the city seeks recovery of fire suppression 
costs, ongoing expenses for restoration of natural resources, 
and funds to address heightened flood and debris flow risks 
resulting from the fire’s destruction of hillside vegetation.

The January 7th Eaton Fire ultimately consumed more than 
14,000 acres, destroyed approximately 9,400 structures 
throughout the region, and claimed 17 lives. Los Angeles 
County and the City of Pasadena also filed lawsuits against 
Edison today.

The City of Sierra Madre is represented by City Attorney 
Aleks Giragosian of Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, 
P.C., with additional representation from outside counsel
John Fiske, Torri Sherlin, and Taylor O’Neal of Baron &
Budd P.C., and Ed Diab, Rob Chambers, and Kristen Barton
of Diab Chambers LLP, the same legal team supporting Los
Angeles County and Pasadena in its related litigation.

Related story on Page 4.


In case you missed it, at last week's Academy Awards, there was a special recognition 
of 12 firefighters from various cities in LA County. Among them was Sierra Madre's 
Fire Chief Brent Bartlett, seen above next to TV Host Conan O'Brien. The firefighters 
received more than a minute of cheering from the audience for their heroic efforts 
during January's devastating wildfires. Thank you Chief Bartlett for your leadership! 
Photo Courtesy LAC

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO WEAR 
BODY CAMS By Kevin McGuire/MVNews

Code Enforcement Officers in Sierra 
Madre will now be required to wear 
body-worn cameras after the City 
Council adopted the policy during their 
regular meeting on Tuesday, February 
25, 2025. 

Code Enforcement Officers enforce 
municipal codes in the city and 
investigate violations as directed by 
the City Manager. These codes include 
building and zoning codes. Code 
Enforcement Officers aim to serve 
the public by improving the residents’ 
quality of life by reporting health and 
safety risks. 

Across the county, police departments 
and other municipalities are 
increasingly using body-worn cameras 
(“BWC”) to effectively monitor and 
record enforcement interactions with 
the public by governmental employees. 
The SMPD has issued BWCs to each 
of its police personnel responsible for 
enforcement efforts. These recordings 
have been instrumental in accurately 
recording public interactions and 
enforcement actions. These recordings 
may also reduce civil liability to the 
City, according to City Attorney Aleks 
Giragosian’s agenda report presented 
before the City Council.

Giragosian explained why he feels 
BWC would benefit Code Enforcement 
Officers. “It’s happened more than 
once; our Code Enforcement Officer 
spots construction at a site, goes to that 
site, and tells the workers they need 
to stop work. The property owner will 
come and get in a fight with our Code 
Enforcement Officer and then lodge a 
complaint against the city.” Giragosian 
followed up by saying it turns into a 
“he said, she said” situation, and no 
one knows what actually transpired. 
“It makes processing these cases more 
difficult,” Giragosian said. 

The city consulted with the Sierra Madre 
Police Department to determine which 
body-worn cameras would be the best 
option for Code Enforcement Officers. 
Axon BWC was recommended, and 
two have been purchased so far.

(continued on page 2)


INSIDE THIS WEEK

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SIERRA MADRE NEWS & NOTICES Page 2-3

PASADENA NEWS Page 4

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Page 5

FIRE RECOVERY INFORMATION Page 6

EDUCATION & YOUTHPage 7

PUZZLES & MOREPage 8

FOOD -DRINK-FUNPage 9

BEST FRIENDSPage 10

 Homelessness...............Christopher Nyerges

THE GOOD LIFEPage 11

 How To Replace Important Documents Make Room For Laughter

OPINION. Page 12

LEGAL NOTICESPage 12/13

SPORTS & FITNESS & MOREPage 14

 AI For Fitness...............Michele Kidd

 Unlock Your Life..........Lori Harris

 All Things.....................Jeff Brown

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSSES Page 15

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