Mountain View News Saturday, October 17, 2026 

ASM. HARABEDIAN RECEIVES ARMENIAN 
NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICAWESTERN 
REGION’S 2026 LEGISLATOR OF 
THE YEAR AWARD 

Recognition honors his legislative work on Armenian American 
inclusion, advocacy for Armenian prisoners and displaced ArtsakhArmenians, and efforts to strengthen California-Armenia ties 

Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) received theArmenian National Committee of American-Western Region’s(ANCA-WR) 2026 Legislator of the Year Award at the organization's 
annual gala on Sunday, October 11 in Los Angeles.
As the only Armenian American currently serving in the CaliforniaState Legislature, Harabedian has brought these issues directly to theLegislature. His connection to this work is also personal. His great-
grandparents survived the Armenian Genocide, and their experience 


WALKING SIERRA MADRE: 

“Anyone could see that the wind was a special wind this night, and the darkness took on a 
Special feel because it was All Hallows’ Eve.” Ray Bradbury 

“Witches wail and werewolves howl, ghosts say ‘boo!’ and Monsters scowl.
Jack-o-lanterns grin all night as children shiver with delight.” Nicholas Gordon 

We are in the middle of October and Halloween is just two weeks away. Exactly two 
weeks from today! Even though we’ve had some rain, it’s still warmer than we really 
want to be. Many of us are still wearing shorts, for pity’s sake! 

O…Oh please, oh please, let it cool off. Let us feel chilled, shiver, reach for a sweater. 
C…Cider. Hot apple cider, with a cinnamon stick in it. In a hot steamy mug. Fragrant,
delicious. 
T…Time to watch for scarecrows, think of goblins, imagine witches flying across the 

moon. 
O…Out! Go out and find pumpkins to carve and create awesomely awful faces. 
B…Be outrageous and try Pumpkin Wine or Pumpkin ale with a cinnamon sugar rim. 
E…Explore all over town and see how many scarecrows you can find. Even better, 

stuff your own and make it scary or cute or an alien being. 
R…Read a scary story: “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” by Ray Bradbury or 
take your pick from the thousands available on Amazon. 

The picture this week is one of the fabulous window paintings from last Halloween. Now 
I ask you, doesn’t this just totally creep you out? It’s awesome.. If you haven’t signed upfor window painting, you should do that and display your hidden inner creepy talent. 


The scarecrow competition is heating up all over town and you might not have an accurate description of a scarecrow: “a scarecrow 
is an object made to resemble a human figure, set up to scare birds away from a field where crops are growing.” Also, “an object of 
baseless fear.” We could certainly apply the term “scarecrow” meaning ‘an object of baseless fear’ to an awful lot of what is going on 
in our world currently, but I digress! 

A scarecrow’s meant to scare you, to make you go away,

If you’re a crow and think you’ll steal the seeds that we just planted.

A scarecrow standing anywhere, could make you run away.

His clothes are a fashion nightmare, the colors just plain scary.

His face a bony skeleton mask with a creepy toothy smile.

The hat he wears won’t match his coat, but neighbors have a care!

For when the moon is full and bright, like it just might be tonight,

This scarecrow standing on the corner, can cause an awful fright!

For maybe when it’s midnight, he can move and dance and sing,

He might be more than a creepy guy, standing on your neighbor’s lawn,

He might just be a living, breathing, terrifying thing! 

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” Henry David Thoreau 

More and more pumpkins are appearing just about everywhere you look and there’s something about them that makes you smile. Yes,
it’s definitely Fall. 

October always makes me think of Charles Schulz and his immortal comic strip, “Peanuts.” Linus is probably already out there in his 
pumpkin patch, hoping that this year the Great Pumpkin will decide that Linus has, indeed, created the most sincere pumpkin patch, 
and will rise up and scatter presents all over the place. Charlie Brown will be kind but disbelieving, Lucy will be scornful, but Linus 
will always believe. 

“Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.” 
Winnie the Pooh 

October is here, it’s officially Fall and you might find a scarecrow around town that sends your imagination flying! 

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne DavisThere are treasures there! Trust me! 
Including “Just Desserts” A Fall Fantasy of Pumpkins Gone Wrong! 

continues to inform his promise to preserving Armenian history andidentity and advocating for human rights.

“Our history is not something we inherit simply toremember. We inherit it with a responsibility to carry it forward. Forme, that means using the seat I hold in the California Legislature tomake sure Armenian Americans are seen in our laws, that the rightsand dignity of Armenians are defended, and that the relationshipbetween California and Armenia continues to grow. I’m honored bythis recognition from the ANCA-Western Region. The Armeniancommunity has spent generations making sure our history is never 
forgotten. I see my work as part of that same responsibility,” saidAssemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena).

The award recognizes Harabedian’s legislative work andadvocacy on issues affecting Armenian Americans, Armenia, and 
Artsakh. In 2025, Harabedian passed AB 91, the MENA InclusionAct, into law. The legislation expanded demographic data collectionto better reflect California’s Middle Eastern and North African 
communities, including Armenian Americans.

 Harabedian has also advocated for the release of Armenian 

prisoners of war, hostages, and political prisoners held in Azerbaijan,

as well as the right of return for Armenians forcibly displaced from

Artsakh. In April 2026, he led a bipartisan letter signed by more than

25 members of the Legislature calling for action on these issues.

Earlier this year, Harabedian also chaired the newly established 

Assembly Select Committee on California and Armenia Mutual

Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange. The committee examines

opportunities to strengthen economic, educational, and cultural ties

between California and Armenia. 

Harabedian represents California’s 41st Assembly District,
which includes communities across the San Gabriel Valley andportions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. He servesas Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, Chair of theArmenian Legislative Caucus Foundation, and Chair of the AssemblySelect Committee on California and Armenia Mutual Trade, Art,
and Cultural Exchange. 

The Social Side by Deanne Davis 

Featuring the amazing Emma Gainsworth! 

EL NINO (cont. from page 1) 

assist with evacuation planning during disasters.
The discussion highlighted the importance ofpreparing residents before emergencies occur,
particularly in neighborhoods with limited access 
routes. 

FEMA Reimbursement Concerns 

Councilmembers also discussed how the 
emergency declaration could affect the City's abilityto document expenses and seek reimbursementfor disaster-related costs. Kelly Kriebs initiallyquestioned the direct benefits of the declarationbut said Bruckner's presentation helped address 
those concerns. 

"I do think, you know, the more preparedwe can be, the better," Kriebs said. She supportedhaving emergency funding available and notedthat advance planning could improve the City's 
ability to account for expenses that might qualifyfor reimbursement. Kriebs also suggested thatsome of Sierra Madre's previous reimbursementdifficulties following the Eaton Fire may haveresulted from addressing expenses after the 
fact rather than establishing the necessaryadministrative framework beforehand. 

Mayor Lowe expressed frustration withthe City's efforts to obtain reimbursement from 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency fordamage from the February 2025 debris flows. Iknow that FEMA didn't reimburse us because we 
didn't have the declaration of emergency for theland, for the mudslides. We only had it for the fire,"
Lowe said. She added that FEMA had repeatedlydenied reimbursement requests related to thedebris flows. 

Garcia responded that he had previouslyadvocated including mudflows and debris flowsin the City's emergency declaration. Kriebs 
also expressed frustration with the overall 

reimbursement process, noting that the City hadyet to receive reimbursement for other disaster-
related expenses.

The discussion underscored another 
potential benefit of declaring an emergency beforesevere weather occurs: establishing a clearer recordof emergency conditions and related expendituresthat could support future reimbursement requests.
However, an emergency declaration does notautomatically guarantee reimbursement fromFEMA or other agencies. 

City Expanding Storm Preparations

Sierra Madre has already undertakensubstantial emergency preparedness work 
following the Eaton Fire and subsequent debris 
flows. Previous efforts included inspecting 
and clearing storm drains and debris basins,
distributing thousands of sandbags, installingmore than 500 feet of concrete K-rail barriers, andremoving substantial quantities of debris from theSierra Madre Dam and debris basins managed bythe City and Los Angeles County.

Bruckner reported that Public Workspersonnel have continued inspecting and clearingstorm drains and drainage easements, removingaccumulated sediment and debris, installingerosion-control measures, and monitoring 
vulnerable areas. Sand and sandbags have also 
been made available to residents at City facilities.
In addition to physical preparations, the Cityhas been strengthening its emergency responsecapabilities. Bruckner said the City conducted twoEmergency Operations Center training sessions inrecent weeks, with another practical emergency-
scenario exercise scheduled. 

The exercise will help City personnelevaluate coordination among Police, Fire,
Public Works, and other departments during ahypothetical severe storm and post-Eaton Firedebris-flow event. Other preparations include 

SIERRA MADRE FIRE DEPARTMENT 
SELECTS FIRST DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF 

October 14, 2026 – 
The Sierra Madre 
Fire Department 
has selected Daniel 
Sifuentes as its first 
Deputy Fire Chief. 
Sifuentes bringsmore than 20 years ofCalifornia fire service 
experience, with a 
background in fire 
prevention, emergency 
management, and 
emergency response. 

The City Council 
approved the new 
position as part of theFiscal Year 2026–27 budget in response to the Eaton Fire and theneed to strengthen the City’s emergency preparedness and FireDepartment leadership. The fire reinforced the importance ofpreparing for major emergencies, reducing risks before an incidentoccurs, and having sufficient command staff to manage a prolongedresponse while maintaining daily operations. 


“The creation of this position represents an important step forwardfor our Department and our commitment to protecting thecommunity,” said Fire Chief Bartlett. “Daniel brings the experience,
leadership, and collaborative approach needed to strengthen ourprevention efforts and build lasting community partnerships. Iam excited to welcome him to Sierra Madre and look forward to 
working together to build a safer, more resilient community.” 

As the Department’s second-in-command, Sifuentes will supportFire Chief Bartlett and lead the Department’s Community RiskReduction efforts. His responsibilities will include fire prevention,
public education, emergency preparedness, and coordination withresidents and regional partners. 

Sifuentes’ experience also includes code enforcement, fire 
engineering, program development, and mentoring personnel.
He helped establish an emergency food distribution program inTorrance during the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinated damageassessment efforts following the March 2023 tornado in Montebello. 

Sifuentes lives in Whittier with his wife and two children. He enjoyssupporting his children’s activities and maintaining an urbangarden established in honor of his late father. 


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reviewing emergency equipment, contractor 
availability, evacuation procedures, emergencycommunications, staffing plans, and temporaryshelter arrangements.

These activities will continue throughoutthe rainy season and may be adjusted as weatherforecasts and conditions change. 

Residents Urged to Prepare Before Storms Arrive

City officials encourage residents to take 
precautions now rather than wait until severeweather approaches. Homeowners should clear 
leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts, anddrainage areas; inspect roofs; secure outdoorbelongings; and make sure water drains awayfrom structures. 

Residents living near hillsides, drainagechannels, or areas previously affected by mudflowsshould pay particular attention to their property's 
vulnerability. 

Los Angeles County Public Works 
provides property-specific information about 
potential mudflow hazards through its MudflowHotline at (800) 933-0930. 

Households should also maintain 
emergency supplies, including food, water, 
medications, important documents, clothing,
phone chargers, and other necessities. Emergencyplans should account for pets, family membersrequiring additional assistance, and alternativeevacuation routes. 

Bruckner particularly emphasized theimportance of residents receiving emergencynotifications. "We strongly encourage residentsto sign up for Nixle emergency alerts by textingtheir zip code to 888-777," he said. Nixle providesinformation about emergencies, road closures, 

weather conditions, and other public safety 
concerns. 

Residents should also familiarize 
themselves with Genasys Protect, identify theirevacuation zones, and monitor official evacuationwarnings and orders. Officials emphasized thatresidents should evacuate promptly when orderedbecause emergency responders may be unable tosafely reach homes during an active debris flow. 

Property owners are also encouraged to 
review their insurance coverage before the rainyseason. Standard homeowners' insurance policiesgenerally do not cover flood damage, and NationalFlood Insurance Program policies typically have a30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. 

Preparing Before Disaster Strikes

The Council's unanimous approval ofResolutions 26-93 and 26-94 reflects an effort to 
address potential storm-related threats before theydevelop into a larger emergency.

Although the severity and timing ofpotential El Niño storms remain uncertain, SierraMadre's experience following the Eaton Fire hasdemonstrated the dangers associated with heavyrainfall on fire-damaged hillsides.

By establishing an emergency-
management framework and setting aside 
additional funding, City officials hope to improveresponse capabilities, reduce potential propertydamage, protect critical infrastructure, and 
avoid some of the financial and administrative 
difficulties encountered during previous disasters. 

The City plans to continue providing 
storm preparedness information, emergency 
notifications, sandbag availability updates, and 
evacuation guidance throughout the 2026–2027rainy season. 

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