SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015

VOLUME 9 NO. 44

“EL NIÑO - GET READY” 

CLIMATOLOGIST DR. BILL 
PATZERT TO SPEAK AT SIERRA 
MADRE KIWANIS CLUB

On Tuesday, November 3rd, Dr. Bill Patzert 
will address the Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club on 
preparing ourselves for the upcoming El Niño.

Often called the "Prophet of California climate," 
Patzert has been a scientist at the California Institute 
of Technology’s NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
(JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. for 31 years. Working 
on numerous NASA space missions, his research 
is focused on improving our understanding of 
important environmental problems ranging from 
El Niño and La Niña to longer-term climate change. 

The author of many scientific and popular articles, 
and recipient of many honors, Bill works with 
students from all over the world, and lectures at 
many local universities. A media favorite, he is 
often sought out by reporters and is regularly seen 
on local and national television representing NASA 
and JPL. In a recent article, he was named as one of 
the West’s most influential individuals in dealing 
with water issues. 

Lunch will be served at noon and is $10. The 
program will begin at 12:30 and is free. Reservations 
are requested. Call 626-355-0728. Kiwanis meets 
at The Lodge (formerly the Masonic Temple) 33 
E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, Ca. Ample 
parking in the back of the building. 

THOUSANDS EXPECTED IN SIERRA 
MADRE FOR HALLOWEEN

COUNCIL TO REQUEST 
PHASE II FROM SHERIFF 
FOR CONTRACTING OUT 
POLICE SERVICES

 
After receiving the recommendation not to 
contract out Police services to the LA Sheriff’s 
Department from the Public Safety Ad Hoc 
Committee, the City Council decided to move 
forward with the second phase of the proposal 
process.

 The committee, which was chaired by Former 
Mayor Glenn Lambdin met the day before with 
representatives of the Sheriff’s Department and 
members of the community and submitted their 
findings to the council. 

 Speaker after speaker came to the podium on 
Tuesday in support of the Police Department with 
many offering to write checks on the spot to help 
raise the necessary funds to keep the department 
going.

 The primary opposition to changing to the 
Sheriff’s Department has been the LASD’s ‘lack of 
understanding of the culture of Sierra Madre and 
its’ ability to adapt accordingly’. Other residents 
cited that the Sheriff’s Department proposals would 
greatly diminish our law enforcement footprint 
and real dollar savings would not be realized until 
two - seven years after the contract goes into effect, 
depending on which option is chosen. 

 While the majority of those speaking at the 
podium were against contracting out in any 
form, there were a few who felt it was the fiscally 
responsible thing to do. 

 One of the issues that kept resurfacing was 
the fate of the Utility Users Tax that will go on the 
April ballot. If the measure passes and the rate 
increases to 10%, there will be sufficient revenue 
to sustain the department for the next several 
years. However, since there is the possibility that 
the measure may fail, the council unanimously felt 
that asking the Sheriff’s Department to move on to 
Phase II would give the council an option should 
the UUT increase be denied by voters.

 The cost associated with preparation of Phase 
II which ranges anywhere from $25,000-$50,000 
and the council has requested more information 
on what the actual cost would be. 

 During the 4 hour meeting, the mood was quite 
civil although Former Mayor John Harabedian 
and Mayor Pro Tem Gene Goss both took issue 
with public comments that overlooked the fact that 
the city has reduced costs by almost $2 million in 
the last two years.

 According to City Manager Elaine Aguilar, the 
Phase II proposal will take 3-6 months to prepare. 

 S. Henderson/MVNews 

“Just Visiting” is what most of the 10,000 people expected in Sierra Madre will say. 
This message is conveyed above by Kenby Morrison one of the winners of the 0-2 
Year Old category in the costume contest. He is shown with his Dad, Mark Morrison 
while Mom holds the sign. Photo by Dean Lee/MVNews

 The culmination of Sierra Madre’s month 
long celebration of Halloween will begin 
at sundown October 31st. At that time 
thousands will flock the streets of Sierra 
Madre to view the many homes decorated 
for Halloween, view the 85 scarecrows 
around town, view the 80+ decorated shop 
windows (coordinated by the Civic Club) and 
of course, Trick or Treat. The majority of the 
visitors, however, will stand in line to look 
at the spectacular display of pumpkins and 
Halloween decorations on East Alegria.

The weekend’s festivities began on Friday 
when more than 150 children and their 
families got a jump start on Trick or Treating 
in the downtown area (coordinated by the 
Chamber of Commerce) and participating in 
the Halloween Costume contest in Memorial 
Park. The contest is sponsored by the Sierra 
Madre Kiwanis Club with assistance from 
the city’s Community Services Department. 
Throughout this edition of the paper you can 
view photos of the event.

WINNERS:

Age 0-2 : Kenby Morrison, Madeline 

 Harny and Clara Rose Krouse

Age 3-4 Jackson Enriquez & Evan Duran

Age 5-7 Sophia Harmy & Adyn Thomas

Age 8-12 Payton Thomas & Daphne 

 Pucinelli

GROUP: The Krasch Family

Also see page 18

 


CALENDAR Pg. 2

SIERRA MADRE NEWS

 Pg. 3

PASADENA/ALTADENA

 Pg. 6


SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

 Pg. 7

ARCADIA NEWS Pg. 7 
MONROVIA/DUARTE Pg. 8

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. 9

BEST FRIENDS

 Pg. 10

FOOD & DRINK

 Pg. 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Pg. 12

THE GOOD LIFE

 Pg. 13

BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Pg. 14

THE WORLD

 Pg. 15

OPINION Pg. 16

 
LEGALS Pg. 17