Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, February 27, 2021

Mountain Views News Saturday, February 27, 2021 15CONVERSATIONS Mountain Views News Saturday, February 27, 2021 15CONVERSATIONS 
SUSAN HENDERSON 
Editor/Publisher 


A LESSON WE COULD USE TODAY 

Last week, I wrote an article on the remarkable life of my good friend, George 
Maurer. Although I recognized that he was approaching 100 years of age, I 
really was stunned and saddened when I learned of his passing. 

As has been said, George was a man of many passions and good be both 
charming and as tough as a brick wall. Early last year, I went to visit with 
him for lunch with our mutual good friend Bud Switzer. During lunch, we 
all had a hearty laugh at just how George and I became good friends. I 
thought I would share it now because given the current climate of vitriol and 
hostility towards those who are on opposite ends of the ‘values’ spectrum, 

this might be a teachable experience. 

So, back in 2006 George Maurer was Mayor of Sierra Madre. I was a columnist for The Sierra 
Madre Weekly and Sierra Madre resident. As was often the case, Sierra Madreans were at odds with 
each other over a proposed downtown development. George and I were on opposite sides of the 
controversy, each very passionate about their position. In April when the council reorganization 
took place, the outgoing council members left the chambers along with their supporters and had 
their celebration across the street in the social hall at the Congregational Church, upset over the 
election results. 

I wrote an article about the incident in The Sierra Madre Weekly critical of the walkout, especially 
of the Mayor who had done so much for the city. From that point on, George was so upset he 
would cross the street or leave the room if he saw me coming. He wasn’t alone in his disdain for my 
presence, but to me how he felt was important. Oh well, I was a big girl and if he didn’t like me that 
so what I said, and that road ran two ways for the next year. 

However, we both had a common friend in our lives, Dr. Paul Neiby. To put it mildly, he was known as 
‘The Lion of Sierra Madre’, a big guy who was plain spoken and stubborn. A birdie once told me that 
he actually liked the paper (Then the Mountain Views Observer) and I was surprised. Neiby was very committed to the city. He was very instrumental in the publishing of, “Southern 
California Story: Seeking The Better Life In Sierra Madre”. (If you don’t have a copy, go to the Historical Society’s website and purchase one today: www.smhps.org). Anyway, Neiby 
found himself smack in the middle of what appeared to be a very serious standoff by two of his best friends. George would not be in the same room that I was in, and I wasn’t throwing 
myself into an environment of ‘haters’. What did Neiby do….well this is where the story begins. 

One day Neiby called and invited me over to talk. He had also invited George over. Neither George nor I was aware of the other’s invitation. When I arrived his wife Louise let me know 
that he was out by the pool. So I go through the door and see two people at the table. Paul Neiby and George Maurer! 
Before I could open my mouth Neiby said, “Sit down. You two need to learn to get along and you are not leaving here until you do”. With that he left and went inside the house. 

George and I sat quietly for a few minutes without speaking. Finally one of us started talking about how stubborn Paul could be and eventually the conversation lead to us learning that 
both of us were from the east coast. I from Philadelphia and George from the New Jersey/Phillie area. We found that we both missed our east coast foods, TastyKakes, real Cheesesteaks 
and Hoagies, etc. 

The more we talked, the more we learned we had in common. I had not known that George had been involved in the publication of numerous newspapers. He was a professional 
Linotyper. We talked about the transition of the industry via technology. We talked about everything under the sun including Sierra Madre and the clashing of our views. 

When Paul finally crashed in on our conversation at least an hour later, we had torn down all the preconceived notions of one another and developed a deep regard and respect for each 
other. No, we didn’t suddenly prescribe to each other's political views, but we embraced our differences. We respected each other and over the next 10 or so years had a wonderful 
relationship. 

I last saw George on his 98th birthday and we still had that same admiration and respect for each other, something that would have never happened if we had never taken the time to get 
to know one another. 

And that is the lesson we all can learn. Take the time to know each other. We are not as different as you may think. After all, we are all in this thing called life, together! 


George Maurer, left, and Bud Sweitzer, right one year ago , 


A HEARTFELT THANK YOU! 

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO 

KEEP A COMMUNITY 
NEWSPAPER ALIVE! 

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL 
NEWSPAPER! 
A special thanks to all of our Supporters and Subscribers! We could not have made it this far without you. This heart was created 
by my Granddaughter (Maila Thomas) who really knows how important the Mountain Views News is to our community. Please 
note that this is only a partial listing. 


Well, we've made it to 2021! Since 2006, I have been publishing a weekly 
newspaper in the San Gabriel Valley specifically covering the cities of Sierra 
Madre, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Pasadena, and also South Pasadena, 
Altadena and San Marino. It was August 4, 2007 however, when the 
first edition of the Mountain Views Observer (now know as the Mountain 
Views News) was published! My how time flies! That is a total of 698 
CONSECUTIVE weeks; approximately 12,564 pages; more than 7 million 
print readership! Our website traffic exceeded 4 million page reads in 2019 
alone! I am pretty proud of what we have accomplished over the last 14 
years, despite huge economic challenges, such as the 40% tariff on newsprint 
that comes from China and has adversely impacted print media in 
the United States or California's AB5 which is another threat to newspapers 
statewide, we survived.

 And then.....2020 and COVID-19 happened! To date, we are still alive 
and moving forward. We are proceeding cautiously and are committed to 
continue providing you with accurate information about your community. 

 In March, when we reached out to you for help we expected that by May at 
the very least the Emergency would be over. We could not have imagined 
in our wildest dreams that in August the crisis would still be with us. As indicated 
in the beginning, the Mountain Views News has survived primarily 
on the paper's ability to publish legal notices and the support of our advertisers 
many of whom are also impacted by the COVID19 virus. However, 
that has all changed. We were informed mid-March that the County of 
Los Angeles closed all public access to buildings that process legal notices. 
Such action, while absolutely necessary means that the income generated 
from the publication of the Fictitious Business Notices came to an abrupt 
halt and that has not changed. Without the ability to publish those legal 
notices, continued publication of the Mountain Views News remains in 
jeopardy.

 With your help, however, we can continue to sustain the only paper where 
your community news comes first while we work on alternatives to the current 
legal notice processing is found or LA County Buildings allow public 
access again.

 Remember, print media is the only source of information that CANNOT 
BE HACKED! What you read in the Mountain Views News is accurate 
and as publisher, I stand behind every word. Our sources are reliable and 
dependable. Our Opinions share both sides of the argument. Community 
events and local organization activities are also an integral part of what we 
provide each week. And, while we do have an online presence, each week 
thousands of print copies are distributed. 

 Below are 4 ways that you can help sustain your local paper. All support 
is greatly appreciated. 

Thank you in advance. Susan Henderson, Owner/ Publisher/Editor 


#1 Make an ONLINE 
CONTRIBUTION to helpus recover from the COVID-
19 interruption of legal 
notice revenue. https:// 

www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-mountain-views-news

#2 DONATE BY CHECK: If you would rather make a donation directly 
to the paper, you can send a check. Make it payable to the Mountain 
Views News and mail to: Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre 
Blvd. #327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 

#3 HELP SUSTAIN PRINT DISTRIBUTION! In addition to the 
impact of COVID-19, newspapers are also adversely impacted by 
California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), which eliminates the use of independent 
contractors and triples costs. Become a Sustaining Supporter 
of the Mountain Views News by making an annual contribution of 
$120 ($10 a month). Sign up and get home delivery for free. Cancel 
at anytime. Please send check to: Mountain Views News Sustaining 
Supporter 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. #327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 

#4 SUBSCRIBE TO HOME DELIVERY (right) 

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