Readers’Choice 2012 2013
Tops in the Valley
coming soon!
Thursday, MAY 10 - MAY 16, 2012
Sierra Madre Council Continues Fee Schedule
A zusa B eacon Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
Homlessness in Sierra Madre?
Lawyer Begs the Question “Is this the Beginning of a Hobo Jungle?”
by jim e. winburn
The Sierra Madre City Council’s three newly-elected members experienced their first full meeting Tuesday in what was truly a test of civic endurance. The council members bravely tackled an agenda packed with plenty of business, but failed to take action on the 2012-2013 budget and fees schedule at the end of the five-hour council meeting. Items that council members did take action on and approved at the meeting included a fee waiver for a memorial sitting corner in Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park, the A Los Angeles man goes through his worldly belongings at a bus stop in Los Feliz with a rather ironic ad for an HBO series called How to Make it in America. sale of Community Devel- -Photo by Terry Miller opment Block Grant Funds to the City of La Mirada in down property values and psychological wounds, these termittently at Taylor’s MarBy Terry Miller exchange for General Fund fears Sierra Madre will be- men and women are forced ket in Sierra Madre. I sent an money for 60-cents on the into obscurity and often hom- email to the police chief as We received a letter come a “hobo jungle.” dollar, and the first reading of from a lawyer who has comThis, living, breathing lessness. well as the city council. (He a proposed ordinance to al- plained to Sierra Madre’s po- human being has a story like The individual who con- attached copies of the emails low adaptive reuse of historic lice dept. about a single, in- millions of Americans, many tacted SMPD is an attorney which we will post on line for single-family residential prop- dividual homeless man who of whom are returning Veter- and this is what he faxed to your perusal.) It would seem erties as bed-and-breakfast allegedgly has been ‘living ans from wars in Afghanistan our office last week: that a homeless man living in inns. “Dear Editor: Hi. This downtown Sierra Madre is a intermittently’ at Taylor’s and Iraq. Confused, hungry Market; the letter writer be- and often with some deep is to apprise you of the status Please see page 16 Please see page 4 lieves this ‘hobo’ will bring physical and less obvious of a homeless man living in-
Methodist Hospital Celebrates National Hospital Week Spotlight on Nurses and Other Healthcare Professionals National Hospital Week dates back to 1921. Launched to promote trust and goodwill among community members, it began as a celebration of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12. Known as the founder of modern nursing, Miss Nightingale also revolutionized the way hospitals were run. Methodist Hospital is more than just a place where people go to heal; it is a central part of the community, fostering good health and representing hope. On Monday Hospital officials and staff held a Community Day at the newly remodeled hospital Nurse Wendy checks BMI (Body Mass Index) during Community Day at Metnodist Hospital. -Photo by Terry Miller
Please see page 6
MOTHER’S DAY THIS SUNDAY! REMEMBER TO HUG YOUR MOM! Volume XVII, No. XVIV
Lawyer in McDade Case Amends Federal Lawsuit Against Pasadena The initial lawsuit claims the Pasadena Police Department and its officers violated McDade's civil rights and holds the city, Griffin and Newlen responsible for the teenager's death. The amended lawsuit now details the accounts of unnamed witnesses, who said neither Newlen nor Griffin identified themselves as police officers prior to opening fire on McDade. "Witness accounts said there were no commands such as: `halt,' `stop,' `police' or `let me see your hands,"' according to the suit filed Monday. The amended lawsuit now includes Pasadena police Lt. Phlunte Riddle as a defendant along with the city of Pasadena, police Chief Phillip Sanchez, officers Mathew Griffin and Jeffrey Newlen and police Detective Keith Please see page 14
Union Station’s Euclid Villa Celebrates Green Status By Terry Miller In 2010, Union Station Homeless Services received a $1.18 million grant from the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles, City of Industry Program to renovate Euclid Villa, a transitional housing facility for formerly homeless families. Those renovations are now complete and a celebration was held Thursday afternoon to commemprate the work. Families now residing in “greener,” more energy efficient housing. Rabbi Marin Gross thanked Union Station Homeless Services partners: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, City of Glendale, City of Pasadena, Pacific Housing Alliance, and The John Stewart
With Lillian, 12, at his side, Martin Samaniego spoke at the greening celebration last week. -Photo by Terry Miller
Company, for their ongoing support. With his two daughters, Lynda, 16, and Lillian, 12, at his side, Martin Samaniego spoke at the “ greening celebration” of Euclid Villa Transitional
Housing complex in Pasadena. He explained what it was like for him as single father and the first male occupant in the transitional housing units. Of the one Please see page 7