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THURSDAY, JANUARY 8- JANUARY 14, 2015
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VOLUME 3, NO. 2
Citizens Angered at Pasadena’s Embezzlement Scandal BY NICK KIPLEY Following suggestions made in a 43-point audit report by KPMG (a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory service)., Pasadena City Council Monday elected to reconvene at a later date in order to form a committee on risk and corruption. Monday’s special meeting was called for after Danny Wooten, a former management analyst of Pasadena’s Public Works Department, allegedly stole $6.5 million from a taxpayer fund and directed it to the Southern California Evangelist Jurisdiction Center and the New Covenant Christian Fellowship Center in Pomona, claiming it was used to bury power lines in the city of Pasadena. In the wake of the scandal, many Pasadena’s residents were outraged by the council’s lack of accountability. Brian Weiss voiced his opinion on this lack of accountability at the podium microphone, “I’m a taxpayer in this system and
It should be multiple managers managing multiple funds. Because […] you get people looking in different funds and being able
We are all capable of more than we think! The movie “Unbroken” based on the true story of World War II hero and Olympian Louis Zamperini opened in movie theaters on December 25. Zamperini, represented by his family, was also Grand Marshal of the 2015 Rose Parade with the theme “Inspiring Stories”. Louis’s positive attitude, resilience and endurance are an inspiration to all of us. The movie is based on the book “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand which has been on The New York Times bestseller list for more than 180 weeks! Louis survived 47 days at sea in a small raft after his plane went down over the Pacific only to be captured by the Japanese where he endured over 2 years of torture and deprivation as a POW. Olympic champion John Naber with 4 gold medals and one silver
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City Manager Michael Beck listens as Siobhan Foster, Pasadena Public Works Department director at Monday evening’s public meeting regarding the scandal that is financially larger than that of Bell. Some members of the community are calling for Michael Beck’s resignation along with that of Foster and Mr. Green, Public Works Financial director.– Photo by Terry Miller
I’m mad as hell. […] Sixpoint-four-million disappears and nobody seems to be responsible except for the people who are in jail.”
The Little City That Did – Sierra Madre’s Self Built Float Gets Mayor’s Trophy
Ms. Felecia Williams noted a different perspective, “It’s really sad to me that one person can overshadow, just, the really good work that one
thousand nine-hundred and ninety-nine employees do,” adding, however, “Why was there one employee getting paid six figures to manage one fund?
Pasadena Community Coalition Angered by TOR’s Silence
Never Give In, Never Give Up!
Inspiring Minds Want to Know; Rose Parade all Washed Up on Colorado?
BY TERRY MILLER
Sierra Madre’s float captured by ace photographer Rick Keshishi of Photoworks by Rick.
In a world dominated by social media, product placement and corporate sponsors it is always refreshing to see a rose float, self-built entirely with volunteer dollars and no outside interests.
This year’s award was bitter-sweet for the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association as only last year Bob Young, longtime President Please see page 6
On New Year’s Eve. 2014, on the steps of Tournament House, Martin Gordon read a statement at a press conference alleging Tournament of Roses has adopted a racist policy in its executive branch. Flanked by one of his sons and Gene Washington, Mr. Gordon expressed dismay that the Tournament had not responded to an open letter he sent to numerous media outlets, The TOR and NFL. The Tournament told this newspaper that they’d respond to Mr. Gordon directly when we asked for their comment. At the press conference attended by only
print and digital local media, and one Pasadena Police officer, Mr. Godon said: “The Pasadena Community Coalition’s letter to the Executive Board of the Tournament of Roses, received in their offices on November 24, 2014, requesting that they address the lack of hiring of any African-American males on their staff has yet to be formally acknowledged or responded to by the Board. Copies of the letter were sent to the American Honda Co., ESPN, the NCAA, the Pac 12, and the Big 10, but these other groups Please see page 4
Times haven’t changed much since 1906 - Courtesy Photo
BY TERRY MILLER Would someone please alert the City of Pasadena that they need to read their own ad campaign. We are in a drought, aren’t we? There definitely was less enthusiasm for this year’s 2015 Rose Parade
and Game according to general statistics. However, there was no shortage of revolting refuse and rubbish left by our out-of-town visitors who left everything from couches, chairs to Please see page 3