Recent Press About Measure "U"
- Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters Back Measure U
- Chamber of Commerce Press Release
- Letter to the Editor
- Full page Ad in SGV Weekly
- Full page Ad in the Mountain Views/Observer
SMVFA to Back Measure U, Both Financially and with Manpower
By Bill Coburn
The Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighter’s
Association, at its monthly meeting on Wednesday night, voted to support
Measure U, also known as Safety Measure U, and then in a second vote
put its money where its mouth is, by voting to contribute $2500 to the
committee formed to help pass the measure.
“It is essential that this measure
pass” said Battalion Chief Bob Burnett, who was asked to speak to
the members about Measure U by SMVA President Bill Messersmith.
Burnett noted that the Measure would help fund the City’s Paramedic
Program past its current funding, which runs out in 2009, as only the
program’s first two years of operation were funded by the City’s
recent sale of a Fire Station in the Sierra Madre Canyon.
In addition, members of the Association
signed up to walk the City to help educate voters about the measure,
or to place signs in their yards in support of the measure.
Messersmith, who co-chairs the “Safety
Measure 4 U” committee with Sierra Madre Police Officer John Ford,
had asked the group to consider making a substantial contribution to
the committee, and the motion by Burnett to contribute $2500 was passed
unanimously. With its donation, the SMVFA became the pro Measure
U committee’s largest single donor. Most of the previous donations
to the committee had been made by Committee members.
The Committee will use the funds to pay
for lawn signs, campaign brochures, a website which is currently in
development, and other costs associated with the campaign. The
election at which the measure will be placed before the voters will
take place on April 8th.
Measure U has received unanimous support
of the sometimes divided City Council, which voted 5 – 0 in December
to place the initiative on the ballot, and which worked together to
craft the “Argument For Measure A” that will appear on the Sample
Ballot. There was no “Argument Against Measure A” submitted
for inclusion on the sample ballot. The Measure has also been
endorsed by the Sierra Madre Police Officer’s Association, which has
withdrawn its support of an initiative that it had previously placed
on the ballot, in order to back Measure U.
Also at the meeting, the SMVFA approved a donation to the Mt. Wilson Trail Race Committee, and a donation to again fund a summer Children’s Program at the Sierra Madre Public Library.
Press Release 2/26/08(top)
Contact: Beverly DeVoy
(626) 355-5111
E-mail: info@sierramadrechamber.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sierra Madre Chamber of
Commerce to Hold Measure U Forum
The Sierra Madre Chamber of
Commerce will hold an educational forum about the User Utility Tax initiative,
Measure U, which will be on the April 8th ballot. The
Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12th at 6:30pm, in
the meeting room at Sierra Madre Congregational Church located at 154
W. Sierra Madre Blvd.. The event is open to the general public.
All Chamber members are encouraged to attend, however, because following
the Forum, the Chamber members will be polled for their positions on
the Measure and the results of that poll will determine the Chamber’s
official position on the Measure.
Plans as of press time are
for the Forum to be presented in one of two formats, depending on availability
of participants. If a speaker can be found to speak for the No
on Measure U side of the argument, there will be a speaker forum representing
both sides, followed by a Question and Answer session. If the
Chamber is unable to find someone to speak for the No on Measure U position,
then an impartial speaker will be found to speak on the Measure, with
a Q and A session to follow afterwards.
Anyone who would like to speak for those opposed to the Measure is asked to contact Beverly DeVoy at the Chamber, (626) 355-5111 or info@sierramadrechamber.com. Please be prepared to provide qualifications.
Dear Editor:
The residents of Sierra Madre will be asked to cast their votes on April 8, 2008, for Measure U and Measure UA, also known as Safety Measure U. As a 27 year member of the Sierra Madre Volunteer Fire Department, my wife Rosemary and I believe it is essential that both of these measures pass by casting your YES vote. This Utility User Tax will increase the current Utility Tax by 2% the first year; 2% more the second year; and 2% more the third year. These funds will be used to permanently fund the City's Paramedic Program, keep the Fire Department an all volunteer organization, and bring the Police Officer's salaries up to a respectable level by retaining and hiring the best candidates. The Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters Association has unanimously endorsed both Measures, as well as all five members of the current City Council and the Sierra Madre Police Officer's Association. WE urge you to VOTE YES for Measure U and to commit to keeping Sierra Madre's Public Safety at the highest level possible with continued Paramedic Services and Law Enforcement.
VOTE YES on Measure U and Measure UA on April the 8th.
Battalion Chief Bob Burnett
Sierra Madre Volunteer Fire Department
Rosemary Burnett