Note to Glendale City Council: Our Show Will Go On

The April 27 meeting of the Glendale City Council was disappointing, to say the least. On that week’s docket was discussion regarding offering support to the Crescenta Valley for its annual fireworks show.

The pandemic scrapped the 2020 July 4th fireworks show, which has been a tradition for decades up here in the foothills. Looking to 2021 it seemed unlikely that we’d have a display; the revenue generated from on-site admittance to the Crescenta Valley High School track, support from residential donors and other financial donations, including $5,000 from the City of Glendale, mainly pays for the event. Unfortunately, it was unlikely that the field would be open for public admittance to the fireworks show and with no paying customers there would be a huge deficit.

But members of the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Assn. were determined to turn over every stone to raise the necessary funds, which runs in the tens of thousands of dollars to have a show of the quality that the CVFA is accustomed to hosting.

It was with this somewhat humble attitude that the CVFA approached the Glendale City Council. While grateful for the budgeted $5,000 for the show, the CVFA was hopeful that the Glendale City Council, which governs a portion of our foothill area that includes Montrose, Far North Glendale and Sparr Heights, would see clear to provide additional financial aid to ensure that the “show would go on.” CVFA members were shocked to learn that, apparently, the Glendale residents who reside in La Crescenta, Montrose, Far North Glendale and Sparr Heights and who pay taxes to Glendale are not “Glendale” enough.

Councilmember Ara Najarian, with cronies Devine, Brotman and Agajanian, instead decided to see about producing a $50-$60,000 event because, according to Najarian, “There are a lot of people who would like to see them out of their windows. Glendalians.”

But don’t worry, readers. Najarian still gets warm and fuzzy when speaking about our neighbors and us.

“I like the people in Tujunga and Sunland and La Crescenta and La Cañada,” he said, “but as we decide to give money to organizations, speaking for myself as a member of the Glendale City Council, with an opportunity to provide fireworks in the City of Glendale for the thousands of people who won’t have to be bused up to La Crescenta.”

But I guess it’s okay to ask people to get “bused” to Glendale.

Ardy Kassakhian was the only councilmember to give voice to the thousands of foothill residents and businesses that have to call Glendale “home.”

“I advocate for continuing this tradition. People come from all over, and from all over Glendale, to celebrate the 4th of July every year,” he told the council.

Remember that, readers, when it comes time to vote for Glendale City Council because apparently we are not known for heading to the polls on Election Day. Our numbers don’t enough of an impression on those who govern us.

Perhaps those monument signs that were erected just west of Pennsylvania Avenue on Foothill Boulevard, which welcomed all to “Glendale,” were where any extra funds were spent.

So the gauntlet has been thrown down. Will we, those who live locally, rise above the disdain shown by city government and raise the needed funds ourselves? Members of the CV Fireworks Assn. are confident we will and have planned a grand fireworks display for Sunday, July 4.

Those interested in supporting this local celebration of the independence of our nation can send a check to 2629 Foothill Blvd., #179, La Crescenta, CA 91214. Questions can be emailed to CVFireworks@aol.com or call (818) 248-2271.
Note: the CVFA website is currently being updated and may not have the most recent information.