By Mary O’KEEFE

The Crescenta Valley is a unique community, not only because of its location – snuggled between the Angeles National Forest and Verdugo Mountains – but because of the community itself. 

It is pretty well known as a place where residents take a stand whenever they feel there is something threatening their community – from drugs to traffic. The reason the community has continued to hold onto its hometown feeling is because of the leaders who have passed through its history. These leaders may not even be known by the majority of residents but the effects of their efforts – including welcome signs, beautification projects and continuing support of CV youth – are felt every day.

One of those leaders, Charles Beatty, passed away on March 1; he was 84 years old and for many years had been battling a series of health issues. 

His passing was a shock to his family, including his daughter Alli Traber, and many of his friends. 

Charlie was a fixture in the Crescenta Valley for many years. He was active in Crescenta Cañada Real Estate as president emeritus, the Santa Monica [Mountains] Conservancy, was part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Advisory Council and served for a time on the Crescenta Valley Water District board. He owned Beatty Realty and co-owned Village Travel with his wife Andrea. 

But many more knew him as a member of the Crescenta Valley Town Council. It was rare that he missed even one meeting. He could be argumentative but was often the voice of history of the area and the voice of reason. 

He had a master’s degree in history and economics and shared his experience and knowledge from the CVTC dais. 

“He loved being able to talk to community members and get their voices out,” Traber said.

He worked for years at Ralphs/Kroger market and was a union steward for decades with Local 770.

“He liked seeing the people [but] most of all he had the flexibility of time with me and my mom,” Traber said of why her dad liked working at Ralphs. 

Danette Erickson served on the CVTC with Charlie when he was president. She later followed him in that leadership role and the Council made him president emeritus to forever remember his dedication. 

“Charlie was well-known and loved, from his lifelong time at Ralphs express lane as checkout clerk, which he could handle and keep his Beatty Realty on Foothill as well. His realty office was the headquarters for the [CV] Town Council in the beginning. He was the most friendly [person] talking to all who entered his lane. He went to local schools and always had the community in mind. He was instrumental in undergrounding the utility poles on Foothill. He got the traffic signal installed on Foothill Boulevard outside of Ralphs due to hearing [about] so many accidents or close calls at that corner,” Erickson said. “Charlie was part of starting the Historical Society [of Crescenta Valley] when he was president of the CV Town Council. He was part of the forming of the town council and the welcoming of the Briggs’ sheriff station when Carol Painter was the [captain]. Charlie was always involved in his La Crescenta community, helping in every way he could. He helped get our Community Standard District for Foothill Boulevard. Friends were all helped in some way by good old Charlie.”

Charly Shelton [CVW reporter] also served with Charlie on the CVTC. 

“Charlie Beatty and I served on the town council together and I always knew him to be a stand-up guy. He cared about his community. On town council, after several hours of meetings, presentations, debates and everything else that goes on in the council meetings, long after I had checked [out] and started checking my phone, Charlie was still there engaged in the debate because every issue, big or small, was another way to help the community,” Shelton said. “He had a very concise viewpoint on a lot of things and was always happy to explain it or debate it at length. I know that  the community has lost one of its champions.”

Charlie was most proud of his family. 

He is survived by his daughter Allister, son-in-law Kevin Traber and their sons Alec, Gavin and Andrew and their wives; and his “tiny treasures” – his grandchildren 6-year-old Tatum, 3-year-old Treyton, and 1½-year-old Amelia. 

Information regarding a future celebration of life will be forthcoming.