By Mary O’KEEFE

Traffic is a big issue not only in Crescenta Valley but also in Glendale, Burbank, Sunland-Tujunga and throughout Los Angeles. Years ago attention was more about traffic congestion, and in many places it is still an issue, but traffic safety has become the focus for many – especially around schools.

The Crescenta Valley Town Council (CVTC) has been tackling this issue for a very long time and at its July 20 meeting it had some good news about recent progress.

Councilmember Dede Mueller, who is on the CVTC Traffic Committee, announced several items that are in the works regarding traffic, specifically around the schools.

“There will be No U-Turn signs on Community Avenue between Ramsdell and Glenwood [avenues],” she said.

This was one of the issues residents, school administrators and law enforcement had brought up about a year ago in meetings with CVTC. The signs will state No U-Turn from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Many complained that drivers would drop off their children at either La Crescenta Elementary and/or Crescenta Valley High School (CVHS) and then make a U-turn in that area causing traffic back-up and at times dangerous driving conditions.

Mueller announced that numerous other studies have been approved and are scheduled including looking into the possibility of adding a crossing guard at Community and Glenwood avenues, which feed into La Crescenta Elementary and CVHS. There is another study scheduled for Altura and Ramsdell avenues to place traffic control devices; this study was requested by residents in the area who reported an increase in the area of speeding cars. There will be a crosswalk study done at Glenwood and Prospect avenues that should take about 12 weeks to complete and another crosswalk study at Los Olivos Lane and Raymond Avenue.

There is also a study scheduled for the area near Monte Vista Elementary School and Alabama Street and Raymond Avenue where the addition of a multi-stop control will be explored. More traffic improvements are being looked at near Mountain Avenue Elementary as well.

CVTC members continue to work on more traffic improvements. CVTC President Chris Kilpatrick said he was “happy” about the improvements and the studies and emphasized that getting traffic safety improvements have to go through many phases and many different departments before being approved.

Traffic improvements are something the CVTC has a long history of working toward. In the past the Council has been able to get several improvements that include adding left and right turn signals and additional crossing guards at La Crescenta Elementary School, a four-way stop sign on Briggs and Mountain avenues and the first crossing guard at a middle school in LA County at Rosemont Middle School. The Council has also repainted crosswalks that were faded, installed left turn pockets at Ramsdell Avenue and Foothill Boulevard and reconstructed the intersection of Park Place and Waltonia, building a new center island that made it safer for pedestrians.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, Jennifer Freemon, who recently took on the role of president of Glendale Unified School District, introduced Interim Superintendent Dr. Darneika Watson. She was moved to that position after the retirement of Superintendent Vivian Ekchian last month. Watson had been the district’s chief officer of Human Resources and Operations.

Watson said she was looking forward to working with CVTC.

Acting Assistant LA County Fire Chief Pat Sprengel shared information concerning the recent fire at Byblos Mediterranean Bakery and Pizza restaurant on July 12.

“The alarm came in at 3:24 p.m. in [fire station] 63’s district,” he said.

Firefighters from Station 63 responded quickly to the fire and reported heavy smoke on the roof.

“You are unique in this area,” he added. “We get response from Glendale Fire [as well].”

Firefighters found the entire roof on fire. They had extended a hose line in the front door of the business but then the roof collapsed.

“The whole front side of the roof came down on one of our firefighters,” he said.

Then a “large rolling refrigerator” came down from the second floor and trapped the firefighter, Sprengel said.

Other firefighters were able to get into the room and rescue the fallen firefighter. He suffered a minor knee injury and returned to work this week.

“We found that fire was due to the roofing [work] the owner was having done,” he said. “The roofing company does have insurance.”

The restaurant was closed and roofers were not at the location when the fire was discovered. Plumbers were in the basement at the time. They smelled smoke and called 9-1-1 immediately. In addition, the plumbers were able to locate the gas meter and were able to shut off the gas prior to the arrival of the fire department.

Maria Grycan, LACoFD spokeswoman, said that action, along with the early 9-1-1 call, helped firefighters.

“It could have been a lot worse,” she said.