By Brandon HENSLEY

Outgoing Crescenta Valley Town Council members won’t get an official send-off until the council’s January meeting, but over Zoom during the Dec. 17 meeting, Charles Beatty and Daniel Kim were serenaded with congratulations and thank yous by other councilmembers.

Most notably, Beatty was the recipient of the most praise by everyone over the call, even if it meant somewhat disjointed time lags.

Beatty is leaving the council after three decades of service. Both he and Kim were given a chance to speak on their experience as councilmembers.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes. I’ve helped facilitate some of the changes,” Beatty said. “I’ve been able to talk to many of our [representatives], from the governor all the way down to the mayors … One of the reasons I was able to communicate with them is I believe I don’t ask for things. When I talk to them, I don’t ask for personal things. They’ve, over time, realized that when I ask for something, it has nothing to do with Charles Beatty – it has to do with our community.”

Beatty noted that people continue to walk up to him at places like the local Ralphs supermarket and ask for advice or help.

“It’s been a wonderful 29 years, going on 30 years … Thank you all very much, and I wish you Godspeed in the years to come,” he concluded.

Thank yous poured in across the Zoom call. Member Desiree Rabinov called him a “pillar of the community.” Others said how much Beatty will be missed and asked him to keep attending the meetings once in-person activities resume.

“I just can’t imagine the council without Charlie Beatty,” councilmember Jo Ann Stupakis said.

Kim, the recording secretary, had been on council for three years. Rabinov commended Kim for his work on the Roads and Transportation Committee, and president Harry Leon said he did well working with the CV Youth Council.

“I’ve learned a lot about the community I didn’t know,” Kim said. “I’m grateful for everything that happened. I wish you guys the best of luck moving forward. I’m pretty young, so who knows? Maybe I’ll be back.”

Before council had Beatty and Kim speak, the newly-elected members were inducted by Savannah Moore, assistant field deputy to LA Supervisor Katheryn Barger. Regular members Christopher Kilpatrick, Jeff Rodriguez, Kerri Lewin and alternates Johnny Brookbank, Jo Ann Stupakis and Ted Yu were all sworn in by Moore, who will return next month to officially say goodbye to Beatty and Kim. Elections were also held for key positions. Leon will retain his role of president; Aram Ordubegian is vice-president; Jeffrey Rodriguez is recording secretary; Sophal Ear is corresponding secretary and Donna Libra is taking on the role of treasurer.

Leon then gave his year-end speech as president, while noting that there wasn’t much to say, as most of the year’s activities were limited to due to health concerns from COVID-19.

“Our school district did a wonderful job to accommodate the situation,” he said. “The [CV] Sheriff’s [Station] did a wonderful job doing the same thing. Our supervisor’s office tried to accommodate us during the pandemic. All of this because we tried to stay together, keep our community together. I appreciate all the organizations; all of them had a hand in making sure this community was served well.”

Leon also said he is looking forward to working with the new councilmembers.

Glendale Unified School District Superintendent Vivian Ekchian said the district will hold off returning students to campuses until at least March 12.

“We really pleased in telling the community you should not feel compelled to return. That is not the intent,” she said. “We want to keep everyone safe.”

Ekchian also said GUSD has written a letter to the Gov. Gavin Newsom saying it would like district employees to be considered for groups to take the COVID-19 vaccine soon.

“We are incredibly hopeful that we will be considered” she said of being included in the Group 1B category. That group includes what the CDC identifies as frontline essential workers. Group 1A is specified as healthcare personnel.

Mike Baldwin of the CV Chamber of Commerce praised the efforts of the recent toy drive by the chamber.

“It’s really important we do that this year with the kids being isolated the way they are this year,” he said.

Baldwin said over 400 toys were donated, and the American Legion and VFW bought an addition $1,400 worth of toys. Those gifts went to the CV Sheriff’s Station and Glendale Police Dept.

Additional collection efforts were made by members of the Crescenta Valley High School Prom Plus program and CVHS Instrumental Music.

The council will next meet virtually on Thursday, Jan. 21.