Disagrees with Coverage

The “Najarian Named Glendale Mayor” article in the April 17 issue of the Crescenta Valley Weekly makes a few statements that I don’t think are warranted. The article says that Ara Najarian’s announcement that he was not going to seek another term was “surprising” to his colleagues. I doubt that is true since many of us had heard that this might be Councilmember Najarian’s last term. 

Also, the article states that “Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian was shocked by the move” of council to make Councilmember Najarian mayor.  However, Councilmember Gharpetian brought three video clips to the meeting from prior city council meetings to try to convince his colleagues to vote for him and/or to convince the public that he deserved to be mayor. In fact, Councilmember Kassakhian said to Councilmember Gharpetian (around 2:14 of the meeting) something like “You obviously came prepared – for someone who didn’t know what was happening tonight, you sure came prepared.” 

This strongly suggests that Councilmember Gharpetian was neither surprised nor shocked. 

Jackie Gish
Glendale

Open Letter to CVTC

I am writing to follow up on the request to install speed humps on Orange Avenue. I am unsure whether the traffic study has been completed.

While Orange Avenue clearly meets some of the criteria for speed humps under the County’s guidelines, I want to be clear: the standardized criteria alone should not be the sole justification for action. This stretch of street and its surrounding area is home to an elementary school, a middle school and a local church. It is the only street above Foothill Boulevard that provides uninterrupted access from Lowell Avenue to Briggs Avenue. The community relies heavily on this street – not just for vehicle passage but as a vital walking corridor for school children, families and residents accessing places of worship and learning.

Moreover, Orange Avenue has been consistently overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance and infrastructure investment. Sidewalks are missing along large sections of the street, which is especially alarming considering the high foot traffic. Approximately one-quarter of the street is just 21 feet wide – barely accommodating two-way traffic – while the widest section is only about 41 feet. In contrast, streets like Cecilville and Vicwood have received multiple curb replacements, maintenance and resurfacing, despite seeing far less traffic and pedestrian use. The disparity is troubling.

Please do not wait to act upon this situation. A delay will ultimately result in a catastrophic accident – up to and including a death – as a direct result of inaction. 

Although the community has been informed that Orange Avenue is scheduled for a “slurry” resurfacing, this again is an insignificant cosmetic solution. What this street truly needs is a full resurfacing, sidewalks, traffic calming measures and a genuine allocation of resources worthy of the vital role it plays in our community’s daily life.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I respectfully urge the CV Town Council and the Dept. of Public Works to give this issue the thorough attention and action it deserves. I would be happy to support a petition or community effort to help move this proposal forward.

Vincent Pappas
La Crescenta