What Does It Take?

I rarely agree with anything Hillary Clinton has to say but I believe whole-heartedly in the words, “It takes a village…” It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to put on a successful event … to watch out for wildlife … to care for our seniors. It also takes a village to make a community special. I believe the Crescenta Valley is a very special place to live. I have been here all of my life.
During my lifetime in the foothills, I have had the pleasure of meeting a great many people. From my neighbors who keep an eye open to the parents who volunteer at school to the folks who clean up our on-ramps and hiking trails to the people who serve in organizations or at the civic level, I am continually impressed by those who give of themselves for our community. Consider the Montrose Christmas Parade, the Hometown Country Fair or CV Fireworks without the support and dedication of our local volunteers. We just couldn’t do these events without them.
Two community members who I am honored to know are Sharon Weisman and her husband Bill. Sharon steps down from her position writing this column this month. In addition to attending the Glendale City Council meetings each week, both have advocated for and served in a volunteer capacity in education, arts, culture, historic preservation, beautification, recreation, transportation, human rights and women’s issues. The couple has given so much toward the success of this community and I wanted to publicly thank them for caring enough to step up and be there for us.
I met Sharon and Bill in 2009 after attending a Metro meeting in La Cañada Flintridge regarding the 710 Freeway extension. I had learned that the tunnel project would have devastating effects on the 210 Freeway, increasing traffic by four times the current levels. Outraged, I began to attend public meetings to learn more. I joined a group of longtime freeway fighters and, together, we formed the No 710 Action Committee and created no710.com. I have been working with this team, supporting responsible solutions, ever since. Bill and Sharon attended countless public meetings on the project and have spoken eloquently about regional transportation alternatives.
One of the meetings I attended during that time was held by the City of Glendale, inviting attendees to participate in the North Glendale Community Plan. Before I knew it, I was on the advisory committee, meeting with city planners and other stakeholders for several months. We discussed our vision for the Crescenta Valley as we walked Foothill and Honolulu and observed firsthand the areas that needed improvement. The result of this collaboration was a comprehensive plan that was adopted in 2011. You can see it here: https://tinyurl.com/yabjz5nt. Sharon and Bill were also on the advisory committee and invited me to join the Crescenta Valley Community Association, a cross-jurisdictional group that discusses topics of interest to the valley. Within a short time, I joined the steering committee for the organization, became the president of the Far North Glendale Homeowners Association and a delegate for the Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council. I currently serve as the recording secretary for the GHCC. Sharon and Bill Weisman became my role models as they championed their causes with passion, logic and data. We don’t always see eye-to-eye politically but, regardless, our community group continues to keep the needs of the whole valley in the forefront of our discussions.
Sharon and Bill are a class act and I know I speak for my fellow members of the Crescenta Valley Community Association when I say that they will be missed as leaders of the group. We wish them well as they take some well-deserved time off to travel and visit with friends.
Now … let’s roll up our sleeves and get back to work.
Susan Bolan
susanbolan710@gmail.com