Supporting our Armenian Community
For many years the Crescenta Valley/Glendale community has embraced the rich diversity of our Armenian community members recognizing the numerous contributions from students, families and businesses of Armenian descent who add to our community’s strength.
During the past several weeks civilian adults and children in Artsakh and
Armenia have been killed or injured by deadly unprovoked attacks from Azerbaijan aggression. Families have been torn apart. The loss of these innocent lives should outrage each of us. For us to stand back and say and do nothing is no longer acceptable.
Writing to our representatives and imploring for United States assistance is one step. For those of you who are able to contribute and support the Artsakh relief effort you may do so by visiting https://www.armeniafund.org/Donate.
At the very least, reach out to our Armenian brothers and sisters and let them know you care.
Steve Pierce
La Crescenta

Remembering Gary Talbert
Gary Talbert, a past principal of Crescenta Valley High School, passed on in August. We lost a special person and an anchor in our community. We owe Gary a debt of gratitude for his leadership and service. Crescenta Valley High School has been and continues to be the heart and center of our community. It is often said that the strength of a community lies in its schools and the strength of its schools lies in its leadership.
After serving as men’s basketball coach and later as principal at Muir High School in Pasadena, he came to Crescenta Valley in 1994. He served as co-principal with Linda Evans for nine years until he retired in December 2003. During their tenure, Crescenta Valley High School was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as being in the top 3% of all U.S. high schools and Newsweek rated CVHS in the top 5% of all U.S. high schools. In addition, CVHS was recognized as a California Distinguished School in 1999 and received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School in 2000, a designation from U.S. Dept. of Education that “affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. “
One of Gary’s greatest gifts was an encourager. Many of his former students and players commented on his extraordinary mentorship. He believed in each person’s value, worth and potential. He would believe in you, and build you up until you started to believe in yourself.
He was a consensus builder and unifier. He looked at the school community as a team that was united together in a common purpose of exemplary teaching and learning.
Gary left a lasting impression on all those who were fortunate to know him. I recently communicated with former CV Principal Linda Evans. She wrote, “Just yesterday I was at the CV campus for the first time since his death, and I stood outside of his office and thought about his contribution to our school community and his mentorship of me. Still, as I work with principals I think, ‘What would Gary say? What would Gary advise?’”
I had the pleasure of working with Gary with the Community Service Learning Project. As a volunteer, he always made me valued and appreciated. I would frequently ask him to speak to the freshmen students about pursuing the goal of giving 100 hours of volunteer service during their high school career. He wanted students to develop their heart as well as their mind. He would inspire our students to be a force for good and make a positive difference in our community.
Nancy Stone
La Crescenta

Things He’d Like to See
It would be nice to see…
• Those who have “Biden for Pres” and “Black Lives Matter” signs in their front yards also flying an American flag. I haven’t seen that yet.
• The end of signs in front of voting precincts in every language other than English. When new immigrants become citizens, one of the requirements is to show “proficiency” in the English language. It is symbolic of the surrender of allegiance to the old country and embracing the values of the new. It is emblematic of mixing the best of the old culture into the stew of the new. It is the logic of citizenship, and it has been ever thus. I understand that

getting proficient in a new language can be difficult, so I don’t begrudge new citizens requesting a voter guidebook that is sent to all voters in their first language as an assist. But when we come to vote, it is in English. It is one of the things that unite us all as Americans.
• Folks stop embracing and supporting Marxist/socialist platforms, groups and ideas that simply won’t work here, or anywhere for that matter; ask the people of Cuba, Zimbabwe and Venezuela how those revolutionary Marxist governments are working out for them! A young history major at an elite, liberal arts college was quoted: I’m surprised to see so many professors and students still believe that Marxism/socialism is a viable economic/philosophical system that will actually work! What does that comment say about the kind of education going on in U.S. schools and universities?
Stuart Byles
La Crescenta

The Reason For No Vote On Prop 22
I am in favor of independent contractors for certain gig jobs including but not limited to newspaper string reporters and studio musicians, but Proposition 22 sets a very uncomfortable precedent.
The following is a direct quote from the legislative analyst in the Official Voter Information Guide: “Most large rideshare and delivery companies are headquartered in California. In total, these companies are worth about as much as Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler combined.”
The analyst goes further to state that the purpose of the proposition is for lower costs and higher profits for rideshare and delivery companies.
Here, though, is the absolute worst part of the measure. It will be permanent and virtually impossible to ever change or delete because it would take a yes vote by a 7/8 majority by both houses of the legislature to do so. (A tax increase takes a difficult-to-get 2/3 majority to pass.) The text of the proposed law is as follows: Article 9. Amendment. 7465. (a) After the effective date of this chapter, the Legislature may amend this chapter by a statute passed in each house of the Legislature by rollcall vote entered into the journal, seven-eighths of the membership concurring, provided that the statute is consistent with, and furthers the purpose of, this chapter.
This is in no way promoting middle class jobs and, if passed, could be looked at by other companies such as Amazon, FedEx and UPS for following the lead of Uber and Lyft for their delivery employees. Please think carefully before you vote.
Jerry Burnham
La Crescenta

Considering ‘Free’ Socialized Medicine
Biden openly claims that if he and the democrats win, then he will spend $100 trillion for “free” socialized medicine. Easy to say, right? For all those Biden/Harris fans out there: Have you really carefully thought through how this will impact your personal finances?
Sweden is a country with “free” socialized medicine. Sounds good, right? Well, what about their federal taxes? As it turns out, the average federal tax rate in Sweden is 43%, the lowest is 23%, and the highest is 57.7%. These high taxes are required to pay for their socialized medicine. And everyone has to pay!
So you can see, the truth is that socialized medicine is not really “free.” The taxpayers pay dearly for this second-rate coverage while the legislators get to keep their superior medical coverage because socialized medicine is for the people, not for the legislators. It is also important to note that the people of Sweden are now complaining about the poor quality of their “free” socialized medicine. Imagine that…
The consensus from U.S. economists is that in order to pay for the $100 trillion for “free” socialized medicine in the U.S., it is estimated that for the U.S., the highest federal tax rate will be near 80%, the lowest near 40%, and the average near 60%. This is how your personal finances will be impacted. In order to pay for it, everyone’s take home pay must be significantly reduced!
So I have to ask: “Do you really want to take home significantly less pay for ultimately lower quality healthcare?”
You might want to think about this before you cast your ballot.
John Kretz
Glendale

Excellent Processes in Place
I am training to be a poll worker for this election, and I must say that the process, preparations, technology and commitment to a full and fair vote by LA County is absolutely superb. I am beyond impressed with every contingency they have thought of and have made a process for to accommodate so every eligible person has a full and fair opportunity to vote.
Regardless of your political persuasion, your voice has a right to be heard and LA County has created an amazing process for doing so.
Robin Litster Johnson
La Crescenta

Promotes Governor’s Recall
In 1999, the late Fred Akers and I were part of a campaign by the San Fernando Valley coalition Voice of Citizens Together to recall Governor Gray Davis after he failed to defend Proposition 187 in federal court. On Valentine’s Day 2000, we picketed the Los Angeles Daily News to protest the media blackout – to no avail. The coalition collected 437,000 signatures – less than half of the 1.1 million signatures needed to get the recall on the ballot.
In 2003, I was one of 155,000 volunteers in a statewide campaign to recall Gray Davis after he jacked up utility contracts, tripled the car tax and, in a resounding slap at citizens and legal residents, signed a bill to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants – one month before he was booted out of office.
Don’t let the mainstream media black out and bury the campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. Download a petition at recallgavin2020.com. Organizers need 1.5 million signatures from registered voters by mid-November to qualify for the ballot.
For information, telephone (916) 761-2312.
Les Hammer
Pasadena