Catching Up in the Crescenta Valley

It’s my honor and pleasure to “guest write” this month’s Crescenta Valley Town Council column as your corresponding secretary. President Harry Leon is busy with Town Council matters, having led a hugely successful community pancake breakfast with the help of fellow Councilmembers and countless partners. As such, Harry has asked me to step in and take over the column this week.

I am in the homestretch of my third year on the Council and my second year of service as its corresponding secretary, writing the letters that go out from the Council and creating the certificates of appreciation that are issued. Let me update you on our community’s goings-on and happenings.

Together with the Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council, the Town Council had a successful Community Preparedness Forum on Oct. 30 at the La Crescenta Library. As we asked at the event, “Are you ready? Prepare before the threat!”

It goes without saying that the Foothill medians construction has been a traffic headache for everyone. But the good news is that they’re almost done! It’s especially painful during rush hours when drivers realize two lanes merge into one. Don’t let this be any kind of indication of how traffic patterns will be once the medians are finished. Obviously, there are many more cones – for safety reasons – and we will enjoy two lanes of traffic in each direction very soon when the work is done. We know that it’s frustrating to you, but as was promised from Los Angeles County Public Works to our community, completion of the medians is slated for the week before Thanksgiving. Let’s hope for good weather and no delays!

Speaking of medians, the ones at Two Strike Park enclosing the parking lot are being worked on as I write this. I personally can’t wait to see the beautiful look of the parking area when those parking medians are done.

As mentioned earlier with respect to Harry and Vice President Mike Claessens, along with Recording Secretary Aram Ordubegian and many other members of the Town Council who availed themselves, we had a rainy but outstanding annual Community Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Crescenta Valley High School. We are grateful to Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger for underwriting this event as it is our main fundraiser for scholarships we give out each year to high school seniors. Thank you again to our generous sponsors, including CV Weekly, Arick Gevorkian Business Management Consultants, J’s Maintenance & Maid Service, Paul Barnes of Podley Properties, Bob Smith Toyota, Lena Hotoyan of Greater Pasadena New York Life, Crescenta Valley Insurance, Gelsinger’s Amber Road, American Savings, F.S., and Global Print Inc.

This month’s general council meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov 15 at 7 p.m. in the community room of the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta. This meeting will feature our annual candidates’ forum. We have seven candidates running this year, including yours truly and Desiree Rabinov, Charles K. Beatty, Carin Hoffman, Michael Claessens, Donna Libra, and Jeffrey Rodriguez.

Speaking for all my fellow candidates, we look forward to seeing you there!

Sophal Ear is corresponding secretary of the Crescenta Valley Town Council and associate professor of Diplomacy & World Affairs, Occidental College.