Candidates address development

Cleven, a retired Jet Propulsion Laboratories engineer, had another kind of development on his mind. Speaking of a proposed development at the Mountain Oaks property, he expressed his opposition to ethnic schools, calling them divisive and discriminatory.

Steele, an attorney, called himself "a military brat" who's lived on both oceans, the South and the Midwest but opted to settle in La Crescenta.

Having lived throughout the country and in Los Angeles, he said he brings a broad perspective to the community and said of development in the community, "As things change, expectations change."

He added that his expectations of the community have changed since becoming a resident.

Rands grew up in La Crescenta and lived in Japan for a year but he came back to the area to pursue a doctorate in urban history at the University of California.

He talked of the large ethnic shift he noticed when he moved back to the area.

"My research and perspective can help integrate people and help make that transition smooth," he said.

In 1958, van Bremen moved to the United States from Holland and settled in La Crescenta.

He said he likes that La Crescenta represents more of Los Angeles' diversity these days but also said that growth should be guided.

Allmon, the outgoing president of the Crescenta Valley Kiwanis Club, works in construction. He said he'd like to see some controlled growth.

Council alternate Pierce said he'd like to make some changes such as adding greenery and beautification to the median on Foothill Boulevard.