Guest Column:News From the CV Town Council

The Crescenta Valley Town Council has been busy the last few months with many issues including land use, scholarship awards, and other various activities for our community.

We were honored to have so many residents join us in remembering the sacrifice of Nick Steinbacher in Iraq at our Arbor Day celebration. We are still awaiting the opening of Pickens Park, near the corner of Briggs Avenue and Foothill Blvd., where an oak tree will be planted in his honor. Due to the many requirements between county organizations, the park has been slow going. Hopefully we will be able to report good news on this item at our June general meeting on the 21st, at 7 p.m., at the CV High School Career Center.

During our April meeting, the Council heard from the CV Water District board member Vasken Yardemian about water issues with Glendale customers. We also had an opportunity to hear from the pastor of the First Baptist Church at La Crescenta, Sean Arnett, who informed the Council and community about their youth building, The Ark, which the church is willing to open up to community youths as a safe community center where they can "hang out" and participate in peer tutoring.

At the April public meeting I presented a motion to pursue the All-America City Award. The Council voted unanimously in favor of this motion. The benefits of this decision for our community are, according to the National Civic League, economic stimulus, community pride, and community collaboration. The Council will be working with representatives of several community organizations in order to achieve this goal.

Our "Welcome to La Crescenta" signs are in progress. Community member Rich Toyon worked hard to gather facts and figures regarding the building of these signs and, along with councilmember Bruce Campbell, designed the physical structures which were submitted to various governmental entities for approval. Currently the Council is waiting on the county for the spot park sign and Cal Trans for approval of the off ramp sign at La Crescenta Avenue.

The Arts has been a topic on many people's minds as of late and the Council's committee, the Arts Commission, is looking into possible locations for an outdoor theatre and possible "playhouse" in our community to provide additional venues for local artists. Led by co-chairs and council members Robert Thomas and Steve Pierce, the commission is open to public input as to favored locations.