New council readies for new year

It was a festive night for the Crescenta Valley Town Council last Thursday as Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich came by to swear in the council’s newest members and the council voted on new officers, which also were sworn into office by Antonovich.

The evening culminated in a public Christmas party, with council members and their spouses providing the bountiful bevy of edible treats.

“Don’t miss the cookies, they’re the best,” said councilman Frank Beyt as he mingled with guests at the end of the meeting. The cookies he referred to were baked by his wife Nina and enjoyed by many of the about 100 people who attended the meeting and party.

In addition to the joyful atmosphere during the rest of the evening, there were some sad faces as the council bid farewell to council members Curt Cleven and Bruce Campbell, both of whom resigned their seat on the council earlier this month due to personal reasons.

New council member Steve Goldsworthy and alternate member Robbyn Battles stood with re-elected council member Danette Erickson and alternate Charles Beatty as Antonovich performed the swearing in ceremony.

Although the election for new council officers consisted primarily of uncontested seats, there was a close race for corresponding secretary between councilwoman Liz Arnold and former Crescenta Valley Town Council Mayor Grace Andrus.

Arnold won that position by one vote, despite the fact that Arnold and Councilman Robert Thomas were not at the meeting to vote, so alternates voted in their place.

Other new officers are: Dennis van Bremen, treasurer; Cheryl Davis, recording secretary; Frank Beyt, vice president; and Steve Pierce, president.

Pierce has opted to return the position to its president title, rather than take on the title of Crescenta Valley Town Council Mayor, a title Pierce encouraged outgoing Crescenta Valley Town Council Mayor to take on earlier this year.

According to the council’s bi-laws, the current leader of the council can elect to be called either by the mayor or president title.

In an end-of-the-year mayor’s report, Andrus said she was “look[ing] forward to passing the gavel tonight to a qualified council member who I am confident will do an outstanding job for the 2009 term.”

That “qualified council member,” Pierce, has said his primary reason for choosing the title of president is to help unite the community, as the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce already has an honorary mayor position. That position is currently occupied by newly elected Honorary Mayor Howard Hakes who replaced outgoing Honorary Mayor Leslie Lesh.

Thursday night’s Town Council meeting was the last for the year. Its next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Jan. 22 at the Crescenta Valley High School library. An executive committee meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Jan. 8 at the Crescenta Valley Water District, 2700 Foothill Blvd.

Executive committee meetings will return to the regular location at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station in February.