CV chamber hands out awards

SUNLAND — An outgoing Town Council president and long-awaited library were among the honorees Thursday at the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce’s recognition banquet.

The annual event honors Crescenta Valley residents, businesses, organizations and law enforcement personnel who have improved the area’s quality of life in the past year. Community members packed a banquet hall Thursday evening at the Angeles National Golf Course and Country Club to congratulate the awardees.

“It’s very good for the community and our students to see,” said chamber President Jean Maluccio about the long-standing event. “They see what all these people have done.”

In a tight-knit community like La Crescenta, Maluccio said, it is always hard to select the winners out of the many people who contribute.

But selecting outgoing Crescenta Valley Town Council President Steve Pierce for Man of the Year was a no-brainer, she said.

“He’s just been there for everything that’s gone on,” she said. “He helps with everything, from the Town Council to filling sandbags.”

Pierce is on the boards of directors for the Montrose Christmas Parade, Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Support Group and Volunteers, and the Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council, among others. While Pierce decided not to run for another term on the Town Council to spend more time with his family, he said he will still be involved in the community.

Crescenta Valley High School senior Yoon Lee was awarded Student of the Year for her activism at school and in the community, logging more than 700 hours of community service, including her time with the Junior ROTC and other service organizations.

Still, Lee said she was surprised when her principal notified her she had been chosen for the award.

“I think there are a lot of people at my school who deserve it,” she said.

Community members said the long-awaited La Crescenta Library, which is set to open in January after years of development, was the obvious choice for the banquet’s beautification award.

The $14.6-million library replacement spans 15,000 square feet and will feature separate adult and children’s sections, a community meeting room, study rooms and wireless Internet access.

“There was no question about what would be the most beautiful attraction in the valley,” said Town Councilwoman Danette Erickson. “It’s the future of Foothill Boulevard.”

The honorees

Man of the Year: Steve Pierce

Woman of the Year: Rita Even

Volunteer of the Year: Steve Goldsworthy

Business of the Year: The Trophy Shoppe

Educator of the Year: Lisa Reed

Student of the Year: Yoon Lee

Beautification Award: La Crescenta Library

Organization of the Year: Montrose Search and Rescue

California Highway Patrol: Officer Andre Primeaux

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: Deputy Randy Forney

Glendale Police Department: Agent Charlton Vidal

Los Angeles County Fire Department: Capt. David Inman