When Arlene Vidor sees a need, the Glendale resident sticks with it until something gets done.
She is a member and past president of the Glendale Historical Society, a board member and director of special events for the Associates of Brand Library, and was just appointed to the Glendale Historic Preservation Commission.
Vidor was on the board of directors for nine years and served six consecutive terms as president of the Glendale Historical Society, said John LoCascio, the current president.
“Arlene was my immediate predecessor,” he said. “She enjoyed it. She is dedicated to historic preservation in the city. She feels very passionate about it.”
The big project they worked on together was the historic districting ordinance. Historic districting is when a group of buildings is deemed worthy of being preserved because the buildings share a common development history or architectural style that represents a specific period in Glendale’s history.
The historical society, under Vidor’s leadership, led the effort to lobby the city to adopt a workable historic district ordinance, LoCascio said. It would not have happened without Vidor’s leadership, he added.
“She built public support on one side and lobbied the City Council and city staff on the other, and built very strong working relationships with the city,” he said. “A lot of groups contributed, but without her leading it at that time, I don’t know if it would have been that successful.”
Her work with the historical society has prepared her to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission, Vidor said.
The preservation commission reviews landmark and historic district applications and makes recommendations to the City Council on historic preservation policy.
“During my tenure, I hope the commission can establish a stronger presence in the community,” she said.
Patty Silversher, a past president of the Adams Hill Homeowners Assn., worked with Vidor on the restoration of the gas station in the Adams Square Mini Park.
Vidor was instrumental in researching and putting forth a proposal that supported the historical value of restoring the gas station and working with the city in developing a minipark on that corner, Silversher said.
“Through her talents and perseverance and passion for preserving historical buildings in Glendale, Arlene excels as a community advocate,” she said.
