Zarian back on commission

Former Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian was reappointed this week to a second four-year term on the California Transportation Commission, securing Glendale’s seat at the transit table at a time when dollars for infrastructure projects are becoming more scarce, officials said.

Zarian, whose appointment was announced by the governor’s office Thursday evening, will serve as vice chairman, setting him up to lead the commission, which plays a major role in doling out state money to transportation projects, next year.

“I’ve found that my four years on the commission have been very productive, not only for the state of California, but for the region of Los Angeles,” he said.

In addition to several major highway infrastructure project that have been initiated during his time on the commission, city officials said Zarian was key in helping to smooth out some funding issues for the Fairmont Avenue flyover bridge, one of the largest public projects in Glendale ever.

Zarian has been firmly ingrained in transportation-related boards, even during his time at Glendale City Hall, serving for years as a Metrolink board member, and then eventually as chairman of the MTA. He also spent four years as board member for the National Highway Safety Commission.

His reappointment comes as City Councilman Ara Najarian continues to serve as chairman of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which plays a central role in funding regional transit projects.

To have two people from Glendale advocating at the state and county level is “really like a one-two punch,” Najarian said.

And at a time when federal economic stimulus efforts are geared toward public infrastructure, that combination could ensure that the greater Glendale area stays on the map, officials said.

“In the transportation arena, Glendale’s stars are quite a bit aligned right now,” City Manager Jim Starbird said.