As I wrote in my column a couple of weeks ago, it's really important that residents vote for who they feel will best communicate their concerns and interests to the various county departments, as well as share information about what's happening in our neighborhoods and schools.
This year there are 10 candidates seeking the six council seats available — three, three-year regular terms and three, one-year alternate terms. Voters may choose up to three candidates.
I attended the Crescenta Valley Community Assn.'s candidate forum last week and was very impressed by the caliber of candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring. I have no doubt that many of them would serve us well.
However, having been on the Town Council from 2000 to 2007, I have seen some that, once elected, don't live up to the expectations they raised when they campaigned. For whatever reason, they seem to lose their drive and passion when they find out the amount of time and effort involved in being an effective council member.
The council has had too many members in recent years who have coasted through their terms without much to show for it.
Now is the time for some new voices, and I will be casting my vote for three newcomers — Charly Shelton, Odalis Suarez, and Harry Leon.
Shelton, who at 21 is the youngest candidate running this year, or any other year that I can recall, has already worked several years for the now-defunct Crescenta Valley Sun and currently at the Crescenta Valley Weekly. He has been out in the community as an observer and now wants to be a participant. It is likely that he has been to more meetings and events than most of the other candidates combined.
