The cover of the invitation had three surfboard drawings on it. At first it wasn’t clear what surfboards had to do with the retirement party of Glendale’s City Atty. Scott Howard. On Friday, several hundred city employees, family, friends and fans gathered to celebrate Howard’s 34 years of service to Glendale. The Oakmont Country Club’s main dining room was the only space in the club that could hold all the people who wanted to congratulate Howard.
About the surfboards? Howard plans to surf and ski after his retirement. In fact, a video montage showed Howard indulging over the years in his favorite sports. “I want to keep up my sports as long as I can,” Howard said. Wife Juli Scott agreed. She joins her husband in the skiing, not the surfing. She also joins Howard in the same profession, different city. Scott is Burbank’s chief assistant city attorney.
Glendale city leaders were introduced by City Manager Jim Starbird, who added emcee duties to his repertoire. Starbird has also announced his impending retirement. He will join retirement ranks with Bob McFall, former assistant city manager. Those left to run the city and on hand at the party included City Councilmen Ara Najarian, Dave Weaver (with wife Linda Weaver) and Rafi Manoukian. Mayor Laura Friedman was out of town. Former Glendale mayors were also introduced, including Bob Yousefian, Sheldon Baker, Eileen Givens and Carl Raggio (with wife Lynne Raggio). VIPs present, as well, were City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian, retired City Clerk Doris Twedt, Superior Court Judge Karla Kerlin and Joylene Wagner, president of the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education.
