Mayor Steve Del Guercio announced that he has appointed former Assemblymember Anthony Portantino to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee to represent the City of La Cañada Flintridge. Portantino succeeds City Councilmember Donald Voss, who has stepped down from the Committee after over four years of service.

“Don’s excellent work on the Advisory Committee is recognized and greatly appreciated”, commented the Mayor. “Don has been an outstanding advocate for open space and trails in our community. During his tenure, Don raised awareness of and gained significant support and funding from the Conservancy for important open space projects in La Cañada Flintridge and adjacent communities, including Cherry Canyon, the Ultimate Destination Point and repairs on the Flint Canyon Trail.”

“I am very pleased to appoint Anthony as Don’s replacement on the Committee”, continued the Mayor. “Anthony served our City in the very same capacity for six years prior to going to Sacramento.”

Portantino was the City’s original representative on the Conservancy’s Advisory Board. During his time in office, he helped secure funding for trail projects in Cherry Canyon, improvements to the Flint Canyon Trail, the preservation of Hall Beckley Canyon above Palm Crest and the preservation of Oakmont V in neighboring Glendale. Anthony represented the Conservancy in Congressional testimony in Washington in support of the recently completed Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act authored by Congressman Adam Schiff. As an Assemblymember, Portantino continued to work closely with the Conservancy on property acquisitions in Pasadena and Altadena, and trail improvements in La Cañada Flintridge.

“Open space preservation has always been important to me as a resident, Councilmember and Assemblymember. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve our City and to continue Councilmember Voss’s great work on the Committee”, commented Portantino.

XX