V.O.I.C.E. Responds to Hoberman

For nearly 12 years, Glendale-Crescenta V.O.I.C.E [Volunteers Organized In Conserving the Environment] has helped lead the fight to save the Verdugo Hills Golf Course. We, like virtually every member of the community, are saddened to learn that the owners of the golf course will shut it down on Dec. 31 after more than 50 years of operation [“Verdugo Hills Golf Course to Shut Down,” Nov. 17].

This is a vital recreational resource that has served thousands of residents in the already park-poor communities of Sunland, Tujunga and the Crescenta Valley. We continue to believe that preserving the site as a regional park, with a golf course and significant land set aside to commemorate the Tuna Canyon Detention Station, is in the best interests of all concerned.

In last week’s article, Michael Hoberman, apparently now an advisor to the owners of the golf course, stated that the course was kept open as a courtesy to residents, but that it loses money. It’s hard to believe that the owners would operate the golf course at a loss for the last 12 years simply to be a good neighbor; but, if that is the case, why not continue this magnanimous gesture?

The closure of the golf course will have nothing to do with the fight to save it from a massive and ill-advised housing development. That fight continues whether there is a golf course or vacant land at the site. We expect the Final Environmental Impact Report to be released after the first of the year. Our review of those sections of the EIR that were released earlier this year, and that of our attorney, revealed what we believe to be significant flaws in those documents. We stand ready to take every legal action available to us to make sure the EIR is thorough, accurate and fair.

Finally, it was interesting to note that Mr. Hoberman repeatedly referred to the owners’ willingness to sell the property. “Snowball West . . . would have been and still are willing to work out a deal,” he stated. If that’s the case, the first meaningful step in that direction would be to agree to an appraisal of the property. V.O.I.C.E. would be very willing to help facilitate this effort including splitting the costs involved. All Mr. Hoberman needs to do is reach out to us and we will work with him to see to it that an appraisal takes place. Purchase of the property, at a fair price, would be a win-win situation for everyone.

Marc Stirdivant
Glendale
Editor’s note: Marc Stirdivant is chairman of the board of Glendale-Crescenta V.O.I.C.E.