As 2018 begins many major issues continue. Rockhaven and the Verdugo Hills Golf Course properties are not yet safe from development. Environmental concerns with the Scholl Canyon landfill and the project to re-power Grayson complicate Glendale planning. LA County is implementing a delicately balanced approach to reduce the sediment behind Devil’s Gate Dam while retaining sensitive riparian wildlife habitat in Hahamongna Watershed Park. Our neighbors to the west in Los Angeles are recovering from yet another wildfire. All jurisdictions are coping with increased homelessness, trash and traffic.

Our elected representatives are busy with all this and many other obligations. The essence of democracy is participation and, judging from the comments on social media, there are plenty in the Crescenta Valley with time on their hands. If your New Year’s resolutions include getting involved with your community, or you just want to do your fair share and make a difference, the following may be of interest.

Glendale City Council meets most Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. The first meeting in 2018 is on the 16th. There are several boards and commissions with volunteer members. For most, each council member nominates a member and the full council votes to appoint. There is a current vacancy on the Transportation and Parking Commission. Details available: http://www.glendaleca.gov/.

La Cañada Flintridge City Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of most months. Their next meeting will also be on the 16th. They also have commissions and committees, details: http://www.lcf.ca.gov/.

The Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council general board meets the second Wednesday of the month so Jan. 10 is their next meeting. They are an unpaid, elected advisory body for Los Angeles. Information on their committees: http://stnc.org/.

The Crescenta Valley Town Council meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library. They are an unpaid, elected advisory body representing the unincorporated areas of La Crescenta and Montrose to LA County Board of Supervisors. The first 2018 CVTC meeting is scheduled for the 18th. They have an active land use committee. More information: http://thecvcouncil.com/.

If education is your focus of interest, there are opportunities to participate there, too. The Glendale Unified Board of Education, La Cañada Unified Board of Education, and the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees all meet next on Jan. 16. More information on GUSD: www.gusd.net, LCUSD: http://www.lcusd.net/ and GCC, www.glendale.edu.

All of these government bodies have opportunities for public input. Residents and stakeholders can email, call or write to express their views. Most meetings allow public comment on agenda items and have a general comment period on any topic over which the body has jurisdiction. Agendas are typically posted online a few days prior to the meeting. Speaking times vary from one to five minutes depending on jurisdiction and number of other speakers on the particular topic. Those interested can sign up for email alerts for upcoming meetings.

Please consider where your expertise and skill set would be most helpful and speak up and/or volunteer.

The next Crescenta Valley Community Association meeting will be Jan. 25 starting at 7 p.m. in the community room at the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd. Park in the upper lot accessed from La Crescenta Avenue. Our meeting will be preceded by the annual meeting of the Far North Glendale Homeowners group (open to all residents including renters) at 6:30 p.m. If you live north of Honolulu Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Lowell Avenue, please join us to help chart the course for the next year. All Crescenta Valley residents and stakeholders are welcome at the 7 p.m. CVCA meeting.

  SHARON WEISMAN