By Brandon HENSLEY

During its Jan. 16 meeting, the Crescenta Valley Town Council swore-in the members who were elected in November. LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger did the honors of welcoming back president Harry Leon, Donna Libra and Aram Ordubegian. The alternates for this year will be Ted Lu, Jeffrey Rodriguez and Ruben Gonzalez.

Barger thanked outgoing councilmember Kyle Studebaker for her service and presented her with a certificate of appreciation.

“People on this council care because you [folks] get paid a lot of money to do this,” Barger joked. “Thank you, and know that you made a difference, and I hope we will continue to work together moving forward; we have a lot of work to do. Congratulations.”

“Thank you for all the efforts and the help you’ve given us,” Leon told Studebaker.

Blake Dellinger, who also welcomed the sworn-in members on behalf of Assembly member Laura Friedman, was on hand to clarify Friedman’s stance on SB50, a bill currently in limbo that would allow for taller and more dense housing –though not at a lower cost – in bigger cities of California.

Dellinger said there have recently been concerns that Friedman advocates for the bill “but, as it stands right now, she would not vote for it.”

“She doesn’t agree with the local control components in there,” Dellinger continued. “She does agree we need local housing. She has been a supporter of accessory dwelling units; we have not shied away from that but … as of right now she feels it’s going too far.”

The CVHS football team was recognized at the meeting, though none of the players or coaches was present to accept their proclamations from LA County. GUSD president Jennifer Freemon said there may have been miscommunication, and later said coach Hudson Gossard texted her saying he was under the weather. Nonetheless, all team members will receive a certificate from the County congratulating them on an historic season. The Falcons went undefeated, captured the Pacific League title, and then went on to earn the program’s third-ever CIF championship.

“It was a great season, and a great program, and we’re looking forward to continuing that,” Freemon said.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, several residents who live on Los Amigos Street voiced concern there could soon be sidewalks implemented, as some reported there have been county workers there who appeared to be doing survey work.

Leon tried his best to calm the fears, saying this is the first time council had heard of this, and nothing is imminent because the County would have to survey residents and then do community outreach before any such significant changes were made.

“We don’t do anything randomly,” Leon said, adding that council does not support sidewalks on Los Amigos. “There is no way we asked for a sidewalk.”

The La Crescenta Library will hold its 10th anniversary celebration on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will begin with a balloon storytelling with Annie Banannie, include a tour of the library, and have music by the Crescenta Valley High jazz band. Refreshments will be served.

The Crescenta Valley Community Association will have its first meeting of the year tonight, Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the La Crescenta Library, community room. The meeting will include a forum for the Community College District, board of trustees candidates as well as the Glendale Unified School District, board of education candidates. For those who live in Glendale between Lowell and Pennsylvania avenues, the Far North Glendale Homeowners will hold their annual meeting from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. just before the CVCA meeting. For further information, email crescentavalleycommunityassn@gmail.com.

The next CVTC meeting will be held on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the community room of the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd.

  Brandon Hensley