By Brandon HENSLEY

It was an abbreviated meeting for the Crescenta Valley Town Council on March 17, which was supposed to have county supervisor candidates Deputy District Attorney Elan S. Carr and Robert Huff speak before council and the audience. Instead, Carr did not show, leaving only Republican senate minority leader Huff to speak. There were no other main items on the agenda, and council adjourned early.

Huff most likely didn’t win over many people in the room when he said he supports the 710 Freeway expansion tunnel proposition. The tunnel is something most in the foothills disagree with because of the likelihood of increased traffic and air pollution on the 210 freeway.

Huff, however, said he doesn’t believe it will ever be built, something Mitch Englander, who is also running for Mike Antonovich’s seat, said to council in February.

“I frankly don’t think it will ever get built and clearly we need to look better at the traffic alternatives. I don’t think they sufficiently look at what it would do to Foothill Boulevard and some of the other communities along the way,” Huff said.

Huff previously served as a state assemblyman and as a Diamond Bar City councilman from 1995 to 2004.

Priorities for Huff include relieving traffic in Southern California, investing more into infrastructure and creating incentives for jobs to return to the aerospace and entertainment sectors.

“You need to have someone in the county supervisor’s seat who will listen to you, who will respond to you and reflect the community’s needs,” he said. “I have a track record in working from the very beginning and trying to build consensus. It doesn’t mean we’re always going to agree on things, but I’ll try to put my arm around the issue and help build a consensus to get things done.”

He was asked about the high-speed rail project, which would run from San Diego to San Francisco. The rail is another hot topic for foothill residents. Huff said he would like to stop its funding. He called it a “series of broken promises” as well as being way over budget. He is in favor of taking unused bonds, over $8 billion he said, and instead investing in water infrastructure.

“If we do that, that’s successful, that would tank the high-speed rail. It’s not going to kill it, but it would say, ‘If you’re going to fund it, you’re not going to use our money for it,’” Huff said.

Huff also outlined his idea for what the role of supervisor should be to the Crescenta Valley area.

“I’m agnostic. If you want to incorporate, then I will be your ally to incorporate. If you want to stay and keep the character of life you have now, I’ll be your advocate for that. I don’t see the supervisor being one to rule with an iron fist. It’s more to facilitate the needs of the constituents.”

In other news, there will be a bingo fundraiser at the American Legion Hall, 4011 La Crescenta Ave., on April 2 at 6 p.m. Profits will benefit the Crescenta Valley High School AFJROTC drill and ceremony team. Tickets are $10 for 10 games. Contact the CV Chamber of Commerce, (818) 248-4957, for more information. There will be a limited number of tickets for purchase at the door.

The next CVTC meeting will be held on April 21 at the La Crescenta Library, 2809 La Crescenta Ave., at 7 p.m. More candidates for the supervisor’s seat are scheduled to speak.

  Brandon Hensley