By Mary O’KEEFE

A new sign now welcomes visitors and residents officially to La Crescenta at Pennsylvania and Encinal avenues. The long awaited dedication ceremony was held on Oct. 20.

It may seem like a simple task to get a sign that welcomes all who enter the community, however it took about seven years to complete.

Mike Bradley Masonry built the stone base and Carl Christensen constructed the wooden sign, which is similar to the one on Briggs Avenue.

Crescenta Valley Town Council President Cheryl Davis said the positioning of the sign was perfect with two off ramps from the Foothill (210) Freeway emptying onto Pennsylvania Avenue.

“I think this is important for our community,” Davis added.

The sign sits next to the tree that was planted in honor of Charles Bausback, a longtime La Crescenta resident who died last year, as part of the 2009 Arbor Day celebration.

“The Crescenta Valley Water District allowed us to use this location,” said former CVTC member Steve Pierce.

Davis added if it wasn’t for CVWD allowing the placement of the sign on their property the project would not have been possible.

Pierce began working on the signs when he was in office and stayed with it to see the job completed.

Davis praised both Pierce and the ever-insistent CVTC member Danette Erickson for their determination and effort to get the signs in place.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office donated $1,000 to the sign project. Antonovich’s representative Rita Hadjimanoukian was at the dedication.

“It is really the community that made this happen,” she said. “I commend all of you. It was through your efforts that this sign is here.”

  Mary Okeefe