The Many Sides of April

April is already upon us and the super bloom is resplendent (as are allergies).

April is Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month. Why April? Many of the past centuries genocides began in April – Armenia, Germany (the Holocaust), Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Sudan. As many of you know, April 24 is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

The Ottoman Empire initiated an eight-year program of terror and mass execution beginning in 1915 that resulted in the deaths of more than 1.5 million men, women and children of Armenian heritage. This year marks the 104^th anniversary of that genocide. Meanwhile, April 17 is the 43^rd anniversary of the Cambodian Genocide, which resulted in 1.7 million deaths. As has been the case in previous years, the Crescenta Valley Town Council will issue a proclamation on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day at its general meeting on April 21 at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, April 5 during the meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced two motions that prioritized mental health. One supports a bill that eliminates the mandatory spending categories counties currently have to follow through the Mental Health Services Act. This change will allow us to be more flexible with funding streams so we can ensure our mental health care budget goes where it’s needed most. We also supported the 9-8-8 Implementation Act, which will launch the suicide prevention emergency lifeline to complement 9-1-1. The bill provides guidance to states and sends federal funding to help with local operational costs of the new system. A call to 9-8-8, once fully operational, will dispatch unarmed mental health professionals instead of sworn law enforcement officers to assist people in crisis and provide them with a safe place to get the care they need. LA County is working to establish the infrastructure and staffing to ensure we’re ready to implement this life-saving tool when it rolls out.

Also Supervisor Kathryn was proud to support a motion to declare April as Arts Month. Through the motion, the board of supervisors also voted to double the amount of funding currently available through the Organizational Grant Program, which equips arts nonprofits with the funding they need to provide communities with programming, performances, productions, exhibits and arts education. They also declared April as Donate Life Month and Armenian History Month, which you can read more about below. These are just a handful of the motions the supervisor introduced and supported. You can look at more motions on the website bos.lacounty.gov and check out Board Meeting Highlights. I encourage you to stay engaged with the board meetings, which are every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Head to bos.lacounty.gov to see what’s on the upcoming agenda and to participate or listen in on a meeting. Thank you for engaging with causes you care about! LA County Parks spring classes for all ages are happening now; there’s still time to register.

It’s officially spring! Time to get outdoors, connect with loved ones and learn something new. What better place to discover your talents than a beautiful Los Angeles County Park near you? Each season we team up with independent instructors all over the County to offer a variety of classes, ranging from arts and recreation to fitness, health and wellness. Whether you’re looking to learn a skill or language, take up a new hobby or be more active, we offer a class for everyone. You can even join a virtual class with your family or friends from the comfort of your home to create special moments by partaking in a new activity together online! Follow LA County Parks on social media: Facebook @parks.lacounty.gov and Twitter/Instagram/TikTok @lacountyparks. Share your experience using #LearnSomethingNew at #LACountyParks.

For more information, contact contractclasses@parks.lacounty.gov.

Councilmember Dede Mueller and I had the honor of presenting a certificate of recognition to Scout troop leader Hovig Arissian (of Troop 306) for completing his Eagle Scout Project.

CVTC /Streets and Roads Committee is addressing the issue of cars traveling with high speed throughout our community (Glenwood, La Crescenta, Ramsdell, Briggs and Orange avenues) with Public Works, CHP and the local CV Sheriff’s Station.

On Saturday, May 7 at 9:30 a.m. at Ralph’s Marketplace, come and meet CVTC members for “Coffee with the Council.” This will be a casual discussion with your CVTC members where residents can learn about current topics and proposed projects being addressed, ask questions, give input, get involved and get informed.

On Saturday, May 14 the CVTC Prayer Breakfast will be held at the VFW Hall In La Crescenta. The keynote speaker is Vince Iuculano of the YMCA. Doors open at 7 a.m.

Finally, we are going to have an in-person meeting. The CVTC general meeting will take place on April 21 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the La Crescenta Library (2809 Foothill Blvd.) where my fellow Councilmembers and I look forward to seeing and hearing from you.

Harry Leon, President
Crescenta Valley Town Council