Keep Glendale Unified Whole

Welcome back to school everyone! I hope you had a great summer.

Speaking of school, I received a message from our new Glendale Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian concerning the Sagebrush Territory Transfer. She writes: “As you may know, several years ago a small group of residents from an area known as the ‘Sagebrush territory’ submitted a petition to the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization requesting to transfer the area from Glendale Unified to La Canada Unified School District.”

“[On Sept. 4] the LA County Office of Education staff provided county committee members with an update on this petition. The county committee is tentatively scheduled to make a final vote on the territory transfer at its next meeting on Oct. 2.

“Transferring the Sagebrush territory from Glendale Unified would have a significant negative impact on our academic program, district culture and ongoing financial stability. Therefore, we are asking county committee members to ‘keep Glendale Unified whole’ and deny the transfer petition.

“We expect to have a strong showing of support at the Oct. 2 meeting. If you would like to join us at this meeting, please contact our Communications director Kristine Nam at knam@gusd.net.

“You can learn more about the history of the Sagebrush territory transfer petition on our website at www.gusd.net/sagebrush.”

I know it’s a heavy subject to digest so soon upon returning to school, but the Crescenta Valley Town Council is unanimous in its support to “keep Glendale Unified whole.”

In other news, the construction of the median at Two Strike Park is in the homestretch. I’m sure many of you have admired the landscaping now in place and I expect that the parking planters will be a wonderful addition.

Our 135th Anniversary Celebration Gala is set for Sept. 21 at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Church at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 each and include dinner and music. Profits will go to the causes the Crescenta Valley Town Council supports such as scholarships. There is limited seating so reserve a seat by calling Councilmember Jo Ann Stupakis at (818) 269-3295 or me at (818) 464-5870. St. Luke’s of the Mountains is located at 2563 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

On Sept. 22 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Supervisor Barger will welcome the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to Los Angeles County at a special gathering at Grand Park in Downtown LA. The event will feature a celebration, concert and keynote address. To RSVP, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/407480429905656/.

At our next town council general meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19, Maria Grycan, our local public information officer for the Los Angeles County Fire Dept., will present planning for our future from LACFD’s perspective, followed by questions and answers.

We will also have a presentation from Los Angeles County Vector Control on the first death this year from West Nile virus in the County.

As always, see you at the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. for the general meeting of the town council at the La Crescenta Library community room, 2809 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

Harry Leon, President

Crescenta Valley
Town Council

  Harry LEON