For Your Consideration: A Very Busy Saturday in September and Running for Town Council

It’s September already and we have a lot happening this month in our community.

First and foremost, we are grateful that the La Tuna Fire, which burned 7,194 acres near our community, is over and ended without deaths or serious injury. This containment is thanks to the relentless work of our brave firefighters!

This reminds us that being prepared in case of disaster, whether fire, earthquake, or flooding, is key. At every general meeting of the Town Council, we allocate time to hear reports from first responders and disaster preparedness personnel. Connect with them at our next general meeting on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in the community room of the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd.

I don’t have to tell you that the Foothill Freeway (I-210) closures for pavement rehabilitation remain a constant for our community. While the closure schedule changes on a weekly basis and, weather permitting, Caltrans reports that night time closures are necessary to minimize traffic delays and provide a safe work zone for construction crews and motorists while working along the I-210. Construction signs and changeable message signs will be in place to alert motorists of construction activities and closures. Motorists should plan ahead and use alternate routes. Motorists are advised to “Be Work Zone Alert.” Please check http://www.dot.ca.gov/d7/ for up-to-date travel conditions in the Caltrans QuickMap.

Councilwoman Kyle Studebaker and I were honored to attend the Korean Comfort Women Virtual Memorial in Glendale Central Park. More than 200,000 women were forced into sexual slavery during Imperial Japan’s World War II occupation of countries that included Korea, China, Indonesia and the Philippines. We pray that never again such abuse takes place.

The Outdoor Lighting Survey results are in and are available for your perusal at http://thecvcouncil.com/2017/09/06/lighting-survey-questionnaire-results/. The Land Use Committee, which is a standing committee of the Town Council, held a joint public meeting with the Town Council on Sept. 7 to discuss the findings. Any referral for action will be taken up with the Town Council in a general meeting, so there’s another reason for you to join us to express your views regarding outdoor lighting in the La Crescenta-Montrose community.

When I wrote that a lot is happening this month, I included this Saturday, Sept. 16. Join the CV Town Council and Crescenta Valley High School for the 10th annual CV Community Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the CV High School quad (2900 Community Ave.). Tickets are $5 if purchased in advance or $6 the day of the event. For information, please contact Councilwoman Studebaker at kyle.studebaker@lmu.edu or call her at (818) 421-1945. Thank you to our sponsors: CV Insurance, Berolina Bakery, Byblos Mediterranean Bakery, Gelsinger’s Amber Road, Bonners Party Rentals, J’s Maids, and our very own CV Weekly. The event is supported by LA County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, to whom we are particularly grateful. Proceeds are split evenly between CV High School groups that sell the tickets and the Town Council that uses the bulk of money raised for scholarships for high schoolers in our community.

Once you are done with your breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs, please mosey on up to the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station parking lot for its annual rummage sale (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.). All proceeds will help support the volunteer program there.

But that’s not all. The 3rd Korean Cultural Festival celebrating Korean Thanksgiving (or Harvest) also takes place Saturday, Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at La Cañada Memorial Park. The Festival is organized by the Korean American Federation of North Los Angeles and will include numerous Korean-American members of our community. There will be food, games and entertainment, including Korean cultural performances. Local students will undertake a special presentation to honor Korean War veterans. There will even be a Southern California Hidden Singer Competition!

After a whirlwind of activity on Saturday, you’ll need rest, but be sure to join us the following Thursday at the general Town Council meeting.

Town Council elections are coming up in November and now’s the perfect time to come and find out more about your community that cares. Consider running and serving if elected. Volunteering to serve your community by running for the Town Council is admirable. The CV Town Council is a great volunteer organization that has an immeasurable impact on the La Crescenta-Montrose community.

Each year, the Crescenta Valley Town Council holds an election to fill six open seats to represent the unincorporated areas of the La Crescenta-Montrose community. Voters can choose up to three candidates, with the top three vote-getters elected to regular council seats for three-year terms. The next three candidates who receive the most votes will each serve one-year terms as alternate members. This year’s election will be held at St. Luke’s Church on Friday, Nov. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Candidate filing forms are now available and the form can be downloaded and printed from the Town Council website at http://thecvcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Application_2017-08-03.pdf. All candidate filing forms (with a $40 application fee) must be submitted 30 days before the scheduled election by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

As of this writing, there are fewer candidates than there are openings. Paraphrasing President John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your community can do for you, ask what you can do for your community.

 Harry Leon is the President of the Crescenta Valley Town Council.

  Harry LEON