It was a pleasure to learn about key ballot measures from the League of Women Voters Glendale Burbank chapter at our Sept. 22 meeting. Hearing from Anthony Portantino, who is running for State Senate District 25, and Darrell Park, candidate for Supervisor District 5, at our special Sept. 29 special meeting was equally enjoyable. CVCA really appreciates these two gentlemen making time to chat with the community. Their opponents were invited but were unable to schedule us in.

Mr. Portantino shared information on the many contributions he has made during his years of public service,  including authoring AB 34 and AB 52. These two bills established and funded the California Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program. His website has more information on his extensive experience and his positions on issues: http://www.anthonyportantino.com/.

The less-well-known Mr. Park discussed some innovative ideas for the betterment of our valley, including finding a way to get the sediment accumulating behind Devil’s Gate Dam down to the ocean where nature would have carried it to replenish the coastline. More information about him and his campaign is available on his website,  http://www.electdarrellpark.com/.

Both confirmed their positions in opposition to the 710 extension tunnel, the California High Speed Rail routes through the Angeles National Forest, and development of the Verdugo Hills Golf Course property.

Fortunately, the LWV GB was able to arrange candidate forums for both offices on Sept. 30. Videos of those events and the League’s pro/con discussions of all 17 state measures on the Nov. 8 ballot will be available on the Glendale and Burbank websites. The videos haven’t been uploaded as of this writing.

The League is hosting a candidate forum for the 43rd Assembly District on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in Glendale City Hall. That event will be broadcast on GTV6 and the video will eventually be available on the city’s website. More information on the upcoming election is available on the League’s website, https://cavotes.org/

We were glad several community members joined us at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22 for a pre-meeting discussion on the proposed 47 condo development at 3037-3045 Foothill Blvd. While the project is being redesigned due to complaints from residents of homes adjacent to the property on the north, concerns about increased traffic, infrastructure needs, and school crowding remain. These community fears of degradation of quality of life here in the foothills are fueled by the prospect of additional projects on the La Crescenta (former Maylane) Motel property and the large lot on the southeast corner of Foothill and Sunset, both of which have been for sale for some time. In addition to these three locations in the unincorporated portion of La Crescenta, the former Unity Church of the Valley property at 2817 Montrose Ave., mostly in Glendale, has been put on the market with a plan for 27 townhouses. The northern portion of this property is in the unincorporated area, meaning both Glendale and the county will be involved with approvals.

The recent swarm of small earthquakes near the Salton Sea has resulted in an increased likelihood of a major quake on the southern part of the San Andreas Fault. That’s a good reminder to review your stash of non perishable food and eat or throw away what is past its expiration date. Anything that will be beyond its “use by date” in the next few months will be appreciated by local food banks such as the Bailey Home Care Center of the United Methodist Church of Tujunga, http://www.tumc.net/bailey-center. The big holiday food drives are a of couple of months away and folks are still going hungry.

It’s also a good time to get to know your neighbors and their pets so you can help each other in case of any disaster. A side benefit might be crime prevention. There have been a number of disturbing home burglaries (nobody home) and robberies of occupied residences. Questionable door-to-door solicitors add to the unease. We can be friendly and still keep an eye on what’s happening in our neighborhoods.

The next Crescenta Valley Community Association meeting will be  Oct. 27 starting at 7 p.m. in the community room at the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd. Park in the upper lot accessed from La Crescenta Avenue. We will have updates on these and other local issues. Our meetings are free and open to the public.

Sharon Weisman is a founding member of the CVCA. She can be reached at sharon@jetcafe.org.

  SHARON WEISMAN