Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The La Crescenta 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting was a rousing success with hot chocolate, beautiful music, cookies, performances by our local schools and great friends. Community events like this one have always been supported by Supervisor Antonovich and it was quite the treat to have him read a holiday story to all of the children. The Christmas magic of the night could not have been possible without the help of Ron Smith Christmas Trees, committee co-chairs Robbyn Battles and Lisa Griffin, Marta Wiggins and the Friends of the Library, and the entire Goldsworthy family. We hope this Christmas display will bring the joy of the season home to your family.

CVTC elections were held on Nov. 18-19. Thank you to all of the candidates who tossed their hats into the ring to serve their community. It takes a special person to want to represent their neighbors. We are excited to welcome back several council members: Harry Leon, Aram Ordubegian, Jo Ann Stupakis, Kyle Studebaker and Charles Beatty. Brandon Lee is our newest town council member and we are looking forward to having a fresh perspective represent our community. These new council members will be sworn in on Thursday, Dec. 15 at our next CV Town Council meeting by our new supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Please attend our next CV Town Council meeting at 7 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library where we will say farewell to Cheryl Davis and Dr. Suh. These long-standing council members have served the community helping with many projects over the years: pancake breakfast, Community Prayer Breakfast, Arbor Day, Christmas Parade and so much more. Dr. Suh served the Crescenta Valley for six years. Cheryl Davis, founding member of the group that spearheaded the CV Dog Park and former president of CVTC, served our community for nine years. Although we say goodbye, we know they will not be far away. We wish them both well as they take on new endeavors.

The Land Use Committee has been on hiatus for the holidays. The next meeting will be on Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the La Crescenta Library. There are two important issues on the agenda. First, there will be a presentation on street lights by L.A. County Dept. of Planning. Land Use is investigating where street lights are currently installed and if the community would like street light standards for the La Crescenta area. Currently there is a six-month moratorium on all new street light petitions, which ends April 11, 2017.

Second item on the agenda is the 3037/3045 Foothill Boulevard project, a proposal for new condominiums and commercial space. The architect will be presenting revised plans to the community. Residents are welcome to attend the presentation and ask questions. Find more information about the project on the CV Town Council website www.thecvcouncil.com.

As the year comes to a close I want to thank everyone in the community for supporting me this year as president. Serving as president has taught me so much more about the wonderful community in which I was raised. It has validated my choice to raise my children here. I have seen the love and passion that our residents have for our home. It is truly inspiring. There is quite a bit of turmoil in our world right now, but I look at our mountains and our schools and I am inspired. I see Boy Scouts providing service, I see Girl Scouts concerned about traffic, I see neighbors worried about safety, I see the American Legion supporting our youth. When our community has a need our community fills it.

Remember that this holiday season. Remember who you are, Cresenta Valley. Bring your love, your kindness and your passion to all of our neighbors, near and far. Be kind.

  Leslie DICKSON