Nine vie for Crescenta Valley Town Council

Nine candidates running for six seats on the Crescenta Valley Town Council participated in a forum Thursday evening where they hashed out plans to beautify Foothill Boulevard, push for historical preservation and, for some, take La Crescenta schools out of the Glendale Unified school district.

Joshua Wade, a patent lawyer, told the 20 people in attendance that he was running on a “simple platform” to “control our own destiny” and shared his fear of the unincorporated portion of La Crescenta being annexed into the city of Glendale.

He suggested that La Crescenta become its own city and that La Crescenta schools form their own district outside of Glendale Unified.

Longtime town council member Charles Beatty said the council should support a La Crescenta resident to run for the school board — none currently serve on the board. As a last result, he said, the council should “look into having our own school district.”

This summer, the CV Town Council surveyed residents about forming a smaller district, although Glendale school board President Christine Walters said then a new district would be “more damaging than helpful” to students.

First-time candidate, Sophal Ear, a Cambodian refugee and Occidental College professor, said he is running to support the area’s success. The idea of La Crescenta creating its own school district, he said, needs to remain “a credible threat” to Glendale Unified.

Jo Ann Stupakis, who works for Glendale Unified’s human resources department, was asked by mediator and current CV Town Council President Robbyn Battles, who is not seeking reelection, if the town council’s ongoing concerns with her employer makes her uncomfortable.

“I am willing to listen to both sides,” she said. “It is kind of uncomfortable, but it’s something I can do.”

Stupakis later said that if elected, she would work to preserve the Rockhaven site.

With Battles and member Kyle Studebaker not seeking reelection, there are six seats open on the council, including three alternate seats.

Current member and candidate Mike Claessens said he does not want to see La Crescenta become lost in the shuffle with the election of a new board supervisor stepping into the 5th District seat next year.

Fellow candidate, Aram Ordubegian, who is president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, said he would work to beautify Foothill Boulevard to benefit residents and businesses.

Lisa Griffin, a current alternate on the council, wants to improve communication between La Crescenta businesses and the council and build on the council’s vision for urban planning.

Kevin Kang, a college student and fellow alternate, said he was running to give youth in the area a bigger voice, something first-time candidate Alexandra Mirzakhanian also supported.

The election will occur on Nov. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 in Sadler Hall at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church, located at 2563 Foothill Blvd.