Altadena : Architect Heads Council

Gregory K. Norden, a 40-year-old architect, is the new chairman of the Altadena Town Council.

Norden, who is employed by a Pasadena firm, was the unanimous choice of the 14-member council at Tuesday’s meeting. The UC Berkeley graduate was first elected to the council in 1991 as an alternate and in 1992 was elected as a full member.

“My goal as chairman is to ensure the Town Council accurately reflects the entire Altadena community when advising the (Los Angeles County) Board of Supervisors,” he said.

The council advises the supervisors; it cannot make laws or spend and raise taxes.

At the top of Norden’s agenda is leading the fight against potential county budget cuts that threaten unincorporated Altadena. He said services residents take for granted, such as law enforcement and parks and recreation facilities, could be affected by cuts.

Council members also elected Walter Martin, an environmental technician, vice chairman; Kathryn Klomburg, an accounts manager and former chairwoman, corresponding secretary; Steven Lamb, an architect, recording secretary, and Charlotte Forte-Taylor, a social services coordinator, treasurer.

The council has arranged a community meeting with county parks officials about potential budget cuts for Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Farnsworth Park Community Center, 568 E. Mount Curve Ave.