San Gabriel Valley : Serving One Valley From the Other One?

Last time we checked, Sherman Oaks was in that Other Valley.

But we checked again when we noticed that the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments lists its mailing address as Sherman Oaks. That would be the council assigned to promote the economic health of the San Gabriel Valley for 28 cities.

It turns out the council has hired Sherman Oaks-based management consultant Ken Spiker & Associates to do its staff work.

Don’t bother making jokes about the council’s mailing address; David Smith, a spokesman for the management consultant, has already heard them.

“We thought about whether we should get a mailbox in the San Gabriel Valley, but it was decided it was more important to get the mail on time, so we use the address of our company,” he said.

He added: “We work for a number of other cities and areas. We can’t be in them all.”

Agreed. But since the council’s job is to promote the economy of the San Gabriel Valley, why didn’t it look to promote the economy among its local management consultants?

According to Bradbury Mayor Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, it’s because the council was looking for the best firm, not the best local firm.

And we don’t mean to be petulant, but while we’re on the subject, we noticed that Pasadena magazine is based in, er, Santa Barbara.