Is La Crescenta An All-American City?

The La Crescenta Town Council held an important “kick-off” meeting at the La Crescenta Sheriff’s Station on July 19, 2007. The purpose: to discuss the possibility of earning the All-American City Award for La Crescenta.

The All-American City Award recognizes exemplary communities that boast cooperation and an integration of diverse talents and people in solving the community’s problems, and achieving results, according to the AAC website.

Obtaining the award would earn La Crescenta greater national attention, especially because the award would be presented to the town of La Cescenta itself and not the cities of Glendale and Los Angeles, between which La Crescenta is divided.

Present at the meeting were Grace Andrus, who served as chairperson, Captain Tim Peters, Rita Hadjimanoukian, Linda Evans, and Roy and Kathy Allmon.

“The award is given to communities that show that various groups can work together to solve problems, especially for the youth and elderly,” said Captain Peters, who has had previous experience trying to earn the award for the city of Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita did not receive the award even though they enacted several cutting-edge programs for youth gang intervention, helping senior citizens and increasing business.

“They’re not looking for newly-enacted programs, but rather, older projects that are big and sustaining and have been taking place for at least five years,” said Andrus.

Although La Crescenta has several long-standing programs such as CV Fireworks, Foothill Design Committee, and CVCAN, “they’re looking for results,” stated Captain Peters.

The application process is long and difficult, requiring several hours of work weekly, and may cost several thousands of dollars.

To aid the process, Council members will speak with the most recent winner of the award, Sierra Madre, and request a copy of their application.

“Winning this award will bring a tremendous amount of community pride,” commented Evans.

A follow-up meeting will take place but the date is undecided.