Ruth Neilan Edwards

Update on Altadena Issues

Friends and supporters, over the past few weeks I’ve received messages or talked to people about their concerns for Altadena and questioned as to what my position would be. Here is a summary of some of the concerns and my response:

Carwash at 2000 N. Lake at Morada?

Since our local residents are strongly opposed, I will support them and bring our voice to the ATC and in any discussions with LA County Government. I also think that we would really like to attract other businesses to Altadena and that a car wash is probably not at the top of the list, there are quite a few already in a <5 mile radius.

Bringing the Pasadena Area Rapid Transit System ‘ARTS’ buses up to Altadena Drive?

Even now we are all facing the steady rise of fuel costs. Anything that can be done to extend area public transportation should be on the table and pursued. We should explore this option with Pasadena to see what can be accomplished.

Last spring, a proposal was made about installing solar arrays at the Altadena library, the bottom line is that they like the idea but have no money. Would you, as an ATC member, be willing to work as an advocate for the library?

I would certainly advocate for our wonderful Altadena library, and yes, I know how expensive it is to install solar panels. For those of you who are interested, there is an online survey for the library. On about the 9th page of the survey (only 2-3 questions per page) there is a box where you can input your ideas and suggestions. Or, one can simply e-mail or fax or mail ideas directly to the Library director, Barbara Pearson, or any member of the Library Board. I also mentioned this to Tom Hubbard (Library Board member) and he's enthusiastic about all things "green" including solar panels.

The corner of Calaveras and Holliston (just after Hill turns into Calaveras at the southern end of the Altadena Country Club), the traffic is often exceeding the speed limits, even the buses. Is it possible to get a stop sign installed there?

I know this intersection very well and agree that it is dangerous, even more so for people who live on that part of North Holliston. We can look into this and see what can be done to remedy this situation.

What happened to the plans for a Super Ralphs?

My understanding is that all plans were in place for the new Ralph’s Market and were approved up through the LA County level. But the deal fell through at the last moment when the land owner’s asking price was more than could be afforded. Attracting this kind of investment to Altadena is important for our community and I think we could form a stronger partnership with the Altadena Chamber of Commerce in this regard.

Candidate for Altadena Town Council

It is official.  I have filed an application to stand for election as representative of Altadena Census Tract 4612 on the Altadena Town Council (ATC). The ATC is an elected, volunteer advisory body that serves as a voice for our community to the County of Los Angeles. As an unincorporated area within LA county, Altadena looks to the ATC to communicate and coordinate residents’ needs with public agencies and to the Supervisor of the Fifth District, Mike Antonovich, our official representative on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

As a candidate, I want to contribute my efforts to maintaining a professional and respected ATC for our diverse community.

As your candidate I will:

• Commit to preserving Altadena's unique and beautiful character
• Be a uniting voice for our community in these challenging times
• Actively represent the community and work with the County government to resolve issues of concern to the residents

As your candidate, I bring to this position:

• Extensive experience serving on non-profit, advisory and governmental boards and committees
• Over 25 years of professional experience in engineering management for geosciences and GPS
• Altadena family resident for 6 years, married 18 years with two teenage children; area resident for 24 years

I ask for your vote and offer my pledge to strengthen, unite, and preserve our beautiful Altadena Community!

Vote Saturday June 21! I need your vote!

Vote 8AM - 6PM. Polling locations are determined by the Altadena Town Council's Election Chair - check the ATC website for confirmed locations: http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org/ I'll post a note later when this is determined.

I welcome comments from fellow Altadenans on issues, questions or concerns of our community.

This census tract area is home to nearly 1400 households and extends from Mendocino - Glen Canyon on the North, New York Drive on the South, Lake Avenue on the West and Altadena Drive on the East.  Click here to see a map of Census Tract 4612 or click on the 4612 map below.