From Staff Reports
The year 2009 began with deep fears about the economy, both in La Cañada Flintridge and around the globe. The impact of the Wall Street financial crisis was visible in declining property values and rising unemployment numbers.
Conservative fiscal management proved prudent both for the city and the La Cañada Unified School District, both of which navigated the downturn well in comparison with other tax dollar-supported entities.
The recession would turn out to be only a small part of the story in La Cañada in 2009. The real news was public safety. The City Council spent months pressing Caltrans to restrict commercial truck traffic on Angeles Crest Highway, but received little response until after April 1, when a big rig barreled through the intersection of Foothill Boulevard, killing a man and his young daughter.
La Cañada Flintridge was also nearly ground zero of the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County. Stunned residents watched as the Station fire spread east and west across the Foothills, creeping within a few dozen yards of property lines. Hot shot fire crews descended on the city, along with journalists from dozens of news organizations.
No sooner has the threat of fire passed than the Los Angeles County Public Works Dept. began trucking in thousands of feet of cement barriers in an effort to fortify the city against mudslides. A short storm on Nov. 12 sent mud pouring into streets and damaged six homes.
In October, the largely crime-free city had its first murder in more than five years. La Crescenta resident Aaron Welch fatally shot La Cañada resident Genny Herrera and then turned the gun on himself.
January
• The La Cañada Flintridge float entry in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, “Mechanical Melodies,” captured the judges’ Animation Trophy for best animation and movement.
• La Cañada Variety store, a local institution for 60 years, closed its doors. And, after 30 years, Bronson Health Products also closed.
• Joel Peterson began his term presiding over the La Cañada Unified School District Board of Education and Sharon Otsuka, president of the La Cañada PTA Council, was named the recipient of the district’s Golden Apple award. Later in the year, Otsuka was also presented the LCF Educational Foundation’s Spirit of Outstanding Service award.
