Who is Driving the Bus in Altadena?

I’ve lived in Altadena for over 30 years and for most of it I never wondered about who was running this town. For me Altadena has always been the sort of town where you could basically do your own thing without very much interference from an annoying governing body.

Even though no one really comes out and says it, most like driving their own bus, or more commonly stated, “doing their own thing.” Most seem to enjoy the freedom from too much government interference. The problem arises when we have issues that affect us. Who do you blame for the problems, or turn to for solutions?

Although we have access to county services for policing, fire, public works, public utilities, library, trash services, and the like, there doesn’t appear to be a centrally located governing body such as what you see in Pasadena or other nearby incorporated cities.

Many of them have a mayor and possibly a city council, or city manager that governs the city, which means that the inhabitants are taxed in order to fund their governing body. Their schools, police and fire departments, and public services are contracted through the city and paid from the city and county tax revenues.

Even though Altadenans are taxed and pay for certain services, our system of government is different because we are an unincorporated town under the leadership of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. This board consists of five districts and we fall under the fifth district.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich, the Supervisor over the 5th district of Los Angeles County, essentially governs us. He is the self-proclaimed Major, or more accurately the current chairperson over of the Board of Supervisors consisting of five members.

This board governs a wide variety of services and personal ranging from Agricultural Commissioners, Animal Control, Tax assessor, Children and Family Services Community Development, Housing Authority, Community and Senior Citizens, Consumer Affairs, Coroner’s Office, DA’s Office, Fire and Police Departments, Parks and Recreation Departments, Public Works, Social Services, Regional Planning, Recorder’s Office, and the Superior Court.

These services are available to us in Altadena and are paid for through county tax revenues.

What we don’t seem to identify with here in Altadena is a head at the front of this gigantic bus. There is no mayor of Altadena. Our Town Council is not even a legislative body. They (we) are merely an advisory body that has connections with those that have legislative power, which again is Supervisor Antonovich.

In other words the Altadena Town Council has limited power, but that doesn’t mean that we are ineffective. We have the ability to develop a community consensus and take such projects or proposals to those who can enact legislation.

The council is set up to reach out into their census tracks in order to get to know the concerns of their community members and bring them before the council if necessary. If there are issues the council should be able to direct them to the proper body that has the proper authority. But, is that done on a regular basis? Doubtful! 

 The main reason seems to be the way this council was set up in the beginning. Even though the council members were elected to serve their census tracts, they are still basically a volunteer group.

 They are not paid to serve in this capacity therefore it is up to the individual members to do what they can to reach out into the community, as well as possible, and in some manner try to keep up with the pulse of their census tracts.

 Since the council only meet once a month, it is very difficult to get much done by way of deep impact within the community. On the other hand much of the community don’t seem to know the exact role of the council or even their representative, in some cases.

 A better system of give and take between the community and the council seems to be a long-standing concern. Perhaps that is something that needs to be addressed by the powers in change.

Although Supervisor Antonovich essentially governs this town from a distance, but unlike an actual major of an incorporated city he oversees the operations of so many agencies and departments. His district consists of 2,838 square miles. That is twice the size of Rhode Island and home to nearly 2 million people in 24 cities and 66 unincorporated areas. This district includes all or parts of the Antelope, Crescenta, Pomona, San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Santa Clarita Valleys.

So how does an Altadenan register a complaint or concern to their head official with such a large area to cover? This is where you have field representatives that have direct contact with area citizens and with organizations such as the Altadena Town Council. These sources are able to channel information to and from the chain of command.

Supervisor Antonovich’s office is in contact with the Altadena Town Council and listens to their input, just as the case with many established councils in the district. They have field offices and representatives that are assigned to particular geographical areas. In order words someone is manning the fort even though we do not see a hypothetical “bus driver” sitting in a seat that we recognize.

For Altadenans who want to get in touch with Antonovich, that person is Sussy Nemer, who can be reached at  her office at (626) 356-5407 or via email at snemer@bos.co.la.ca.us

In addition to Antonovich we have several other elected officials that govern over us. We have Senator Carol Liu. Carol Liu is the State Senator from the 21st District, which includes the cities of Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, San Gabriel, Temple City, and Los Angeles communities including Altadena, Tarzana, Encino, Reseda, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, Highland Park, Glassell Park, and Griffith Park, Silverlake, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock, Echo Park, Atwater Village, and Chinatown. She represents Altadena at the State level.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino represents us at the state level over the 44th Assembly district. The 44th district covers the cities of Altadena, Duarte, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City.  It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock. Just as the federal government has a house and the senate, the state has the senate and the assembly.

At the national level we have Rep. Adam Schiff, who represents the 29th Congressional District, which is in the heart of Los Angeles County.The district stretches from the City of Burbank on the west, to the cities of Altadena/Pasadena and Temple City on the east.  The northern boundary is the Verdugo and San Gabriel mountains and the southern boundary is the City of Monterey Park.

 All these officials have district offices accesible to us right here in Altadena for the appropriate representation and registering of issues. However, most of the John Q. and Susie Q. Public does not know who is driving the bus in reference to dealing with specific issues or complaints that effect them personally.

As a matter of fact most Altadenans do not even know where to start in dealing with a specific issue so they normally go to the one that is nearest and the most assessable, which in Altadena could be the Town Council. Though this organization may have limited power they should be able to direct your complaint to its proper governing body.

If that fails then you now have a list of the other area representatives that was elected and sworn in to deal with you as a citizen of California and an American citizen.