Thirty-two years and counting. As 2009 closes out, that’s how long the Topanga Town Council has been serving the interests of residents, businesses and property owners in Topanga Canyon. But time hasn’t diminished the volunteer spirit that first brought the Town Council into being more than three decades ago. In this era of severe cutbacks in county and state budgets, the nonprofit council’s ongoing projects continue to focus on safety, environmental protection and helping those hit hardest by the current economic downturn.

            The Town Council’s most important new project in 2009 was the debut of the  Topanga Resident Access Card. By year’s end, more than 1,200 Topangans will have signed up for the cards, which feature a distinctive coyote design by local artist Rebecca Rogers. The cards will help fire department and law enforcement teams expedite residents’ access to areas of the canyon that are being reopened after fires or other disasters. Here’s how it works: Each card displays a zone number that corresponds to one of the zones the L.A. County Fire Department uses to manage evacuations and re-entries in the canyon. As zones reopen after a disaster, officers at roadblocks can instantly determine whether the cardholder lives in a zone that’s been cleared for re-entry. This will be a welcome change for anyone who’s ever waited in a long line of cars while officers checked drivers’ licenses against Thomas Guides. The new access cards are especially helpful for assuring access for residents who don’t have a driver’s license with a Topanga address, or for non-driving children, the disabled and the elderly. The Town Council’s ultimate goal is to sign up every resident of Topanga Canyon. The 2010 card with a nature theme is currently being designed by another local artist, Jennifer Babcock.

            Proceeds from sales of the cards, as well as much-appreciated donations from local residents, help fund the council’s numerous ongoing projects. Some projects include the annual Topanga Creek Cleanup, after-school programs for kids, a portable toilet for the transient community, and working with law enforcement agencies to reduce graffiti, crime and traffic congestion in our area. The Town Council also provided help in new ways in 2009: 2-way radios for Arson Watch; new equipment for Topanga’s Emergency Operations Center; and, especially important at this time of year, thermal winter clothing for our homeless community.

            Because Topanga is not an incorporated city, our community depends on the county and state for major project funds and programs, and the recession has brought significant cuts in both areas. This means fewer officers patrolling our neighborhoods, fewer after-school programs for our children, and less money for health programs for our seniors. When these cutbacks happen, the Town Council focuses on ways to minimize their impact. For example, the Town Council became active in helping T-CEP expand its Neighborhood Network program so residents can better keep their neighborhoods safe and secure.  The lack of local public transportation has also been a problem for Topanga, especially for our seniors, disabled residents and children, and the Town Council continues to explore ways to bring that service to the canyon. The Town Council is always pushing for more money and services for Topanga.  Hopefully, with continued pressure for government assistance and an accurate 2010 Census count, it will lead to additional funding.

            Even during these hard times, Topangans continue to show an extraordinary level of commitment to helping each other. In fact, Topanga has one of the most active volunteer communities in the entire state! Here’s a great example: in 2009, the Town Council and local volunteers launched the brand-new Canyon Sages organization, which promotes programs and services for our seniors. This is a wonderful investment of time and energy, because the seniors in turn grace us with their wisdom and help us make better choices for ourselves and our community.

            Another important goal for 2010 is making it easier for Topanga Town Council to communicate more effectively with all residents of the area at any given time. It’s important for the council to know how residents feel about specific community issues, and for the council to let residents know what it’s doing on their behalf. Two different projects will help us achieve that goal. First, we’re developing a Topanga Information phone line that anyone can call to get contact information for community programs, local organizations and County services. Second, the council will develop a Topanga website that will feature a community calendar, visitor information, County hearing information, links to local community organizations, emergency preparedness information, chat rooms, and a welcome package for new residents. We expect this website to make it much easier for all of us to stay informed about what’s going on in throughout the canyon.

            But, the Town Council needs your help to make these projects happen. We’re looking for volunteers to help with graphic design, coordinators for the community calendar, and assistance with creating and updating the website. Volunteering your time and expertise on council projects like these is a great way to make Topanga even better, and it’s fun, too!

            I would like to extend a hearty thanks to the Town Council team who worked very hard this year to make such a difference in our canyon.  We could not have done it without these extraordinary individuals: Rebecca Goldfarb, Vic Richards, Mohan Joshi, Jacqui Benson, Anthony Hall, Becca Barkin, Lee Michaelson, Dan Hanrahan, Rebecca Rogers, and many others who helped along the way. The Council looks forward to serving Topanga in 2010.  We wish a happy and safe holiday to all the residents of our canyon.

Stacy Sledge is President of Topanga Town Council
Email:  Contact@topangatowncouncil.org

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