MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER KEN PULSKAMP
December 2004

Dear Friends:

As 2004 draws to a close, it is an appropriate time to take a moment to reflect on the many happenings of this year – the positive events and improvements, along with the trials and tribulations. Our country has been at war this year, fighting for democracy for those who cannot. We’ve seen a national election, bringing forth another term for our president. On the local front, our community has been busy with all of the activities and events that help to make Santa Clarita one of the best places in the country to live and work. It never ceases to amaze me that when people are in need, this community gives its all to reach out and help.

Living in Santa Clarita, there is much to be proud of: Great weather, beautiful scenery, plentiful jobs, easy proximity to everything, a variety of housing choices and fun things to do. These elements all make Santa Clarita a desirable community in which to live and work. I am so very pleased to be part of your local government, and work hard to assure that our City staff is respectful and responsive to our citizenry.

This year, your City received numerous state and national awards and accolades in a variety of areas, including financial, environmental and community participation. It is our goal to always strive to be the best, to work hard and be a City in which you are proud to live. To that end, you will be pleased to note that our City’s Capital Improvement Program includes dozens of projects that will improve our quality of life. Over the next several months, you will see even more from our Capital Improvement Program. The big wood telephone poles on Soledad Canyon Road, between Camp Plenty and Sierra Highway, will be removed and replaced with aesthetically-pleasing underground utilities. A new 17-acre park, Valencia Heritage Park, will open in the spring. A beautiful new Veterans Historical Plaza in Newhall will begin to take shape, as will its neighbor, a new Community Center, also in Newhall. The City will continue with construction of its state-of-the-art Transit Maintenance Facility, the eight-and-a-half mile Cross Valley Connector Road, and the widening of the Bouquet Canyon Road and bridge to eight lanes.

Along with these, other minor projects are underway as well, such as improvements to center medians, rehabbing public buildings, adding lighting to trails, or making sidewalk repairs. Often it’s the little things like these that residents recognize and appreciate on a daily basis. As these and other projects are completed, we add to our high quality of life in the City we call home.

I hope that you and your family enjoy a wonderful holiday season, filled with love and laughter.

Best regards,

Ken Pulskamp