City council reorganizes in Calabasas

Acorn Staff Writer


Janice Lee became the new mayor of Calabasas Tuesday night when three recently elected councilmembers—Lesley Devine, James Bozajian and Michael Harrison—were sworn-in and the leadership was reorganized.


"It will be an interesting year. We have a lot of work to do … We have a great deal of resources … we are one of the richest cities in the nation—what is important to me is to reflect on who we are," said Lee. "As your mayor, I’ll be journaling my experiences with you … on a one-on-one, healing basis," she added.


The new mayor said that one of her first goals is to shorten the meetings, which often go past midnight.


Devine, one of the city’s founders, was named mayor pro-tem, as the council looked ahead to the future of the 10-year-old city which will celebrate its anniversary next month.


Outgoing mayor Dennis Washburn, another city founder, waxed nostalgic as he turned over the reigns. The recent election took place 10 years ago to the day that Calabasas was voted a city (March 6, 1991), he said. Washburn recalled how the then brand new councilmembers swore themselves in at the home of a local judge, Richard Kolastian (who was present at Tuesday’s ceremonies to swear-in reelected Bozajian).


"The fact that we’re here is an amazing feat. We’ve done something special here," said Washburn, as he showed some memorabilia of original cityhood literature.


The three-time mayor said he hoped to begin planning for 20 years in the future, when "all the things that are contentious will fall away."


Washburn was presented with several plaques and certificates from local officials, including Agoura Hills Mayor Ed Corridori, Hidden Hills Mayor Ronald Berg and Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Dep. Norman Campbell, who presented commendations from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, and L.A. County Commissioner Zev Yaroslavsky.


Early in the evening, each of the recently elected councilmem-bers were sworn-in by local judges—Kolastian (Bozajian), Greg Marcus (Devine) and Leland B. Harris (Harrison).


After taking the oath of office, each thanked the people who helped them and revealed some of their goals.


All three mentioned the proposed Ahmanson Ranch development as one of the most pressing problems facing the council. Harrison, the only newcomer to the council, called it a "time bomb."


"We have to redouble our efforts (in fighting it)," he said.


"I think the council will come up with good ideas to get Washington Mutual Bank (the owners of the land) to the bargaining table, with our congressman, state senators and (environmental groups)" said Devine, who is serving her 10th year on the council.


Bozajian, now serving his second term, also proposed that the council establish a schools’ commission to oversee joint ventures with local schools.





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