Horses Still Welcome in Altadena

Altedena-- I attended the Altadena Town Council meeting last week to comment and to see if horses really could be banned from the streets. Thanks to letters from the Valley Horse Owners Association members and many other equestrians, the topic of banning horses from the streets of Altedena, raised by the lone voice of Town Councilperson Suzie Collins, has been quickly put to rest.

County Supervisor Michael Antonovitch’s Senior Deputy Sussy Nemer assured me their office had acted quickly on the issue and clarified to Councilperson Collins that under the vehicle code horses have a right to use public streets and have the right of way. Please send any thank you notes to Deputy Nemer for her timely assistance on this matter to her email address snemer@bos. co.la.ca.us.

Feedback indicated the errant Town Councilperson was buried in an avalanche of letters and email from all over and even from as far away as Acton. So, not to worry, horses are safe and welcome in Altadena. The council meeting had a very pleasant small town feel. The topic discussed in this meeting was how to best configure recreational and equestrian trails though a high density development that was put in over 20 years ago. It felt good to see that at least some high density damage to old historic trails are being fixed by at least one town.

So, our letters, faxes and calls do have a great impact, often even greater than we know or can even imagine. It is very important to continue to stand up and speak up, to write and to make those calls and send those faxes.