My name is Kevin Korenthal, and I am a 32-year resident of Santa Clarita – specifically Canyon Country, but I have worked with citizens, elected officials and city staff on issues all around this great city of ours.

Having been raised in this community since age 10 and now raising my own family here, I have gained a real affinity for this city and its residents. I have traveled and worked within many municipalities around the state and country, and I can tell you none is finer than the SCV.

Praise for this city is due in large part to sure-footed leadership by the City Council and commissioners. Commissioners, who are appointed by the City Council, play an important role in ensuring that the interests and concerns of the constituents who voted the City Council into office are judiciously handled.

The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission is a good example of how city council members have called on certain citizens to follow and rule on amenity proposals, park and trail expansions and programs, recommended actions and processes for the City Council to consider and to work with other regional government agencies to ensure continuity throughout the region on these issues.

As an avid road cyclist, mountain cyclist, swimmer and father of children who use the city’s parks, trails and community programs, I feel I am invested in the decisions this particular commission makes. That is why I have applied to be appointed by the City Council to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission.

If appointed, I will be a strong voice for multi-use policies in access to all city public recreational property. Only by ensuring that all user groups, including the disabled, where possible, have equal and safe access are we responsibly and fairly managing these assets. This is especially true of the growing unpaved trail system throughout our open spaces.

I will also encourage developers building in the Santa Clarita Valley to plan amenities such as trails, trailheads, parks and various open space as part of their development planning.

The city is host to many, many community programs like children’s sports, adult education and crafts, along with extra-governmental activities such as Amgen and too many great nonprofit activities to mention here. The list of programs is so big that it takes up the vast majority of a roughly 80-page publication the city produces each season titled, accurately enough, Seasons magazine.

As I take a couple of hours each season to review the myriad of programs and activities, I wonder how many of these activities are doing well but could be made better, are doing great and should be expanded, or are not doing well and should either be terminated or significantly overhauled. As a city parks commissioner, I will ensure that all city programs that come under the jurisdiction of the commission are regularly evaluated for success and value, and that funds are being used in a manner that is respectful of the hard-working Santa Clarita citizens who pay for them.

As for my credentials, I am the former executive director of a statewide construction trade association and current small businessman. I previously served on the Newhall Redevelopment Committee and have the pleasure of being a founding member of the Santa Clarita Bicycle Coalition and a board member of the Friends of the Santa Clarita Libraries and the Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities.

I am myself a “differently abled” person since the 2005 amputation of my left leg below the knee. I’ve dealt with my disabilities by pushing the limits of my abilities through recreational athletic pursuits such as cycling and swimming. These experiences in particular have given me an on-the-ground view of how the disabled – as well as most other Santa Claritans – use our parks, trails, open spaces and other amenities. I also recently began a nonprofit organization to assist the survivors of traumatic injury and debilitating disease with resources that will help them have the best recovery possible and a more active lifestyle.

If you believe I am qualified to fill a seat on the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission, I hope you will take the time to recommend me to the City Council members who will decide that question. Thank you in advance for your support.

The Santa Clarita City Council:

Mayor Laurene Weste: lweste@santa-clarita.com

Mayor Pro-Tem Marsha McLean: mmclean@santa-clarita.com

Councilman TimBen Boydston: tboydston@santa-clarita.com

Councilman Dante Acosta: dacosta@santa-clarita.com

Councilman Bob Kellar: bkellar@santa-clarita.com

Kevin D. Korenthal is a 32-year resident of Santa Clarita and a former candidate for the Castaic Lake Water Agency board.