It is hard to believe that 2018 is already coming to an end. It has been another busy year for our City – filled with many accomplishments. We continued to make great strides on the long list of projects contained in our Santa Clarita 2020 Strategic Plan (SC 2020).

One of the major projects within SC 2020 that we were able to check off the list this year is the completion of the new City-owned parking structure in Old Town Newhall. The structure now offers 372 spaces for your free parking enjoyment, and will be a crucial amenity when the Laemmle Newhall Theatre opens next summer.

We also made improvements at our Santa Clarita Public Libraries. Patrons will notice a more tailored collection, thanks to transitioning library staff in-house. Plus, passport services are now available at the Old Town Newhall Library. We also continue to make plans for a new library, arts and community center in the Saugus area.

Another major accomplishment comes from our partners at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. We saw an impressive 19 percent drop in Part One crimes thanks to their proactive approach. Our City streets are safer as well thanks to the Traffic Safety Team. Using the three “E’s,” enforcement, engineering and education, we have seen a continued downward trend in the number of collisions. Currently, total collisions in Santa Clarita are down 12 percent. There has also been a nine-percent reduction in the amount of collisions causing injury, as well as a 10-percent drop in the number of collisions involving bicyclists and we are pleased to report that there have been zero pedestrian fatalities so far in 2018.

I look forward to 2019, and making even more progress on exciting SC 2020 projects such as the new Canyon Country Community Center, Sheriff’s Station and completion of the Newhall Ranch Road Bridge Widening.

I want to wish all of you a healthy, happy and safe holiday season.

Best Regards,
Ken Striplin