The big day is almost upon us and a year of celebrations is wrapping up. On December 15, 2017 our city will officially be 30 years old. We have spent this landmark year looking back at the people and events that helped shape Santa Clarita – all while striving toward our 2020 goals.

I would like to invite you to the official City Hall Open House to mark our city’s 30th birthday.

On the big day, December 15, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., residents are invited to City Hall for an afternoon of reminiscing, honoring and celebrating Santa Clarita.

Come join councilmembers, past and present, as we take a look back at the past 30 years. We will have memorabilia on display, a final chance to sign the City’s birthday card, a chance to record a well wish to the City and of course…cake.

The highlight of the event will come from SCVTV and Leon Worden, as they debut a documentary looking back at our three decades of cityhood. This video will be shown in council chambers and will feature interviews and events from the SCVTV vault. You’ll hear from the key community members who helped make our City what it is today.

It will also be a time to remember councilmembers who have passed, including the October loss of my friend, Jo Anne Darcy. Heaven now has a quorum of Santa Clarita city councilmembers. I know that Jo Anne, George Pederson and my dad, Clyde Smyth, are looking down on us, and are very proud that we are following the vision the original council set.

When you look back at 1987 compared to our current year, so much has changed in Santa Clarita. Cityhood has resulted in millions of dollars remaining in our community. These funds have enabled the City to provide new facilities, programs and services our residents want.

We went from just a handful of parks to 34 beautiful recreational spaces. We now have 85 miles of off-street trails, more than 9,000 acres of preserved open space, three Metrolink stations, three libraries (with one more in the works), two community centers, anti-drug programs for youth, hundreds of sports and recreation programs, the aquatic center, skatepark, traffic and road improvements, preventing a new landfill and a new aggregate mining project, just to name a few achievements over the last 30 years.

I look forward to what the future holds for Santa Clarita. I know our city will continue to thrive thanks to the devotion of your City Council, the hard work of staff, and most importantly, the support of our engaged community. Happy Birthday, Santa Clarita.