| They share a love for nature, horses, their community and most of all, each other. “We make a good team, that’s for sure,” states Jim McCarthy and Mayor Laurene Weste. As Jim recalls, he and Laurene were teenagers when they first met, but it wasn’t until the winter of 1986 where the two shared their first Trail Planning Meeting at the Valencia Library. “She came to the library with 50 cowboys and a rope,” states Jim, but as Laurene remembers…they were just a few of her supporters for getting SCV trails into the County General Plan. “She was tough and adorable, so I put Laurene in charge of County Committee SCVTAC.” “I thought Jim was very professional, much more efficient than his predecessor. But he was supportive of our trail mission, and I respected him,” states Laurene. Fast-forward a few years and hundreds of miles of hiking and mapping future trails, the two fell in love. “We were crossing the Iron Horse Trail 1898 Railroad Bridge, which at the time had big gaps in between beams with a 50 foot drop below,” states Laurene. “He held my hand, and I fell for him.” The Iron Horse Trailhead Bridge is now a beautiful trailhead that spans the Santa Clarita River near Magic Mountain Parkway and Interstate 5. With their shared interest and love for the outdoors, it would only be fitting that Jim asked for Laurene’s hand in marriage while out on a hike. “Jim told me he was the one for me…and he was right.” Immediately after Jim and Laurene finished Proposition A for Safe Neighborhood Parks, the two had just 11 days to plan their wedding. Hundreds of people came and it was a fun time for all, and in lieu of presents, the couple asked for donations to help our community’s non-profit organizations. “I didn’t see a lot of what had gone into the preparation until hours before the wedding,” states Laurene. “But it all worked out, because I got the guy.” It’s no doubt, the two are committed to our community and making it a better place to live, work and play. Together, they have worked on projects such as Pacific Crest Trail (Crest to Coast), L.A. County and City Trail Plan, Wildlife Initiative, 2 Prop A Safe Neighborhood Park efforts, Open Space District, SC Woodlands Park, River Park Study for City to name a few. They have also done thousands of animal rescues, and despite their busy lifestyle, the two make sure to schedule time for each other. “It’s about trust, honesty and friendship,” states Laurene. “You need to share the same goals and values, but also have fun together. We have been blessed with great friends and a great community.” |
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