History Of Pledgerville Senior Citizens Villa, Inc.
On May 23, 1972, while sitting in his office reminiscing over the welfare of our community and Pacoima,
Rev. T. G. Pledger wrote the Lord a note. He put this note aside, and some five years later, the note surfaced again, at which time, Rev. Pledger knew he had to do something about this note.
Then, on December 28, 1977, he called a meeting of nine members of the greater Community Baptist
Church at 11066 Norris Street in Pacoima, California, to discuss the contents of the note. At this meeting,
it was decided that we as members of the church, would pursue the erection of a building for the seniors and
handicapped of our community. Also, during this meeting a Planning Committee was formed to examine
the courses of action to be taken in the pursuit of our dream. This committee was chaired by Mrs. Earlene
Stepney and Mrs. Eula C. Rose was appointed secretary.
The committee agreed to request information from the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) in Washington, D. C. as to the guidelines and procedures necessary to carry out a project ofthis
magnitude.
Soon thereafter, the committee was introduced to a Planning, Architect, Engineering Management and
Consulting Firm by Mr. Ken Thomas, Deputy to former councilman of the First Council District, Mr. Bob
Ronka. A proposal, prepared by this firm, was submitted to HUD for a senior citizens housing project;
however, this proposal was not approved.
We felt a need for legal guidance and that was obtained in the person of Bryce D. Wisner, Esq.
Under the direction of Mr. Paul T. Lewis, in July 1978, the Planning Committee reported its findings to the
Executive Board of Greater Community Baptist Church. At this time, it was deemed necessary that a
Board of Directors be established for the express purpose of becoming a non-profit corporation of the state
of California. In order to become incorporated, a project name had to be chosen. The chartered name is
PLEDGERVILLE SENIOR CITIZENS VILLA, INC. And on Feburary 5, 1979, we became incorporated.
On April 26, 1979, the corporation secured the services of Barker Management Inc., Mr. Byron Barker,
President, who became our consultant; and Edward C.Barker and Associates, Architects. Under the
guidance of our Consultant, new proposals were submitted to HUD requiring many changes before the
project was finally funded in September, 1980 in the amount of $3.99 millions.
But at a later date, the Barkers drafted another proposal for the project which they resubmitted to HUD,
and it was approved at a total cost of $6,051,700.00.
This last funding has resulted in this beautiful senior citizens facility that you are witnessing today! Major
features of the project include ninety-three one bedroom units and one two bedroom unit for the manage}';
rully equipped kitchen and bathroom; carpet and draperies throughout; two elevators in both five stories
and six stories wings; recreation room with built-in kitchen and arts and crafts facilities; laundry room
with washers and dryers in the third wing; completely enclosed parking and outdoor sitting area, and
twenty-four hour security and managerial services.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held on the project site on February 19,1983. Construction was begun
by Campbell Construction Company about a week later, and with few obstacles, occupancy occurred in
March, 1984. To date we proudly share with you that there is a 90% occupancy rate.
The Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the fact that Mr. Paul T. Lewis, Past Chief Executive Officer,
is not with us today to witness the completion of this building, as he spent many, long and productive hours
of his time and energy, in good health and in poor health, to help make this project a reality! Appreciation
and loving thanks are also extended to Mrs. Lewis, who shared in her husband's efforts to eliminate any
obstruction in making this dream a success. She encouraged him as well as the Board of Directors to keep
pushing forward to see the fruit of her husband's labor.
Not enough praise can be given to the untiring efforts of Rev . T. G. Pledger and Mr. Paul T. Lewis as well as
the former Congressman James Corman and Staff and former Councilman Bob Ronka and Staff. But as
with politics, administrations change, and later, support was given by Congresswoman Bobbi Fiedler;
Congressman Howard Berman who interceded at the eleventh hour to get the project passed; Assembly-
man Richard Katz; Supervisor Mike Antonovich; Councilman Howard Finn; as well as the many other civic
and lay persons of the community. The organization, Pledgerville Senior Citizens Villa, Inc., could not
have been successful without the concern, dedication, cooperation and understanding of its Board of
Directors - Mr. Joe Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Earlene Stepney, First Vice President, Mr.
Frank Divens, Second Vice President, Mrs. Jane McGlory, Executive Financial Officer, Mrs. Eula C. Rose,
Executive Secretary, Mrs. Myrtle Scott Agent for Service of Process, Mr. George Hawkins, Mr. Paul
Tsuneishi, Mr. Sel Anderson, Mr. Ted Minor, Mr. Cleo McConnell, Ms. Bertha Bermudez, Mrs. Mabel
Green and Mrs. Betty Doss.
Of the current Board of Directors, three are charter members. They are Mrs. Earlene Stepney, Mrs. Myrtle
Scott and Mrs. Eula C. Rose who has been the secretary since the beginning of this endeavor. Pledgerville
Senior Citizens Villa, Inc., located at 11060 Norris Street, Pacoima, California 91331, is managed by
Barker and Associates Management Firm, Anaheim, California 92805.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eula C. Rose, Secretary
Dated May 1, 1984 |
