ECHO's 2001 Protest Ride that closed down Topanga Canyon Blvd with 160 ridersIn 2000, Jerry founded the Chatsworth Equine Cultural Heritage Organization (Chatsworth ECHO) to help protect horse trails, horse-keeping zoning, and other equine-friendly legislation.
In 2002, when Jerry ran for Valley City Council in the Secession Election, he increased awareness about horse-keeping in Chatsworth that was reported in the Los Angeles Times, The Daily News, The New York Times, The Saint Petersburg (FL) Times, The Daily Breeze, The NewLA Times, and many more publications.
On October 15, 2002, The Valley Secession Fever web log wrote:
"Jerry England is famous. It's been six months since I've been following every single damn news story on Valley secession and he keeps on popping up. His secret? Well, I can hazard a guess. England is the Valley man. Some Valley personalities represent a segment of the Valley secession issue, like, say Richard Katz. When you're in the media and want quick access to debunk city claims then Katz your man. For Latino secessionists, Carlos Ferreyra fits your bill. Lesbians? Laurette Healey.
But when it comes down to finding someone who is just..sooo Valley, you can do no better than an Anglo-Saxon "renaissance man," expert on all things Valley. His close association with the old pastoral Valley gives the media the drama they need because contradiction is dramatic; how the Valley would become the country's sixth-largest city yet its most influential citizen is a cowboy. For the outside media, there is no need to pore through very slim, hard-to-find Valley history, England would feed it to them. But even if secession wasn't the main issue, expect Jerry England to be there. His causes predate the secession movement especially the battle against the many developments around his hometown in Chatsworth. He gets nothing but disrespect from the city council, yet gamely attends its sessions in distant downtown just to win his causes.
There is no angle to a secession story that Jerry England doesn't fit in. In the eyes of the press, England is an easy person to get a hold of but more importantly, the most interesting one too."
In 2003, Jerry was elected to the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council where he continued his effort to protect our rural community, acting as the Chairman of its Equestrian Committee and Land Use Committee. Between 2003 and 2005, Jerry established a positive working relationship with Councilman Greig Smith, who supports the protection our Chatsworth equestrian community. In 2007 Jerry left the CNC, and continues working on positive relationships with elected oficials that benefit equestrians throughout Southern California.
Jerry with Councilman Greig Smith and Patti Friedman at the Day of the Horse 2004
In April 2004, the CNC Equestrian Committee sponsored "Equestrian Safety Month," an idea Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich liked so well that he proclaimed it countywide. Also in 2003, the Chatsworth Day of the Horse was established to increase to awareness of horses in the Chatsworth community.
England thanks Supervisor Michael Antonovich for his support of LA equestrians 2004
In 2004 Jerry had shoulder surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his shoulder, and couldn't ride for six months, so Los Angeles City Councilmember Greig Smith presented Jerry with a garanteed gentle horse he could ride without damaging his shoulder.
In September 2005, Jerry organized a Chatsworth Trail Ride for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa attended by local and valleywide riders.
(left to right) September 17, 2005 -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Pat Kouri,trainer for the LAPD mounted patrol,and Jerry
In the October 2005 Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce newsletter President Jenny Gosselin wrote about Jerry efforts and the Mayor's ride, "The sense of community that was enjoyed by all, those on horse back and our friends who supported the event is what makes Chatsworth GREAT! We are here for each other and for our friends everywhere."
In December 2005 Jerry was
honored by the Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth when they asked him
to be the Honorary Mayor of Chatsworth in the 1st Annual San Fernando
Valley Holiday Parade and Family Festival (formerly the Chatsworth
Holiday Parade) on Sunday, December 11, 2005
In May 2006 Jerry was invited to speak to the San Fernando Valley Historical Society about what it was like for a Valley boy to grow up on a horse in the 1950s. Jerry's talk is titled 1940s - 1960s a Golden Age of Valley Horses
cowboy paintings || rustic furniture || about jerry || cowboy poetry || cowboyup america © jerry england 1989 - 2004
jerry@cowboyup.com
