Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank 

Judgment in the Burbank PD

For several days, I’ve been hearing about some ominous letters handed out to some members of the Burbank PD, the result of information gathered during those hush-hush investigations for alleged misconduct in the department. A source tells me that those who have received letters include Sergeant Chris Canales, Officer Nick Nichols, Detective Mike Reyes, Officer Elfuego Rodriguez, Lieutenant Omar Rodriguez, and Officer Tommy Perez.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters

Apparently these letters put the recipients on administrative leave. I’m told all of those listed above are in jeopardy of being fired. The word is Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse has issued a warning that more judgment letters are expected to go out to certain department personnel this week. I’ll have more on this later. Also, check out Jim Carlile’s post on his blog about the BPD letters.

UPDATE:  A response from the city posted on its website at 3:30 p.m. today.  Read it here.

City Statement on Burbank PD Independent Investigation Concluding
Burbank, Calif. (March 29, 2010) 

In April of 2009, the City retained retired police Chief Jim Gardiner to conduct an independent investigation into serious allegations that had been made against certain police officers in the Burbank Police Department.

The independent investigation the City requested is now coming to a close, and will be moving onto the required administrative process. Because of the strict personnel confidentiality requirements, the City is limited in the information it can legally provide to the public.

The City has taken every effort to make sure that the investigation and its results are objective and fair. During this entire process, the consistent direction from the City Council was always to “follow the trail wherever it leads.”

The results have been reviewed by private attorney Rich Kreisler, who has significant expertise in police investigations, multiple members of the City’s legal team, Interim Police Chief Scott LaChasse and his staff and two well-respected outside attorneys (Merrick Bobb who served with the Christopher Commission and former United States Attorney Debra Wong Yang).

Interim Chief LaChasse, a 32-year veteran of the LAPD, will be responsible for issuing any personnel actions.

We urge the public to be patient and allow the process to proceed to its legal completion. Our citizens can be assured that the vast majority of the officers in this department are dedicated public servants committed to the safety of Burbank and have served the community with integrity and courage.         

###

Race for the vacant seat in the 43rd Assembly District

Over the weekend, I got more of those expensive looking campaign flyers in my snail mail box from the Mike Gatto and Nayiri Nahabedian camps and their supporters. Also, at least one candidate phone pitch from the Gatto folks.

 I’m not a fan of political phone calls, but I do read campaign literature. Again, most of what I got concerned the Democratic front runners, Gatto and Nahabedian. I have to mention, both candidates have been criticized for allegedly, ah, embellishing their credentials. This kind of criticism could end-up hurting both candidates.

Last Wednesday during the candidates’ forum for the 43rd Assembly District, sponsored by the Glendale/Burbank League of Women Voters, Gatto made a good showing and Nahabedian did well, too. The third Democratic candidate, Chahe Keuroghelian, was just okay. The fourth candidate, Republican Sunder Ramani, was smooth and articulate in answering questions. Republicans are a minority in this district, but Ramani is still a strong candidate.

I’ve received my sample ballot for the special primary election on Tuesday, April 13. Interestingly, the only candidate statement included is from Ramani who also appears in the top spot on the ballot. By the way, if you want to vote by mail you gotta get your application in by April 6. 

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove –Burbank City Hall

To gate or not to gate, that was the question

Meanwhile at last Tuesday’s city council meeting, Republican Assembly candidate Sunder Ramani wore his private consultant hat. Ramani led the charge to try to convince the city council to approve a gate to the entrance of the hillside housing tract, the Burbank Hills Community. They’ve got their own private roads and recreational facilities up there near Brace Park.

In the past, the city council has rejected the gate proposal, saying it would hamper access by emergency vehicles. This time around, the proposal contained new technology to address the old issue of emergency access along with a 24-hour guard. The council still turned thumbs down on the gate as unnecessary in a 4-to-1 vote.

Mayor Gary Bric was the only “yes” vote.  Apparently the other council members did not buy the complaints of crime, fast cars, and safety concerns by some residents/speakers, so they denied the gate request. Check out the discussion about the controversy and some, ah, side issues, over on Jim Carlile’s blog.

Burbank Bargains

I happened to drop by the McDonald’s at Reese Place and Olive Avenue last Friday night. A long line of vehicles stretched from the drive-thru window around the restaurant and nearly into the street. Found out many customers were taking advantage of the fillet-o-fish special. Usually $3.59 each, except on Friday when the price drops to a buck-twenty-nine. This is how the big chains stay in business and make profits during a down turn in the economy. They offer the kind of bargains that draw crowds.

Neighborhood markets

More grocery markets popping up in Media City and that’s a good thing. Magnolia Fresh Market, which is really at 418 Glenoaks Boulevard near Magnolia Boulevard, is opening soon, according to signs plastered on the storefront. 

 Also on Glenoaks, near Providencia Avenue, the old 20/20 Video store is being converted into the Glenoaks/Providencia Grocery Store. Then over in the Rancho area, the new Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market is getting read to open its doors on April 7th, at the location of that old CVS Pharmacy near Verdugo Avenue and Reese Place. This is a perfect place for a market. Plenty of store space and parking.

Hopefully these new markets will take some of the pressure off the Trader Joe’s on Alameda Avenue. It sure would be nice to be able to easily find a parking space and not be bumping carts with shoppers inside the almost always crowded grocery store.  

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Obama waves to U.S. troops during a stop at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan March 28, 2010

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Obama makes an extra effort to shake hands with some of our troops during his visit to Afghanistan March 28, 2010

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Obama shares a fist bump with a female soldier in a mess hall in Afghanistan March 28, 2010

 President Obama’s remarks to the troops:

The mission

“Our broad mission is clear:  We are going to disrupt and dismantle, defeat and destroy al Qaeda and its extremist allies.  That is our mission.  And to accomplish that goal, our objectives here in Afghanistan are also clear:  We’re going to deny al Qaeda safe haven.  We’re going to reverse the Taliban’s momentum.  We’re going to strengthen the capacity of Afghan security forces and the Afghan government so that they can begin taking responsibility and gain confidence of the Afghan people.”

Unwavering support from the American People

“And I know that sometimes when you’re watching TV, the politics back home may look a little messy, and people are yelling and hollering, and Democrats this and Republicans that.  I want you to understand this:  There’s no daylight when it comes to support of all of you.  There’s no daylight when it comes to supporting our troops.  That brings us together.  We are all incredibly proud.  We all honor what you do.  And all of you show all of America what’s possible when people come together, not based on color or creed, not based on faith or station, but based on a commitment to serve together, to bleed together and to succeed together as one people, as Americans.”

The full text of the president’s comments here  and more about his brief visit to Afghanistan on the White House blog.

Another 3D flick blows up at the domestic Box Office. Moviegoers are definitely loving their 3D. “How to Train Your Dragon” opened with an impressive debut of around $43.3 million, to become the number one movie in the country.

This DreamWorks animation is about a Viking teenager raised in a tribe that slays dragons, however, he ends up befriending a wounded dragon and that begins the adventure. The star voices in “How to Train Your Dragon” include America Ferrera, Gerard Butler, and Jay Baruchel. The movie is based on a 2003 children’s book of the same title by British author, Cressida Cowell.

In second place, the live action/animated mega-hit “Alice in Wonderland” with an estimated $17.3 million. After four weeks in release, three of those at number one, the domestic tally for this Tim Burton creation stands at around $293 million.

The new R-rated comedy “Hot Tub Time Machine” landed in third with about $13.7 million. The comedy  stars John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke as a group of friends who find themselves transported back to 1986 after a wild night of drinking in a hot tub.  

The romantic comedy/action adventure “The Bounty Hunter” earned fourth with an estimated $12.4 million, bringing its two week domestic total to around $38.8 million. Rounding out the top five, the family film “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” with $10 million.

A hefty Mega Millions jackpot on the line today. The jackpot has rolled over a few times and now stands at $40 million. Players in 35 states are buying tickets for this major lottery. The chances of winning a prize in the Mega Millions game 1-in-40. The odds of hitting the jackpot 1 in 176 million. Those are tough odds, but have you tried to score a good paying job or a mortgage loan modification lately? If so, you know what it’s like trying to win when the odds are looong!  Yet, people do win. So go for it, if you feel lucky.

The big drawing is tonight at 8.p.m.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank

The 33-year-old David Starr Jordan Middle School teacher who reportedly confessed to Burbank police that she had a seven-month long sexual affair with one of her 14-year-old male students last year, entered a plea in Burbank Superior Court today.

 Amy Beck pleaded “no contest” to two counts of having sexual contact with a minor. Originally Beck faced at least four charges, but she reportedly got a plea deal. That’s no surprise. Beck’s case has had some strange twists from the get-go, which have suggested some sort of deal was in the works. On March 8, Beck turned herself in to Burbank Police. Her attorney, Michael Williamson, says she did it because, “…she was filled with guilt.” Then the ex-English and social science teacher refused to post bail, opting to stay behind bars so she could reportedly help detectives with the investigation.

KNX-1070 newsradio reported today that Beck could have faced a sentence of up to 18 years behind bars. Under the plea deal, she could get two years in state prison. One thing the deal could not change, when Beck gets out of prison she’ll have to register as a sex offender. Beck is the mother of three children and is married to a Los Angeles Police Officer.

Beck is due to be sentenced on May 7.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Barack Obama uses one of 22 pens to sign that huge health care reform bill into law on Tuesday, March 23, 2010

A lot of Americans are asking, what’s in that mega-overhaul of the health care system?  First, there are some provisions that kick in this year, others become effective later on. Details and links on the White House blog here.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House – President Obama and staff react to the victory vote in the House on health care reform

UPDATE: March 23, 2010 — President Barack Obama signed into law the landmark health care reform bill today. The president declared, “Today, I’m signing this reform bill into law on behalf of my mother, who argued with insurance companies even as she battled cancer in her final days.”

President Obama went on to say, ” … we have now just enshrined… the core principle that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care.” More of the president’s remarks on the White House blog here.

After a long bitter debate, behind the scenes dealmaking, and intense lobbying by President Barack Obama and his administration, a sweeping health care reform bill passed the House 219-212 tonight. All 178 Republicans in the House of Representatives voted against it, along with 34 Democrats.  Last December, the bill cleared the Senate. The next step is for President Obama to sign it into law.

This is the most sweeping change to the federal health care system in four decades. Tonight, President Obama spoke to the American people about what this change means.

President Obama

Good evening, everybody. Tonight, after nearly 100 years of talk and frustration, after decades of trying, and a year of sustained effort and debate, the United States Congress finally declared that America’s workers and America’s families and America’s small businesses deserve the security of knowing that here, in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the dreams they’ve worked a lifetime to achieve.

Tonight, at a time when the pundits said it was no longer possible, we rose above the weight of our politics. We pushed back on the undue influence of special interests. We didn’t give in to mistrust or to cynicism or to fear. Instead, we proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things and tackling our biggest challenges. We proved that this government — a government of the people and by the people — still works for the people.

I want to thank every member of Congress who stood up tonight with courage and conviction to make health care reform a reality. And I know this wasn’t an easy vote for a lot of people. But it was the right vote. I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her extraordinary leadership, and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn for their commitment to getting the job done. I want to thank my outstanding Vice President, Joe Biden, and my wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, for their fantastic work on this issue. I want to thank the many staffers in Congress, and my own incredible staff in the White House, who have worked tirelessly over the past year with Americans of all walks of life to forge a reform package finally worthy of the people we were sent here to serve.

Today’s vote answers the dreams of so many who have fought for this reform. To every unsung American who took the time to sit down and write a letter or type out an e-mail hoping your voice would be heard — it has been heard tonight. To the untold numbers who knocked on doors and made phone calls, who organized and mobilized out of a firm conviction that change in this country comes not from the top down, but from the bottom up — let me reaffirm that conviction: This moment is possible because of you.

Most importantly, today’s vote answers the prayers of every American who has hoped deeply for something to be done about a health care system that works for insurance companies, but not for ordinary people. For most Americans, this debate has never been about abstractions, the fight between right and left, Republican and Democrat — it’s always been about something far more personal. It’s about every American who knows the shock of opening an envelope to see that their premiums just shot up again when times are already tough enough. It’s about every parent who knows the desperation of trying to cover a child with a chronic illness only to be told “no” again and again and again. It’s about every small business owner forced to choose between insuring employees and staying open for business. They are why we committed ourselves to this cause.

Tonight’s vote is not a victory for any one party — it’s a victory for them. It’s a victory for the American people. And it’s a victory for common sense.

Now, it probably goes without saying that tonight’s vote will give rise to a frenzy of instant analysis. There will be tallies of Washington winners and losers, predictions about what it means for Democrats and Republicans, for my poll numbers, for my administration. But long after the debate fades away and the prognostication fades away and the dust settles, what will remain standing is not the government-run system some feared, or the status quo that serves the interests of the insurance industry, but a health care system that incorporates ideas from both parties — a system that works better for the American people.

If you have health insurance, this reform just gave you more control by reining in the worst excesses and abuses of the insurance industry with some of the toughest consumer protections this country has ever known — so that you are actually getting what you pay for.

If you don’t have insurance, this reform gives you a chance to be a part of a big purchasing pool that will give you choice and competition and cheaper prices for insurance. And it includes the largest health care tax cut for working families and small businesses in history — so that if you lose your job and you change jobs, start that new business, you’ll finally be able to purchase quality, affordable care and the security and peace of mind that comes with it.

This reform is the right thing to do for our seniors. It makes Medicare stronger and more solvent, extending its life by almost a decade. And it’s the right thing to do for our future. It will reduce our deficit by more than $100 billion over the next decade, and more than $1 trillion in the decade after that.

So this isn’t radical reform. But it is major reform. This legislation will not fix everything that ails our health care system. But it moves us decisively in the right direction. This is what change looks like.

Now as momentous as this day is, it’s not the end of this journey. On Tuesday, the Senate will take up revisions to this legislation that the House has embraced, and these are revisions that have strengthened this law and removed provisions that had no place in it. Some have predicted another siege of parliamentary maneuvering in order to delay adoption of these improvements. I hope that’s not the case. It’s time to bring this debate to a close and begin the hard work of implementing this reform properly on behalf of the American people. This year, and in years to come, we have a solemn responsibility to do it right.

Nor does this day represent the end of the work that faces our country. The work of revitalizing our economy goes on. The work of promoting private sector job creation goes on. The work of putting American families’ dreams back within reach goes on. And we march on, with renewed confidence, energized by this victory on their behalf.

In the end, what this day represents is another stone firmly laid in the foundation of the American Dream. Tonight, we answered the call of history as so many generations of Americans have before us. When faced with crisis, we did not shrink from our challenge — we overcame it. We did not avoid our responsibility — we embraced it. We did not fear our future — we shaped it.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

 

 The text of President Obama’s message is from The White House Blog.

“Alice in Wonderland” is still packing them in at the movie theaters, especially at the big 3D complexes. Tim Burton’s live action/animated fantasy adventure of the classic tale delighted audiences to the tune of about $34.5 million this weekend. “Alice” easily held onto the title of the number one film in the U.S. for the third straight week. The domestic total for this mega-hit has reached $266 million.

Several new movies opened and two managed to do okay. The family flick,”Diary of a Wimpy Kid, ” debuted better than expected with around $21.8 million. Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron star in the adventures of a middle school kid and his best friend during a school year. The film is based on a book of the same title in a popular illustrated series by Jeff Kinney.

Close behind in third place,”The Bounty Hunter,” starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. It’s about a struggling bounty hunter who gleefully sets out to bring in his ex-wife who has jumped bail. “The Bounty Hunter” captured an estimated $21 million, which is in line with expectations.

In fourth, the new Jude Law and Forest Whitaker action/thriller “Repo Men.”  It’s set in the future where repo men repossess body organs when patients miss their payments. It earned a meager $6.1 million. Rounding out the top five, the R-rated romantic comedy, “She’s Out of My League” with around $6 million.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank

Controversial court ruling involving one of the lawsuits swirling around the Burbank PD

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed Burbank Police Officer Jamal Childs as a plaintiff from that explosive discrimination lawsuit filed against the Burbank PD last May by five of its minority officers. On Thursday, March 18, Judge Joanne O’Donnell ruled the statute of limitations had expired on Childs’ claim. Hmm, Childs has been a Burbank Police officer for five years. It’s not like his complaints date back 20 years or so.

Well no surprise the attorney for the officers, Solomon Gresen, plans to appeal. Here’s the Leader story about it. Also, plenty of chatter and information about the ruling, Judge O’Donnell, what constitutes a hostile workplace, and similar discrimination cases over on Jim Carlile’s blog.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse

LaChasse’s plan of action

While the city attorneys are busy fighting the allegations of misconduct and civil rights violations in the police department, the new Burbank Police Chief, Scott LaChasse, is making changes. On the job since January, LaChasse is wasting no time in shaking up the department.

At last Wednesday’s Burbank Police Commission meeting, LaChasse introduced two new key members of his team, cop psychologist Dr. Larry Blum and Deputy Police Chief Tom Angel, who comes with 30 years of experience at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.

LaChasse mentioned improvements were being made in the BPD with the “Department of Justice” in mind. Gee, it sure sounds like LaChasse has discovered there is merit to some of those allegations and complaints against the Burbank Police. I doubt the chief would be trying to fix what wasn’t broken.

What about those town hall meetings?

Vice-Mayor Anja Reinke is a lousy tap dancer from what I can tell. At Wednesday’s meeting, Police Commissioner Jim Etter asked Reinke about the timetable for setting up town hall meetings with the public. Reinke babbled on and on about the problems arranging the meetings and how city officials wanted to have their excuses, ah, responses worked out first, before taking public questions about the police mess. 

Perhaps it was more of a bad case of moonwalking by Reinke. Nevertheless, Etter, the main advocate of the town hall meetings on the commission, listened to her explanation patiently this time. It will be interesting to see if Reinke has the nerve to try to pull the same stunt at next month’s police commission meeting.

State Assembly candidates forum at Burbank City Hall next Wednesday

A televised forum for candidates vying for that vacant seat in the 43rd State Assembly District is set to get underway at the Burbank City Council Chambers next Wednesday, March 24, starting at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The League of Women Voters Glendale/Burbank is sponsoring the event. (Maybe the Vice-Mayor should get some pointers from them on how to put together such an event)

By the way, the League is asking the public to submit questions for the candidates via e-mail or by phone. Details here. The primary special election is April 13, 2010.

Ex-Mayor Marsha Ramos still on the hot seat  

More grief for Former Burbank Mayor/Council Member Marsha Ramos. At that most informative Burbank Police Commission meeting, during oral communications, Activist Mike Nolan indicated Ramos’ deposition about the police mess had prompted threats to subpoena her phone records. According to Nolan, Ramos has hired a lawyer to protect her rights.

A strange accident involving a Burbank city bus filled with school kids

A lot of talk and concern in B-City about a traffic accident involving a school bus — that really wasn’t a school bus. Confused?  Well, wait it gets more complicated and weird.

Sources tell me a Burbank City blue bus, with 21 kids on board (ages 11-14), got into a traffic mishap with another vehicle at Olive Avenue and Orchard Drive around 3:20 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010. The accident was minor — no injuries, but it raises a number of questions about why the city blue bus was being used as a school bus.

The California Highway Patrol handles all school bus accidents, but the agency refused to deal with this accident because the bus was not a state certified school bus. Even the bus driver was not certified to drive a school bus.

What’s going on here?  Is the city trying to save a few bucks by using regular city transit buses as school buses, violating state mandates and putting children’s lives at risk? How many of these not-really school buses are transporting children around town? Do parents know about the situation?  More on this later.

Parking violations at the Downtown Burbank post office

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Downtown Burbank post office

So what’s up with all the folks boldly parking illegally at the Olive Avenue post office after hours? There are only eight spaces, two are for handicapped drivers, on the side of the building. Rarely can you pull into one of those spaces after dark, because they’re filled with the vehicles of people working nearby or shopping or dining or catching a flick at the AMC or whatever.

There are signs posted that clearly state the parking is only for those doing business in the post office. Burbank traffic cops need to crack down on these violators who force others to double park or do some other kind of inventive parking, just to run in to the post office to buy stamps, mail a letter or package, pick up mail from a P.O. Box …etc.

Spring officially arrives today. The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming in Burbank. Clear skies and a high of 80 is expected. Our rainy winter is now history.

Hollywood is tapping a new source for movie ideas — blogs!  I have heard of other projects based on websites, but this latest one, being developed for Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon, sounds like a real winner. Over on the deadline.com/New York site, Mike Fleming is reporting that Columbia Pictures has made a deal with blogger/author Ree Drummond for a romantic comedy, ”The Pioneer Woman.”

Drummond is known as ”The Pioneer Woman” who writes a popular blog with the same title,   http://thepioneerwoman.com/  The website description says she’s “plowing through life in the country  …one calf nut at a time.” Drummond is a self-confessed city girl who fell in love with a cowboy and is now making a lot of hay, ah, money writing and blogging about her life on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma. 

 Last year Drummond’s cookbook, “The Pioneer Woman Cooks, recipes from an accidential country girl,” came out and became a New York Times bestseller.

Next Valentine’s Day, William Morrow will release, “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels,” Drummond’s story of love and adventure in the country. On her website, Drummond describes the book as “… the complete saga (to date) of the rip-roaring true story of how I met my husband, Marlboro Man, and how I went from spoiled city girl to domestic ranch wife in the blink of an eye.”

Spec script season in full swing

Some interesting spec scripts making the rounds of the production companies and studios lately. Literary manager Kathy Muraviov is shopping, “The One” by Stan Evans, according to the Spec Chaser site. This is a romance about a woman who gets the ultimate choice: one week with her “soul mate” or a lifetime with a man she cares about, but who is not “the one.”  

Also, spec scripts are being snatched up and bought. On the Spec Chaser, the spec screenplay “Ruthless,” by Cooper Layne, is marked sold!

“Ruthless” is a crime thriller about an ex-con who shows up suddenly in a small Louisiana town and begins to cause havoc by exposing the secrets of the town folks. The script sold to Double Nickel Productions.

File Photo from March 2008: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank City Council Member/Mayor Marsha Ramos 

Former Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos is speaking out again about those allegations of misconduct against the Burbank Police Department. Ramos is interviewed in Today’s Burbank Leader about a deposition she gave last month to attorneys representing five Burbank Police officers, who filed a lawsuit against the department in May of 2009, alleging discrimination, racism, harassment, and other civil rights violations.  

The first time Ramos shared her concerns in the media about this lawsuit and the city “system” that produced it was last year on this blog: “I’m saddened, because I think this should have been avoided. Leadership is critical. That said, I recognize first hand, that hands are tied by a dysfunctional system that escalates conflicts to a point of no return.” More of Ramos’ comments published here on June 12, 2009.

In the Leader article, Ramos points an accusing finger at certain city officials for questionable handling of the allegations and for keeping city council members in the dark about problems in the city’s police department: “The amount of information that we, as a council, were given about police department issues was very, very limited.”

Also, Ramos blames a system that is broken:”What I really want is for the system to be improved, for the city to look at the hard issues raised through all of this and to fairly address the culture that created this.” 

Meanwhile over on Jim Carlile’s popular  blog, the depositions of Ramos and others have been discussed for several days now. In fact, Carlile published an interesting section from the transcripts of Ramos’ deposition showing the kind of pressure the former mayor/council member was getting from city officials. Details here. 

Ramos returned to private life on April 30, 2009, when her last term on the Burbank City Council ended. During two terms on the council, Ramos served as mayor twice. Before being elected to the city council, she served on numerous city boards and commissions.

UPDATE: Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

A sizzling St. Patty’s Day in the Southland.  At noon, it was 81 degrees in Burbank.  Hmm, the weather’s not the only thing heating up Media City right now.

Get out the sunglasses!  It’s going to be a scorcher in the Southland today. Highs in the 70s along some beaches and the mid-80s in some inland cities like Burbank.  The temperature hovering near 75 here in Media City at around 11 a.m. — the high of 85 is predicted.

We’re heading into spring, but it feels like summer. Go figure.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Barack Obama speaks to an audience in the Family Theater of the White House just before the screening of the first hour of a new HBO World War II mini-series,”The Pacific,” last Thursday, March 11, 2010. In the front row, the two executive producers of the mini-series, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

The 10-part mini-series, “The Pacific,” began airing on HBO last night. The cable TV mini-series focuses on the stories of three U.S. Marines during America’s World War II battle with Japan. It’s from the same folks who created the highly acclaimed World War II mini-series, “Band of Brothers,” which aired on HBO back in 2001.  “The Pacific” reportedly cost somewhere around $195 million.   

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Police and Fire Headquarters at 200 North Third Street in Burbank

In the Los Angeles Times print edition and on its website today an extensive report about the troubled Burbank Police Department. The report covers quite a bit of territory from the allegations of suspect beatings, racial discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and those federal investigations into possible misconduct in the Burbank PD.

The allegations, lawsuits, and scandal have taken a heavy toll on the department. The Times says, “The Burbank force has been so bitterly divided by the accusations that newly appointed interim Chief Scott LaChasse, who this year replaced Chief Tim Stehr, asked psychologists to help him sort through the morass and come up with a corrective plan.”

Also in the Times’ report, some new details surrounding the suicide of Burbank Police Sergeant Neil Thomas Gunn Sr. on October 29, 2009. Sgt. Gunn left two notes in his truck before taking his own life, according to the Times. One note from Gunn reportedly said, “This is absolutely work related.” Click here to read the story. 

On this blog, I have been covering the recent problems and controversies plaguing the Burbank Police Department since last spring. Click here for those posts.  

UPDATE: 3/15/10

Over on Jim Carlile’s blog today, a heated discussion about the Times’ article; among the topics, what was left out of the report and speculation the newspaper was pressured to water down its story.

Also, I’m hearing more media reports are in the works about the Burbank PD.

Tim Burton’s live action/animated version of “Alice in Wonderland” dominated the domestic Box Office for a second straight week, demonstrating its debut splash was no fluke. This weekend “Alice” racked up an estimated $62 million at theaters to remain the number one movie in the country. The fantasy adventure’s two week haul is up to $208 million.

There were some new challengers in the box office derby, but none came close to “Alice.”  Matt Damon’s Iraq War drama, “Green Zone” opened in second place with a distant tally of around $14.5 million. Proof again, a movie about the Iraq War is still a hard sell. Even this month’s best picture winner at the Academy Awards, “The Hurt Locker,” is struggling to find an audience.  In 25 weeks of release, “The Hurt Locker” has made only $15.7 million at the domestic Box Office.

On the other hand, moviegoers are still digging on romantic comedies, even the raunchy ones. The new R-rated comedy, “She’s Out of My League”  did better than expected, scooping up about $9.6 million. Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve star in the story of an average guy who hooks up with a 10 only to have his own insecurities and the advice of family and friends nearly derail the relationship.

A new romance drama starring “Twilight” series heartthrob Robert Pattinson came in fourth with about $8.2 million. “Remember Me” should have performed better, but apparently Pattinson’s fans were not up for a downer about two New York University students who meet and fall for each other; both are carrying a ton of emotional baggage.  

And rounding out the top five, the Martin Scorsese psychological thriller  “Shutter Island” with around $8 million. 

Tonight’s the night to adjust those clocks. Daylight Saving Time officially arrives at 2 a.m. tomorrow morning, Sunday, March 14. The U.S. has had some form of DST since World War 1. Under DST, we “spring ahead” by moving our clocks up an hour and gain an extra hour of daylight. We lose it in November, when we ”fall back” by shifting the clocks back an hour.  

An extra hour of daylight. A nice gift this time of year, when the leaves turn different shades of gold and brown and fall from the graceful camphor trees in Burbank. Raking the leaves is a bummer, but I still love the camphors.

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank hillside neighborhood.

When the flowers pop out in bloom and spring is in the air, an extra hour of daylight provides some extra time to enjoy it all. I can go for that.

 Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank 

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — David Starr Jordan Middle School at 420 South Mariposa Street in Burbank

A well-respected and former Jordan Middle School teacher remains behind bars today, while Burbank Police investigate allegations she had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student last year. 33-year-old Amy Beck, wearing handcuffs, appeared in Burbank Superior Court yesterday. Beck was due to be arraigned on charges of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 16, but the arraignment was postponed until March 25, 2010.

In one of several strange twists to this case, Beck did not attempt to post the $175,000 bail. Her attorney, Michael Williamson, says his client “…thinks it will be best..” that she stays in jail to better cooperate with the police probe into the charges.

Last Friday Beck, a sixth grade teacher, turned in her resignation at Jordan Middle School. The unidentified victim was enrolled at Jordan during the alleged sexual affair that went on for several months. On Monday, Beck surrendered to Burbank police and earlier reports say she confessed to having sexual contact with the minor. Beck is married with children.

If found guilty, Beck faces up to seven years in prison. Oddly, Burbank police will not release Beck’s booking photo. Burbank Police Information Officer, Sergeant Robert Quesada, told me “…we won’t be releasing a photo of Ms. Beck… we don’t consider Ms. Beck a danger to the community.”  I can’t help but wonder if a male suspect were facing the same allegations would his booking photo be released?  

Corey Haim: Photo courtesy Bree Bailey

Another young actor gone way too soon. Corey Haim reportedly died this morning at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank. According to The Wrap, a drug overdose is suspected. Haim, a former teen idol during the 1980s, has had a well-known struggle with drugs.

Haim starred in a number of films including “Lucas” (1986), “The Lost Boys” (1987), and ”License to Drive” (1988). Also, he appeared on television in the TV series “Roomies” (1987), and more recently the reality show, with Actor Corey Feldman, called “The Two Coreys” from (2007-2008). Haim was only 38.

The Verve Agency is beefing up its clients list. Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood is reporting that last month, the newbie agency signed some high-profile screenwriters, directors, and producers among them, Rob Edwards, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated animation “The Princess and the Frog.”  More here.

Willie Davis: Photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers

Southland baseball star Willie Davis is being remembered today. Davis, the legendary center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was found dead in Burbank yesterday. A concerned neighbor reportedly called police yesterday morning to Davis’ apartment in the 1900 block of West Victory Boulevard. Officers arrived at the scene and discovered the 69-year-old Davis on the living room floor. Burbank Sergeant Robert Quesada says, “ Mr. Davis showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead. At this time, detectives found no signs of foul play and it appears Mr. Davis died of apparent natural causes.” 

Davis’ story is the classic local gifted athlete makes good tale. Davis was a world-class sprinter at Roosevelt High in Los Angeles when he caught the attention of Dodger Scout Kenny Myers, who saw in the young runner a potential baseball center fielder, according to a press release from the Dodger organization.

Right after graduating from high school in 1958, Davis was signed by the Dodgers. It proved to be a wise decision. Davis played two years in the minor leagues, before moving up and spending 14 seasons with the Dodgers from 1960-1973. Davis is still the franchise leader in hits (2,091), extra-base hits (585), at-bats (7,495), runs (1,004), triples (110) and total bases (3,094). In 1969, Davis set a team record with a 31-game hitting streak. He won three Golden Glove Awards from 1971-1973.

In a statement released late yesterday, Davis received high praise from Dodger Owner Frank McCourt: “He was beloved by generations of Dodger fans and remains one of the most talented players ever to wear the Dodger uniform. Having spent time with him over the past six years, I know how proud he was to have been a Dodger. He will surely be missed and our sincere thoughts are with his children during this difficult time.”