Money is still tight in many place, but not when it comes to those Mega Millions jackpots. Today’s game has a jackpot worth at least $76 million! The drawing is at 8 p.m. tonight.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters
More strange events in Burbank. First, over the weekend, an inmate reportedly was found hanging in his jail cell. It was reported on Jim Carlile’s blog and then on The Burbank Leader website that 60-year-old John Alfred Flores’ body was discovered on Easter.
Flores, a domestic violence suspect, was jailed after an incident Sunday morning. Early reports are calling it a suicide. The Los Angeles Coroner will release the official cause of death after its investigation.
I went looking for a press release about the inmate death on the Burbank city website, but couldn’t find one as of Tuesday morning. Gee, what’s with that? It’s not like a death in a Burbank jail cell is routine or business as usual.
Add another probe to the list of investigations going on in Burbank. Last month on March 20, it was first reported here about talk around town, particularly among city employees, about a strange bus accident in Burbank involving a city bus and a bunch of school children.
The accident happened back on January 15, 2010 at Olive Avenue and Orchard Drive. It was a minor collision between a bus and another vehicle. No injuries. The thing that sparked the talk is that the bus was apparently a regular city bus, not one designated to carry school children. From what I heard, the California Highway Patrol, which handles all school bus accidents, refused to touch this one because of the type of bus involved. So is this some kind of cost cutting measure by the city that’s putting children’s lives at risk?
I asked the City Manager Mike Flad about this accident and he told me to contact Interim Community Development Director, Greg Herrmann. This is where it really gets interesting. I sent Herrmann an e-mail on March 30, 2010, asking about the bus accident.
My e-mail:
Dear Greg Herrmann,
I have some questions about a traffic accident involving a Burbank city bus. City Manager Mike Flad recommended I contact you. The accident occurred on January 15, 2010 at Olive Avenue and Orchard Drive. There were 21 school children on that bus who were picked up earlier at Emerson Elementary and Jordan Middle School. I am told this was not proper school bus, not a “Got Wheels” bus, not a youth bus, and not a pupil activity bus. That is the reason the California Highway Patrol, called to the scene, refused to write-up the collision. I understand all accidents involving school buses are handled by the CHP.
The driver, Duane Beekman, was not licensed to drive a school bus. First, why was a regular Burbank transit bus being used to carry school children? How often is this happening in the city of Burbank? Are parents aware that their children are riding on a bus that does not qualify as a school bus?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
Sincerely yours,
Fronnie Lewis
writer/blogger
http://mediacitygroove.com/awritersgroove/
Greg Herrmann’s e-mail response on March 31, 2010:
Ms. Lewis,
My information on this incident is that it was a Got Wheels! bus operating on its normal fixed route, which circles through the city stopping at fixed stops like libraries, parks and recreation facilities and other after-school and weekend destinations. While it may in fact have picked up a number of kids at the fixed stops near Emerson and Jordon, it was not a “school bus” in the sense that it collected the riders at the schools and delivered them at their residence. The Got Wheels! system operates the same as any other public transit bus, except that it is only available to youth whose parents have pre-registered for the service.
You ask below why a regular Burbank transit bus is being used to carry schoolchildren? Again, my understanding is that it was a Got Wheels! bus that was being used, which is our normal operating vehicle for this youth-dedicated route. The Got Wheels! buses are the same basic vehicle that is used for the Senior & Disabled service, except that they have the Got Wheels! insignia in addition to the BurbankBus designation that all City transit vehicles display.
I hope that this information adequately responds to your questions. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Greg Herrmann
Community Development Department
City of Burbank
Since Herrmann’s information contradicted what I had heard, I sent a second e-mail on March 31, 2010:
Ms. Lewis,
I have referred your interpretation of the incident to our City Attorney office for a legal opinion. I have also suggested that they investigate how a confidential police report was made available to the public.
Sincerely,
Greg Herrmann
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove –Burbank City Hall
Herrmann’s second response is one we’ve seen all too much of lately by Burbank city officials. It’s the “circle the wagons and go on the attack” reaction, rather than dealing with a problem or situation. Where is the concern for the community, specifically the children? I haven’t seen the police report on the accident, but it must really contain some damaging details to prompt the city officials to try to track down and “punish” those who were concerned enough to talk about it.
By the way, according to what I’ve heard, the Burbank City Attorney’s Office has been aware of this accident for some time.
Moviegoers flocked to theaters to see the exploits of a mythical Greek hero, Perseus, in 3D. “Clash of the Titans,” is a remake of 1981 action fantasy by the same title. No matter, audiences were thrilled to revisit this adventure with its fierce battles and scary monsters. The new version stars Sam Worthington and it debuted with an estimated $61.4 million at the domestic Box Office to become the number one film in the country.
Tyler Perry’s new comedy/drama, “Why Did I Get Married, Too?” took second place with a big opening of $30 million. The movie is about four couples who go off on a vacation together to party and analyze their marriages. The cast includes Perry, Tasha Smith, and singer/actresses Janet Jackson and Jill Scott. This is the sequel to the the 2007 hit, “Why Did I Get Married?”
The animated 3D fantasy, “How to Train Your Dragon” landed in third with around $29.2 million, bringing its two week total to about $92 million. The new Miley Cyrus romance drama, “The Last Song” took fourth with about $16.2 million. Cyrus plays a teenager who experiences her first love during a summer spent in a Georgia beach town. Also, the movie stars Greg Kinnear, Kelly Preston, and Liam Hemsworth. It is based on a novel by best selling author, Nicholas Sparks who wrote the screenplay as well.
Rounding out the top five, the mega-hit, “Alice in Wonderland” with $8.2 million — for a five week domestic tally of around $310 million.
Dig out those umbrellas! A light rain is falling in Burbank and throughout the Southland this morning. That means a wet commute, so drive with extra care. Scattered showers most of the day, then the system moves out leaving behind partly cloudy skies this evening. Later on today, It will be breezy as well. The high might reach the low 60s in Media City.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said…” Matthew 28:1-6 NIV Bible
Photo: Chuck Kennedy/ White House — President Obama preparing to tape his weekly address on April 2, 2010
In his weekly address today, President Barack Obama called on the faithful and the nonbelievers to remember our shared spirit of humanity and common values built around work, health, education, and community.
This is a week of faithful celebration. On Monday and Tuesday nights, Jewish families and friends in the United States and around the world gathered for a Seder to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and the triumph of hope and perseverance over injustice and oppression. On Sunday, my family will join other Christians all over the world in marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And while we worship in different ways, we also remember the shared spirit of humanity that inhabits us all – Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, believers and nonbelievers alike.
Amid the storm of public debate, with our 24/7 media cycle, in a town like Washington that’s consumed with the day-to-day, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of the eternal. So, on this Easter weekend, let us hold fast to those aspirations we hold in common as brothers and sisters, as members of the same family – the family of man.
All of us know how important work is – not just for the paycheck, but for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can provide for your family. As Americans, and as human beings, we seek not only the security, but the sense of dignity, the sense of community, that work confers. That is why it was heartening news that last month, for the first time in more than two years, our economy created a substantial number of jobs, instead of losing them. We have begun to reverse the devastating slide, but we have a long way to go to repair the damage from this recession, and that will continue to be my focus every single day.
All of us value our health and the health of our loved ones. All of us have experienced an illness, a loss, a personal tragedy. All of us know that no matter what we’re doing or what else is going on in our lives, if the health of someone we love is endangered, nothing else matters. Our health is the rock upon which our lives are built, for better and for worse.
All of us value education. We know that in an economy as competitive as ours, an education is a prerequisite for success. But we also know that ultimately, education is about something more, something greater. It is about the ability that lies within each of us to rise above any barrier, no matter how high; to pursue any dream, no matter how big; to fulfill our God-given potential.
All of us are striving to make a way in this world; to build a purposeful and fulfilling life in the fleeting time we have here. A dignified life. A healthy life. A life, true to its potential. And a life that serves others. These are aspirations that stretch back through the ages – aspirations at the heart of Judaism, at the heart of Christianity, at the heart of all of the world’s great religions.
The rites of Passover, and the traditions of Easter, have been marked by people in every corner of the planet for thousands of years. They have been marked in times of peace, in times of upheaval, in times of war.
One such war-time service was held on the black sands of Iwo Jima more than sixty years ago. There, in the wake of some of the fiercest fighting of World War II, a chaplain rose to deliver an Easter sermon, consecrating the memory, he said “of American dead – Catholic, Protestant, Jew. Together,” he said, “they huddled in foxholes or crouched in the bloody sands…Together they practiced virtue, patriotism, love of country, love of you and of me.” The chaplain continued, “The heritage they have left us, the vision of a new world, [was] made possible by the common bond that united them…their only hope that this unity will endure.”
Their only hope that this unity will endure.
On this weekend, as Easter begins and Passover comes to a close, let us remain ever mindful of the unity of purpose, the common bond, the love of you and of me, for which they sacrificed all they had; and for which so many others have sacrificed so much. And let us make its pursuit – and fulfillment – our highest aspiration, as individuals and as a nation. Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all those celebrating, here in America, and around the world.
The weather is going to be a mixed bag or basket this Easter weekend. Today we’ll have glorious sunshine. The high should be around 65 in Burbank with 15 mile an hour winds kicking up this evening and the lows in the 40s tonight.
Some patchy clouds, sunshine, and mild temperatures on tap for Easter Sunday. Weather watchers are predicting a dramatic change tomorrow night, when the clouds roll in again and there’s a 50 percent chance of showers. If the weather scenario develops as forecast, raindrops will not dampen the Easter festivities. That would be just dandy.
They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and built it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” Mark 15:27-30 NIV Bible
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39 NIV Bible.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police patrol car
A new controversy is causing more debate and concerns about the Burbank Police Department. This time, the questions are being asked about the actions of Burbank police officers involved in that dramatic pursuit/suspect shooting last Monday, March 29, that ended near Universal City.
Television news video of that incident has focused nationwide attention and more scrutiny on the troubled BPD already reeling from lawsuits and investigations brought on by charges of discrimination, civil rights violations, and excessive-force allegations. Also, the department is struggling to recover from the suicide of Burbank Sergeant Neil Gunn Sr. last fall, which has been linked to the turmoil in the department.
The suspect, 30-year-old Steve Satterly, was on the run in a stolen SUV Monday afternoon. Police say Satterly was wanted in Indiana on suspicion of attacking his pregnant ex-girlfriend. The CHP was in hot pursuit of Satterly on the freeways, but Burbank police took over the chase once the suspect hit city streets.
On Barham Boulevard near Buddy Holly Drive, the suspect reportedly tried to maneuver around traffic and a Burbank police officer fired at the driver’s side window. There’s a lot debate about whether this shooting tactic was necessary and whether it put the lives of nearby motorists and officers at risk.
A short time later, Satterly abandoned the stolen vehicle and tried to make a getaway on foot not far from the entrance to Universal Studios. Several shots were fired at the fleeing suspect by two Burbank police officers. Satterly was wounded, arrested, and taken off to a local hospital where he has been listed as being in stable condition.
In describing the incident before the Burbank City Council on Tuesday night, Police Chief Scott LaChasse says the suspect was “…hit in the side.” LaChasse declared there would be a lengthy department review of the tactics and the use of force in this incident. Also, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office is investigating the tactics used by the police officers as well.
Burbank Police Spokesman Sergeant Robert Quesada told me the officers involved in that controversial shooting have been “…temporarily re-assigned to desk duty pending a preliminary investigation.” Sergeant Quesada did not identify the officers, but another source did provide me with the names. On this blog, I have mentioned the names of officers connected to the Burbank police scandal or “mess” as it’s become known. So I’m going to use the names of the Burbank police officers involved in this controversial chase/shooting. They are Larry Hill and Kitty McDonald. Their names have appeared on Jim Carlile’s blog, which has some interesting posts and lively debate about the incident.
The Los Angeles Times has a good write-up about the incident, the investigations, and what some crime experts think about the tactics used by those Burbank police officers.
