Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Campaign sign for Burbank City Council candidate Bob Frutos

This afternoon Media City Groove was sent this press release about the city council race by the Bob Frutos campaign:

BOB FRUTOS CONCEDES BURBANK CITY COUNCIL SEAT TO EMILY GABEL-LUDDY

Bob Frutos, Chair of the Burbank Police Commission, entered the race for Burbank City Council to participate in his civic duty as a contributor to the betterment of the City and its residents.  After a much contested primary election, the voters of Burbank selected Bob and Emily Gabel-Luddy to enter into a runoff election for the privilege of serving the residents of Burbank.

The April 12th runoff election proved to be a contested race as both candidates worked hard to communicate their vision for leadership as future city councilpersons.  In the end, the diligence of both campaigns managed to provide the city with the closest race seen in Burbank.  And after the margin favored candidate Emily Gabel-Luddy, Bob contacted her to congratulate her in a well run race.  Bob also indicated to her that he places his support and disposition to her 110% as our next city council member. 

Bob’s interest will now be to ensure the success of the council in continuing to serve the residents of the city of Burbank.  “This is the first time I run for public office, and it has been a privilege to have received such warm support from many old and new friends from our great city.”  Bob further stated, “I will do everything in my power to help move the City forward.  Emily will be a great council person for Burbank and I want her to know that I will be a contributor to her tenure as she engages in realizing her vision to make Burbank a city we can all be proud of.”

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Burbank’s General Election 2011 is history, but it will be talked about for some time. I joined a small group of election watchers in the lobby of City Hall last night, to wait for the returns to come in. It was a long wait!

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Group of volunteers involved in the various stages of the ballot counting process for the General Municipal Election in the basement of Burbank City Hall April 12, 2011. One of only two media photos of this process on election night.

The deadline for turning in those controversial mail-in ballots was 7 p.m. Despite this early deadline the first return numbers were not posted until after 9 p.m.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Police Commissioner Jim Etter, wife Wendy, and City Councilman Dr. David Gordon in the Burbank City Hall lobby for the election returns April 12, 2011

 Measure U sailed to an easy victory with 5, 264 Yes votes against 2, 555 No votes. A City Hall press release says:” Measure U will update the telecommunications language in Burbank’s Utility Users Tax to match current technology, without any change in the tax rate. It will ensure that everyone is treated equally regardless of the telecommunication service or device they choose.”

The real nail biter was the contest between candidates Bob Frutos and Emily Gabel-Luddy for the remaining one open seat on the city council. Throughout the evening, the candidates traded places leading the returns. By 10:30 p.m. it was over and Gabel-Luddy had the most votes in the preliminary count.

Emily Gabel-Luddy   4,400  votes       

Bob Frutos                  4,314 votes

Gabel-Luddy won a squeaker by a mere 86 votes. Today Frutos, Chair of the Police Commission, indicated he is not quite ready to concede. He issued this statement about the results: “I certainly respect the will of the Burbank voters. Because the election is yet to be certified, I will await the final results.”

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Clerk Margarita Campos spoke to reporters at City Hall about the election results April 12, 2011

Burbank City Clerk,  Margarita Campos, is expected to announce the final election results this Friday. Campos told me a week ago, four thousand General Election ballots had been received at City Hall. In the last few days, the ballots came pouring in. Last night, Campos said, “… a lot came in today…” It was not a big turnout, 8, 853 ballots. Still, that’s several hundred more than the 8,073 ballots returned for the February 22 Primary Election. There are around 56,000 registered voters in Burbank.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Campaign signs for Burbank City Council candidates Bob Frutos and Emily Gabel-Luddy

I have covered numerous campaigns and elections during my many years working  in television news and now as a freelance journalist/blogger. A last minute attack on a candidate is not unusual, especially if the contender is the front runner or has recently gained some serious ground.  Nevertheless, I was surprised to see the Burbank Leader  fire a full-blown assault at City Council candidate Bob Frutos with less than a week to Tuesday’s April 12 General Election. 

The Leader has become known for its rather, ah, fluid style of journalism; even so, this attack seemed to come out of left field.  A series of salvos was launched in three separate pieces: an article by Gretchen Meier “Union spends big to aid candidate,” a column by editor Dan Evans, “Start the Presses: Mail-in ballots and election overtime,” and an editorial, “Union’s support is ironic.” All three appeared on the Leader website with the publishing date of Friday, April 8, 2011.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Council candidate Bob Frutos spoke to a gathering in Burbank March 23, 2011

The Leader’s pieces zero in on the support city council hopeful Frutos has received from local 18 of the IBEW ( International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). The Leader says the latest campaign disclosure records show the union has shelled out around $42,000 for mailers campaigning for Frutos. The Leader admits this union reps more than 100 Burbank City employees and supported newly re-elected City Councilman, Gary Bric, as well.

Leader reporter Meier’s article points out: “The local chapter of the IBEW also spent $18, 861 on Councilman Gary Bric’s primary reelection campaign — more than five times what he spent. He won reelection outright with more than 50% o the vote.”

The Leader says Frutos campaign receipts amount to around $13,982. So that means the IBEW local has spent about three times as much as Frutos has on his campaign.  Hmmm, proportionally the union spent more on Bric’s campaign. No hit pieces from the Leader about that. Perhaps, this is due to the fact that the newspaper endorsed Bric — just as it has Emily Gabel-Luddy. (disclosure: I have endorsed Frutos on this blog). By the way, Council Members Bric and David Gordon have endorsed Frutos, too.

Also, the union may have spent less on Bric’s campaign because he’s an incumbent and more on Frutos’ campaign, a first-time contender for a city council seat.  A little obvious to some — but apparently not to the Leader staff.

In an e-mail to me, Frutos responded to the Leader’s attack: “The IBEW represents Burbank City Employees and is a part of our community. As a candidate I do not control who they chose to support or what they chose to do. I appreciate their support of my ideas to balance our city budget and I am very happy they joined me in supporting the idea that our employees should pay into their retirement plans and that employee bonuses must come to an end. From what I have seen the IBEW is not engaged in personal attacks but is asking questions about the source of contributions and endorsements.”

In the Meier article, City Council candidate Gabel-Luddy, a retired Los Angeles employee, gave this reaction: “I am very disappointed to see IBEW bring Los Angeles-style dirty politics into Burbank,” she said. “I think when the dust settles, the voters will easily see through this ploy and I will continue to focus on the issues that concern Burbank.” Gabel-Luddy admits to receiving some campaign donations from well-connected friends and associates in Los Angeles.

Dirty politics? I really doubt that the support this IBEW local has demonstrated for Frutos falls into that category. If you want to talk about dirty politics, how’s about the  vandalism against Frutos’ campaign signs? There’s been chatter in B-town about the  disappearing yard signs for weeks. These dirty tricks have been mentioned  in this blog.

I asked Frutos if his opponent, Gabel-Luddy, has reached out to him to denounce or disavow any involvement in the dirty tricks involving the vanishing campaign signs. Frutos said: “No I have not received a phone call from Emily Gabel-Luddy regarding this.”

The Leader suggests voters should question the support Frutos has received from the IBEW. I don’t see anything suspect in the union’s support for this city council candidate.  Yet, I do wonder about the timing and ferocity of this attack against Bob Frutos by the Leader.

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 – As of today four thousand ballots have been received at City Hall, according to Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Municipal Elections sign

The Burbank General Election is just around the corner — on Tuesday, April 12. In the primary a few weeks ago, I dropped my ballot off at City Hall on Election Day. This time, I decided to handle my mail-in ballot differently.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank General Election mail-in ballot March 23, 2011

My mail-in ballot was little ragged when I retrieved it from my mailbox late last month. Chalk up another negative for this controversial mail-in ballot system . Luckily, most of the damage was to the outside envelope. Yesterday, I marked my ballot, tucked it into the secrecy sleeve, and put that into the yellow return envelope. Oh, I affixed a first class stamp to that return envelope as well.

I dropped my envelope/ballot into the mail slot at the post office on Olive Avenue last night. No, it did not feel the same as dropping my ballot into the ballot box at the polls. At the post office I can only hope that my ballot gets to City Hall by Election Day. We’ve all heard of cases where a postcard or letter has taken years to get to its destination in the U.S. Mail. No such worry or concern at a polling place.

I’ve heard the issue of this controversial mail-in ballot is coming back to the Burbank City Council for a review soon. I say, yippee to that.

Dirty tricks & a big fundraiser 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Council candidate Bob Frutos gave his pitch to a high-powered crowd at a fundraiser in Burbank March 23, 2011

I got another report of disappearing Bob Frutos campaign signs over the past few days. Janet Strong, a resident in that 1800-1900 block of North Screenland Drive, e-mailed me to say Frutos’ signs were vanishing from the yards there. “It is sad that these type of dirty tricks are being played out. Very sad.” Bob Frutos said in an e-mail response about the stolen campaign signs.  

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Guests listen as City Council candidate Bob Frutos makes his pitch at a fundraiser in Burbank, March 23, 2011

A fundraiser/meet and greet for Frutos on March 23 drew some of B-town’s movers and shakers. The affair was at the elegant home of Burbank Civil Service Board member, Mary Lou Howard.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Civil Service Board member Mary Lou Howard hosted an affair for City Council candidate Bob Frutos at her Burbank home March 23, 2011

Around 75 or so attended attended the affair on a stormy night; among them: Police Commissioner Hagop Hergelian, Police Commissioner Nate Rubinfeld and wife Alma, Police Commissioner Jim Eitter, Dave and Pat Augustine, ex-State Assembly candidate Sunder Ramani, Bob Hope Airport Commissioners Charles Lombardo & Don Brown, and newly re-elected City Councilman, Gary Bric.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Councilman Gary Bric urged those at a March 23, 2011 event to support Bob Frutos for City Council

Photo: Janet Strong, North Screenland Drive resident, at a city council meeting in Burbank March 8, 2011

The City Council used to be the judge and jury of fairness for the Burbank community. The neighbors could ask for help with any concern. The council listened and with compassion addressed the issues of everyone fairly. Decisions were made by the council with intelligence. And, careful thought was given to what the people of Burbank needed. People who built this town. It was an honor to live here.

Unlike Today’s council — with self righteousness, personal opinions and lacking in professionalism. The March 08, 2011 council meeting shows the usual condescending attitude prevailed. The inappropriate behavior of the Mayor; laughing at Dr. Gordon standing up for the people of Burbank — showed disregard and disrespect for her fellow council member as well as the people she represents. This was a disgrace. Dr. Gordon is the only one on the council who takes his job seriously and works tirelessly on behalf of this community.

Also, implied in her (Mayor Anja Reinke’s) comments: Majority, majority, we will all be dead one day, we don’t own this street and we are suppose to do withat city and government tell us to do. That certainly was out of line.

It seems now, the council can’t get rid of us fast enough. We can die, so the next group of people can move into the neighborhood and have a sidewalk to walk on. They are trying to speed up the process.

Burbank has always been a family oriented town, with parks and all the reasons people move here, including the best police and fire departments. There is speculation, the current council is trying to change this, and make it into a giant metropolis at taxpayers’ expense.

Gary Bric couldn’t wait to re-vote his change of position. Since the council meeting on December 07, 2010 he has been sitting on a hot poker. Not wanting to lose any voter support — saying : “This is about safety for children.” Why, is the safety issue on Jefferies ignored and the one on North Screenland Drive manufactured?

Saying he is sorry for dragging this out for three months, dragging the neighbors through this again, when he knows 90% of those neighbors object, is a cheap shot! He didn’t have to bring it back. What council wants, council gets.

Vice-Mayor Talamantes said: The city is his concern. Councilman Golonski again cast his vote for the forced installation of sidewalks.

It’s a sad day when neighbors have no voice or recourse and come home from council meetings hanging their heads, having been humiliated by four people, who disrupted their neighborhood and punished those residents –by forcing them to have their property destroyed and raising future taxes.

Footnote:  On December 7, 2010, the Burbank City Council voted 3-to-2 against installing sidewalks in the 18-1900 block of North Screenland Drive, supporting the desires of the majority of residents who live there. 

However, Councilman Gary Bric had a change of heart. The issue was brought back. On March 8, 2011, the Burbank City Council voted 4-to-1 in favor of installing the sidewalks. More details on this blog post on the final vote and the controversy.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Municipal Elections sign

 The ballots for the April 12 Burbank General Elections were mailed out today. Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos, says the ballots were sent to all 55, 975 registered voters in the city. Meanwhile, the two City Council candidates on the ballot are burning up the campaign trail.

Last Sunday, Bob Frutos and Emily Gabel-Luddy, along with about two dozen other residents, braved the stormy weather to attend the “Police and Human Relations” event at the Buena Vista Library; where Burbank Police Chief, Scott LaChasse, gave a frank and informative presentation about the state of the BPD and how the department is dealing with all those lawsuits and investigations swirling around it.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Council candidate Emily Gabel-Luddy (orange sweater) attended the "Police and Human Relations" event Sunday, March 20 at the Buena Vista Library in Burbank

The event was hosted by the Burbank Human Relations Council.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Human Relations Council President John Brady and Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse at the "Police and Human Relations" event, Buena Vista Library in Burbank, March 20, 2011

 This week, Burbank Police Commissioner, Bob Frutos, is in full campaign mode. Last night, Frutos spoke to a group of residents at a “meet and greet” on North Orchard Drive.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Council candidate Bob Frutos made a pitch for support at a "meet and greet" on North Orchard Drive in Burbank, March 21, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Council candidate Bob Frutos spoke at a "meet and greet" event on North Orchard Drive in Burbank March 21, 2011

Frutos has another get together with voters planned for tomorrow night. Also, he told me he’s door knocking and has volunteers phone banking. Both candidates are in that final push for votes with the ballots out and the deadline to return them, April 12, fast approaching. The candidates are vying for one vacant seat on the city council.

 Earlier this month , I e-mailed Burbank Planning Board member, Emily Gabel-Luddy, five questions and she sent back five responses. I posted my questions and Luddy’s answers on this blog March 11.

Recently, City Council candidate Frutos returned his responses to my five questions. Here are the questions and answers:

You’ve had a number of your campaign signs vandalized or stolen, right? How many signs? When did this start happening?

 Over the last month, I have had over 30 signs stolen from the front lawns of supporters.

How do you feel about campaign dirty tricks?

Campaign dirty tricks display a lack of integrity and a lack of respect for differences in view points. They are childish games that discourage public participation and debate.

You’re a full time Los Angeles police officer. Do you think you can handle the demands of the job as a member of the Burbank City Council?

As a senior officer, I am able to change my work schedule accordingly which will allow me to be able to serve as a council member.  I also have the flexibility to select days off during the month which will allow me to be available to the residents of Burbank. I have served for 9 years on the Police Commission and I also served on the Charter Review Committee. I have never missed any meetings. I take my commitments seriously and will make that same commitment to the residents of Burbank as a council member.

Scott LaChasse and several members of his command staff are from the LAPD. Do you think that will hamper your efforts as a council member in making the tough choices for rebuilding the troubled Burbank P.D.?

Not at all, it will compliment the reform process of the organization to a more transparent and cohesive working relationship between command staff, rank and file and the city council.

What do you think about the handling of the North Screenland Drive sidewalk controversy by the city council and city staff? What would you have done differently?

I believe in neighborhood empowerment. The best solutions to our problems are found when we work with and listen to the voice of the people. The city failed to do this in this case and it caused a lot of deep emotions between neighbors, which concerns me. The neighborhood should have been engaged during the early stages of this discussion and solutions should have been explored to address concerns to reach the best possible consensus.

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Tree lined street in a Burbank neighborhood March 2011

Burbank is known for its quaint neighborhoods — some with impressive tree canopies along the streets.  A tree lined street is considered a plus by many prospective home buyers. Despite the attractiveness of these large city-owned trees — some homeowners are having them chopped down to cut expenses.  Heartbreaking, but perfectly legal under certain stipulations in the Burbank Municipal Code.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A dirt spot where a giant camphor tree once stood on East Alameda Avenue in Burbank January 2011

Earlier this year, I saw a city crew destroying a huge camphor tree on East Alameda Avenue. I asked the crew supervisor if the tree, which looked healthy, had a disease or harbored some kind of pest. I was told the tree was fine, except its roots were getting into the sewer line and the homeowner wanted it removed.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A section of the tree canopy along East Alameda Avenue Burbank March 2011

These parkway trees are under the jurisdiction of the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services department. Jan Bartolo oversees the care of parkway trees. In an e-mail exchange, she explained the code requirements and removal procedure due to sewer problems: “The Burbank Municipal Code (BMC) stipulates that trees can be removed if they are located within 5 feet of the sewer line.”

“When we receive a complaint from a resident who may be experiencing sewer issues possibly related to a tree and/or its roots, we request Public Works (PW)  to provide us with a sewer print out map.  PW’s also provides us with the service of marking the sewer line location.  We then make a field inspection and check the distance to the tree and assess all other pertinent factors when at the site.”

“If the tree does fall within the BMC’s code allowance for removal, we will then schedule the tree’s removal accordingly should the property owner desire this course of action.  While our inventory system does track tree removals, it does not itemize the individual reason for each removal.” 

The homeowners who have the city street trees ripped out because of root problems will most likely see their bills for cooling their homes during the hot months go up. I experienced this when, for some mysterious reason, the huge camphor that shaded the front of my house died a few years ago. I had it replaced with a young camphor that is slowly growing to fill the hole in the street canopy, however, it provides little shade for my home during the summer.

In this tough economy with costs rising and paychecks getting thinner, homeowners should not have to try to save a few dollars by having a city tree removed. Bartolo says these trees are generally 20-70 years old — and the city does not require  homeowners to accept free replacement trees. So the damage is permanent to the tree canopies in some neighborhoods.

At a time when city officials are hounding Burbank residents about conserving natural resources like water, they ignore the needless destruction of these valuable trees. There is a solution. Last night at the Burbank City Council meeting, Councilman Dave Golonski spoke about $9 million in unrestricted funds, a repayment loan, that the city has available. Why not put aside some of this surplus to handle sewer repairs due to tree root problems?  

If homeowners no longer have to shoulder the financial burden for those sewer repairs, beautiful and environmentally beneficial trees would be left alone for all to enjoy.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Artist Rosalba Acevedo (far left in blue) chatted with a guest during the water color art show and reception in Glendale March 12, 2011

Guests got a real treat last Saturday, March 12, at the Geo Gallery 1545 Victory Boulevard, in Glendale. A selection of watercolors, by two talented artists in love with color and detail, were on display at an art show and opening reception hosted by Ex-Burbank Mayor/City Council Member, Marsha Ramos. Among those stopping by to browse and chat, Burbank City Council candidates Emily Gabel-Luddy and Bob Frutos.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Ex-Burbank Mayor/Council Member Marsha Ramos gets a warm greeting at an art show and reception in Glendale March 12, 2011

 Ramos has been hosting the shows for members of the Burbank Art Association for about a year. Every six weeks, two different artists showcase their work at the Geo Gallery — which is on the first floor of a Glendale building at 1545 Victory Boulevard. Since leaving office almost two years ago, Ramos has dedicated time to her passion for the arts by being a member of the Burbank Art Association and taking time to paint as well.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Ex-Burbank Mayor/City Council Member Marsha Ramos and Burbank City Council candidate/Police Commissioner Bob Frutos talked with artist Arline Helm at an art show in Glendale March 12, 2011

The artists, Arline Helm and Rosalba Acevedo, have retired from successful careers and are now devoting their time to creating art work with vivid color and impact. Their paintings will be on display through April 7, 2011, from 9-to-5 p.m., Monday-through-Friday, in the Geo Gallery.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Watercolors by artist Arline Helm at the Geo Gallery 1545 Victory Boulevard in Glendale March 12, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Watercolors by artist Rosalba Acevedo at the Geo Gallery 1545 Victory Boulevard Glendale March 12, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Campaign signs for Bob Frutos and Emily Gabel-Luddy who are in a run-off for a seat on the Burbank City Council. The General Election is April 12, 2011

It’s not over for Burbank City Council candidates Bob Frutos and Emily Gabel-Luddy. They’re locked in a run-off for a seat on the city council. The voters will decide who gets that vacant seat next month on April 12, in the General Election.

Last week, Frutos picked up a surprise endorsement from newly re-elected council member, Gary Bric. Yesterday, Gabel-Luddy sent me an e-mail announcing she had received the endorsement of “… Jackie Waltman and the Burbank firefighters.”

Also on this blog, last  Friday, I posted comments from Waltman indicating she would be supporting Gabel-Luddy in the General Election.

After receiving Gabel-Luddy’s endorsement announcement, I e-mailed her some questions and she returned the following responses:

What do you think these endorsements will mean to this final leg of your campaign? Also, in my Burbank campaign news post dated March 4, 2011, Jackie Waltman commented on the importance of having a female voice on the Burbank City Council. What are your feelings about this?

These are significant endorsements and I welcome the support of a community leader like Jackie Waltman, and our Firefighters who are a critical element in service to our community. I am proud to have received their endorsements. Yes, I believe it is very important to have women on the City Council; we are 51% of the population and all perspectives should be represented on the City Council. Anja, and Marsha did a great job on the Council and I hope to continue that tradition.

Also, are there other endorsement you would like to mention at this time? What about the endorsement of City Councilman Dave Golonski?

I value Dave Golonski’s support because of his long tenure on the council, his experience and extensive service to the community. His endorsement,  in addition to the Sierra Club, the LA League of Conservation Voters, Burbank Managers Association, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congressman Brad Sherman, Assemblyman Mike Gatto, Past Burbank Mayors Ramos, Vander Borght and Wiggins demonstrated a broad consensus that I am best suited to serve on the Burbank City Council.

Also, you have been accused of missing 25 percent of the Burbank Planning Board meetings during the recent fiscal year? The Burbank City Council meets almost weekly — do you think you can handle that kind of responsibility?

I would not have filed for office if there were any question that I could not put my full attention to the Council duties. In the last year, as a working professional there were times when job obligations to my employer created unavoidable scheduling conflicts. I kept them to a minimum, but they occurred. I have since retired and do not see that as an issue.

Also, what are your views on urban planning as it relates to Burbank?  There has been a discussion recently on one of the Burbank blogs about your views.

Since I have been on the Planning Board for a decade, my record is clear: I support appropriate development, compatible with neighborhoods and neighborhood protection.

Also, what is your reaction to the North Screenland Drive sidewalk controversy?  Is there something you would have handled differently?  What about the 4-1 vote in support of the sidewalks for the 1800-1900 section of North Screenland Drive?

One of my issues is the city needs a better public process: informing and listening to community concerns.  Lack of that was amply demonstrated in North Screenland Drive sidewalk issue. Having said that, I commend Gary Bric for his openness to reconsider his original position in light of the prior and new information. His willing approach to consider new information is better than staking out a rigid position. That may sound good on the campaign trail, but is bad government. 

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Luther Burbank Middle School 3700 West Jeffries Avenue Burbank March 7, 2011

The students at Luther Burbank Middle school in Burbank and their safety have become the debating points in the bitter controversy over the installation of sidewalks on nearby North Screenland Drive. A second vote by the Burbank City Council over whether to approve sidewalks for the 1800-1900 section of Screenland Drive is on the agenda tonight. Most of the residents who live on that stretch of Screenland are opposed to to adding a sidewalk – but it appears to be a foregone conclusion.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Students crossing West Jeffries to get to the Luther Burbank School campus March 7, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Campus Supervisor Sherry Ross helped students cross the streets of North Screenland Drive and West Jeffries Avenue on the morning of March 7, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- Campus Supervisor Sherry Ross stopped traffic so students could safely cross West Jeffries Avenue to Luther Burbank Middle School March 7, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Vehicles lined up on North Screenland Drive March 7, 2011

End of school day 3 p.m. – students leave campus 

Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G -- Traffic at the intersection of West Jeffries Avenue and North Screenland Drive at around 3 p.m. in front of Luther Burbank Middle School March 7, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/media City G -- Two Luther Burbank students walk on the grass area along North Screenland Drive March 7, 2011

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A group of Luther Burbank students walking on North Screenland Drive March 7, 2011

Photo FLLewis/Media City G -- An overgrown hedge on North Screenland Drive in Burbank March 7, 2011

In a dramatic twist that still has some baffled, Councilman Gary Bric is leading the charge to get the sidewalks installed on North Screenland Drive. Last December, Bric joined councilmen Jess Talamantes and David Gordon, in supporting the majority of residents there and voted  “no” on that part of a sidewalk project.

However, by the first of the year,  Bric was talking about a re-vote and the importance of  public safety. Yesterday, I observed only a few students walking along North Screenland Drive. If safety is the issue, and sidewalks would provide more of it for students and other members of the public now and in the future — then let the construction begin. Yet, don’t ignore the bigger picture.

On Monday, I saw first hand what a mess that intersection at West Jeffries and North Screenland Drive is when school opens and lets out. School officials are doing their best to protect students. Campus Supervisor, Sherry Ross, is a terrific crossing guard — but she needs some help.

Burbank police should be on site from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. to deal with this traffic nightmare. One child was hit here last year — let’s not wait until another accident occurs before realizing more than sidewalks are needed to protect  children from harm here.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G --Volunteers sort the ballots for the Primary Nominating Election at City Hall in Burbank February 22, 2011

The two candidates remaining in the Burbank City Council race picked up some important endorsements this week. In last month’s Primary Nominating Election, City Councilman Gary Bric won re-election, Bob Frutos and Emily Gabel-Luddy collected enough votes to move forward to the General Election in a run-off for the one remaining vacant seat on the council.

Final Primary Nominating Election results:

Gary Bric — 4,658 votes

Emily Gabel-Luddy  — 3, 858 votes

Bob Frutos —  3, 085 votes

Jackie Waltman — 2, 140 votes

A few days ago, Bric came out and officially endorsed Frutos. In a March 2 press release, Bric said: “Our City will benefit from the knowledge, expertise and dedication Bob could bring to our council.”

Since Bric ran a campaign promoting the status quo and Frutos is pushing for change in Burbank, the endorsement came out of left field. Alexis Castro, Frutos’ campaign manager, admitted as much in a statement I got from her today: “Police Commission Chair, Bob Frutos, is greatly appreciative and pleasantly surprised of the endorsement received from Council Member Gary Bric.” Perhaps, the clamor for change from some Burbankers has been heard by City Hall insiders.

The fourth council candidate in the Primary Nominating Election, Jackie Waltman, is throwing her support behind Gabel-Luddy. This is a shock to a number of Waltman supporters — who thought she had aligned herself with Frutos. During the primary campaign, I got that impression as well, even though, I never received a joint campaign mailer from Frutos and Waltman nor heard of them campaigning together.

In an e-mail, Waltman told me why she’s backing Gabel-Luddy: “… I think there should be at least one woman on the council for the sake of diversity. I think women bring a different dynamic and she has the credentials.”

Waltman wrapped up her comments by saying: “… I hope whoever gets in will bring a change to the way the residents are treated and that the issues that are facing the city are dealt with responsibly and honestly.”

The Burbank General Election is next month, on April 12. Check out the election countdown in the far right column of this website.

Photo:FLLewis/Media City G --Campaign sign for Burbank City Councilman Gary Bric

Photo:FLLewis/Media City G -- Campaign sign for Burbank City Council Candidate Jackie Waltman

The Burbank Primary Nominating Election is coming up fast. Only two weeks to that February 22 election and there’s a lot at stake for the city and its residents. Most of the attention is focused on the two seats available on the city council and the four candidates campaigning hard for them. 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Campaign sign for Burbank City Council Candidate Emily Gabel-Luddy

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Campaign sign for Burbank City Council Candidate Bob Frutos

On the ballot, City Councilman Gary Bric and three challengers: Emily Gabel-Luddy, Bob Frutos, and Jackie Waltman. Over on the popular Semichorus blog there’s been a lively discussion of the candidates, their qualifications, and who will bring real change to the city. 

Gabel-Luddy’s endorsements and record on city planning have been debated along with Bric’s term on the council. Candidates Frutos and Waltman’s views have been evaluated by commenters, too.  It is well worth the time to check out some of these posts and the comments, especially the post  titled, “Bric, or Waltman?”  It had nearly 50 comments when I checked last night. 

Sidewalk controversy returns to City Council

City Councilman Bric will be on the hot seat tomorrow, when the council reconsiders the highly charged issue of sidewalks for the  a block of North Screenland Drive. At the December 7, 2010 meeting, Bric joined Councilmen Jess Talamantes and David Gordon in voting to remove this street from a sidewalk project, at the request of more than 30 residents who live on North Screenland Drive. 

However, after that meeting, Bric had second thoughts. Last month, he asked to have the issue brought back for reconsideration and that is set to take place Tuesday, February 8.  Many of the North Screenland residents who oppose sidewalks on their street are livid.

One of the homeowners on that street, Janet Strong, phoned me last week to express her outrage at what some see as a “flip-flop” by Bric. Strong was one of the North Screenland residents who collected 36 signatures from folks who live on the street and are against the sidewalks. There are reportedly around 40 homeowners on that stretch of North Screenland Drive. 

I walked that section of North Screenland Drive on Saturday afternoon, February 5. Wilbur Centeno stopped washing one of his vehicles to talk to me about the sidewalk controversy. Centeno is just as upset as Strong about Bric reviving the issue. He believes the claim of it being a safety issue for children is a “…bunch of baloney.” Centeno suggests: “It’s really about money.” 

For more on how many residents on North Screenland Drive feel about the sidewalk controversy — here’s a letter Janet Strong has sent out to some in the media: 

THE CITY OF BURBANK HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE.  WE HAVE A GREAT POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.  WE MAINTAIN A WELL-KEPT AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD,  EVEN WITHOUT SIDEWALKS.  WE HAVE HAD  NO REASON TO BE OVERLY CONCERNED FOR THE RARE PEDESTRIAN THAT WALKS ON OUR STREET. 

I HAVE LIVED IN BURBANK ALL MY LIFE IN THIS CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY.   MY PARENTS BOUGHT THE FIRST HOUSE ON  THE  1800-1900  BLOCK OR NORTH SCREENLAND DRIVE.  THE  RESIDENTS LIVING HERE TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR PROPERTIES.  WE HAVE NEVER ASKED THE CITY FOR ASSISTANCE OR CAUSED THEM ANY EXPENSE. 

IN MAY OF 2010, TO OUR SURPRISE, WE FOUND A BURBANK CITY EMPLOYEE MEASURING OUR DRIVEWAYS IN PREPARATION  FOR SIDEWALKS. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED IN WRITING PRIOR TO THAT DAY.  INSTALLING SIDEWALKS ON A STREET THAT HAS VERY LITTLE FOOT TRAFFIC, SEEMS A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY. 

IF THERE IS MONEY ALLOTED FOR SIDEWALKS IN BURBANK,  THEN,  THEY SHOULD BE  INSTALLED  ON A DESERVING STREET WITH VERIFIABLE  SAFETY ISSUES.   BY PROPER POLLING AND NOTIFICATION.

THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE, ON DECEMBR 07,2010, WITH A 3-2 VOTE AGAINST THE INSTALLATION OF SIDEWALKS .  THE SCREENLAND NEIGHBORS FILLED THE CHAMBERS.  WE LEFT FEELING RELIEVED AND JUSTIFIED WITH OUR VOTE.

YET, WITHIN A MATTER OF A FEW WEEKS, CITY COUNCILMAN GARY BRIC DECIDED “HE MADE A MISTAKE”  IN VOTING “NO  SIDEWALKS” AND FOR THE WILL OF THE 90% MAJORITY.  WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH YOU, GOING BACK ON YOUR WORD.  YOUR DECISION TO IMPACT OUR STREET (WHERE YOU DO NOT LIVE), TO FORCE SIDEWALKS IS NOT ABOUT SAFETY INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS.

MR. BRIC IS RUNNING FOR THE COUNCIL SEAT AGAIN.  SINCE HIS CHANGE OF MIND REGARDING HIS “NO SIDEWALKS” VOTE. MR. BRIC HAS FREQUENTED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD DURING THIS CURRENT COUNCIL RACE.  WE QUESTION HIS MOTIVES, AS TO WHY?  HE WANTS TO GO AGAINST  THE NEIGHBORS AND BRING IT BACK?

IS THIS A POLITICAL MOVE ON MR. BRIC’S PART, NOT TO BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE?

PERHAPS, IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL, WITH: “STAFF” AND THE SAME FEW,  CALLING THE SHOTS.  NO ONE MENTIONS THE MANY LAWSUITS AGAINST THE CITY FOR INJURIES CAUSED BY SIDEWALKS OR DRIVE-WAY APRONS LEFT UNREPAIRED.

THE DESIRE FOR GRANT MONEY, FOR PROPOSED SIDEWALKS, ($125,000.00) IS CREATING A POLITICAL WAR.  RETURN THE MONEY!  AND LEAVE US ALONE.

YOUR CAMPAIGN STATES: “YOU WANT TO REACH OUT TO THE RESIDENTS AND VOTERS OF BURBANK ASKING OUR SUPPORT, FOR YOUR VOICE ON COUNCIL.

WE ASK THAT YOU RE-CONSIDER YOUR VOTE:  “NO SIDEWALKS” ON OUR STREET.  AND REPRESENT THE PEOPLES WISHES.  SHOW YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT IN THE MANY, INSTEAD OF THE FEW.  RESTORE OUR NEIGHBORS EMPOWERMENT.

WE THANK DR. DAVID GORDON,  AND VICE-MAYOR JESS TALAMANTES FOR THE STRENGTH OF THEIR VOTES ON OUR BEHALF.  THE BALL IS IN MR. BRIC’S COURT.

MAYBE, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BE THE NEXT TARGET.

FROM: SCREENLAND DRIVE NEIGHBORS

###

 Burbank’s merit pay for city employees controversy

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Hall 275 East Olive Avenue

 Some new developments in the growing controversy about merit pay for Burbank city employees — who gets them — how much per individual — what is the real criteria for who pockets those extra bucks — are the main questions yet to be answered fully by city officials.

Late last Friday, city officials made an effort at damage control over the merit pay issue by sending an extensive e-mail to all employees on the issue. These officials are trying to put out a fire lit by the city of Glendale’s recent detailed posting of employee compensation on its website and demands that Burbank do the same, by the Los Angeles Times/Burbank Leader, other media (including Media City Groove), as well as a number of Burbank residents.

Apparently, City Hall higher-ups have been hard at work lately crafting a response to the surge of interest in Burbank’s secretive merit pay structure. Here are some details on what was e-mailed to city employees by Burbank City Manager, Mike Flad, on Friday.

From: E-Mail Administrator
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 4:05 PM
To: All City of Burbank
Subject: Public Records Request for Merit Pay Information

 City Employees:

 Attached is information regarding the City’s response to a request for records from the Burbank Leader.  We wanted to let employees know that information already posted on the State Controller’s Office website regarding gross salary of employees by title will be added to our website and will list employees by name.  The City is attempting to protect the privacy of employees while providing as much information as possible to the public.  Attached are more details on why this information is being provided as well as our response to the Leader on what information will not be provided.  If you have any questions, please contact Juli Scott in the City Attorney’s Office.

Mike Flad

City Manager

##################################

The attached information included a copy of a letter to Burbank Leader editor, Dan Evans, dated January 7, 2011 from Chief Assistant City Attorney, Juli Scott, and a memorandum on the Leader’s public records request from the Office of the City Manager – also dated January 7, 2011.

The memorandum states:

We will be providing the Leader with the gross compensation amounts earned by all full time City employees for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, and the aggregate amounts of merit pay awarded for the corresponding fiscal years; however, we have objected to providing the individual merit pay amounts. They have threatened litigation and the City Council will, as provided by the City Charter, direct how that litigation is to be handled, if it is filed. We will keep you update should additional substantial information be released.

In the Dan Evans letter, attorney Juli Scott indicates the Leader will be charged for some of the data.  Hmm. I received a letter from Scott, dated December 30, 2010, and in it she says I will be charged for the same information the Leader is told it will have to pay for. That doesn’t sound right to me so I sent a response to Scott yesterday. That letter is posted below.

January 9, 2011
Juli C. Scott
Chief Assistant City Attorney
City of Burbank
275 East Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91510

Re: Records request under the California Public Records Act

Dear Juli Scott:

I’m responding to your letter dated December 30, 2010. In that letter you said “… we are more than happy to provide you with what has been provided to the Burbank Leader…” in regards to the salaries, names, and merit pay for Burbank city employees. I accept that offer, however, there is a catch. You stated I had to contact your office to get “…the cost of providing those items…” Why is the city charging for information that the Leader is apparently paying the city to collect and distribute?

In your letter to Burbank Leader editor, Dan Evans, dated January 7, 2011, you detailed the information that was being made available to the newspaper. You stated some of the data requested would be posted on the city website. Other items would be made available and Evans would be provided with “…the estimated cost of extracting this electronically stored data ….” 

The Leader is being charged to assemble this additional data, therefore, it seems like “double billing” to charge other media and citizens of Burbank for the exact same data. As a member of the media and a Burbank resident, I request that the data collected for the Leader be provided to other media and anyone in the public who is interested free of charge. Feel free to e-mail me that additional information. Or you can simply post all of the Leader requested information on the city website for everyone to see — in a true demonstration of transparency.

Sincerely,
Fronnie Lewis
Editor
Media City Groove
P.O. Box 206
Burbank, CA 91503
FLLLewis@msn.com
www.mediacitygroove.com

Burbank celebrates its centennial

Photo: www.burbankusa.com/centennial

B-town kicked off its centennial celebration this month. Burbank will commemorate its 100th anniversary on July 8, 2011.  A lot of events are planned. Check out the new Burbank centennial website for events and more information on the year-long celebration.

One of the freebies: a gorgeous centennial calendar loaded with photos, events, a directory of important phone numbers, quick references for boards, commissions, committees, departments, agencies, some significant places, and top officials. Calendars are available at city hall, libraries, and various other sites throughout the city.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Police Chief Scott LaChasse at the podium during the joint meeting of the city council and police commission at Burbank City Hall November 23, 2010

The Burbank Police Commission is under siege. The first target is the outspoken Jim Etter, but it appears to be part of a carefully crafted plan by City Hall insiders and their minions to divide and utimately muzzle the commission. The Semichorus blog has an interesting post about the Etter attack with some background on some of the players involved.

A while back, rumors were flying fast and furious about a “certain” city councilman who wanted to disband the present police commission and install ALL new members of his choosing. Sounds outrageous? Remember, ”certain” members of the city council tried to take over the police commission public forum last August, but when that tactic got panned all over town — they were forced to step back. The outrageous and hard-to-believe frequently happens in Burbank city government these days.

Community reaction to the public forum was overwhelmingly supportive for future forums and for this new more involved police commission. Who championed police commission public forums and kept bugging his fellow commissioners and city council member, Anja Reinke, until they all got on board with the concept? The renegade, Jim Etter. Who has pushed this police commission to move away from the docile do-nothing panel it used to be — to one that’s more relevant and beneficial to the community?  Yup, Etter again.  He is the most forward thinking on the police commission, therefore, the most obvious target for some backward thinking critics. 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Police Commissioner Jim Etter at the National Night Out kick-off event in Burbank, August 3, 2010

 A full blown attack on Etter occurred at the recent November 23 joint meeting of the Burbank City Council and the Burbank Police Commission.  City Councilman Dave Golonski demanded some kind of code of conduct for police commissioners, because he had “… gotten some pretty serious complaints…there is some behavior I think is highly inappropriate…”

So what or who had Golonski so riled up? You guessed it, Jim Etter. The renegade had been wearing his police commission shirt at non-events, offering his assistance to residents by passing out business cards or posting the cards in his vehicle.

Etter, who has agreed to stop wearing his shirt without permission or handing out or posting his business cards, defended his actions as a way of letting residents know he’s there to help: “You can’t find me on the website … you won’t give me an e-mail… you won’t give me an address…”

Burbank City Attorney Dennis Barlow was called to the podium at that meeting to give a legal opinion that might support Golonski’s charge of “inappropriate behavior.” Barlow’s response:”… no specific codes of conduct… that would apply to commissioners in the city…’

That was just the first round. Also, Etter was accused of  “interfering” with a police officer during one of those infamous Friday Night Classic Car Shows at Bob’s Big Boy on Riverside Drive. Etter, a car buff,  admitted he asked a Burbank Police officer at the event about a parking/traffic situation that the car show participants did not like.

 Later, Etter passed on a suggestion to Police Chief Scott LaChasse, which was used to resolve the issue. So what was the thanks for Etter –LaChasse joined with Golonski at the meeting in accusing him of “interfering” with a police officer doing his duty.

And there is more. During final public comments, Burbank resident Brett Loutensock accused Etter of perjury in some court case…but then admitted”… I cannot prove any of that ..he was asked a question… he perjured himself, in my opinion. He’s a public figure I’m allowed to make those kinds of statements.”

Also, Loutensock admitted he had taken pictures of vehicles in Etter’s driveway, with business cards in the windows, on more than one occasion. Loutensock said he “…took pictures tonight..” and brought the photos and camera with him. Gee, how did Loutensock know that Golonski was going to bring up the issue of Etter and the police commission business cards? Hmm.

When Etter began responding to his allegations… Loutensock got up and walked out. At the end of his statement Etter said of Loutensock: “He’s dead wrong on what he’s telling the council and the public and he should be admonished for that or (laugh)…slapped around a little bit… I don’t know.  He’s just not telling the truth.”

In round two, Loutensock returned to the city council on Tuesday, December 7, and produced what he said was evidence of court cases involving Etter. In an e-mail to me, Etter admitted he had been involved in some court cases, but his memory was fuzzy on the details:” I can’t remember the birth dates of all my children, however, it doesn’t mean I were not there.” He said.

Also, Loutensock claimed that Etter’s final  comment about him two weeks before amounted to threatening “… a member of the public with violence.”  Loutensock called on the council to remove Etter from the commission.  Oh, before he wrapped up …Loutensock thanked council members Gary Brick, Dave Golonski, and Jess Talamantes for their assistance.

In an article last weekend about the Etter controversy on the Burbank Leader website, Loutensock reportedly said he did not plan to “…press criminal charges” against Etter. Apparently the city council has decided to look into the matter.

Interestingly, none of the council members objected when Etter made the controversial statement last month. Perhaps they felt that it was made in jest — not intended to be taken seriously. Sort of like the remark made by Councilman, Gary Bric, at the December 7 meeting during the discussion of sidewalks on a section of Screenland Drive where most of the residents do not want them.

Reluctantly, Bric said he would vote not to include that area in a sidewalk construction project,  but there were some safety issues with overgrown hedges and something had to be done. He felt strongly enough about it to  go down there himself with hedgers and … “knock it down in the  middle of the night…”  Are we going to see some resident come in later and accuse Bric of  threatening vandalism on their property?

I think not. Bric was just trying to make a point. Perhaps the way Etter was doing earlier with a little drama and some theatrics. Maybe in Etter’s case,  he needs to be “slapped around a bit” by his wife before meetings, to shake up his long term memory and to remind him to cut back on the long winded speeches and drama.  Juuust kidding!

How does the Etter controversy affect the rest of the police commission? After the verbal flogging of Etter at that joint meeting last month, the commissioners were told by the city council to come up with a code of conduct for themselves.

 Also, after witnessing the treatment of Etter it is highly unlikely the commissioners will be adventurous enough to reach out to the citizens of this city in any way other than holding monthly meetings or at a city sponsored event like a public forum. That’s a shame.

 Nomination period extended until Wednesday

Today at 5 p.m. was supposed to be the deadline for all nomination documents  for the 2011 Municipal Elections to be turned into the Burbank City Clerk’s Office. However, that deadline has been extended.

A notice of the deadline change to Wednesday, December 1, 2010, appears on the city website. Interestingly, it includes Mayor/City Council member Anja Reinke’s decision not to seek a second term. Reinke reportedly announced her intentions not to run back on November 19. 

Here’s the statement from the Burbank City website.

EXTENDED NOMINATION PERIOD FOR
BURBANK’S 2011 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS!

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Council Member Anja Reinke has announced that she will not seek re-election to the office of City Council Member in the 2011 Municipal Elections. Pursuant to the California Elections Code, voters have until Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. to nominate candidates for this elective office.

# # #

No surprise, Bric running for re-election, Reinke is not

Photo: Burbank city website -- Councilman Gary Bric

 As expected, Councilman Gary Bric has gone public with his desire to keep his job.  On Friday 19, Bric picked up the official nomination papers for the city elections on February 22, and April 12, 2011.

Mayor Anja Reinke made a public announcement on that same day that she would not be running for re-election, according to the Leader. This is no surprise. Reinke and Bric’s intentions have been circulating around town for months and were reported on this blog several weeks ago.

Also, as part of the local election coverage, I’ve been reporting on the nomination period. On November first, Vice-Chair of the Burbank Planning Board, Emily Gabel-Luddy, and Burbank Police Commission Chair, Bob Frutos, pulled nomination papers to run for the two council seats up for grabs in next year’s city elections.

Police make an arrest at Councilman’s home

Photo:Burbank city website -- Councilman Dr. David Gordon

 A lot of chatter on the Internet and in B-town about that alleged domestic violence disturbance and arrest of a female suspect at the home of Councilman David Gordon, Monday, November 15.

Police arrested 58-year-old Barbara Chin for alleged battery against a cohabitant. Chin was later released on $20,000 bail, according to a police report. A recent story about the incident on The Burbank Leader website, claims Chin is scheduled to be arraigned on December 9, in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Gordon  acknowledged in the article that Chin is the mother of his son, but ”… declined to elaborate on their relationship.”  

As is the case in all suspected  domestic violence incidents where there is a minor child in the residence, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services was alerted and will be visiting Gordon’s home to check on his son’s welfare.

I spoke with Dr.Gordon briefly after last Tuesday’s city council meeting. The councilman admitted this is “a difficult time,” but added, ”we’ll get through it.”

 Police Chief Scott LaChasse’s relative arrested

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Police unit

Police Chief Scott LaChasse has a relative headed for a court appearance.  On Monday, November 22, police were called over to Fry’s Electronics, on North Hollywood Way in Burbank, to take custody of a suspect who reportedly palmed a digital voice recorder and stereo plug and then walked out of the store. He was apprehended in the parking lot by security officers.

The suspect is identified as 58-year-old, Albert W. LaChasse of Canyon Country. LaChasse, who is apparently the chief’s brother, was taken to the Burbank jail where he was booked for petty theft.

LaChasse reportedly received a citation and was released early the next day. He’s due to appear in a Burbank court on December 14.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Hall 275 East Olive Avenue

City Hall officials are fiercely working to spruce-up and polish Burbank’s image ahead of those all important local election coming up in a few months. First, that highly touted, but rather bland monthly newsletter, Burbank USA, popped up around town and in utility bills.

Recently, a lengthy article on the effort to quote “refresh the city’s image” appeared in the Burbank Leader. Now comes the results of the Burbank Citizen Survey 2010. In September, Godbe researchers conducted phone interviews with a “cross section”  of 400 Burbank residents. A summary of the survey and the results are posted on the Burbank city website.

At the Tuesday, November 16, city council meeting, Mayor Anja Reinke raved about the results: “Burbank has one of the highest citizen satisfaction rates, 96 percent overall satisfaction in the way our city is being run our services the whole gamut of things in the city of Burbank.”

Well, that’s not quite correct. Those surveyed were questioned about city services and the quality of life in Burbank. None of the questions asked were about the police scandal, those lawsuits, the millions being spent to fight those suits, the jack-up of utility rates this past summer, and oh yes, those plum raises for selected Burbank Water & Power executives and some other city personnel. I spoke with one of the 400 Burbankers who took part in the survey and he confirmed this.

However, both the mayor and City Manager, Mike Flad, concluded the survey results indicated residents do not care about the police mess or other controversial city issues. Mayor Reinke put it this way,”… inspite of some of the police problems that we still have very high citizen satisfication with our police services and they have not suffered as a result of any of the problems in the police department that are winding their way through the legal system.”

Mike Flad said,”… we’re in an economic climate in an era of scrutiny in the wake of the Bell scandal and the public scrutiny surrounding public employee compensation and pensions. I think it’s absolutely extraordinary, I think the city employees have done an absolutely outstanding  job to keep our satisfaction rate at that 96 and 94 percent level for both the quality of life in Burbank and the public’s perception of the city services in Burbank.”

The only real criticism came from Councilman David Gordon: “I did have some questions and concerns about the sampling size.” Burbank has around 110,000 residents with 80,000 of them registered to vote. The research sample of 400 people seemed small to Gordon and he suggested a larger scale survey in the future.

Two candidates jump into the Burbank City Council race

As of  last Friday morning, two eager candidates, both with experience in city government, are off and running for two seats on the Burbank City Council. The first to sign up on the candidate’s list on Monday, November first, the first official day of the nomination period , Planning Board Vice-Chair,  Emily Gabel-Luddy.

 Burbank Police Commission Chair, Bob Frutos, signed up on the same day right behind Gabel-Luddy. Both Frutos and Gabel-Luddy took home nomination papers, which require the signatures of 50 registered voters supporting their candidacy.

I’ve heard about other contenders preparing for the city council race, too. So expect to see more names mentioned here, on this blog,  as the deadline for pulling and returning nomination papers to the City Clerk’s office nears. The deadline is Monday, November 29, 2010 at 5 p.m.

The Primary Nomination Election is February 22, 2011, followed by the General Municipal Election on April 12, 2011.

For a countdown to the February election check the far right column of this blog.

Controversial bike lane in Burbank gets a reprieve

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A cyclist rolls along in the bike lane on Verdugo Avenue in May of 2010

A hot issue that gets folks in the Media City riled up almost as much as the Burbank Police mess — is the bike lane along a stretch of Verdugo Avenue. This bike lane has a passionate group of haters as well as a peddle-power group that loves it. 

At last Tuesday’s city council meeting, a number of cycling enthusiasts turned out to encourage council members to make the bike lane permanent. The six month project was up for review. Despite the vocal support, council members decided they did not have enough data to fairly access the project, so they voted unanimously for a six-month extension for it.

The vote came as a surprise to the bike lane supporters as well as opponents like Ken Fesperman. A long time Burbank resident, Fesperman lives on a side street near Verdugo Avenue. Fesperman says the outrage over the bike lane from his neighbors and others he knows, prompted him to circulate a petition to have it removed. That’s when he ran into trouble.

Last month, Fesperman was collecting signatures for his petition at the Buena Vista Library when a cyclist confronted him. Fesperman says he was assaulted during the altercation and it left a scar on his face. Fesperman filed a police report, but the incident dampened his spirit for community involvement. However, Fesperman did turn in his petition to city hall, which he says had 330 signatures of folks wanting Verdugo Avenue re-striped back the way it was — two traffic lanes in each direction.  There is now one lane in each direction with a yellow turn section in the middle, from Hollywood Way to Olive Avenue.

Fesperman complains the change never should have been made without informing residents on the side streets. He says that since the bike lane went in, more motorists are zipping down his street –sometimes at “..55 to 60.. ” miles per hour in a zone where children frequently play in the area. “You’re creating more traffic,” Fesperman insists. He believes a powerful few are pushing the bike lane project. “I heard it’s a special interest group. Handful of the city insiders…”

 Maybe that’s why the city survey found little traffic change on Verdugo Avenue  –the overflow is pouring into the side streets. Another survey, with a wider scope, should be done.

Another problem is the alarming number of  bicyclists who ignore traffic rules. The violators got a scolding from outspoken activist, Eden Rosen, at last Tuesday’s council meeting. I’ve seen it myself. Bicyclists blowing through red lights and stop signs,  or riding two or three abreast with a line of traffic behind them.  Even cops I know complain about these arrogant cyclists who don’t follow the rules of the road. Oh, and we’re not talking about school children — most often — the culprits are adults.

In the coming months, city officials have opportunities to work on easing the traffic problems around Verdugo Avenue and to address other concerns of nearby residents. Oh, it wouldn’t hurt to pass out some of those bike safety pamphlets to the cyclists. I hear they have a good supply of the pamphlets over at the Burbank PD.

First flu case confirmed in Los Angeles County

It’s that time of year again. Los Angeles County has its first confirmed case of the seasonal flu. It’s the influenza strain A H3N2, which is rolling across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year’s flu vaccine will protect against that strain and two others, including H1N1.

In a press release, Los Angeles County Health Official, Jonathan E. Fielding, declared now is an excellent time to get that flu shot: “We cannot predict how severe or how mild a flu season will be. Flu is a serious illness and should be treated as such. Ample vaccine is already available in LA County in a variety of locations, including pharmacies, supermarkets, community clinics and doctor’s offices.”

Last Friday, I stopped in at the CVS Pharmacy on Hollywood Way and got my flu shot. It was a breeze. Only a few people were waiting, including a mother and her two young children, so the process did not take long. The cost around $30 and they accept most insurance plans. For information on free flu shots at single day vaccination clinics and or at Public Health Centers go here. Flu shots are now recommended for everyone six months and older.

It’s your right. Vote!

The candidates have had their say, now it’s time for the voters to speak. The polls opened for the November 2 General Election at 7 a.m. this morning and close at 8 p.m. tonight. If you still have your mail-in ballot, don’t worry. You can drop it off at any polling place or surrender that ballot and step into a voting booth and make your choices.

If you can’t find your polling place or will not be able to get there before the polls close, remember, registered voters can cast their ballots provisionally at any polling place in Los Angeles County. If you have election or voter questions, check out the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk site http://www.lavote.net/ for some answers.

You know, some local officials and politicians think that because voters in Burbank aren’t protesting in the streets, they are not concerned about government. They are so wrong. Last Wednesday, an overflow crowd packed the Burbank City Council Chambers to listen to the views of a group of local candidates at the League of Women Voters Glendale/Burbank Forum. I was not able to go to that forum, but I have attended others sponsored by the same group and they all drew a crowd. I hear politics discussed  in the chatter around the Media City all the time.  Folks here care about the issues and what’s going on government.

Looking ahead to the Burbank Municipal Elections of 2011, two seats on the city council, held by Anja Reinke and Gary Bric, are up for re-election. There’s a lot of talk about who might run and who might not. Mayor Reinke reportedly has put out the word that she’ll not seek another term. Bric on the other hand, is laying low, probably hoping to get another term in office without anyone really noticing. Fat chance.

Other names as possible city council candidates are being tossed around as well. As I’ve said on this blog, the upcoming 2011 local elections on February 22 and April 12, offer an opportunity to make significant change in the direction of the city. However, I’m opposed to the kind of mudslinging, harassment, and ugliness that marred the 43rd District Assembly race.

The wife of Assemblyman Mike Gatto, Danielle Gatto, wrote about some of the tactics she called “over-the-top” in a letter published in the Saturday, October 30 Burbank Leader and on the newspaper’s website.   

I’m not going to get into the charges and counter charges by Gatto and his detractors. However, if as Mrs. Gatto says in her letter that their family car was  ”..smashed up with a baseball bat and paint poured all over it..”  that is outrageous and the perpetrators should be prosecuted. Also, let me include other kinds of vandalism like the stealing or damaging candidates’ signs.  This kind of thuggery and attempt at intimidation should not be condoned in any Burbank political campaign.

Some details on the upcoming Municipal Elections from the Burbank City Clerk’s Office here.

Vice-Mayor Talamantes and the nepotism controversy

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Hall and City Council chambers at 275 East Olive Avenue.

Nepotism is one of the potentially explosive issues simmering right below the surface in Burbank city government. I’ve heard about it and wrote about it on this blog. Nepotism in city government got a public airing at last Tuesday’s joint meeting of the Burbank City Council and Burbank Civil Service Board.

The joint meeting was a study session to discuss various standards, rules, and regulations dealing city jobs and employees. The discussion was pretty routine and polite until the subject of nepotism came up. CSB Chair Nathan Schlossman said some board members were “…made aware that nepotism was rampant in the city of Burbank.”

In November 2009, Schlossman says he requested a list of employees who are related from Management Services. That department refused to provide the information declaring it was not in the board’s jurisdiction.

Rather than give up, Schlossman found another way to get the information. In March of this year, through a California Public Records Act request, Schlossman got a list of Burbank employees with their titles and departments. He analyzed the list by dismissing almost all common names and then looked for matches. “I was astounded by what I saw,” Schlossman said. “…I found a striking just a huge number of relatives.”

Schlossman used the Burbank Police Department as an example: “Now this is as of March 2010. I don’t know if things have changed. But to have a department with 165 sworn officers and support staff, I don’t know how many there are of those. But to have 29 relatives working there is astounding… and frankly I found it in every department… some more concentrated than others.”

I was at this meeting and I was shocked and disturbed by this revelation.  Now Vice-Mayor Jess Talamantes, he took offense, especially when it was suggested relatives of council members should not work for the city: “You know, that’s what the city of Burbank was built on –family. I mean after 30 years on the fire department, there were several dads and sons that came on board. Because they followed their Dad’s footsteps. Just like the police department. Followed their Dad’s footsteps. There’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t want to paint this negative. No, there’s a positive to that.”

“So when it comes to, you know, city employees and family members, I don’t like some of this conversation because it goes against the core of what we the city of Burbank is all about.”

“Just because I wanted to run for council so I can do the best thing I can for the community, for the future of the community, my kids are being deprived of a future, a career with the city of Burbank. I don’t feel that’s right at all.”

“And I don’t see any corruption here, you know, we’ve had our problems, definitely every family has their problems. We are a family, We are going through a problem. We’re trying to manage them, Just like any family. You face your problems and you try to manage your problems. Work with them. Find resources to make you better, that’s what we’re going through right now.”

“…I agree we do direct staff to look at the nepotism policies, strengthen it somewhat, but not to the point of the pendulum swinging the … other way, saying nobody can be related in the city of Burbank anymore.”

This sounds like Talamantes feels the city owes his kids jobs because of his 30 plus years at the fire department. If that is the case, Talamantes has shown himself to be part of the  problem in Burbank.

Photo credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept./L.A. Times -- Mug shot of Bell Mayor Oscar Hernandez September 21, 2010

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is cracking down on corruption in the city of Bell. Yesterday the mayor, Oscar Hernandez, and seven other current and former Bell officials were arrested by police and D.A. investigators.

The Los Angeles Times, which broke the story, reported “…a battering ram” had to be used to break into the home of Mayor Hernandez, in order to arrest him.  Hernandez was taken into custody Tuesday morning along with city council members Teresa Jacobo, Luis Artiga and George Mirabal as well as ex-council members George Cole and Victor Bello, and ex-Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia and ex-City Manager Robert Rizzo.

The eight defendants are charged with ripping off more than $5.5 million from the city of Bell and its citizens. They are due to appear in court later today. At a news conference yesterday, Los Angeles County District Attorney, Steve Cooley, gave a harsh assessment of their alleged crimes: ”They used the tax dollars collected from the hard-working citizens of Bell as their own piggy bank, which they then looted at will.” The Times has more on the arrests, reaction from Bell residents, and additional photos here.

A similar city government scandal is festering in Media City. I’ve been covering the scandal, on this blog, for more than a year. Elements of the scandal have been picked up by the national media as well. Right now, millions of taxpayer dollars are being used to defend the city and its police department against lawsuits and a long list of alleged crimes and misdeeds. However, the city council and some powerful city hall insiders are refusing to give the public an accounting of this money.

On last night’s city council written agenda, there was a listing of the cases discussed in the secret closed door session by council members and the city attorney. The agenda stated 8 cases involved “existing litigation” and  7 cases “anticipated litigation.” Also, the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department are conducting investigations here in Burbank.

Despite claims of fiscal responsibility and the need for budget cutbacks, the city council is approving big raises for a “select group” of employees – many already bank  six-figure salaries. Recently, the council voted to jack up utility rates, even though, Burbank Water and Power officials admit residents have reached a 20 percent reduction goal several years ahead of schedule. Something is seriously wrong in Burbank.

Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke’s daughter drama

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke at a city council meeting last May.

The Burbank City Council is dark tomorrow. That should give Council Member/Mayor, Anja Reinke, some extra time to deal with a personal matter that has serious public ramifications. Last Thursday, the popular Semichorus blog was the first to nail down some details on the DUI arrest of Mayor Reinke’s daughter, Ericka Reinke, who happens to be a Burbank City employee.

Here’s what two sources reportedly confirmed for Semichorus.

2:15AM on Sept 1, 2010

Ericka Augusta Reinke

arrested for DUI by the LAPD NorthEast Division.

Placed in Van Nuys Jail

booking # 2461650

$5,000 Bail

Released to Mayor Reinke at 2:00PM

Some reports say that when arrested Ericka Reinke tossed out her mother’s name and position as mayor of Burbank, apparently in hopes of getting some kind of preferential treatment. 

You know, Daughter Reinke may have had a shot at getting special handling if her misfortune had happened in Burbank. If she’d been busted here, I suspect proponents of the city hall status quo would have made sure that police arrest report disappeared or at least got sealed up in some kind of legal mumbo jumbo that would prevent the case from ever going to court. 

Sadly, DUI arrests happen all the time.This arrest is news in Burbank for a number of reasons. First, many have pointed to Ericka Reinke’s hiring and quick promotion as a  prime example of the brazen and rampant nepotism in Burbank city government.  Yesterday a Burbank employee, who doesn’t want to be identified, told me that in her department the workers in their 20s and 30s are the hardest hit by this culture of favoritism. She says these employees are qualified and skilled, but see themselves as being passed over in career advancements by marginal candidates with connections.

We should keep in mind that at this point, Daughter Reinke has not been convicted of a crime. However, her duties reportedly involved investigating other Burbank City employees with personal problems or issues of concern. If that is the case, Reinke should be removed from handling those investigations immediately.

As Burbank City Attorney, Dennis Barlow, is known to say there is “the potential for litigation” — especially if some of the employees Reinke is or has investigated, would challenge her fitness to conduct those investigations.

Yeah, I know, there is a chance Daughter Reinke could beat the DUI rap or the case  could be thrown out for whatever reason. No matter, in the best interest of the city, Daughter Reinke should step down from her Burbank position. If she’s as bright as supporters claim she is, finding a new job without the influence or the appearance of influence from her mother, should be a breeze.

Those Dog Days of Summer

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank dog, "Jack," enjoys a walk in the Burbank sunshine, except when it's a hot summer day.

 ”Jack”, a five-year-old lovable mutt, is a member of the Settlemoir family. Jim Settlemoir tells me “Jack” was a pound puppy the family discovered at the Burbank Animal Shelter.

I’ve know the Settlemoirs for years, but only met “Jack” on a sunny day last May at the Burbank Fire Service Day event.

Like a lot of canines, “Jack” gets a kick out going outside for a walk.  However when it’s a hot summer day, I’m told, “Jack” seeks out the coolest part of the Settlemoir Burbank home to hang out. Smart dog.

Burbank could get some more upper 90s and 100 degree days through September and even in October. So staying cool is still a concern for pets as well as people.