Congresswoman Michele Bachmann August 10, 2011 in Clive, Iowa from Flickr

 Minnesota Congresswoman and GOP presidential hopeful, Michele Bachmann, is celebrating a major victory today.  Bachmann won the first big Republician test of the 2012 campaign for the White House., the Iowa straw poll. 

On the official, Michele Bachmann for President website, the candidate posted this statement: “THANK YOU IOWA! We did it! I am excited to announce our campaign was the winner of this year’s AmesStraw Poll. Iowans delivered a strong message to Washington: America cannot afford four more years of Barack Obama and his failed liberal policies, and our campaign is the right choice to put our nation back on a path to prosperity.”

Michele Bachmann’s photo is from a series on Flickr.

Meanwhile, Texas Governor, Rick Perry, officially jumped into the presidential race today. Reuters has more on both developments, including how the other Republican contenders stacked up in the straw poll.

Bob Frutos plans to stay involved in city matters

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A smiling Bob Frutos says thank you to his supporters for his city council campaign at Caminiti's Restaurant on West Burbank Boulevard in Burbank April 14, 2011

Bob Frutos lost on two fronts recently: a city council seat in a very tight race with Emily Gabel-Luddy and last week, the city council-majority (including Gabel-Luddy) refused to re-appoint him to the Burbank Police Commission.  Nevertheless, Frutos is still smiling and touting the need for change in Burbank.

Frutos provided some details for his sunny viewpoint  in answers to a couple of e-mail questions I sent him over the weekend:

1. Change was at the heart of your city council campaign. You still embraced change even when you were not re-appointed to the Burbank Police Commission this past week. Why do you feel change is so important for Burbank?

I proudly campaigned on positive change for Burbank in the recent election. I continue to believe that such change is a must for our community. Even though I now find myself officially off the Burbank Police Commission, I will continue to be interested and involved in public-safety matters, and always available to help the City Council or Commission in any way I can. In the final analysis, change is always important for people, for a city, for any society. It is through change and growth that we better ourselves and our community, and make a lasting positive difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors. I will continue to be a agent of change in Burbank.

2. What are your future plans? Will you get involved in Burbank city government/politics anytime soon?

I plan to be actively involved in the future and improvement of Burbank. I am thinking about trying again for the city council race in the March 2013, election. I feel I have much to contribute to the City I love and the people who make it such a fine place to live in, work, and raise families. I am always prepared to lend my expertise and experience to resolve any municipal problems, if called upon before that election. I am staying involved because this is my home, and I want to make a positive difference.

I’m hearing there are at least two other potential city council candidates waiting in the wings. More on that later.

More drama on the police commission

The city council replaced Frutos on the police commission with new arrival to the city, Richard Warmack, who has a lengthy law enforcement and military resume — but what does he know about Burbank, its problems, especially the police mess?

Police commissioners Hagop Hergelian and Nathan Rubinfeld were re-appointed. Also, the city council decided to delay the matter of whether to remove Police Commissioner, Jim Etter, until new member, Gabel-Luddy, could look at city council meeting videotapes from last fall.

Etter’s removal is being pushed by Vice-Mayor Dave Golonski and his friend, tenant or whatever, Brett Loutensock, who shows up at City Hall only to trash Etter.  Last Tuesday, the council gave the impression that Etter’s removal was being considered for a remark he made that was clearly in jest at a city council meeting last fall. The council members at the time did not get outraged by it.

 Oh, Council member Gary Bric made a similar type remark in jest at the same meeting – to make a point– during the discussion of the sidewalk controversy. No one is trying to boot him from the council because of it.

I’ll say it again, there’s a long running nasty feud between Golonski and the Etter family. Last Tuesday, Golonski claimed he saw Jim Etter in court. If that’s the case, I doubt it was because both had been called to serve on jury duty at the same time. I’m told it started with Etter’s brother Bob, who is deceased — but the feud lives on.

Since the council majority seems to be in the dark about the feud, which is well-known by long-time Burbankers, why not have their attorney investigative unit do a probe?  In a short time that unit  most likely would track down a ton of evidence of this feud.

Bottom line, Golonski has a conflict. He should not be allowed to vote on the Jim Etter matter. The city council-majority should have the courage to tell him so.

Police cases and lawsuits  

Ex-Burbank Police officer Omar Rodriguez’s state case of discrimination and retaliation was dismissed last Friday. Meanwhile, the powerful law firm, Brown, White, and Newhouse reportedly has taken on Rodriguez as a client and has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in Federal court. Members of the firm include former AUSAs (Assistant U.S. Attorneys) and a retired Federal judge.

Memorial Day events at Valhalla Memorial Park

The long Memorial Day weekend is coming. On Friday, May 27, the Boy Scouts and Ventura Crew 201, along with the American Legion Post  150, plan to place 25 hundred flags on the graves of veterans, to kick-off the Memorial Day weekend events.

The flag laying will be at the Valhalla Memorial Park in the veterans section, 10621 Victory Boulevard, on the border of Burbank and North Hollywood, at 5 p.m.  There will be a ceremony as well. The public is invited.

On May 30, Memorial Day, there will be another ceremony to honor the nation’s war dead at Valhalla Memorial Park. Time: 10 a.m. This event is open to the public as well.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Director of Protect California Ballots Judy Alter defended the recount request for the city council run-off on Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Another major setback for the recount supporters. Late yesterday, Judy Alter of the election watchdog group, Protect California Ballots, notified Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos, that the second recount request for the city council run-off of April 12, 2011 was being withdrawn. If you’re keeping score, that’s two wins for the city insiders and zip for the concerned citizens of Burbank .

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Clerk Margarita Campos at city council meeting Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Alter admits she erred in her reasoning for the second recount request. It was based on her interpretation of  section 15620 of the California Elections Code. In an e-mail dated May 3, 2011, Lowell Finley, Chief Counsel Secretary of State, set Alter straight: “Your understanding of section 15620 is incorrect.  In an unconsolidated Burbank city election, the elections official is the Burbank City Clerk, not the L.A. County Registrar of Voters, and the canvass is conducted by the City Clerk, not the Burbank City Council.” If you’re going to play the political game in Burbank you’d better know the rules if you want to win.

Bottom line, the five-day protest period was indeed triggered by the Burbank City Clerk finalizing the election results and certifying the election on April 15 — not later on April 26, when the City Council passed a resolution declaring or accepting the election results.  I spoke to Campos about this election certification process a few times. She told me that announcements of the certification are posted  in several departments of the city. In my opinion, this information should have been included in the city hall April 15 e-mails sent out to the media and to the public about the final results of the General Election.

Finley provided another bit of important information in that May 3 e-mail: “The ultimate arbiter of the application of the law to the facts of this election and its aftermath would be the courts.  In this context, the courts owe no deference to the opinion of the Secretary of State’s office.  This is a matter on which you and others wanting a recount must rely, not on this office, but on the advice of private counsel, just as the city must rely on the advice of its city attorney.”

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Director of Protect California Ballots Judy Alter spoke during public comment at the city council meeting Burbank April 26, 2011

The Burbank City Council’s big reorganization meeting is set for this morning at 10 a.m. Last Tuesday, at the city council meeting there was a showdown over the recount request for  the April 12 city council run-off election. The city won the major and decisive points in this showdown.

 Meanwhile, as preparations move ahead for the swearing-in of re-elected Council Member Gary Bric and newly elected Council Member Emily Gabel-Luddy — a second recount request is causing some buzz in B-town.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank resident Kevin Muldoon spoke in support of the city council run-off recount at the city council meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2011

First the showdown. Burbank resident Kevin Muldoon joined Judy Alter, director of election watchdog group, Protect California Ballots, in speaking out in favor of the recount request.( Disclosure: I am involved in the first as well as the second recount request along with Alter, Muldoon and his wife, Linda).

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Clerk Margarita Campos answered questions for reporters at city hall in Burbank April 12, 2011

In a rare departure from the norm, Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos, spoke for more than 10 minutes about the recount and why it was being denied, following the public comments.

Major Point:  Is it legal to substitute a voter for another, if the first voter withdraws from the recount request process? Not under the circumstances present in the first recount request. Ms. Campos read a response from Lowell Finley, Chief Counsel of the Secretary of State, in which he suggested Alter “… may not have fully understood the information I gave her over the phone.”

Basically, I was not able to replace George Marciniw in the original recount request nor could Kevin and Linda Muldoon add their names to it. I have asked Alter for a clarification on what she was told, but I have yet to receive a response.

Minus: Protest period, when a recount  request can be submitted, is five days after the ballot results have been certified according to the California Election Code. The Burbank City Clerk certified the General Municipal Election results on April 15, 2011. And here’s where the city officials took the low road and went for a loophole.  The City Clerk’s Office counted the weekend. Campos claims they did this because the code “… does not request that we preclude Saturdays and Sundays.”

By taking this view, the Burbank City Clerk’s Office robbed voters of two days to submit a recount request. This loophole stole an opportunity for an independent and public review of the city’s controversial mail-in ballot system. How can voters ask questions about the procedure or even hand in the recount request on a Saturday or Sunday — when the CITY CLERK’S OFFICE IS CLOSED ON THE WEEKEND? This reduces the number of days to complete the filing of the recount request to only three days. This decision violated the spirit and intent of the law. What are they trying to hide in that city hall basement?

This loophole needs to be closed. The law has to spell out five business days to stop this cheat from happening again.

Minus: Ms. Campos said “… the ballot count and the canvassing are open to the public.”  She added “… the one percent mandated tally is also a public process..” No e-mails were sent out to the city hall e-mail list for the public or the media about this access. Did this kind of notification come in the voter mail-in package? Obscure posting of this kind of notification is another cheat that denies voters their full rights.

By the way, on election night April 12, Campos escorted me down to the  city hall basement. I was allowed to stay only long enough to take two photos and then I was  hustled back upstairs. I was not allowed to stay and observe the handling of those mail in ballots as part of a “public process.”

Minus:  “The deposit question — that was my error. This is a new process for me,” Campos stated. The original recount request indicates Campos tried to charge $4,500 for the recount — all up front. Finally, she agreed to a deposit of $450.  It appears Alter and Marciniw lost valuable time haggling with Campos over the deposit and the cost of the recount.

By law, the deposit is required at the beginning of each day of the recount.

Point: Campos admits mistakes. The City Clerk has the advantage in that her mistakes can be brushed off with an “I apologize.”  For the recount request voters, mistakes and an untimely withdrawal made it easy for city officials to deny the request. Not fair, but this is hardball politics in Burbank.

Second recount request:  Filed last Friday, April 29, 2011. It will be interesting to see if this request gets any serious consideration from Burbank city officials.

Folks have been talking about the odd anomaly in the final results for the Burbank General Election since those numbers were released on Friday, April 15, 2011. The 95 vote difference between the city council contenders, Emily Gabel-Luddy and Bob Frutos,  got most of the attention, however, some have been curious about the sudden increase of more than 450 votes for “Yes” on Measure U.

Burbank resident Kevin Muldoon asked about the big jump in votes for “Yes” on Measure U, last Tuesday at the city council meeting. Another B-town resident, Eric Michael Cap, followed-up with an e-mail to City Clerk, Margarita Campos, about the matter.

Late this afternoon, Campos sent out an e-mail with an explanation to Cap, that said basically — it was typo. Here’s that e-mail.

Dear Mr. Cap,

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify an issue brought up by Mr. Kevin Muldoon during a public comment portion of the Council meeting of Tuesday, April 26, 2011.  My understanding of Mr. Muldoon’s comment was that there was a 400-count difference in the tabulation of the Measure U totals between election night on April 12 and the certification of the final results on April 15.  Upon further review, my staff noticed that the press release posted on April 15 had a transposed figure in the Measure U number – (5,720 as opposed to 5,270).  Posted right below the press release was the official precinct-by-precinct spreadsheet which indicated the correct number.  The press release (linked below) has been updated to note the change in the transposed figure.  I regret any confusion this may have caused.

Margarita Campos, CMC                                                                                                                 Burbank City Clerk

###

Also, the error appeared in a brief press release sent out to the media and to those residents on the city hall e-mail list on April 15. By the way, last Tuesday the city council passed a resolution declaring or accepting the results of that General Election.

At the same meeting, Campos delivered a length explanation as to why the city is not allowing a recount of the city council race in that election. I’ll have more on that later.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Clerk Margarita Campos answered questions for reporters at city hall in Burbank April 12, 2011

A postal carrier knocked on my door yesterday. The reason: I needed to sign for a certified letter from the Burbank City Clerk’s Office. The letter is the official rejection  of my offer to replace Burbank resident George Marciniw in the recount request process. Here’s the letter.  

April 26, 2011

Dear Ms. Lewis,

This communication is in response to your letter dated April 21, 2011, in which you acknowledge Mr. Marciniw’s withdrawal of his request for a recount of the ballots cast for the office of City Council Member in the City of Burbank General Municipal Election held on April 12, 2011, and in which letter you offered “to take [the] place [of George Marciniw] as a Burbank resident requesting [the] recount”. Your letter was received (and considered filed) by the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 3:33 p.m. after the expiration of the protest period which ended on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 5:00 p.m.  This office has carefully reviewed the applicable election law and also contacted the Chief Counsel of the Secretary of State.  After extensive research, this office has been unable to find a provision in the election law that would allow to replace Mr. Marciniw under the present circumstances.

As in the past, this office has always been available to respond to your questions and will be happy to respond to any outstanding issues you may need clarification on. Additionally, the City Council has requested a report on the mail ballot process which will include a reconciliation of the ballots cast in the General Election. I encourage you to give your input to the Council for their consideration during that deliberative process.

Sincerely,

Margarita Campos, CMC                                                                                                           Burbank City Clerk

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

Thursday, April 21, 2011 was full of surprises.  Suddenly, Burbank resident George Marciniw made a run for the hills; just a day after filing a labor intensive and all important recount request with the election watchdog group, Protect California Ballots, at the City Clerk’s Office.

The organization’s founder, Judy Alter, remained true to the cause of reviewing the entire city council run-off to see how the Burbank mail-in ballot system had worked or failed. Alter didn’t bail out or run from this difficult process. It was an extraordinary opportunity to learn some invaluable information about that system. I volunteered to be Marciniw’s replacement. Here’s my letter.

April 21, 2011

Dear Margarita,

As you know, Burbank resident George Marciniw has withdrawn his name from the request for a recount in the Burbank City Council Election on April 12, 2011. When I became aware of Marciniw’s decision this morning, I offered to take his place as a Burbank resident requesting this recount.

I think this recount will answer a lot of lingering questions about the mail-in ballot system for many voters here in Burbank.

Sincerely yours,

Fronnie

I had read Marciniw’s personal withdrawal letter and was not sure I was required to write a letter to the city clerk. I asked Alter to check with a state official, which she did. By the time the e-mail arrived, however, I had decided to drop off a letter at the City Clerk’s Office.

Judy,

I cannot give you legal advice. I suggest that any person planning to request a recount read the relevant Elections Code sections carefully and personally take the required  actions.  Please not(e) that “contest” has a distinct legal meaning in the election setting and is not the same thing as a recount, nor is a request for a recount a  “protest.”

Lowell Finley
Chief Counsel
Office of the  Secretary of State
(916) 653-7244
(916) 654-4666  direct
Lowell.Finley@sos.ca.gov

###

BTW: “Contest” and “Protest” are repeatedly used by the City Clerk’s Office in connection with this recount request — apparently the errors are in the Burbank election code.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The ballot processing and counting in 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.

A lot of developments in the recount drama surrounding the Burbank city council run-off of 2011. First, I think it is important to post here George Marciniw’s personal withdrawal letter from the recount process. The April 21 letter has been debated and probably will continue to produce heated discussion all over B-town for a long time.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Dear Margarita,

After speaking with Mr. Frutos and per his request, I feel that it would be in everyone’s best interest to cancel my entire request’s per the letter submitted yesterday contesting the City Council Election.

I’d like you to understand that this was never about Mr. Frutos not winning the election. There are many issues inherit with the mail in ballot system that I and many others feel causes the integrity of the process to suffer. In an election this close and only taking into consideration amongst a multitude of processes, I heard there were 139 rejected ballots that were never looked at. This along could have made a difference in the outcome.

The organization “Protect California Ballots” representative Judy Alter would like to pursue the recount using Journalist Fronnie Lewis to take my place if that is acceptable. As I understand the last day to file a protest is five days after the election results were posted which would have been Wednesday, the 20th of April before 1700 hours with the non business days Saturday and Sunday included in the five day count. The validity of that policy is questionable otherwise the cutoff time would be Friday, the 22nd day of April at 1700 hours.

I’d like to Thank You and Susan Domen for your time and efforts assisting me, your expertise and professionalism are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

George Marciniw

Once again an issue has divided B-town. This time it’s the city council run-off recount. Some folks figured out quickly that this recount is a good way to have a public review of Burbank’s controversial mail-in ballot election system. I agree with this point of view. Last Thursday when Burbank resident, George Marciniw, abruptly withdrew from the recount process, putting it in jeopardy, I was one of the voters who stepped up to keep it alive. The other two are Kevin and Linda Muldoon.

Readers of this blog are probably not surprised by my decision. Frequently, I have declared my faith in the democratic process, which includes voter participation in elections. During the past several months, a countdown to the Burbank Primary and General Elections appeared on this website.  Also, I’ve written about the controversy surrounding the city’s mail-in ballots elections and included my own concerns about dropping my voted ballot into a Burbank post office mail slot.  

I reject the schoolyard taunt of “sore loser!” that is coming from some who are afraid of this recount going forward. It’s not about trying to change the results of a tight city council race where Planning Board member, Emily Gabel-Luddy, beat Police Commissioner, Bob Frutos, by less than 100 votes to win a seat on that panel in the recent April 12 General Election. (Disclosure: I endorsed Bob Frutos)  It’s about taking this opportunity to see what worked and perhaps didn’t work with the mail-in-ballot system in this contest, then using that review to improve or ditch the Burbank mail-in ballot system for something better.

Among the many questions about this recount — what will it cost? The election integrity group, Protect California Ballots, has joined Burbank residents in this recount request. Group founder, Judy Alter, responded to some e-mail questions about the recount cost. Here are the questions and answers.

1. There has been haggling over the price of the recount from the beginning. It’s even referred to in the April 20, 2011 recount request letter? Can you explain what the City Clerk, Margarita Campos, claimed the cost of the recount would be? And why you disagreed?

I learned from George and another citizen that she said that the costs would be more if the recount board member, who reads out the vote, would have to read out more than one name and even  “no vote.” I do not believe that this is accurate.  A recount requires that the vote on each ballot be read and observed for a recount of any race or issue to be legal. A ballot only has one vote on it for a candidate or has no vote.  The entire race with all ballots must be included in the process. I have just written out my understanding of a recount and will send Ms  Campos this letter tomorrow (Monday April 25).  Perhaps Ms. Campos has not conducted a recount, called a ”protest” in Burbank.  I know that the CA Elections Code specifies what to pay the recount board members:  the rate that poll workers earn for a day.  The CA Elections Code does not list any other expenses.  In Orange County the registrar charged only the poll worker rate for his 3 recount boards, but other registrars have charged much more.  These high charges feel like a deliberate means to discourage citizen actions such as asking for a a recount.

2.  You spoke to a state official about what cities are legally allowed to charge for the cost of a recount?  Who was that and what did he have to say?

I spoke to the CA Deputy Secretary of State, Lowell Finley, about how a recount is conducted and about what an election official can charge. He verified that all the votes for the race need to be read, observed and tallied by two people: four people on a recount board.   He suggested other possible expenses that an election official might charge such as for security.  I have asked Ms Campos for an itemized list of expenses.

In the request letter I asked for a written chain of custody of all the mail-in ballots from when they were sent out to when they were returned and had their signatures matched.  This chain of custody request is equivalent to our examining the roster books to check that the number of signatures match the total ballots cast for each precinct. That must be part of the recount procedure and should be included in the cost of the recount. She mentioned to George that she might charge us extra for this.

3. So how much should the city of Burbank charge for this city council race recount?

I am guessing that two recount boards for about $800 a day would take two or three days to recount the city council race: $1600 -$2400 for the recount boards.  Maybe less, depending on the time it takes.  That would be a similar cost to the Orange County City Council race that one of my colleagues in Protect California Ballots witnessed. I do not know what other expenses she will list, so I cannot say. 

###

For more information on the election watchdog group, Protect California Ballots, and/or to donate to this recount go here.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Group of volunteers involved in ballot processing and counting 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.

What went down in the basement of Burbank City Hall on the night of  the Municipal General Election, Tuesday, April 12, 2011? Inquiring minds want to know. The recount request for the City Council race in that election has B-town buzzing and even folks in Sacramento talking, Oh, City Hall officials are  apparently worried about something and are trying to sink the recount at every turn.

Here’s the latest on the election recount drama. The recount request was filed jointly by Burbank resident George Marciniw and the election watchdog group,  Protect California Ballots , on Wednesday, April 20. That night, the first media report about the recount appeared on this blog. The next morning, Marciniw suddenly got cold feet and not only wanted to withdraw his name, but axe the entire recount request.

Retired UCLA Professor and founder of Protect California Ballots, Judy Alters,  picks up the rest of the drama, in this  Q and A.
1. What happened to George Marciniw?

ON THURSDAY MORNING HE CALLED ME TO SAY THAT, FOR PERSONAL REASONS, HE DID NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH WITH THE RECOUNT “PROTEST” REQUEST. HE HAD ALREADY CALLED MS CAMPOS WITH HIS DECISION AND SHE ASKED HIM TO SUBMIT HIS WITHDRAWAL REQUEST IN WRITING.  I ASKED HIM TO WAIT AN HOUR UNTIL I COULD FIND ANOTHER BURBANK CITIZEN TO STEP UP AND SUBSTITUTE FOR HIM SINCE I, WITH PROTECT CALIFORNIA BALLOTS, WAS PART OF THE REQUEST. WE DID NOT WANT CANCEL THIS RECOUNT.

2. The formal recount request was submitted to the Burbank City Clerk on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. How long do city officials have to respond and give you a date for the start of the recount?

THEY HAVE 7 DAYS TO RESPOND TO US AS TO WHEN THEY WILL CONDUCT THE RECOUNT.  THE RECOUNT DATE IS UP TO THEM.

3.  In order to keep the recount request alive three Burbank residents stepped up, right?

YES, YOU AND KEVIN AND LINDA MULDOON STEPPED UP TO SUBSTITUTE FOR GEORGE IN REQUESTING THE RECOUNT.

4. Why do you believe this substitution is legal? You contacted state officials, right?

I CALLED AND SPOKE TO CA DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE LOWEL FINLEY WHO VERIFIED THAT WE HAD 24 HOURS TO SUBMIT A SUBMIT SUBSTITUTE NAMES.  WE SUCEEDED IN FINDING THE PEOPLE AND MEETING THE DEADLINE.

5. Why do you believe a recount of the Burbank City Council race of April 12, 2011 is a good idea?

BACKGROUND:  IN AN ELECTION IN A  DEMOCRACY, BALLOTS AND THE VOTES ON THOSE BALLOTS MUST BE COUNTED IN PUBLIC.  EVERYONE MUST SEE AND KNOW THAT THE VOTES ARE COUNTED ACCURATELY.

ANY ELECTION RESULTS, ANY VOTES COUNTED ON A COMPUTER ARE NOT COUNTED IN  PUBLIC.  NO ONE CAN SEE IF THE VOTES ARE COUNTED CORRECTLY OR KNOW IF THE TOTALS ARE  ADDED CORRECTLY.  THE SOFTWARE IS PROPRIETERY =SECRET.  THAT IS IRRELEVANT SINCE BALLOTS MUST BE COUNTED IN PUBLIC!!!!!!

WE IN PROTECT CALIFORNIA BALLOTS WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAND COUNT ONE ENTIRE RACE TO CHECK OUT THE ACCURACY OF OUR ELECTRONIC MACHINE COUNTED VOTES.  WE HAVE STUDIED THE ACCURACY OR BETTER STATED, INACCURACY, OF OUR BALLOTS IN LA COUNTY.  THE “AUDIT” FOR OUR ELECTIONS IS 1% OF PRECINCTS SO MS CAMPOS HAND COUNTED ONE PRECINCT.  NO CITIZEN WITNESSED THE HAND COUNT OF THAT ONE PRECINCT.  MS CAMPOS SHOWED ME THE TALLY SHEETS FOR THAT PRECINCT AND TOLD ME IT MATCHED THE MACHINE COMPLETELY.

BURBANK USES THE SAME COMPUTER COUNTING SYSTEM USED IN LA COUNTY.  WHEN WE WERE ASKED TO RECOUNT THIS BURBANK CITY COUNCIL ELECTION OUR GROUP SAID YES. WE KNOW NOTHINNG ABOUT THE CITY OR ITS ISSUES.  IT IS PART OF OUR WATCHDOG FUNCTION. OUR PREVIOUS RECOUNTS WERE FOR ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE PRECINCTS IN SAN DIEGO AND LA COUNTIES.  HERE WE CAN OVERSEE A RECOUNT OF ONE ENTIRE RACE.

###

For more information on Protect California Ballots and/or to donate to the cost of this Burbank City Council race recount go here.

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

The parties behind the recount of one of the tightest races in Burbank election history — had to jump through a number of hoops tossed up by City Hall officials – not all of them legal. Burbank resident George Marciniw and Judy Alter of  Protect California Ballots, an election watchdog group, were first told by Burbank officials that all of the fee for the recount would have to be paid up front — when the request was made.

Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos, explained to Alter that the full fee was required under the Municipal Election Code. The ex-UCLA professor pointed out that the Burbank code is out of line with the California Election Code, which allows for payments at the beginning of each day of the recount.

Alter and Marciniw agreed to a deposit of $450 with the recount request, but Burbank officials backed down at the last minute — and that requirement was dropped.

Below is the official request for a recount from Burbank resident George Marciniw and the Protect California Ballots organization.

 April 20, 2011

Re: 

Election Protest for the City Council contest of April 12, 2011  Request for a recount by hand of the entire contest

Dear Ms. Campos:

 I write this request for a recount by hand for the entire City Council contest of April 12, 2011 in the City of Burbank in reference to Burbank Municipal Code 2-3-2107 A and B.

“A. Within five (5) days after the results of the election have been posted, any voter of the City may file a verified written protest with the City Clerk contesting the count of the ballots

B. Should the City Clerk have reasonable cause to believe the ballots in a precinct(s) have been miscounted, he or she may order a recount. [Formerly numbered Section 11-236; renumbered by Ord. No. 3058, eff. 2/21/87; Amended by Ord. No. 3787, eff. 9/10/10; 3562.]”

1. The name and address of the voter protesting;

 The voter requesting the recount by hand is George Marciniw, 1521 W. Magnolia,   Suite A, Burbank, CA 91506. 

I have asked the non-partisan election integrity group Protect California Ballots to assist in the recount request and observation of the process.  The group and their logo are registered with the California Secretary of State as an unincorporated unaffiliated citizen association.

2. The name of the person whose right to be nominated or elected to office, stating the office, is being contested; or the proposition being contested;

I am asking for a recount by hand of the City Council Contest of April 12, 2011.

3. The number of the precinct or precincts wherein it is claimed errors in the counting of ballots would give a different result, if corrected.

I am asking that all precincts be included in the recount as provided for in the Burbank Municipal Code 2-3-2107.

4. A statement of particulars as to the errors claimed to have been made in the original count.

The difference between the two candidates in the contest for City Council, Robert “Bob” Frutos and Emily Gabel Luddy, is 1%, 95 votes (1.07%), and the under-vote (the number of voters not voting in that race) is 139 (1.57%).  The 1% difference should automatically trigger an escalation of the 1% manual tally used as an audit from one precinct to at least two precincts. Since Ms Campos has decided not to recount another precinct to double-check that the machine count was accurate, as a concerned citizen, I am requesting that the entire election of all precincts in Burbank be recounted by hand.

5.  A demand for a recount of the ballots cast in the specified precinct or precincts.

I am asking for a recount by hand of all ballots counted and all ballots rejected in the City Council Contest of April 12, 2011.

Additionally I request to examine and review the chain of custody of the distribution, return, and handling of the ballots, as this was an all mail-in election.  Citizens have expressed concern about the delivery of their ballots to the city clerk’s office, how the ballots are stored, how accurately their signatures are matched, as well as the accuracy of the vote count.

6.  A deposit in an amount estimated by the City Clerk to cover the cost of the recount.

I am prepared to deposit $450 toward the cost of the recount by hand for the April 12, 2011 Burbank City Council Election before the recount commences as stipulated in the code.

Ms. Campos has requested $4,500 for the hand recount, as part of the Protest (2-3-2107 (6).  This request for money as part of the request for the recount by hand to cover the cost contrasts with the California Election Code #15624,15625, which specifies that the requester for the recount shall deposit the money before the recount commences and each subsequent day, not on the day the recount request is requested.  The cost specified in CA EC 15625 is for the daily compensation that a poll worker receives.  Therefore, for one recount board of four members, the cost would be approximately $400 or for two recount boards, $800.  I am requesting an itemized list of the costs that make up the $4500. Voters are entitled to this itemized list as spelled out in the Secretary of State’s recount regulations.

Yours truly,

George Marciniw

  ###

Hold on!  The 2011 Burbank General Election is not quite a done deal just yet. Today a statewide election watchdog organization, Protect California Ballots , joined with Burbank resident, George Marciniw, in sending a letter to Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos, requesting a recount in that oh-so close city council run-off between City Planning Board Member, Emily Gabel-Luddy, and Police Commissioner, Bob Frutos. You’re reading about it first on this blog.

 Last Friday, Campos announced the final results showing Gabel-Luddy edged out Frutos by 95 votes. Protect California Ballots founder, Judy Alter, says the only way to really make sure the election machines scanned the ballots accurately is to double-check with a manual count using human, “…eyeballs and hands.” Alter, a retired UCLA professor, says “… most voter fraud occurs in mail-in ballot (elections)… ”

The city of Burbank is charging a steep $4,500 for the ballot recount. Alter believes that “is wrong,” and says under the California State Election Code the fee should be $400-800.  No matter, Alter and her election integrity group plan to collect donations to pay the high fee in order to go ahead with the Burbank City Council race recount.

For more on Protect California Ballots and/or to make a donation for this recount, which is tax deductible, click over to the group’s website here.

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.”

-30-

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

 Burbank city officials sent out a news release this afternoon with the final numbers for the Tuesday April 12 General Election. The numbers changed from those announced earlier, but the winners did not. Emily Gabel-Luddy won the open seat on the city council and voters passed Measure U — the Modernize Utility Users Tax Ordinance by an overwhelming majority.

Here are the final election results:

City Council Race

Emily Gabel-Luddy        4, 411  votes

Bob Frutos                       4, 316  votes

Measure U

Yes                                        5, 720  votes

No                                          2,562  votes

8,866 ballots cast

56,239 registered voters in Burbank

15.7 percent ballot return rate

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- City Clerk Margarita Campos answered questions for reporters at city hall in Burbank April 12, 2011

Burbank City Clerk, Margarita Campos, released the final numbers, which reportedly include “… all ballots verified and counted..”  as well as “… ballots that were pending verification by the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder’s Office.”

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.

If you haven’t mailed your General Election ballot — don’t. Postmarks don’t count. You must deliver your ballot to City Hall or one of the designated drop-off centers by 7 p.m. this evening.  It’s important. Vote!

Drop-off Centers:

Buena Vista Branch Library 300 – North Buena Vista Street  7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Joslyn Center 1301 — West Olive Avneue  7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

McCambridge Recreation Center — 1515 North Glenoaks Boulevard 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuttle Center — 1731 North Ontario Street 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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: 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.

                                            ###

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. 

                                                             ###