The big summer movies are rolling into theaters. Tomorrow, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strange Tides,” opens in the U.S.  The fantasy adventure is the fourth installment in the “Pirates of the Caribbean”  film series. The movie is based on the book from 1987, “On Strange Tides,” by Tim Powers.

Today over on the publishing site Galleycat, Powers talks about his fantasy  book, how it got optioned by Disney, and more here.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m. — Reaction from Maria Shriver here.

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s revival of his movie career is on a roll, but his personal life is in shambles. Last Friday, Annapurna Films won the bidding for the rights to the “Terminator” franchise with Schwarzenegger attached, according to Deadline.com . This is just one of many projects Schwarzenegger has solidified, including a children’s book deal, since leaving office in January 2011.

On the home front, Schwarzenegger has not been as successful. The Los Angeles Times was the first to report that the actor and his wife of 25 years, former journalist and Kennedy clan member, Maria Shriver, had separated.  Also, the newspaper disclosed  Shriver had moved out of the family Brentwood mansion earlier this year. Well, the other shoe dropped today. The Times is reporting now that Shriver packed up and left after Schwarzenegger revealed he has a child with a housekeeper or household staffer, who retired this past January. A shocker, indeed.

Sandra Bullock is probably no longer the most betrayed woman in Hollywood. That position may now belong to Maria Shriver.

Another spec script sale to report, the 34th this year, according to Scott Myers over on the Go Into The Story blog. Twentieth Century Fox picked up, “From Mia With Love,” a comedy about three dudes who are eager to part with their virginity. So they send-off for a Russian mail order bride, but as you can probably imagine, things do not work out the way the guys plan.

The screenwriters are Seth Grahame-Smith, Bryan Shukoff, Kevin Chesley, and David Katzenberg who will direct. Katzenberg’s father is DreamWorks big shot, Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Myers is tracking the script sales over on his screenwriting site. He says the spec script market is doing a whole lot better than in 2010. It wasn’t until August 17 that the 34th spec script sold last year. More on this script sale here.

Some breaking news in Hollywood. Ashton Kutcher has finalized a deal to replace the temperamental Charlie Sheen on the hit CBS TV sitcom, “Two and a Half Men,” according to deadline.com  For a while, British actor, Hugh Grant, was the front runner for the job, but that plan did not work out.

Deadline.com has more on this story and the behind the scenes developments that had a number of actors as contenders to join the “Two and a Half Men” cast.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- (l-r) Newly elected Vice-Mayor and Mayor Dave Golonski and Jess Talamantes, joined fellow Council members Dr. David Gordon, Emily Gabel-Luddy, and Gary Bric for photos at the end of the council reorganization meeting at Burbank City Hall May 2, 2011

After a week, some folks are still finding the audacious snub, oh wait, let’s call it what it is, discriminatory selection process of the vice-mayor by four members of the Burbank City Council – a stomach turner. Those that had hoped for an independent female voice on the council got blindsided by Emily Gabel-Luddy who came out publicly as the new member of this “good-old-boys-club” at the council reorganization meeting on May 2, 2011.

When new Mayor Jess Talamantes asked for nominations for vice-mayor, Emily Gabel-Luddy could barely contain herself. With enough enthusiasm to earn a spot on the City Hall cheerleader squad, Gabel-Luddy declared: “I nominate Dave Golonski!” One shocked Gabel-Luddy supporter described the reaction in the city council chamber as “stunned silence.”

Her detractors insist Gabel-Luddy’s payback to Golonski should not have been a surprise. As far back as last December, it was probably a done deal. During the holiday party season, Gabel-Luddy hooked up with Golonski to do the meet and greet. She was his city council candidate from the beginning of the campaign. Nonetheless, in her zeal to reward Golonski, who in 18 years on the council has been mayor three times and vice-mayor three times, she joined in on the discrimination of Dr. David Gordon– who has been on the council five years. Not an admirable way for Gabel-Luddy to begin her tenure.

The position of mayor and vice-mayor are supposed to rotate among the council members. To exclude Gordon because he is AN INDEPENDENT VOICE on the council, is an ugly blatant insult to the voters who support him. Also, it sends a message to the entire world that in Burbank the big “D” is allowed.

 There has been public criticism about this unfair city council practice – but still the discrimination continues. Last year, an editorial in the Leader condemned this mean spirited treatment of Councilman Gordon. What, no editorial in the Leader about it this time around?  Maybe it’s because of the newspaper’s fervent support of Gabel-Luddy.

Remember, the Friday before the Tuesday April 12 General Municipal Election the Leader launched a major assault against Gabel-Luddy’s opponent, Bob Frutos. The Leader attempted to smear Frutos, in three separate pieces, by hammering one of his union supporters, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18. The IBEW reportedly sent around $42,000 for mailers backing Frutos and questioning Gabel-Luddy’s support from special interests in Los Angeles. The flyers included this disclaimer: “Not authorized by a candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate.”

In the April 8 Leader article titled, “Union spends big to aid candidate,” Gabel-Luddy said: “I am very disappointed to see IBEW bring Los Angeles-style dirty politics into Burbank.”  Hmm, after Gabel-Luddy’s gift to Golonski, you gotta wonder what kind of “thank you” she’s going to be handing out to those special interest folks she has described as “friends and associates.” Dirty politics is skipping over Gordon to elect Golonski vice-mayor.

Also, this attack on Frutos really ticked off some of the Leader’s readers.  It struck some as hypocritical. On April 3, 2011, in the Burbank Mailbag section of the Leader this announcement ran.

Editor’s Note: Per the paper’s policy, the Burbank Leader will be holding all letters supporting or opposing particular candidates one week prior to the election. Letters addressing more general election issues will be considered.

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To place restrictions like this on the public and then turn around and attack Frutos less than a week before the election, well, it has the appearance of being a double standard. Whatever you want to call it, the attack by the Leader may have had a significant impact in a city council race where Gabel-Luddy won by less than  100 votes.

The newly reorganized Burbank City Council holds it first Tuesday meeting this evening at 6 p.m.

Those Burbank Police lawsuits

Another bestselling book is headed to the big screen. Sony Pictures has bought screen rights to “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of his His Trip to Heaven and Back,” according to deadline.com

This book claims to be the true adventures of a four-year -old boy who leaves his body during emergency surgery and takes a trip to heaven. Colton Burpo comments on the doctors in the operating room, his parents in the waiting area, and heaven; where he meets biblical characters and some relatives for the first time.

The book is written by the boy’s father, a small town minister, Todd Burpo with scribe Lynn Vincent. “Heaven is for Real” was published last November and  has been on the New York Times Bestsellers List for months.  Also today, “Heaven is for Real” is ranked in the top 10 on both Amazon.com and the Barnes & Noble website.

One of the producers of the movie version, Bishop T. D. Jakes. The bishop is very busy in the movie industry these days. Jakes is one of the producers on “Jumping the Broom,” which debuted very strongly this past weekend. For more on the deal go here.

The New York Times column “Modern Love” is hooking up with Lifetime Television.  A TV series based on the column got a pilot deal at the cable network, according to deadline.com

The “Modern Love” TV series will use real stories from the newspaper column to create episodes that explore the state of modern relationships. The pilot will begin shooting this summer. Deadline has more on the genesis of the newspaper column and how it got a TV deal.

At a time when the sale of spec scripts usually slows down – this year– those sales are still going strong.  Scott Myers over on the screenwriting blog Go Into The Story is tracking 2011 spec script buys.

Myers says the 29th sale was for a spec script written by the grandsons of the actor, Dick Van Dyke. Carey and Shane Van Dyke’s “The Watching Hour” is a horror screenplay.

Spec script sales in Hollywood are way ahead of  2010. Last year, the 29th spec script did not get bought until June 25! For more on this sale click here.

Photo: The British Monarchy/Flickr -- Kate Middleton and Prince William exchange wedding vows inside Westminster Abbey London April 29, 2011

Prince William and Kate Middleton are now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after a royal wedding ceremony inside Westminster Abbey in London this morning. Millions watched around the world and here in the states, as a British prince married his long time lady love. This photo from the British Monarchy collection on Flickr

Photo: The British Monarchy/Flickr -- After exchanging wedding vows William and Kate now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave Westminster Abbey London April 29, 2011

This photo from the British Monarchy collection on Flickr. Extensive wedding details and highlights, videos, photos, and quotes on the official Royal Wedding website.   Included on the site, the prayer written by William and Kate for their wedding.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s Prayer

God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.

In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.

Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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. 

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

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.

Well-known comedian/radio personality Steve Harvey’s book, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, And Commitment,” was a huge bestseller. The self-help guide debuted at number one on the New York Times hardcover advice list the week of February 9, 2009.

The relationship book, from a male perspective, was aimed at black women, but it struck a cord with women of various ethnic backgrounds. Following in the steps of its best selling predecessor, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” — “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man” is being turned into a movie — that’s what has sparked this latest controversy.

Actor Kevin Hart has signed on for the lead role in, “Think Like A Man,” with production due to start in July, according to deadline.com  Screen Gems’ is producing this comedy about a self-help advisor who’s great at his job — but struggling with problems in his own marriage.

Now that the book has been out a while, some are seeing it as not so positive. Harvey’s recent drama with his ex-wife has many questioning the caliber of his relationship  advice. Some of the commenters on the deadline post speak out about different aspects of the controversy.

Locally, Harvey’s popular radio program, “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” has been on a couple of Southland stations. Since August of 2009, the show has held a slot on the R&B and gospel station, KJLH, 102.3 FM, owned by music superstar Stevie Wonder.

Photo: Megan's Law/Media City Groove -- New photo of Amy Victoria Beck March 2011

The California Megan’s Law website profile of ex- Burbank teacher/convicted sex offender, Amy Victoria Beck, has been updated. The story broke here first on this blog that Beck was released from state prison last month, on March 20.

Beck served about 8 months in state prison. In a strange twist, the former David Starr Jordan Middle School teacher turned herself into the Burbank Police back in March of 2010 and reportedly confessed to having a sexual affair with a 14-year-old  male student. Beck was convicted and sentenced to two years in state prison on May 7, 2010. Beck’s fall from popular school teacher to convicted sex offender was covered in the media nationwide.

Burbank Police have refused to release to the media Beck’s booking photo. As part of her sentence, Beck is required to register as a sex offender. By law, Beck was given five days after her release to register in the city where she lives. Beck did so in Sunland, California. Beck’s photo was added to her profile on the Megan’s Law website and appeared here, on this blog, March 30.

Despite being updated with a recent picture, Beck’s Megan’s Law profile still had “Incarcerated” stamped on it last week. I e-mailed the State Department of Justice and asked about the discrepancy. Today when I checked Beck’s profile, I saw the “Incarcerated” stamp had been removed. Beck’s complete Sunland address is on this profile.

California Megan’s Law website  has information on  ”… more than 63,000 persons required to register in California as sex offenders.” Also according to the website: “California’s Megan’s Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children.”

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.

Toss another sold spec screenplay on the stack. “Wild Guns,” a western revolving around historic characters Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Sitting Bull, has sold to Warner Bros. Scott Myers over at the screenwriters’ site, gointothestory.com, is keeping a tally on spec script sales. Myers says,”Wild Guns,” is number 23. Last year, spec screenplay sells did not reach that number until sometime in June.

T.S. Nowlin is the screenwriter of “Wild Guns.” More on this script here.

 Tom Hanks takes on real-life hero role

 The high-seas drama of cargo ship Captain Richard Phillips and the Somali pirates is headed to the big screen. Actor Tom Hanks is reportedly on board to play Phillips, according to deadline.com

Back in April of 2009, Captain Phillips traded himself as a hostage to the pirates to save his crew. Phillips was later freed in a daring rescue by U.S. Navy Seals. More on Hanks and this project on Deadline.

John Wayne photo book coming soon

The family of the late actor John Wayne has decided to share some rare photos with the world. A soon to be published John Wayne photo book will include, pictures from the family archives as well as snapshots from some of the 175 films Wayne appeared in, according to the publishing site, Galleycat.

Along with the photos, the book will include comments from relatives, friends and co-stars. It will be published by powerHouse books sometime this fall.

More spec screenplay sales

Screenwriter Scott Myers is tracking the spec screenplay sales. Myers says the spec, “The Last Drop” by Brandon and Phillip Murphy, is the 17th to get bought this year. The eight spec to get snatched up this month. Myers has more on the sale of “The Last Drop” and the spec script market over on his Go Into The Story blog.

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

###

Hackers breach Nasdaq security

The Internet is buzzing today about a report of a hacker attack on Nasdaq OMX Group, the company that runs the U.S. stock exchange and several others around the world. The Feds are investigating the computer intrusion — which occurred sometime last year. More about this on the Computerworld website.

Google on a hiring spree

The word is out. Google is hiring. Last week, the Internet search giant got flooded with more than 75,000 applications, according to a Los Angeles Times article. That’s a company record. At the end of 2010, Google had around 24,400 employees. By the beginning of 2012, the innovative company plans to grow to more than 30,000.

NBC staffer fired for posting news clip on YouTube

An NBC staffer reportedly posted a vintage news clip of morning anchors Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel discussing “what is the Internet?” with reporter Elizabeth Vargas on YouTube. It went viral. Apparently NBC executives were not happy to see the off-air clip from 1994 get that kind of play. The staffer was reportedly fired and NBC is trying to get YouTube to take down the news clip.

The Wrap has more on the dust-up and a copy of that now infamous video.

The Leader sues the city of Burbank

This is a big weekend for the Burbank Leader. If you check its website — you’ll quickly realize why. Two major developments. The new Sunday edition of the Burbank leader/Glendale News- Press comes out today. The other actually happened last Friday. The lawyers for the Los Angeles Times, the Burbank Leader’s parent company, sued the city of Burbank for the release of those individual employee merit-pay amounts.

On December, 20, 2010, I delivered a letter to the Burbank City Attorney’s Office, supporting the Leader’s public records request for that merit-pay information and making my own request for the same data. The media, the residents — we all have a right to know how public money is being spent.

In my letter to City Attorney Dennis Barlow I asked that his staff comply with the Leader request — and not allow the matter to become yet another lawsuit against the city. There is a long list of suits against Burbank — mostly related to the police mess — that are costing the citizens a bundle of dough to fight.

The bottom line is the city’s argument that merit-pay is based on an employee’s performance evaluation — and since that is private –  the amount of that bonus should be protected, too. Well, Burbank Management Services Director, Judie Wilke, has admitted that merit-pay dollars are paid out at “…management’s discretion.”

I know a 30-year Burbank employee who got a merit-bonus last year. She has received the required exceptional performance rating before  — but that has not always resulted in a merit-pay bonus. She is curious — like a lot of folks in this town –about the REAL criteria for the merit pay bonuses and who REALLY gets the biggest chunk of this fund –budgeted last year at $1.87 million.

A lawyer for the L.A. Times put it this way: “I think the bonus structure that Burbank has is very unusual in its generosity and very unusual in its secrecy.” I’ll say right on to that. More on the Leader’s lawsuit here.

The Burbank Primary Election ballots are out

The campaigns for the two seats on the Burbank City Council are in full swing. Political functions, campaign signs going up, and campaign pitches arriving in the mail along with the ballots for the upcoming Primary Nomination Election.I got my ballot last week, but I haven’t  mailed it off  — and probably will not do so for a while. Ballots are due by 7 p.m. Election Day, February 22, 2011. Check out the countdown to Election Day in the far right column of this website.

At the Glendale Church of Christ this morning, I took an informal poll among some Burbank residents. Out of seven, only two had mailed in their ballots so far.  Others were still studying the candidates.

Also, this past week, I spotted signs for Burbank City Councilman Gary Bric and council candidate, Jackie Waltman in the hillside area. The Bric and Waltman signs are joining the ones already up for candidates, Bob Frutos and Emily Gabel-Luddy.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Porto's Bakery & Cafe 3614 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank

On Wednesday evening, January 26, a fundraiser and meet & greet was held for Bob Frutos at Porto’s in Burbank. The affair ran only a couple of hours or so, but more than 100 folks dropped by to graze on the tasty Porto’s treats, to show support or to meet the candidate. Among the movers and shakers I saw there, former Burbank Mayors, Marsha Ramos and Michael Hastings, Burbank City Councilman Dr. David Gordon,  Burbank Police Commissioners, Nate Rubinfeld, Jim Etter,  and Hagop Hergelian.

Police Commission Chair Frutos gave a rousing speech to the crowd about the need for change in Burbank and his desire to be the people’s representative on the city council. At the Women’s League of Voters Candidates Forum on January 19, in the Burbank City Council Chambers, Frutos came across as the strongest candidate, followed by Burbank Landlord-Tenant Commissioner, Jackie Waltman, Planning Board Vice-Chair, Emily Gabel-Luddy, and in fourth, Councilman Gary Bric.

Interestingly, after listening to the city council candidates’ statements, I rated them the same:  (1) Frutos, (2) Waltman, (3) Gabel-Luddy, and (4) Bric.  I’m giving the best ratings to the candidates grounded in their desire and determination to put the interest of the citizens of Burbank first.

Bric is last on my list because he defends the status quo — including the raises given to Burbank Water and Power honcho, Ron Davis and his top executives — while also voting to jack-up utility rates.  We need change in Burbank and it’s not going to come with voting Bric onto the city council for a second term.

To listen to the Candidates Forum or to the brief statements from each candidate, click over to the Burbank city website.

Comcast completes deal for NBC Universal

The largest cable company in the country is now the proud owner of an entertainment giant, NBC Universal. Comcast announced today that its deal to buy 51 per cent of NBC Universal is done. General Electric hangs onto the other 49 percent.

Comcast began celebrating before the deal officially closed yesterday. Last Thursday,  Comcast sent out a memo and gifts to NBC Universal employees. First, the name change to NBCUniversal. Then the gifts, 25 shares of Comcast and free passes to Universal theme parks. The Wrap has more on this mega-deal, it’s impact on the industry and consumers.  

Charlie Sheen in rehab, TV show on hiatus

To no one’s surprise, troubled actor, Charlie Sheen, is in rehab this weekend. The “Two and a Half Men” star reportedly entered rehab yesterday after being rushed to the hospital with what was described as abdominal pain.  People has more on the latest in the up-and-down Charlie Sheen saga.

William & Kate’s wedding to be televised big time

Photo: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters/Landov/People -- Prince William and Kate Middleton at their first official appearance today after the announcement of their engagement November 16, 2010

The wedding of Britain’s Prince William to his lady-love Kate Middleton is expected to draw more than two billion TV viewers worldwide. Back in 1981, around 750 million tuned in to watch Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer. Yes, we love these British affairs!! 

William and Kate are set to exchange vows on April 29. Most likely the BBC will lead the TV coverage. There is talk of filming the event in 3D. More about what is definitely the wedding of the year — maybe even the decade— here on Deadline.com