Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters
The Burbank Police Commission meeting yesterday ended a few minutes after it started. The meeting got underway shortly after 5:30 p.m. in the community room at the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters. The first act of business was a motion by Commissioner Claudia Bonis to postpone the meeting due to the uncertainty created by the city council’s decision to review appointments to the panel.
During the discussion of the motion, newly appointed commissioners John Brady and James Etter were the most enthusiastic about going ahead with the meeting. However, others expressed concerns that the city council could remove and replace one or more commissioners at its meeting next Tuesday, June 16. So with a show of hands, the commissioners voted 4-to-3 to adjourn the meeting until mid-July. No doubt, the commissioners are hoping that by then the controversy surrounding the appointment of Brady will be over and they can get down to business.
Given the fact that the Burbank City Council has discussed issues involving the appointment of Police Commissioners for two weeks in a row the action was interesting indeed.
Let’s think back over the past two weeks. Two weeks ago the council discussed the appointments. At that discussion one councilmember wanted to reconsider a couple of appointments, while the majority were only willing to reconsider one appointment. The end result was to bring the item back for consideration in two weeks.
Had the council at that time felt an ‘urgency’ they could have placed the item on the agenda as an ‘urgency item’ and taken action immediately, they apparently did not feel the need to take that action in an urgent rush.
Last Tuesday the issue reappeared as a discussion of the ‘secret document’. Also during the meeting it came up that the Police Commission would be meeting the next day. The council did not fall into a panic and declare an ’emergency’ in order to remove any appointments prior to the meeting.
The motion was shrouded with an implied ‘confusion’ among the commissioners created by an implied ‘confusion’ of the council. This was beyond absurd as the council has in no way indicated it is ‘confused’. The result was a discuission regarding when a new meeting date could be set with one conflict in scheduling after another before a final tentative date of July 15 could be set.
So let’s consider the next scenario here. The council meets this next Tuesday and they remove a commissioner. If that happens they may instruct the City Clerk to open the process for applications to the Police Commission. That should be a 30 day process. Then after the process is completed it comes before the council to chose a candidate. This would push the ‘confusion’ of who will be on the Police Commission beyod their July 15th date. Will the show some consistency and say we don’t have a full commission yet, or will the forge ahead because the individual they didn’t want on their commission is now gone ?
The truth of the matter here is we have a commission that people have suddenly realized exists. Questions now abound as to what they do and when and where they do it. Amid all the controversy they attempted to both convene a meeting and then claim that they did not meet at all, to this reader they appeared to be in a ‘state of confusion’ but that ‘confusion’ was hardly created by a ‘confused’ council it was created by far more.
I would say that from reading recent press reports and news stories this is not the time to dig in and entrench as a commission to protect the way they have been doing things. The implications are that these ideas have not worked very well for us as citizens or for the commission. I walked away with a very clear impression, and it was not about a confused council it was all about a confused commission.
If nobody misses them they must not do anything. I mean come on if they can go for a month without meeting and it makes no difference they must not do anything that matters.
I wish these meetings were televised. I would like to see them so why are they not televised ?
Snoopy,
Good points. The commission did appear confused at the meeting yesterday. Even though, the city council’s action of wanting to review/or change the an appointment to the police commission appears confusing to some of us — you may be right in saying they are not confused. It will be intersting to see what they do on this matter next Tuesday.
Fuscardo,
Especially during this difficult time, you would think the police commission would be meeting more often. In the past it has been quarterly.
Burbank resident 40 years,
I have heard others ask that question. I do not know the answer. But it’s something city officials should probably consider with all this new interest in the police commission meetings.
Liked the story. Informational, and to the point. I’ve read the blog many times over the past few weeks.
I have been reading it 2 don’t let the haters get you down.
Sounds to me like they just wanted to get out of there because they don’t know what to do. We need real leaders and what we get are real followers.
Frankenstein,
Thanks for the kudos and for visiting.
El,
I appreciate the support.
disgusted citizen,
Yeah! We definitely need more people who are willing and able to lead.
Brady is an alcoholic and is on probation for a DUI…not to mention a hit and run. This website seems to be the gadfly hub. Jim Etter is an absolute nut case and frankly I’d remove both if I were on Council…Stehr is dealing with enough he dosn’t need two nutcases on the Commission.
Jim,
You are really stuck on this gadfly thing aren’t you. Apparently you throw the term gadfly at anyone or thing you don’t agree with or like.
Let me remind you: this is my blog. I own it. I run it. You are allowed to leave comments and opinions here as long as you do so in a professional and civil manner.
Also, it appears from your comments you don’t like my blog and the comments you read here. So I have to wonder why you continue to visit this blog. I’m sure there must be a website/blog out on the Internet somewhere with readers who share your opinions and, ah, attitude.
Jim I read in other stories that the Mayor of Burbank has his own DUI. Does that make the mayor of Burbank in your book ? A criminal or an alcoholic or a gadfly or what ? Please don’t tell me it’s ok for the Mayor to have a DUI but not ok for anybody else. Or maybe you like the Mayor so it’s ok but you don’t like the other guy so it’s not ok ? I honestly don’t get it.
People are not alcoholics just because they get a DUI lots of people get a DUI driving home from a party. What makes somebody a nut case anyway ?
All the stuff that is on the news is really bad. To me the nut cases are the people who abuse other people and if any of the stuff the news is saying happened really did happen something should be done to stop all of it.
It just sounds like driving after drinking is really nothing compared to most of the other stuff. From what I have seen I am not afraid of drunk people I am afraid of the other people. This stuff is all confused as hell because some people try to make the good guys look like bad guys and the bad guys look like good guys and that’s messed up – word.
What’s next somebody get’s trashed because they didn’t recycle a plastic bag ?
DUI = NO BIG DEAL
I had to look up this gadfly thing and its interesting so take a look: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_gadfly
oh a gadfly is just some big fly so the real name is social gadfly according to wikipedia but look what it says and this is the important thing it says right here
During his defense when on trial for his life, Socrates, according to Plato’s writings, pointed out that dissent, like the tiny (relative to the size of a horse) gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to society of silencing individuals who were irritating could be very high. “If you kill a man like me, you will injure yourselves more than you will injure me,” because his role was that of a gadfly, “to sting people and whip them into a fury, all in the service of truth.”
I think maybe the silencing has made for the really high cost now no ?
Well, the DUI issue obviously worked because all of you are focusing on that issue instead of the real problem.
The City Of Burbank has major problems and is going to spend millions of taxpayer dollars trying to either fix them or cover them up.
I would focus on getting the city council and police department to be more transparent and accountable to the people.
DUIs are the least of the issues right now.
I see what your saying carma. All about them wanting us thinking some DUI is the scandal when that ain’t even the scandal.
True that. I say get that Police Commission on TV so everybody can watch what they are doing. Don’t they work for us ?
If we take bets mine goes down on them covering everything up and thats the why some people say don’t ask questions and don’t talk about it all right >
It’s amazing to me that anyone can see a dui as any issue right now with everything that is being said about our city government. No matter where you go people are saying how corrupt it really is. I will take a dui over real corruption any day.
a dui is NO BIG DEAL that’s how I see it.
I really want to know what the police commission does while everything seems to be going wrong.
Fuscardo,
A lot of folks are asking why it’s okay for the mayor to have a DUI and not okay for a newly appointed police commissioner.
Ricardo 005,
You’re right. If a person gets a DUI that doesn’t mean he or she is an alcoholic. I think your point about this DUI being minor compared to the other really serious problems facing the city Burbank is solid.
Ryan C.,
Yes the silencing is the high cost. I believe the gadfly — folks just shortened it– is much needed in society. Many times that lone voice of dissent is right and the majority is wrong.
Carma,
Ditto on that. The DUI is a distraction. Hopefully, the city officials we see it as such and get down to dealing with the real problems facing the city.
Black Dragon,
A lot of buzz right now about getting those police commission meetings on TV. Folks want to see what those commissioners are doing. Putting the meetings on TV is the fastest and easiest way to reach the most people.
Disgusted citizen,
You are right, people are asking about the “corruption in Burbank.” I got asked that tonight by a friend who lives in Los Angeles.
the vampire,
You have quite few readers here who agree with you.
h_f,
Your question is being asked by many local citizens. The only police commission meeting I’ve been to was this week — and it only lasted a few minutes.
I too would like to know why all of sudden it seems like so much is going wrong in this town. Again, I’m hoping city officials take swift action to correct the problems. This is not sudden you want to see drag on for months and months.
What the council majority is trying to do is remove Brady because he is still on probation. But that’s only pretext. The real reason is because he is a troublemaker. It’s sad that most of the council people up there do not recognize this as the prime motive. They don’t mean bad, they are only– as always– being led around by the nose.
Golonksi wants Etter off because of problems with his brother. I’ll update this tale later when I get the full info.
Jim Carlile,
I can guess but who pulls them around by their big red noses ?
Jim Carlile,
I believe you hit the nail on the head. The campaign to kick John Brady off the police commission is really not about the DUI/probation. It’s because some see him as “a troublemaker.” The kind that will fight for civil rights, stamp out racism, and try to change or fix a broken system.
Sadly, most of the city council members do not get this.
I think some of the city council does get it and doesn’t want it. Who says they are all anti racism anyway ?
It’s not just a DUI folks. He was caught and arrested for DUI as a result of a hit and run (which he subsequently wasn’t charged with as a favor to him). Ms. Lewis I don’t hate your blog, it’s not bad. However, I believe there are different perspectives you fail to gather. I read your bio. it’s quite impressive good for you.
John Brady is an alcoholic. Whether or not he is in recovery is another issue. John cannot be on the Police Commission. It’s not just the DUI it’s the fact he is on probation. What type of example is he to the community. Race relations background or not.
This Tuesday John will be removed. Not a bad man, just a troubled one who is holding the Police Commission back.
Jim,
Thank you for the compliment on my bio. I’m open to having different prespectives presented on this blog and in the comments sections.
If, as you say, John Brady will be removed from the police commission this Tuesday, I remain disappointed in the process —the way this has played out — and I still question the motives behind his removal.
The motives behind his removal are obvious he is holding the commission back from business as usual.
Come on why would you beat up on someone for being on recovery ? Being in recovery is a good example to the community maybe a better one than a mayor who serves people who are not in recovery drinks all night.
Some people must really think that everyone who goes to all the places in Burbank that serve alcohol take a taxi home or something.
The same people who clammer for the city to build more resturants that serve more alcohol now think a dui is a big deal you can’t have it both ways.
We make a profit off alcohol in Burbank and we have other officials with a dui so something is suspicious about all of this. I smell something very fishy. Like someone already said I don’t buy any of this is about a dui at all. Hit and run ? Now Burbank does favor for people ? More corruption in my mind if that is true.
Gonzalez & Burbank resident,
Interesting points!
It’s alcoholism!!! Are your sure about that Jim?
I bet if Brady was a friend to Chief Stehr, the memo concerning Bray’s record from the “under investigation” Chief Stehr would not have shown up.
People please, ask the right questions and you will see the answers. There is major corruption problems right now and the city council has not done the right thing to ensure impartiality. PLACE STEHR ON ADMIMISTRATIVE LEAVE so an impartial investigation can be done.
The City of Maywood had its police department taken over, Orange County Chief Mike Corona is on his way to prison, and Chief Tim Stehr is no different. Why is it so unbelievable.
Carma it’s not unbelieveable, its surprising that none of the city council has done anything about any of this.
Is this why council members and some city employees get so upset when Councilman Gordon asks questions about everything ?
Gonzalez I agree with you if a person is in recovery that is what we want and should encourage. So many people are in denial that they have a problem with alcohol. We should applaud someone who is in recovery.
I found this site as I desperately searched for who to contact about Kitty Pants. Can someone please post here the email address for the Burbank Police Commission. I understand that the Animal Shelter that stole Kitty Pants from her home is part of the Burbank Police Department. I wish to contact them about the mistreatment of Kitty Pants.
Thanks!
Barb
Carma,
Yeah, I too wonder if Brady’s DUI/probation would ever have become an issue if he had been in tight with the Burbank Police Chief.
h_f,
I don’t always agree with him, but I’m glad Councilman Gordon frequently asks the tough questions.
Barb,
Below is the link, from the Burbank city website, for the page with the contact information for the Burbank Police Department/Police Commission.
http://www.ci.burbank.ca.us/cityclerk/appointments.htm#police
I have seen some news stories about this cat. I don’t blame the owners for being mad at the Police Department about it. Forget the police commission if they looked into it they would come back and say the Police never make a mistake. These people have one chance to get their cat back, it’s in court.
Maybe they can dedicate a court to do nothing but hear cases about Burbank ?
Fronnie Lewis
I didn’t agree with Gordon all that much before but now I am starting to see the light. I used to think he got everybody mad by asking questions now I think they really get mad because they are all hiding stuff.
To Gordon keep on asking questions its all obvious somebody needs to question what the hell is going on in Burbank.
I agree Mr Gordon is the only one who asks the hard questions. I voted for him because he does ask them.
Here’s the thang, I never knew so much about Burbank before I started reading what everybody sayz here and dayum they could make some movie about Burbank for sure.
Be all like who is having the kids secret like with who and how they be hiring them kids the place is pure ghetto yo.
Disgusted citizen,
This cat caper is turning into another bad mark against Burbank. It should have been resolved quickly before blowing up into this major situation.
Arman & dolfin,
Agreed, someone needs to be asking the hard questions about how the city got into this mess and what are the plans to get us out of it.
Black Dragon,
I wouldn’t even call it ghetto style. The shenanigans and scandal apparently going on undercover in Burbank deserve another label. I’m sure someone will come up with one.
Yeah, it does sound like a movie. Too bad, so much of what we are hearing has the ring of truth rather than fiction.
another label ? How about organized crime ?
It’s not ghetto style it’s crime family style!
the label is LET’S MAKE A DEAL
Wow, I’ve been out of the loop. I’m gonna bookmark this blog so I can keep up with what’s going on and everyone’s take on it.
I must say that this is the type of “leadership” we deserve when the voters keep re-electing tired, unresponsive, hackneyed councilmembers like Dave Golonski. Twenty years this guy will have served at the end of this new term. He’s “in like Flynn” with Claudia Bonis and everyone down there at City Hall.
Is anyone really surprised at how things are run down there?
Surprised no way, the tight knit group takes care of each other everytime. They pat a few poor people on the head for appearance and then it’s back to their dirty tricks.