For Burbank City Council; We’re going with Michael Lee Gogin @ www.Gogin4Burbank.com(Candidate #4) because of his strong stand on Protecting our Public Safety 👮♂️i.e. Fully-Funding BPD! He’s also vowed to Preserve our Quality of Life & R-1/H Neighborhoods 🏡 from those who want to allow Multi-Unit Housing in R-1/R-1H. Finally, it’s about time we had a working Media Professional Promoting the “Media Capital of the World” 🎬 so we all can continue to work & support our families. 🇺🇸
For BurbankCity Treasurer; We’re going with Darin Shea @ http://www.sheaforburbank.com. Darin is a well-qualified servant leader with the highest integrity & character. He has a strong Business & Financial background & the skills needed to make wise conservative decisions to ensure the City’s long-term financial health. Darin’s volunteered for years @ our VMA Choirs (#BHSVocal @ Burbank High School) with his wife Kari. He’s also been a faithful member of Emmanuel Church where he was recently nominated to serve as an Elder.
Re Measure RC; We’re Voting NO on this Unnecessary & Costly Rent-Control scheme being funded by outside “entities” & used by a wannabe agenda-driven socialist council candidate to promote his own “political career”. This individual also wants to Defund our Police, Take “Under GOD” out of the Pledge & Raise everyone’s TAXES (esp. Businesses). We already have State Legislated Rent-Control! RC creates an unelected & unaccountable bureaucracy that would cost the City about $6M, resulting in cuts to City Services in order to pay for something we don’t need. This is why our Mayor & City Council Unanimously Oppose it. Vote NO on RC & NO on Konstantine Anthony.
We’ve completed & mailed in our Ballots. If you haven’t &/or are not sure who & what to vote for, please take a few minutes over this Memorial Day Holiday Weekend to read through the Ballot and do a little research. We’re blessed to live in a Democracy where we choose our Government, so I encourage you to exercise your right to Vote and let Your Voice be heard…it’s your Civic Duty! For Faith-based Voters looking to Vote your Values, I’m including links to Craig Huey’s excellent Election Forum Voter Guide, which breaks down Candidates positions & voting records on various issues of importance, as well as Californians For Life. And while I don’t always agree with Craig’s recommendations on Ballot measures, his guide is very useful in lesser-known races such as Judges etc. Whichever way YOU Decide to Vote, may I encourage you to Respect others viewpoints (friends & neighbors) whether you agree or disagree, and to Love People more than their politics & positions. #ILuvBurbank
Burbank Voters are also being asked to weigh-in on 3 Ballot Measures:
Measure T: To maintain essential City services/infrastructure like police, fire, parks, libraries, streets and street lighting, shall the measure be adopted amending the City of Burbank Charter to continue the past practice of transferring not more than 7% of Burbank Water and Power’s gross annual sales of electricity, paid by retail electric rate payers, providing approximately $12.5 million annually to the City’s General Fund until ended by voters, with all money spent to benefit Burbank residents?
A yes vote is a vote in favor of continuing the practice of including a fee in retail electric rates to fund the transfer of up to 7% of Burbank Water and Power’s (BWP) gross annual sales of electricity to the city’s general fund.
A no vote is a vote against continuing the practice of including a fee in retail electric rates to fund the transfer of up to 7% of Burbank Water and Power’s (BWP) gross annual sales of electricity to the city’s general fund.
Measure V: To increase voter participation in City of Burbank elections, shall the measure be adopted amending City of Burbank Charter: 1.) changing City’s odd-numbered year general elections to November of even-numbered years coinciding with State/Federal elections and conforming to state law; 2.) eliminating City’s primary election; 3.) extending elected City official terms, one time, by one year and eight months to transition to even-numbered year elections; 4.) simplifying the election process in the Charter?
A yes vote is a vote in favor of amending the city charter to move city elections from February and April of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years to coincide with state and federal elections, beginning in 2020; eliminating primary and general runoff elections; and adding a one-time extension of one year and eight months to the offices of city officeholders elected in May 2015 and May 2017.
A no vote is a vote against amending the city charter to move city elections to November of even-numbered years, thereby continuing to hold city primary elections in February and city general elections in April of odd-numbered years.
Measure Y: To comply with state law to increase voter participation, Burbank Unified School District is changing its Board elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years and will conduct their own elections in conjunction with Los Angeles County’s Election Division. Shall the measure be adopted amending the City of Burbank Charter to clarify that BUSD Board elections will be conducted according to state law election procedures, rather than the City’s election procedures?
A yes vote is a vote in favor of amending the city charter to eliminate primary elections and to hold general elections for Burbank Unified School District in November of even-numbered years to coincide with the statewide general election starting in November 2020.
A no vote is a vote against eliminating the primary election and holding the general elections for Burbank Unified School District in November of even-numbered years to coincide with the statewide general election starting in November 2020.
OPINION: A few quick thoughts – Any decision on Measure T should be made in context of understanding the historical roots of the “in-lieu transfer” of up to 7% of BWP’s gross sales of electricity from retail electric rate payers to the City of Burbank’s General Fund, which dates back to Voter approved measures in 1951/8 & 2007; the Court Ruling that determined the Fee is a “Tax” requiring Voter approval as such, hence the change in the Charter language being placed before Voters; our recently approved Budget that is balanced on the back of this continued transfer (and $9 Million in other “sustainable” reoccurring cuts & savings); and the $12.5M short-fall a NO Vote would create and resulting cuts in City services (police & fire, street repairs/lighting, park/recreation programs/facilities etc.) Also important to note that passage of this Measure will not increase retail rate payers’ bills because current rates already include the cost of the transfers.
You may also want to consider the forthcoming November Ballot Measure that is asking for a significant 0.75 cent Sales Tax increase to go towards paying our Unfunded Pension Liability and Deferred Infrastructure Needs. This measure would raise $20M/year of which $9M would go towards those needs and a $11M “surplus” available to restore or add services/programs (FYI: I can support 0.25 cents + $2.3M more in cuts/cost-savings to close the long-term deficit but NOT 0.75). BUSD is also planning a large Parcel Tax measure ($150-$250 per year per ave. property) to go to their General Fund. For comparison sake, Measure S which was approved just a few years ago was about $50 per ave. property for capital projects.
Bottom line: Notwithstanding the ever-increasing costs of Housing, Gas & State Taxes, Burbanker’s can expect to pay a lot more for the privilege of living in the Media Capital of the World!
Measures V & Y are about Election consolidation & alignment as per State Law in order to increase Voter turnout. They would also extend the term of all current Council & School Board members by about 20 months. I have mixed feelings on this as while I’d love to see increased Voter turnout I fear a lot of those additional ballots will be uninformed votes. I also fear local issues will get lost in the barrage of advertising for State & Federal candidates & measures. New candidates will have an even harder time campaigning against incumbents and partisan electioneering will further encroach our local non-partisan elections, with busy voters blindly voting for a slate of candidates based on glossy & expensive mailers rather than studying all the candidates, their values, voting records & positions. In the end, while well-meaning I fear this will end in a consolidation of power which may trump the convenience & cost-saving benefits of the proposed alignment. #ILuvBurbank
The Burbank City Council has reduced the field of Candidates from 28 to 8, who will move on to the Q&A round scheduled for Monday @ 5pm. Each person will be asked 5 Questions with 15 min. per Applicant total time to respond. The Council will then pick their respective top choices and have final discussions prior to a Vote. If they can’t agree on a candidate via majority vote, the Mayor has the authority via the City Charter to select the winning candidate. Check back Saturday for Full Coverage and thoughts as the City moves forward with the process of filling the Vacancy created by the untimely death of Will Rogers to cancer.
1. Robert Brody 2. John Bwarie 3. Chris Rizzotti 4. Carolyn Jackson
5. Linda Muchamel 6. Barry Gussow 7. Tim Murphy 8. Paul Herman
UPDATE 5/14/18: 🎉 Congratulations to former Councilman Tim Murphy on his appointment to the Burbank City Council to fill out the remainder of the late Will Rogers’ term. #iLuvBurbank | Press Release
The Field for the race to replace the late Will Rogers is in and it’s bigger than the Kentucky Derby! You can download the Form Guide here: Applicants
OPINION: I have read through all the applications and and think Juan Guillen deserves his chance on the Council. He was the next highest vote getter in the last 2 General Elections that’s applied, has a record of Community Service that is second to none, will help the City make the tough Budget decisions they need to make, while protecting our quality of life by opposing massive projects like the iHeartBurbank 1200 Units & Hotel slated for the old Ikea site.
Vahe Hovanessian has also run for office a few times and has a lot of relevant experience as an Attorney who once interned at City Hall prior to opening his own private practice. He has served on both the Planning Board & BWP Boards and has never been afraid to voice a dissenting opinion. Barry Gussow is a current Park & Rec. Board member with a long history of Community service. He’s a successful local Realtor & while some may have concerns about him being Pro-Development, his business background might be helpful dealing with our Budget, Pension & Infrastructure deficits.
Best of the Rest in no particular order: Carolyn Jackson (Charter Review Committee, Family Promise) and a couple of Media wild cards: Actor Michael Gogin and DP/Cameraman Alex Wysocki. It would be nice if the City Council had at least 1 member that represented us Media folks and was not a Retired Public Service Employee pulling in 100k +/- pension c/o Taxpayers. Good Luck!
I urge the City Council to focus on long-time Burbank residents with the practical experience & skillset needed to do what’s a very difficult job and who have a demonstrated record of Community service, not agenda-driven political novices or polarizing pro-development rubber-stamps. Please choose wisely!
Quick Update 5/10 re changes to the City Council replacement member selection process; The City will just be listening to Applicant Statements (3min. ea.) & Public Comments (3min. ea.) tonight and then selecting their respective Top 3 choices (up to 12 people depending on overlap), who will move on to the 2nd Round to take place Monday evening where they will be asked 5 Questions each with 15 min. per Applicant total time to respond. The Council will then pick their respective top choices and have final discussions. If they can’t agree on a candidate via majority vote, the Mayor has the authority via the City Charter to select the winning candidate.
We’ve launched a new Community FaceBook page to Connect, Inform & Engage Burbank residents to Love & Serve their City. You can connect by Liking our page #iLuvBurbank
CityLight LA are hosting a Grand Opening at their new Church Home located at 1110 S Victory Blvd, Burbank, California 91502 on November 19th at 10am! Join them for free food, activities for the kids, a campus tour, worship and a message from God’s word by Pastor Nick Reed. [ Link: Burbank Leader Story ]
Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 10 at McCambridge Park. Join us as we honor those who have served our great nation. The ceremony begins at 11am with a pre-show concert by the Burbank Community Band at 10:15am. Contact info: 818-238-5378
It’s that time of the year again!! Save the date for Burbank’s biggest event happening right here in Magnolia Park. Magnolia Blvd. will be closed for 9 blocks from Hollywood Way to Florence St. Event festivties include: Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Free Candy Apples, Car Show, Snow Play area, Bounce Houses, Crafts, Bubble Play area, Character photo ops, Live music, Dance floor, Dance performances, Police, Fire & SWAT vehicles, Community and non-profit booths, Giveaways, Food Trucks, Face painting & Balloon twisters + Shopping at over 50+ stores.
Opinion: I OPPOSE both items. I ask the Burbank City Council to maintain the current Commercial Zoning for Rancho property @ 814 S. Mariposa & urge adj. Resident’s to pay close attention to this item in view of another possible Re-Zoning request from the owner of Pickwick Gardens to build even more Condos. Re BHA: While I support the goals of BHA, I believe they deliberatey broke the law when they gave an illegal $50k donation to the Yes on Measure B campaign and in doing so undermined the integrity of our Local Elections re Ballot Measures. IMO, the resulting “slap on the wrist” is not sufficient “punishment” to deter similar behavior in future elections. I urge you NOT to support this item & to hold a Disestablishment Hearing instead. [ Link: Burbank Viewpoints story ]
UPDATE 11/8: Burbank City Council Votes 3-2 (Gabel-Laddy, Frutos, Talamantes) to DENY a Developers requested amendment to the General Plan that would have changed zoning from Rancho Commercial to Low-Density Residential for a 4.7-acre property @ 814 S. Mariposa Street to develop 34 Homes. Public Hearing Video link | Staff Report
In the iLuvBurbank.com Fall Podcast we discuss What’s Happening in Burbank. Topics covered incl: La Tuna Fire, CA Water Fix, Columbus Day, Development of the old Ikea site & Pickwick Gardens. If you’d like to hear/see more Podcasts, please Subscribe & consider becoming a Patreon supporter or Sponsor. Support links below:
Quick reminder to please exercise your Civic Duty & VOTE in our Local General Election. There are 4 remaining Candidates competing for 2 City Council seats. You can still Mail In your Ballots (incl. on Election Day – Tuesday, April 11) or drop them off @ McCambridge Rec. Ctr., Buena Vista Library, City Clerk’s Office, Joslyn & Tutle Centers today until 4pm today or on Election Day until 7pm. Additional Election Day sites incl. BHS, JBHS, John Muir & Thomas Edison schools. Good Luck to all the Candidates!
GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS: * FINAL * | City webpage
Ballot’s Cast = 11,555 (17.4%). Precincts: 29 of 29(#1) 29 of 29 (#2)
CITY COUNCIL (2 seats)
Bob Frutos: 6,300 votes (54.5%) * ELECTED Sharon Springer: 5,666 votes (49.0%) * ELECTED David Gordon: 5,287 votes (45.8%) Juan Guillen: 3,783 votes (32.7%)
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