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.
*** Special Burbank Election Commentary: Vote NO on Measure B
I have many friends both opposing & supporting Measure B and have tried to keep an open mind and listen to both sides arguments for/against a new 14-gate 355,000 sqft terminal & governance changes. The main arguments for Measure B seem to be increased safety (distance from runway, seismic standards, ADA compliance) and improved passenger amenities & conveniences. Having flown into the recently built Sacramento airport, I can say it certainly was a pleasant experience & I have no problem with the modernization & improvements being proposed. That said, the Airport is safe “as is” & has a certain character/charm I would hate to loose if the replacement terminal is not done right (please see the unsightly, blinding RTIC car rental monstrosity). Unfortunately there are no actual architectural plans or models I can find to see what the replacement terminal might look like, so I guess we’ll have just have to wait & see.
The problem & primary reason I cannot support Measure B at this time is the governance changes that take away Burbank residents rights to vote on any future airport expansion i.e. increases in # gates, and gives them to unelected, unaccountable Airport Commissioners appointed by the City Council; I simply don’t trust them to protect Burbank residents best interests & quality-of-life. Nor do I trust any politician, so replacing them with City Council members who have made many decisions I disagree with (Talaria, BPD litigation “mess” etc.), does not make up for the loss of our voting rights. We also give away our land-use powers, meaning the City no longer has zoning/easement oversight on future airport development. These 2 changes are deal-breakers for me & should never have been agreed to by our City Council.
There are many other concerns I have. The measure was rushed onto the crowded November Ballot instead of being voted on during our local City Elections next Spring where the topic could be debated in much more detail. Most people have no idea what Measure B really is & simply don’t have the time to read through all the measures on the Ballot (17 State + 4 County/Local) and make an informed decision.
We also just learned the FAA is switching from a Radar based air traffic system to a Satellite system called NextGEN, a system that leads to greater flight efficiency and has lead to increased air traffic & new flight paths in some places where it’s already been implemented. And while the Yes folks claim there will be no increased flights due to NextGEN outside of market-driven forces, I prefer to wait-&-see what actually happens beginning November 10 when it’s implemented at BUR airport.
There are serious environmental concerns that still need to be addressed. If approved, construction wouldn’t begin for about 5 years but it would take 5 years to complete. The proposed replacement site is toxic and would need to be cleaned up of all the hazardous waste ala the Empire Center & Home Depot sites and constantly monitored. The construction will have major negative environmental impacts on those who live adjacent to the site, as those adj. to the 5 fwy construction are suffering through. Some opponents have even expressed concern about possible Easterly take-offs over the Hillside based on old FAA documents, although it appears this is not possible based on current FAA rules that prohibit such take-offs due to the runways proximity to the mountains. And while the Airport has threatened to build a new terminal anyway if they loose on the SW Quadrant, this is not their preferred site as it would takes years more to build (7 instead of 5), cost Millions of dollars more, & may involve land-use related litigation with both the City of Burbank & Los Angeles.
At the end of the day, I believe we can do better than what’s been proposed and will be in a much stronger negotiating position of we Vote NO on Measure B now and force the airport to bring the item back with the above-mentioned protections that should have been there in writing in the first place, on our local election ballot next April. These protections should include a written guarantee that the number of gates can never be increased under any circumstances &/or a Measure B vote of the people, retaining the proposed Super-Majority in light of the fact that airport decisions directly effect/impact Burbank much more than Glendale/Pasadena, retaining existing zoning/easements oversight, continuation of the existing voluntary curfew & ongoing efforts to obtain a mandatory curfew, even though I don’t believe this will ever happen (the FAA already said NO to our Part 161 Study application), actual architectural plans/models for the replacement terminal, and a written guarantee that there will never be flights taking off to the East (regardless of FAA) and no commercial flights landing from the East ever! Do this, and I will support Measure B in 2017.
I had the privilege of joining Governor Pete Wilson, Councilman Bob Frutos & a host of business leaders for Cocktails & Conversation with U.S. Senate Candidate Duf Sundheim at the beautiful Beverly Hills home of Eric George. After a few words from the Governor & former DA Steve Cooley, Duf shared his background & vision for the State & Country, covering job creation, education & health care, public safety & national security, water & the importance of stopping sanctuary city enabler Kamala Harris from being elected. Harris’ politicization of the Office of AG, unlawful search/seizure of Planned Parenthood videos & failure to defend the will of majority of CA Voters on Prop 8, are just some of the reasons Christian conservatives & constitution loving Americans should look elsewhere this July.
MundoMax TV News Anchor (KWHY Channel 22) Palmira Perez spoke @ this months Burbank Buck & Ballot Brigade meeting @ Alta Dena Express Bakery. Guests enjoyed sandwiches & sweets as Ms. Perez shared her personal story and how the Spanish News Media works here in L.A. Perez took audience questions on a wide range of issues including immigration, presidential candidates, traditional family values, and offered some good career advice. In attendance were last month’s guest – Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian (who also happens to be her husband), former school board members Joe Hoovan, Dave Kemp, Ted Bunch & his wife, organizer Glen Forsch & other interested community members.
CA State Senator Bob Huff spoke recently @ the Burbank Buck & Ballot Brigade “Bakery & Politics Night”. Huff covered a wide range of topics including transportation, water, public safety, helping small business, film tax credits, the demise of redevelopment, working with others across the aisle to get things done (sometimes incrementally) as a minority leader, reaching Latinos, his journey into public service from Church to City Council to State Senator, and his upcoming campaign to replace Mike Antonovich (termed out) for LA County Supervisor. For more information on his candidacy, please visit his website: http://supervisorbobhuff.com/ &/or FaceBook page. Links: FLICKR PHOTO Album | FACEBOOK PHOTO Album
Ret. Major General Mark MacCarley speaks about his service in the U.S. Military, veterans affairs, his law practice and candidacy for Assembly in the 43rd District (Burbank/Glendale) in 2016. For more information, please visit FaceBook & the Mark MacCarley for State Assembly (43rd District) website – www.MacCarleyCampaign.com . FLICKR PHOTO Album | FACEBOOK PHOTOS
Primary Election Commentary – Burbank City Council
We Love Burbank – the Media Capital of the World; It’s Churches, Schools, Police & Fire services, Parks, Small-Town Feel & Quality of Life. But that Quality of Life is under threat from agenda-driven Politicians, Staff bureaucrats & Developers who want to buy & sell Burbank for their own benefit. From the approval of the Cusumano’s Talaria condos traffic nightmare on Olive with it’s extra density & lack of affordable housing, to the 3rd St. & Cypress Apt. project also approved by the Council* (Gabel-Luddy) & Planning Board (Rizzotti) @ 25% above code, tentative plans for the old Ikea site to be converted to mixed-use Apartments instead of an open commercial retail space, uncertainty re development plans for the massive 58 acre Airport B-6 Property (aka “Opportunity Site”) being sold to fund a new “safer” 14 gate terminal, rampant mansionization, speeding & unlicensed care/sober living facilities…Burbank is looking/feeling more like Glendale & West L.A. every year.
We need to put the brakes on! We need to change the fundamental direction the City is going in. We need smart growth that puts the needs of the Residents and our Neighborhoods above the profits of Developers. We need New Leaders who’s No.1 desire is to Serve & Protect You and I; Our Families, Our Neighborhoods, Our Livelihoods. So please join us in supporting David Nos & Juan Guillen for Burbank City Council, 2 longtime Burbank Residents & Small Business Owners with servant hearts & the right mix of experience & youth to be your voice on the City Council. And let’s work together to make Burbank a better place to live, work & play for everyone.
Update 2/24/15: It’s Election Day! If you haven’t already mailed in your ballot you’ll need to drop it off today before 7pm. Today’s drop-off locations incl. Joslyn & Tuttle Centers, City Clerk’s Office, Buena Vista Library, McCambridge Rec Ctr., John Muir Middle School, Edison Elementary & Burbank Adult School. #VoteBurbank * Check back tonight after 8pm for Election Results.
Senate Election Watch: [@ 8:45pm] 6 Down 0 to Go! REPUBLICANS take the SENATE! (+9) Congrat’s to Rep Tom Cotton (AR), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Mike Rounds (SD), Cory Gardner (CO), Steve Daines (MT), Joni Ernst (IA), Thom Tillis (NC), Dan Sullivan (AK) & Bill Cassidy (LA_ on their wins, as well as Senate GOP Minority Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY). House Gains = + 13 Republicans. Governor Races: Greg Abbott (TX) & Scott Walker (WI) have both won easily! Rick Scott (FL) narrowly defeats Crist (D). Bruce Rauner ousts Pat Quinn (IL) & Nathan Deal wins Georgia! (+3 Gain)
Gloria’s letter to Assemblyman Mike Gatto Re AB 1266 – the Co-Ed Bathroom / Shower Bill (Don’t make Mama Bear angry).
I am writing to voice my strong disapproval of your vote in support of AB 1266, the Transgender Co-ed Bathroom Bill. I cannot believe the legislator I voted for in the past 2 elections would support such a horrendous bill. I am a Parent of a 6th grader in the BUSD and can tell you that my daughter and her friends are horrified at the thought of confused boys going into the girls bathroom, not to mention showers if they elect to play on girls sports team. Why would you choose to inconvenience 99% of our kids to accommodate a handful of students? Why do you care more about promoting the LGBT agenda vs. promoting Family values and protecting our children? I can also tell you the nearly every parent I’ve spoken to in the district and @ Church share my concerns. And this is not a partisan political issue; parents agree regardless of their political leanings.
Gender-confused children are allowed to use Teachers bathrooms in many schools and this should suffice. Some schools are assigning special gender-neutral bathrooms just for these children, again a much better & safer solution. I ask that you re-consider your support for this & move to repeal the law immediately before the voters do. As you know, the Bill is currently in limbo pending approval of a ballot measure to repeal it. Unfortunately Sec. of State Debra Bowen continues to deliberately circumvent the will of the people by first refusing to count all the signatures submitted, & after being ordered by a judge to count them, throwing out 131k signatures she claims are invalid, and doing everything she can to hinder & intimidate those challenging valid thrown out signatures. My husband & I vow to continue to educate parents & members of the faith-based community in Burbank on this issue, to hold lawmakers accountable for their actions, and to protect our Children’s Right to Privacy.
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