Karen S. Kim
HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- Candidates Howard Rothenbach, Gary Olson, Dave
Golonski and Marsha Ramos tackled community issues in front of about 30
Burbank residents early Wednesday morning at a candidate forum hosted by
the Burbank Sunrise Kiwanis Club.
Candidates responded to questions on several key community issues,
including the Restore Our Airport Rights initiative, housing and rent
control.
One questioner asked candidates how they would approach any litigation
fees the ROAR initiative might incur.
"This is a litigious society, so of course someone is going to sue us
over ROAR," said Rothenbach, who co-authored the initiative. "If they're
going to challenge it, that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with
ROAR."
ROAR, which will appear on the ballot in a special election this year,
requires the city implement restrictions on the airport, such as a curfew
and a cap on flights.
Golonski and Olson spoke out against ROAR, with Golonski saying the
initiative brings up issues the Airport Authority and city officials
already have put to bed.
"If ROAR passes, it will require legal fees, and I absolutely will
spend that money," Golonski said. "But I think ROAR is a terrible thing.
It'll allow the Airport Authority another bite of the apple."
Ramos said that although airport litigation fees have been costly to
the city, "[ROAR is] something that needs to be addressed. The people
want the final say in this."
Housing was another issue facing the candidates at the forum.
Olson said Burbank should update its master plan to include population
growth estimates. Ramos said Burbank could expand its current grant and
loan programs to homeowners. Rothenbach spoke in favor of development
instead of redevelopment. Golonski said the city should focus on
rehabilitating existing structures instead of new developments.
Rothenbach, Ramos and Olson also opposed rent control in Burbank.
"I believe in the American dream," Olson said. "Free enterprise works,
ladies and gentlemen. Let it prevail."
Golonski also said he opposed rent control, though he felt some
restrictions -- such as limits on how many times a landlord can raise
rents in a time period -- were worth exploring.
Sunrise Kiwanis Club President Michael Caggiano said he hoped the
forum helped inform voters.
"We wanted to provide a look at the candidates as a public service
because Sunrise Kiwanis is a service club," he said.
