Bob Behncke's hit piece, "Commissions in need of new faces," published
in the Burbank Leader on May 26, expressed his views about appointments
to various city boards and commissions. In particular, he targeted three
distinguished public officials who, in his words, "should be disposed
of." I am personally acquainted with all three of the individuals Mr.
Behncke wished to dispose of.
It is apparent from his letter that Mr. Behncke has little grasp of
the fundamental principles of this country's government, not to mention
the importance of locally appointed members of the public serving on city
boards.
Unlike Mr. Behncke, I personally can attest that both Phil Berlin and
Ingolf Klengler are highly intelligent, articulate attorneys who are not
only each renowned within their own professional areas of specialization
but have gained particular skill and expertise in dealing with highly
contentious airport matters. Had they not done so, the council,
rightfully, would have removed them from their posts.
It is impossible to delineate each of these individuals' contributions
in a short reply. However, one action of Berlin proved crucial in
establishing Burbank's rights relating to airport expansion.
As a result of Berlin's due diligence in requesting certain financial
documents, he discovered that Public Utility Commission Code 21661.6 gave
Burbank the right to approve any land acquisition for a new terminal
project.
The quality of life for all residents of Burbank has been protected as
a result of his actions as an airport commissioner.
It so happens that the City Council did, indeed, decide to appoint two
new members to represent Burbank on the airport commission. Nevertheless,
I do not doubt for a moment that Berlin and Klengler would share the
knowledge and experience they gained during their tenures with the newly
appointed commissioners or any other entity working on behalf of the city
should the call for help ever go out.
Mr. Behncke also wished to dispose of Carolyn Berlin, a highly adept
and knowledgeable member of Burbank's Planning Board for the past eight
years. I not only have gotten to know her through many years of community
and civic involvement, I had the distinct privilege of serving with her
from 1995-1999 on the Planning Board. Apparently Mr. Behncke has become
incensed over Mrs. Berlin being one of the biggest "nit-pickers" he has
ever seen. I wonder how many of those nit-pickers previously seen by Mr.
Behncke have been disposed of?
