Laura Sturza
Petitions are being signed as six City Council hopefuls prepare to
meet the Dec. 2 deadline for submitting their nominations for the
Feb. 25 primary.
They are vying for two seats -- that of Mayor David Laurell, who
does not plan to run for re-election, Councilman Jef Vander Borght,
who does.
Though the Burbank-Glen- dale-Pasadena Airport announced Nov. 8 it
no longer plans to build a new terminal, continuing to work for
solutions to traffic and noise concerns are the top issues voiced by
each potential candidate.
"We still need to make sure that people don't get railroaded,"
said Vahe Hovanessian, council hopeful and paralegal law clerk. "Just
because there's no new terminal doesn't mean all the problems are
fixed."
Attorney Michael Bergfeld suggested the city exercise its power in
controlling airport traffic and pollution.
"Shut down Hollywood Way except to shuttles and public transport,
I bet that would get [the airport's] attention," said Bergfeld, an
attorney who served on the city's airport review committee.
At 24, Jesse Byers is the youngest contender, and hopes to speak
for what he said is an under-represented demographic on the council,
people younger than 40. Stacey Murphy is the youngest current council
member at 44.
"It just seems to me the current council, for the most part, isn't
listening to the voice of the people," the novelist said.
Byers wants to retain the city's small-town flavor by encouraging
"home-grown small businesses," he said.
Vander Borght is making his first run for a council seat. The
architect and 11-year former Planning Board commissioner was
appointed to his post by the council when former mayor Bob Kramer
resigned Feb. 25.
"There's a mountain of work to be done in the city on a daily
basis," Vander Borght said. "Having been exposed to it for the last
eight months, I feel I have a better background now to be more
effective."
Along with continuing to work for solutions concerning the
airport, "improving our physical environment still remains my
personal interest," Vander Borght said.
Todd Campbell was born and raised in the city, and looks to put
his experience in transportation planning and knowledge of
environmental laws to the city's service. He is the policy director
for the Coalition for Clean Air.
"I want to ensure that Burbank grows [so that] ... when we do
develop, we make sure that the development matches Burbank's traffic
capacity and protects public health," Campbell said.
Restaurant owner Gary Bric wants to carry on the work of a council
that he thinks "has done an excellent job overall."
Bric said he hopes to support moderate growth in the city and
ensure that "the mountains stay the way they are."
People who want to run must register with the City Clerk's office
and submit nominating papers with 50 to 250 support signatures by
Dec. 2, as well as a campaign statement and a financial disclosure
statement.
The City Clerk's office is at 275 E. Olive Ave.
