It is a bitter-sweet notion, but perhaps out of the tragedy of former Councilwoman Stacey Murphy's arrest, subsequent conviction on charges of cocaine possession and child endangerment and resignation from the City Council, that Burbank voters have the chance to resuscitate a city that has suffered for too long with a short-handed council, a bruised reputation and lost credibility.
That's why this election is so important.
And that is why the people of Burbank must vote.
Not only do you have a chance to elect someone who will be a voice on issues such as the future of Bob Hope Airport, development in the city, traffic congestion and charter review -- it is a chance for a new beginning, a fresh start.
And the ability to vote for one of five candidates -- Michael Dontanville, David Gordon, Vahe Hovanessian, Amy Lawrence or Bill Wiggins -- is literally at your doorstep.
The city is sticking to an all-mail-in election, a switch made to increase voter participation. The method has seen mixed results in the February primary election and April's general election. But it still has promise -- a promise only as good as voters' interest in Burbank's future.
There's still time to make your voice heard.
So, if you haven't checked your mail recently, it might be time to go in and look for that ballot.
Information can also be found online at www.ci.burbank.ca.us/. Click on "Election Information."
Ballots must be returned to the City Clerk's Office, 275 E. Olive Ave., by 7 p.m. Tuesday. But there are options.
Voters can return their ballots to five locations in the city from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today (Jan. 21) and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Those turn-in places are: City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave.; McCambridge Park, 1515 Glenoaks Blvd.; Buena Vista branch Library, 300 N. Buena Vista St.; Tuttle Center, 1731 N. Ontario St.; and Joslyn Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave.
We get the public servants we deserve.
We have a chance to make sure Burbank deserves the best.
