People wanted change, not more of the same

First, I wish to thank all the dedicated, hard-working people who supported me in my campaign to win election to Burbank's City Council. I would also like to thank all those who may not have supported me, but nevertheless participated in this special election. Included in this latter group is Jack O'Neill, who opted to vote for Bill Wiggins.

I accept O'Neill's congratulations on my election victory ("Gordon wins in tight race, "Jan. 25). However, I flatly reject his assertion of "character attacks and misrepresentations" or "personal attacks against Mr. Wiggins" somehow being associated with my campaign. Wiggins publicly proclaimed that he was proud of, and would stand on, his record in his bid for election.

That is precisely what was presented to the voters in my campaign -- Wiggins' public record while serving on the City Council and now as airport commissioner. At no point during the election campaign did Wiggins ever contest, refute, deny, disclaim or disprove any of the record presented in print and other media.

My campaign was issues-driven from the outset -- traffic congestion, overdevelopment, land giveaways, threatened property rights and airport expansion. My campaign did not attack Wiggins' personal character. While the election was close, perhaps it was the "onerous" nature of Wiggins' record in and of itself that prompted the people, by a 64% majority, not to elect him to represent them again on the City Council.

I reject O'Neill's assertion that I was supported by "irresponsible people." Those supporting me represented a true grass-roots cross-section of this community. Many of my supporters were elderly, some life-long Burbank residents, who previously had supported Wiggins but who recognized that it was indeed time for a change of leadership and voted for me. The fact that some supporters are well-known, civic-minded individuals who may publicly address city issues that conflicted with Wiggins' agenda does not render them irresponsible.

Finally, O'Neill's lecture on the true meaning of responsibility and accountability might be more effectively directed to his dear friend. I fully intend to be responsible and accountable to the people of Burbank by putting them first. As I write this reply to O'Neill five days after the election, I have yet to receive a telephone call from Wiggins congratulating me and offering his support. Perhaps Wiggins and his supporters should recognize that the reason he lost this election was not due to his personal character but rather due to the peoples' rejection of the very record on which he chose to stand.

* DAVID GORDON is a resident of Burbank and City Councilman-elect.