Top 10 Stories Of The Year

A strong public education system, with a focus on vocational training for students who do not go to college, equal access to health care and relief from traffic congestion are some of the issues Krekorian said he would prioritize during his term in the state Assembly.

Krekorian, whose district includes Glendale, Burbank and Silver Lake, took the Assembly seat on Dec. 4 after being sworn in with 78 other legislators in the Capitol. He wrote a bill, AB 80, aimed at improved environmental standards for the construction of public schools, on the same day.

Krekorian was elected to the Burbank Board of Education in 2003, along with current president Ted Bunch.

As president of the board, Krekorian started a series of neighborhood coffee meetings for parents and the community to get together and talk about issues in education.

While Krekorian served on the board for nearly four years, the board adopted efficiency standards as part of its modernization program.

The standards included implementing alternative energy systems, building facilities with more energy-efficient technology and modifying construction projects that reduce the need for electricity and increase natural lighting in buildings.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Market proposal spurs controversy

Whole Foods Market's proposal to build a 60,000-square-foot store at the corner of Alameda Avenue and Main Street spurred ardent opposition and support for the health food chain.

The issue emerged after the planning board denied a variance for the project, which would have reduced its setback requirements — the separation between the structure and the property line.

Opponents say the project is too big for its space, will add to traffic congestion, and will create safety hazards in a neighborhood of schools and other markets.

Proponents welcome the project, saying it will be a great benefit to the community.

Planning department staffers are working with Whole Foods officials to see whether they want to make any changes to the project proposal before the appeal goes before the City Council in January.

Parade returns with renewed vigor

After a year on hiatus, Burbank on Parade, the city's traditional caravan of floats and representatives along Olive Avenue, returned.

The parade was canceled in 2005, when it attracted little interest from volunteers facing scheduling conflicts and strained preparations. That was coming off of the lackluster 2004 parade, when the parade date coincided with Armenian Genocide festivities.