But a unique twist has already slipped into the 2007 race, with Burbank couple Carolyn and Philip Berlin vying for the two open council seats.
First-time candidate Margaret Sorthun — who made her first foray into civic affairs recently as a member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Fences Walls and Landscaping — cites the Berlins' candidacies as one of the reasons behind her decision to run for office.
"You can't tell me that a husband and wife are not going to air their grievances and discuss anything beforehand [outside of council meetings]," she said. "It would be kind of hard not to."
The Berlins maintain that their candidacy springs from feelings of distrust voiced in the community over things that are happening in City Hall. Any speculation about how they each might vote circumvents the real issues of the campaign, Carolyn Berlin said.
In fact, many women voters are excited about the two running as a couple because more often it is the husband who does the politicking, Carolyn Berlin said.
"The whole idea of people being worried that we might vote the same — I don't know any husband and wife who agree on everything," she said. "But right now you have four votes [on the council] who do seem to agree most of the time."
If the Berlins were both elected, the City Council could begin to accomplish the kind of change that was precipitated with the election of David Gordon, Philip Berlin said. Gordon has endorsed the Berlins' candidacy.
"What the people are telling us is that they see Gordon by himself and the need to have change from the way the council has conducted itself in the past," he said. "And people are excited about putting two individuals on the council … who will effect change and finally act on their behalf."
