“We’re all a little upset with the lack of time we we’ve been given,” Councilman Dave Golonski said. “It’s not how we do things. We could have done a better job if we knew about this six weeks ago. But we are where we are, and I’m confident all the agencies involved will work with [city departments] to work out whatever issues arise.
“This is something we need to do.”
But that lack of time miffed Councilman David Gordon, who declined to vote no on the issue, preferring instead to abstain.
Before the council voted, a cavalcade of public speakers, including about a dozen residents and officials from area organizations represented both sides of the debate.
Nancy Durkey, whose child attends preschool at Pacific Park, was torn between her support for the homeless and concern for her children’s safety.
“My heart says of course open the shelter,” she said. “The city of Burbank is awesome, and we know that whatever happens, Burbank will step up and make it right. Yet, when I think about the cost, we could lose the school. I can’t rightfully say ‘Please don’t open this shelter,’ yet my gut feeling as a mom says ‘Please don’t open this shelter.’”
Anja Rohlmann, 71, who lives close to the armory, opposes the use of the facility as a shelter on the grounds that it would inundate the area with homeless people.
“Once you open the flood gates, there’s no stopping it, and it’s going to get worse and worse every year,” she said. “I’m sorry they are homeless, but some are drug addicts. Do we really want to expose the people of Burbank to that? I know religious groups are all for this, but go to Downtown, smell Downtown. Do we really need this? I don’t think so.”
