Town hall meeting draws crowd

BURBANK — Peg Cabrera does not consider herself an avid follower of city politics, but the opportunity to learn about city services and interact with Burbank’s leaders Thursday night was too good an opportunity to pass up, she said.

“I don’t really get involved too much,” said Cabrera, who was one of nearly 100 residents to fill the Buena Vista Library’s Community Room Thursday evening for an open house and town hall meeting that allowed residents to mingle with city officials, get to know some of the services Burbank offers and air grievances to City Council members.

“This is good for me,” Cabrera said.

Six city departments, including the fire and police departments and Burbank Water and Power, set up tables in the room where residents were encouraged to take souvenirs, such as a pen made of recycled materials from the Recycling Center.

During the town hall meeting, more than 20 speakers took their turn at a podium where they were allotted five minutes to speak about issues important to them, including tree roots, traffic and security cameras.

“I think it’s great that you are doing this,” said Jodi Carlisle, the first speaker, who complained to the council about roots impinging on her property.

Lorie Niva also spoke at the meeting, imploring the council to build security cameras around town.

“I like the art in public places, now it’s time for cameras in public places,” the 17-year Burbank resident said. “I don’t want Burbank to become just another valley town.”

Increased traffic in the city was also on the minds of some.

“Traffic has gotten really out of hand here,” resident Debbie Catanese said.

“People have a total disregard for traffic laws.”

But the one issue that dominated Thursday night was a sober-living facility on Clark Avenue that neighbors said presents a danger to the community.

“Please do something about this, it’s insane,” Derek Sherinian, 41, said. “Something must be done, it’s not right. It’s not safe.”

The facility in question is a recovery house providing group living for people recovering from alcoholism or drug addiction and has neighbors concerned about the perceived risk to their neighborhood.