City Council Candidate Elise Stearns-nielsen

1. State Controller John Chiang has said the state may run out of money early this year if legislators do not agree on a budget. If Burbank were forced to make cuts, where would you recommend making trims, and in what way can Burbank weather this financial crisis?

I don’t believe there is any one answer to the projected budget deficit. I will look at all potential solutions before considering a rise in our utility rates. We need to be more efficient and look at underutilized portions of a program or low-priority parts of a program to temporarily cut back on. I would consider regionalization of services to help share the costs with our neighboring cities, so long as the quality of the service does not suffer.

2. There has been much talk lately of potential safety hazards associated with Burbank’s Chandler Bikeway. What do you think should be done to address the safety issues?

I think the City Council’s recommendation to look at possible solutions to the safety hazards is a good idea, such as widening the walkway part, and/or reducing the two bike lanes to one, and/or more signage on the pathway.

3. Bob Hope Airport and the Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport Authority are in the process of trying to get a nighttime curfew implemented. How do you feel about the proposal and what, if anything, should the City Council do to aid the process?

I am against airport expansion. I am in support of the Part 161 Study process that requests noise relief through a mandatory nighttime curfew.

4. What is the biggest issue facing the city, and how would you suggest the new council handle it?

I believe the national financial crisis that has impacted us at a state and local level is the most pressing concern for the residents of Burbank. As I said above, I will look at multifaceted solutions to handling the crisis, in a way that doesn’t impinge on our quality services or raise our utility rates.