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Mailbag

April 29, 2009

Gordon is a needed voice of dissent

So Robert Phipps has been good enough to take the time to issue his instructions to duly elected City Councilman David Gordon (“Some advice for reelected councilman,” Mailbag, Saturday). Alfred Aboulsaad also weighed in with his attack piece on Gordon and his supporters (“A few thoughts on David Gordon,” Mailbag, Saturday) It’s interesting to see such correspondence just before the nomination and selection of our mayor and vice mayor.

We are fortunate to live in a democracy. One of the foundations of democracy is to have an “opposition,” dissenting voices that ask the difficult questions.

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We have an extraordinarily popular president with high approval ratings. But we still need the Republican Party to criticize and to promote alternatives. Will they always be correct? Of course not. But without opposition, a ruling group quickly becomes a tyranny.

Local government is no exception. We have seen many instances of malfeasance and incompetence in city governments throughout this region, many of which have come to light through the dedication of a few individuals who shine light into dark corners.

Even if we had no such problems in Burbank, it’s still a good idea to make sure that all corners are well lit. If this causes offense to a few people in our city, so be it. If so many are thus offended, then Gordon would not have been reelected.

PAUL DYSON

Burbank

SAG solution still in preproduction

Regarding “Actors nearing new deal,” April 22:

Actors compete for work. A new contract, protecting and governing what actors do and get paid for, will only increase the chances any reliable actor has to be paid for his craft.

Enjoying your home entertainment environment, little thought is paid to the selection process behind each and every face that passes in the story you are watching unfold. Having a valid contract for the members of the actors union who supply these faces will surely lead to better economic times for Burbank, for the other union members, and for all the vendors and ancillary shops and support companies. Catering and cleaning services can all start to recoup as this lengthy labor dispute faces the final hurdle.

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