City Clerk

It was extremely disappointing to read your critique of the Burbank city clerk's office regarding the February election (“ City revises vote-count plan for April election ,” March 16). For years, this office has done incredible work for the citizens of Burbank, properly placing the highest priority on the accuracy of our election results. They have been very proactive in working with the post office to be sure that the maximum amount of ballots can be delivered on a timely basis to their office.

Burbank is on track to exceed its 2011 primary election voter turnout, having received nearly 6,500 ballots as of Friday afternoon, city officials reported. “We look good,” said Interim City Clerk Zizette Mullins. “The numbers are coming in steady.” Two years ago, 8,106 out of 56,239 registered voters - or roughly 14% - participated in the primary. This year, officials are shooting for a 15% turnout, hoping to attract 9,300 out of roughly 62,000 voters. Tuesday is the last day to vote in the primary.

The Burbank City Council this week decided to appoint interim replacements for City Clerk Margarita Campos and City Treasurer Donna Anderson - both of whom plan to retire from their elected posts early - rather than hold a special election. Campos and Anderson, who each have held their elected positions for more than a decade, will be retiring on June 1 and July 7, respectively - roughly a year before their terms are set to end in May 2013. Campos, who has worked for the city in various capacities since 1974, said in an interview that the time was right for her to go. “The time comes in everybody's life when they need to make a decision in their personal life,” she said, adding that it was about priorities.

The City Council this week decided on a schedule for appointing interim replacements for the elected positions of city clerk and city treasurer as the women who currently hold those offices prepare to retire next month. Beginning May 14, applicants who feel they are qualified will have an opportunity to apply through June 1, although appointments could be made before then, officials said. City Clerk Margarita Campos and City Treasurer Donna Anderson are retiring on June 1 and July 7, respectively - roughly a year before their terms are set to end in May 2013.

The City Council on Tuesday agreed to the framework for how they will make two interim appointments for the office of city clerk and treasurer during a special meeting on Thursday, including sequestering candidates during the televised interview process. Seventeen people are applying for the two positions, including current city employees and one who submitted an application for both jobs. Written applications and a video presentation from each of the candidates have been available on the city's website in the lead up to the special meeting - the final hurdle before a vote is taken on Thursday.

When the City Council convenes on June 28 to fill the vacated positions of city clerk and city treasurer, they'll have 17 applicants representing a wide swath of the local political sphere to choose from. The two spots are typically elected positions, but early retirement announcements by former City Clerk Margarita Campos and City Treasurer Donna Anderson prompted the City Council to decide to fill the positions before next year's regularly scheduled election. The 17 candidates each submitted a video presentation along with their applications - all of which are available on the city's website.

Burbank's newly appointed treasurer and city clerk were sworn in at City Hall Tuesday night, telling the crowd that they looked forward to fulfilling their roles that were opened when their predecessors retired early. City Treasurer Debbie Kutka - who left her seat on the Burbank Unified school board for the appointment - and Zizette Mullins, a former Glendale city official, were sworn in by the Deputy City Clerk Susan Doman at the City Council meeting. Kukta has said she would also step down as president of KO Properties, based in Glendale, to take the city treasurer position.

Carolyn Berlin In the Saturday, March 26-27 issue of the Leader, you asked for recommended changes to the Burbank City Charter. Below are three suggestions and comments: 1. The elected city clerk should be given more latitude and responsibility in carrying out election responsibilities. As our elections official, the elected city clerk should be able to interpret the municipal code regarding elections. If there is an ordinance that calls for an election under certain circumstances, our city clerk should be able to call for an election by the people.

Karen S. Kim BURBANK -- The deadline to register to vote in Burbank's city elections is Feb. 12, two weeks before the primary on Feb. 27. Burbank residents can fill out a voter registration form at the city clerk's office in City Hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In an attempt to encourage voter turnout, the city clerk's office will remain open until 8 p.m. Feb. 12 to host a voter registration party. Punch, cookies, lawn signs and flyers advertising the election date will be available to anyone who registers after hours.

I was dismayed to hear the temporary city clerk, Zizette Mullins, admit during the candidate's forum that it would be a conflict of interest for a clerk candidate to pay another candidate to work on her campaign. Campaign filings are public record. Did Mullins not think that the public would check all the candidates' filings? Did she not think that we would see that she has paid Steve Ferguson, a school board candidate, to work on her city clerk campaign? The other city clerk candidates agreed that it would be a conflict and the mere perception of conflict was to be avoided.

For the first time after seven years on the Burbank City Council, David Gordon was  selected as the city's vice mayor. The largely ceremonial post, which requires the approval of the council, is a prerequisite to becoming the city's mayor, an annual rotating position that has so far eluded Gordon. “I'm very honored to have this position,” Gordon said of the vice-mayorship on Wednesday. After a year as vice mayor, Emily Gabel-Luddy was unanimously selected as mayor. Gordon, a controversial figure who often stands alone on issues, had been overlooked for mayor multiple times during his seven years on the council.

With just four more days until the Burbank general election, officials say it's too late to mail ballots in, but votes can still be cast. Residents can drop off ballots at five locations - the Buena Vista Library, Joslyn Center, Tuttle Center, McCambridge Recreation Center and the city clerk's office at City Hall - between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The City Clerk's Office will also be open for drop-offs on Friday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Officials are hoping to exceed the primary voter turnout, during which the city collected 9,869 ballots out of 61,170 eligible voters.

I was surprised to read a recent letter in the Leader criticizing Councilman David Gordon for his behavior during City Council meetings. While I don't agree with Gordon on everything, from the council meetings I've attended, it's clear that he's the only incumbent who consistently champions the interests of residents, small business owners and traditional Burbank values. And he's been doing that for years now. He certainly seems to be the only one to question what is put before him by Mayor Dave Golonski and city staff.

It was extremely disappointing to read your critique of the Burbank city clerk's office regarding the February election (“ City revises vote-count plan for April election ,” March 16). For years, this office has done incredible work for the citizens of Burbank, properly placing the highest priority on the accuracy of our election results. They have been very proactive in working with the post office to be sure that the maximum amount of ballots can be delivered on a timely basis to their office.

Burbank is on track to exceed its 2011 primary election voter turnout, having received nearly 6,500 ballots as of Friday afternoon, city officials reported. “We look good,” said Interim City Clerk Zizette Mullins. “The numbers are coming in steady.” Two years ago, 8,106 out of 56,239 registered voters - or roughly 14% - participated in the primary. This year, officials are shooting for a 15% turnout, hoping to attract 9,300 out of roughly 62,000 voters. Tuesday is the last day to vote in the primary.

Facing criticism that she used a Burbank Unified school board candidate's political consulting company for her election campaign, Interim City Clerk Zizette Mullins this week called it a “non-issue.” Mullins, who is seeking election to the post after being appointed to fill a vacancy, said she didn't know school board candidate Steve Ferguson was associated with the company. And Mullins said that all transactions were done through Devin Cotter, who she did not realize was business partners with Ferguson until well after the fact.

I was dismayed to hear the temporary city clerk, Zizette Mullins, admit during the candidate's forum that it would be a conflict of interest for a clerk candidate to pay another candidate to work on her campaign. Campaign filings are public record. Did Mullins not think that the public would check all the candidates' filings? Did she not think that we would see that she has paid Steve Ferguson, a school board candidate, to work on her city clerk campaign? The other city clerk candidates agreed that it would be a conflict and the mere perception of conflict was to be avoided.

The office of city treasurer is one race Burbank residents won't have to worry about, with Debbie Kukta - the former school board member who was appointed to fill the vacated post - facing no opposition for her seat. Interim City Clerk Zizette Mullins, however, will face two challengers in the Feb. 26 primary, Nonna von Sonn and Maria Gloria Salas. Mullins was also appointed to fill the vacancy, and so is running for the first time. CITY CLERK CANDIDATES Zizette Mullins Age: 50 Occupation: interim Burbank city clerk Zizette Mullins was appointed as Burbank city clerk in June after a 25-year career working in multiple departments for the city of Glendale.

The nominating period for Burbank's 2013 municipal election closed Friday evening, with six candidates running for three City Council seats, four running for two school board seats, three for city clerk and one for city treasurer, officials reported. Since school board member John Dilibert - who was appointed to the position in August - chose not to run, the nomination period for his seat has been extended until Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. "There are people that are intimidated to run against the incumbent," said Deputy City Clerk Susan Domen, adding that would-be candidates may change their minds once they learn an incumbent isn't vying for the position.

Burbank's newly appointed treasurer and city clerk were sworn in at City Hall Tuesday night, telling the crowd that they looked forward to fulfilling their roles that were opened when their predecessors retired early. City Treasurer Debbie Kutka - who left her seat on the Burbank Unified school board for the appointment - and Zizette Mullins, a former Glendale city official, were sworn in by the Deputy City Clerk Susan Doman at the City Council meeting. Kukta has said she would also step down as president of KO Properties, based in Glendale, to take the city treasurer position.