City Clerk

The city is accepting applications for appointment to the Charter Review Committee. It is anticipated that the committee will have 11 members who will meet as often as necessary to complete a review of the city's charter, and make specific recommendations for changes. Any changes to the charter must be placed before the voters. Applications can be picked up at the city clerk's office at City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave. The forms are also available on the city's Web site, www.ci.

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.

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.

Director The City Council is accepting applications for Burbank's Metropolitan Water District Director. Burbank is one of 27 agency members of the district, which meets every second Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. in Los Angeles. The four-year term starts Jan. 1. All city board, commission and committee members serve without compensation and must be registered voters living in Burbank. No one can serve on more than one board, commission or committee.

Karen S. Kim BURBANK -- As the four top vote-getters in Burbank's primary head to the general election inApril, the first order of business was deciding whose name would appear where on the ballot. Candidate Marsha Ramos' name will appear first on the general election ballot. Howard Rothenbach's, Dave Golonski's and Gary Olson's names will follow. The ballot order was determined by a drawing in the city clerk's office, where a representative of each candidate was asked to draw a number.

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.

According to Will Rogers Dec. 1 column, "... and 2+2=4, Shaq is tall, water is wet," he seems to think that the elective process is better than the appointive process, at least in the case of city clerk. I'm not sure he's correct. Margarita Campos seems to be highly qualified for the position. Many times, elections are popularity contests. We've seen that verified by the results of previous elections for the Burbank City Council and the board of education.

Burbank Unified School Board Member Debbie Kukta will be the city's next treasurer, while longtime resident and Glendale Community Relations Coordinator Zizette Mullins was named Burbank city clerk Thursday.  Kukta and Mullins were both unanimously named to the interim positions during a special City Council meeting, necessitated by the retirements of City Clerk Margarita Campos and Treasurer Donna Anderson....

With one eye on the Burbank city manager's seat and, of course, a heavy heart, Judie Sarquiz, daughter of former Burbank Mayor Larry Stamper, departed from the city clerk's office for the final time last week and carted her belongings to her new office in the Financial Services Department. Stumping for the elected office of city clerk in January, Sarquiz gushed, "I really love what I'm doing. I feel as if I'm giving back, and in a lot of jobs you can't do that."

I feel it was wrong of Mr. Kramer to resign. This act is similar to the time when the former city clerk (Judie Sarquiz) resigned. Why do these people run for an office, then take a position in City Hall that pays well and gives them the benefits they don't receive as elected officials? You feel cheated and wonder why you vote. I also feel what Mr. Kramer has done in light of the problem with Measure A is a great disservice to the residents of Burbank.