City Clerk

Laura Sturza Months of knocking on doors paid off for architect Jef Vander Borght and environmental policy director Todd Campbell, who won seats on the Burbank City Council in Tuesday's election. "I'm extremely humbled," said Campbell, policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air. "I always thought that all of the candidates were very qualified." Incumbent Councilman Vander Borght, 51 made his first run for a council seat, having been appointed to the post by the council after former mayor Bob Kramer resigned in March 2002.

City accepts Equestrian Center board applications CIVIC CENTER -- Residents can apply to serve as one of two Burbank representatives to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center Advisory Board. The board will review and advise the L.A. Recreation and Parks Board of Commissioners on issues including capital improvements, remodeling of the center, trails, services offered and events. It will be made up of eight members -- two each from the cities of Burbank, Glendale and Los Angeles, and two from the L.A. Equestrian Center.

Laura Sturza Another five residents put themselves in the running for two vacant City Council seats, bringing the number of people seeking voter approval to 11. The last day to file papers with the City Clerk was Monday. Though three hopefuls served on the city's airport review committee earlier this year, they have goals that reach beyond securing noise restrictions at the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport. "We have so many good things here.

Laura Sturza City Council members, the city clerk and the city treasurer will have to wait at least one year before accepting a city job. The council, at its meeting Tuesday night, tentatively approved plans to prevent a replay of recent appointments of elected officials to city jobs. Judie Sarquiz left her elected post as city clerk Oct. 31, 2001, to take a job as the city's deputy financial services director. Former mayor Bob Kramer resigned from the City Council on Feb. 25 to accept a position as the city's community assistance coordinator.

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.

Los Angeles voters went to the polls Tuesday to decide whether Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley will secede from Los Angeles and form their own separate and independent cities. Since Burbank is already an independent city, we did not have to wade through the complicated fiscal reports or be subjected to the barrage of political mailers and rhetoric. Our independence from Los Angeles was decided 82 years ago by Burbankers when they rejected "consolidation" with the city of Los Angeles.

Laura Sturza CIVIC CENTER -- Following recent departures by two elected officials, the city is reviewing its policy for replacing city officers who resign. The city charter requires vacancies to be filled by the City Council within 30 days. If it doesn't, the mayor must make the appointment. An election is not required. The newly appointed official serves for the remainder of the unexpired term. "What I've heard from the public through this whole process is they would rather elect than have [candidates]

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.

Laura Sturza CIVIC CENTER -- After seven years on the City Council, Mayor Bob Kramer resigned Monday to accept a position as the city's community assistance coordinator. When he starts his new job March 16, Kramer will begin receiving the full-time salary and benefits unavailable to him while carrying out what he said were nearly full-time duties as mayor and council member. The community assistance coordinator acts as a liaison between residents and businesses and the city departments that can help solve their problems.

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.