Citys

A political action committee sponsored by a labor union that represents about 800 retail workers in Burbank has raised $20,000 in an effort to unseat City Council incumbent Jess Talamantes, with a spokesman for the group citing a “pattern of not making smart decisions” at a time of “dire financial straits.” The group - Burbank Residents Opposed to Jess Talamantes Slashing Public Safety - is being bankrolled by the United Food and Commercial Workers...

The Burbank City Council invites residents to one of three upcoming forums to gather public input in the search for a permanent city manager. I began serving as your interim city manager on Dec. 3. One of my assignments has been to help guide the city while City Council searches for a permanent replacement. The city manager is a very important position in city government. He/she is responsible for the city's day-to-day administrative operations while supervising all departments in carrying out the policies set by City Council.

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.

In what was likely to be the last public debate forum before the February primary, the six candidates for Burbank City Council on Wednesday were united in stressing a more conservative, efficient approach to public spending. Candidates who took the stage at the Colony Theatre were asked their thoughts on looming budget cuts, airport expansion and the pending traffic impacts of the construction on the Golden State (5) Freeway, which will close the Burbank Boulevard bridge for more than a year.

Burbank officials have scheduled three public forums this month as they seek input from residents on the qualities they'd like to see in a new permanent city manager. All three forums will be held in Room 104 of the Community Services Building at 150 North Third Street. The first two are scheduled for Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The third is slate for 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21. Each meeting is slated to last 1 1/2 hour, according to the city. Ken Pulskamp was appointed Burbank's interim city manager late last year after Mike Flad stepped down to take the top job in the city of South Gate.

Under a ban adopted Tuesday by the City Council, cats or dogs sold at Burbank pet stores must be obtained only from animal shelters or rescue organizations. The city is following a trend that has been growing in recent years across the nation, albeit perhaps too slowly in the eyes of people concerned about animal welfare. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been championing the cause, helping to write legislation in some states and dedicating resources to get the word out to all that commercial breeders do not always care about the animals.

Burbank will host a series of public forums in the coming months to get input from residents about the impending permanent city manager selection. The City Council hired executive search firm Peckham & McKenney to spearhead recruiting efforts for the top post. But the city wants insights from residents on what makes the “ideal candidate,” spokesman Drew Sugars said in a statement. Applications for the position will be accepted between March and mid-April. The screening and interview process will wrap up in May and the Council will likely hire someone in June, officials said.

PANORAMA CITY - Despite a series of small spurts, the Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls' basketball team could never fully climb out of a large deficit it accrued versus Los Angeles City Section power Fairfax in Saturday afternoon's nonleague showcase at St. Genevieve High. Every time the Guards pulled within striking range, the Lions fought back and reestablished control all the way until the final seconds of a 58-48 victory. The defeat was the second this week and third in five games for the Guards (10-7)

Deputy City Manager Joy Forbes will take on a new role in City Hall this week as Burbank's community development director, officials announced Wednesday. Forbes, who spent 13 years in community development before serving in the city manager's office, will oversee city planning, building, license and code, transportation, housing, and economic development. “In some ways, I'm returning to my roots,” Forbes said in a statement. She was to start her new job on Saturday. Forbes replaces Greg Herrmann, who retired last month, and will continue her current duties as deputy city manager while Interim City Manager Ken Pulskamp searches for an internal replacement, according to the city.

A massive manhunt for a missing FBI agent, the surprise departure of the city's chief executive, a National Teacher of the Year, tragic suicide and long-sought closure for the family of a murdered Burbank police officer. The year 2012 was full of twists and turns, surprise and tragedy. Here's a look back at some of the top stories that reverberated throughout the community, and far beyond. Burbank woman electrocuted trying to help motorist in crash A 40-year-old Burbank woman was one of two Good Samaritans who were electrocuted to death Aug. 22 after trying to help a motorist trapped inside his vehicle after a crash in Valley Village.