Complaints

AS IF YOU ASKED Commenting last week on a scathing written lecture the Public Integrity Division of the L.A. County District Attorney's office sent Burbank school board members, school district lawyer Richard Currier said of the D.A., "They're not going to do anything." Even if that's proved wrong, his words do sum up my experience with filing formal complaints. But in this case and others, the lack of action isn't exclusive to the enforcers, and there is something we can do about it. I've filed many formal complaints over the years, and I'm not talking about gripes over cable television, bad service or decrepit rental cars.

For more polls and results, visit TCN North Now. Poll results: The Leader recently posted a story about a suicide and got a lot good and bad feedback from readers. Should events like this be in the news? (1) Yes. While horrendous, it is newsworthy. (41 votes, 64%) (2) No. This is private event, and should be kept out of the public eye. (3 votes, 5%) (3) Maybe. It depends on the circumstances surrounding it. (20 votes, 31%) Current poll: Burbank officials Wednesday fired back at the police captain who on Tuesday filed a civil lawsuit against the city alleging retaliation.

I wrote to the U.S. Postal Service complaint department on June 6, 2001, to complain about our Burbank Postal Service, or lack thereof. I wrote that I don't get my mail for the most part until after 6 p.m., and my neighbor and I are tired of it. We are also sick and tired that no one seems to care. I got a response from the consumer affairs department in Santa Clarita the next day, which surprised the heck out of me. Their response was as follows: "I am in receipt of your e-mail concerning your mail delivery.

A no vote on crazy fence ordinance Thank you for covering the Burbank fence insanity ordinance ("Council closer to fence ordinance," Saturday). It was a well-written article that covered all the issues brought up in the City Council meeting on Feb. 28. I have attended all the City Council meeting dealing with the Burbank fence ordinance. I have heard many people speak regarding the ordinance and the rights of citizens to utilize their property as we see fit. The most disturbing piece of news brought up at the last City Council meeting was the fact that 500 complaints of alleged height violations were filed by two unnamed individuals who reside in Burbank.

That?s it, I?m throwing in the towel, crying uncle; no more complaints from me. For years the actions of Burbank have baffled me and I, as well as many, have risen to voice our concerns, only for them to fall upon the deaf ears of those who supposedly represent us. So no more complaining about allowing the tear-downs of cottages for replacement by McMansions even though they are more taxing on our sewers, water supply and power base....

Ryan Carter Out of an estimated 100,000 contacts with the public last year, police received 37 citizen complaints -- four of which were sustained -- according to numbers recently released to the Burbank Police Commission. Of the complaints, six were for excessive force, one was for racial profiling, three were for failure to perform duty properly, 24 were for inappropriate conduct, two were for unprofessional conduct and one was for unlawful detention, police said.

Lolita Harper CIVIC CENTER -- Two former employees of the Burbank Public Services Department have filed claims against the city, alleging a hostile work environment and acts of retaliation by a supervisor. In a claim received by the city on Jan. 9, Marie Galvez alleged that her supervisor, Richard Corbi, retaliated against her after she filed an in-house complaint with the Public Service Department regarding a hostile work environment. A month later, Swen Williams -- who also also filed a hostile work place complaint within the department -- accused Corbi of the same retaliatory actions.

CITY HALL — Residents blasted the City Council on Tuesday for continuing to support the operation of a winter homeless shelter near Bob Hope Airport after police discovered four sex offenders had stayed there. Council members responded with firm criticism of shelter operator Union Rescue Mission for being misleading about its previously stated policies of screening shelter residents and prohibiting walk-ins to prevent homeless people from walking through the community surrounding the National Guard Armory, where the program is taking place.