Conservatives

Patricia Harris wrote in the Oct. 7 edition that she “knew she had to go” to the Sept. 12 gathering in Washington, D.C., because never before in her life has she ever been afraid for America (Community Commentary, “Marching to reclaim country”). Well, Harris, perhaps that was because, by your own admission, you were never “a political activist” until Sept. 12, when you suddenly felt fear for our country because you were manipulated by the conservative agenda, and most likely, Fox News’ resident fear monger Glenn Beck.

Karen S. Kim BURBANK -- Though Burbank residents have yet to experience the utility rate hikes that have sent many other L.A. County residents reeling, Burbank Water and Power officials are imploring customers to conserve energy to keep rates down. BWP has been using its wholesale trading activities -- trading and selling its excess energy -- to keep Burbank residents' rates down, but if residents don't conserve power, Burbank will not have excess energy to trade, officials said.

DOWNTOWN — Before embarking on an Alaskan cruise, Fred Baldino took the early-morning rains to mean that his lawn could go the week without water. So the 87-year-old did what city officials for years have been instructing: He shut off his water. But when he and his wife returned to their North Keystone Street home, the lawn had severely dried. “It was so brown that we tried . . . three different kinds of fertilizers,” Baldino said. “And nothing worked.

Fifth-graders spun inflatable globes, crushed beverage cans and weighed newspapers as part of Washington Elementary School’s inaugural Earth Day festivities. The schoolyard of environmentally conscious children braved 96-degree weather Tuesday to educate their peers about conserving water, saving energy and recycling bottles, cans and paper. “Education has to start with the kids,” said Rose Worthen, of Burbank Water and Power’s conservation department.

Jackson Bell When it comes time to invest taxpayer money, City Manager Donna Anderson doesn't like to take chances. As Burbank's banker, Anderson handles the city's $300-million portfolio. "My job is to invest every single day the money the city doesn't spend," she said. "My challenge is to get the best interest rate for the city's liquid money because that is what pays for its programs." Although Anderson is bound by state, federal and city guidelines, staying within the parameters is not difficult since she considers her office fiscally conservative.

What do we always get lectured about regarding water usage? Don't water during the heat of the day! Don't waste this precious resource! As a grumpy old retired guy I frequent Burbank's fine parks to walk and to exercise my tiny dog. On Thursday, June 21, they were watering the grassy outfield of the ballparks in McCambridge for at least a half hour between 11 and 11:30 a.m. I have seen this in other Burbank parks. How much extra cost do the taxpayers of Burbank experience due to such poor planning?

On a 96-degree day this week that may have had kids daydreaming about running through sprinklers, fifth-graders at Washington Elementary School were talking about conservation. Earth Day came a day early for them Tuesday, with an afternoon of activities centered on conserving water, saving energy and recycling bottles, cans and paper. And it came at an apt time for Burbank, where talk of mandatory summer cutbacks in residents’ water usage has escalated into what appears to be a foregone conclusion.

Lolita Harper SOUTH SAN FERNANDO DISTRICT -- Burbank Water and Power officials have asked residents to voluntarily conserve energy throughout December due to a high statewide demand for electricity. The local agency posted a banner on Charter Cable Channel 6 on Monday informing residents of the short supply and high demand for energy, especially during the hour of 6 p.m. The banner also asked that people delay turning on their holiday lights until later in the evening.

What do we always get lectured about regarding water usage? Don't water during the heat of the day! Don't waste this precious resource! As a grumpy old retired guy I frequent Burbank's fine parks to walk and to exercise my tiny dog. On Thursday, June 21, they were watering the grassy outfield of the ballparks in McCambridge for at least a half hour between 11 and 11:30 a.m. I have seen this in other Burbank parks. How much extra cost do the taxpayers of Burbank experience due to such poor planning?

The Burbank Teachers Assn. this week called on the school board to tap into the district’s cash reserve to ease proposed cuts to programming and salaries and benefits. The comments, made during the school board meeting Thursday, came against the backdrop of ongoing contract negotiations between the teachers’ union and the district. On the table is a 2.5% salary reduction, the suspension of regular salary increases and the elimination of three staff development days. Union President Lori Adams said that keeping the reserve balance at 6% of the district’s annual operating budget would leave Burbank students and staff to absorb cuts that would diminish the quality of education.

A celebration of the arts and conservation will come together at the seventh annual Downtown Burbank Arts Festival this weekend. Showing their skills will be about 100 professional artists exhibiting in tandem with local schools’ visual and performing arts groups. Rhonda Mills of West Coast Artists is coordinating the professionals who will show everything from paintings and sculpture to jewelry, fiber art and stained glass. The twice-a-year festival showcases contemporary artists and craftsmen in the fall and in spring, and starting in 2008, emerging artists with the Burbank Arts and Education Foundation were added.

CITY HALL — Burbank Water and Power customers have reduced their daily per-capita use from 193 gallons to 163, a drop-off that utility officials said had put the city on track to meet state mandates by 2020. The utility serves more than 7 billion gallons per year to about 100,000 customers, with 75% going to residential, 19% to commercial and the rest to industrial and other users. Taken together, the latest figures from the utility show that the groups have reduced their usage by about 10% from last year, inching closer to compliance with the 2009 law that mandates municipalities to reduce their water consumption by 20% within 10 years.

Patricia Harris wrote in the Oct. 7 edition that she “knew she had to go” to the Sept. 12 gathering in Washington, D.C., because never before in her life has she ever been afraid for America (Community Commentary, “Marching to reclaim country”). Well, Harris, perhaps that was because, by your own admission, you were never “a political activist” until Sept. 12, when you suddenly felt fear for our country because you were manipulated by the conservative agenda, and most likely, Fox News’ resident fear monger Glenn Beck.

Cities throughout the Southland this week reported that their residents had either met or exceeded water saving goals so far this summer, political victory amid all those annoying conservation commercials. Perhaps there’s nothing like multiple dry brush fires and blackened skies to hammer those drought warnings home, or maybe residents are starting to finally come around to the idea that lush is no longer sustainable. Either way, news this week that residents in Burbank, Glendale and La Crescenta had reduced their water consumption by up to 22% was heartening, especially given the previous hard sell with the voluntary conservation messages.

GLENDALE — Residents are responding to massive regional efforts to reduce water consumption as local utility officials report marked water-usage reductions compared with previous years. “We’re very pleased about the way our customers have responded to the restrictions,” Crescenta Valley Water District General Manager Dennis Erdman said Wednesday. His district — which saw a 22% reduction compared with a five-year baseline average, the steepest in the area — has the most imposing water restrictions, with outdoor irrigation limited to two days a week.

BURBANK — Residents can expect a slice of Americana with their cold glass of water. Burbank Water and Power is in the midst of rolling out a $10,000 marketing campaign — a collection of posters and iconic Norman Rockwell images — in an effort to get residents to conserve water. The images, including those of cultural icons Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter, were taken from the public domain and assigned new meaning. “We can do it!” and “I want you” — among the country’s most recognizable watchwords — are intended to grab one’s attention just long enough to allow the messages to seep in, said Jeanette Meyer, marketing manager for the city utility.