Government

How many times have we read a line like this in the paper? “The sole dissenting vote was cast by David Gordon.” Isn't it an insult to all of us who thoughtfully elected the other four council members to have Gordon's supporters telling us that the folks we chose to represent us are always wrong? If he's so brilliant and all-knowing, wouldn't he have found at least one other person to regularly vote with him in seven years as a council member? The only thing proven about David Gordon is that he's not suited for a democratic, collegial form of government.

Lost among the statewide propositions concerning Indian gaming and the greater national race for the presidency of the United States is a little known proposed amendment to the state's Constitution known as Proposition 59. While it has been overshadowed by bigger and sexier campaigns, the truth is this initiative strikes a blow against those who would deny the people's right to know what the government is doing....

David Starr Jordan Middle School students put the U.S. government under their microscopes.Eighth-grader Monique Martinez has her future in government mapped out. If the 13-year-old decides on a government career it would not be in the judicial system, and it would certainly not be in the executive branch. "Nobody wants to be the executive people because you're enforcing the laws," she said. "I would like to be in the legislative branch, where they make the laws." Her classmate, James Hodges, agreed.

Lately, there’s been some chatter about the merits of going after the bevy of federal stimulus dollars, and what the chase could mean for municipal independence. The City Council recently agreed to spend $25,200 to hire a consultant to identify more of the stimulus money, in addition to about $10.6 million Burbank has been allocated so far. Some feel we should not take federal money because it will come with dependence. There is merit in that caution. Most of us would like to have more money, but even as children we learn that asking for a larger allowance usually brings additional responsibilities.

Assemblyman is just bettering himself I agree with the Leader?s editorial (?Lawmaker taking some undue heat,? July 25) about Assemblyman Paul Krekorian. He is an able legislator working the system as best he can to rise up in the Legislature. A moderate Democrat who should perform well as he rises up the ladder. There?s nothing wrong with trying to better yourself and do well in higher office. WESLEY GREENE Burbank ? Medicaid is example of good health care I wish to extend a sincere ?

BURBANK: THEN & NOW Throughout history, the contributions of women have transformed our society. Their achievements in the sciences, arts, education, industry, the home and government have significantly altered the way in which we live. From getting the right to vote to holding major office, a woman's role in government has radically changed. Burbank's own government is an example of the remarkable progress women have made. Burbank currently has women in the positions of mayor, vice mayor, city clerk, city manager and city treasurer.

This letter is regarding the current controversy about council oral communications and 1st Amendment rights. For those unfamiliar with the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, here's what it says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and...

Josh Kleinbaum After years of worrying if and when the state government would raid their coffers, local govern- ments are finally fighting back. Officials from local cities and counties are pushing Proposition 1A on the Nov. 2 ballot, which guarantees protection of local revenue sources, including revenue from property taxes, local sales taxes and car taxes. "What Proposition 1A means for residents, it means that cities will be able to provide the services and programs that they depend on the most," said Jennifer Quan, executive director of the Los Angeles division of the League of California Cities.

San Fernando Valley officials want the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority to prioritize connecting Bob Hope Airport with more public transit. The MTA Board passed a resolution Thursday to acknowledge a list of transportation priorities and projects put forth by the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments. Board members said MTA staff will prepare a report on their feasibility and status in 90 days. The list includes constructing a new Metrolink station on Hollywood Way, connecting the airport with existing train service to the Antelope Valley.

How many times have we read a line like this in the paper? “The sole dissenting vote was cast by David Gordon.” Isn't it an insult to all of us who thoughtfully elected the other four council members to have Gordon's supporters telling us that the folks we chose to represent us are always wrong? If he's so brilliant and all-knowing, wouldn't he have found at least one other person to regularly vote with him in seven years as a council member? The only thing proven about David Gordon is that he's not suited for a democratic, collegial form of government.

In a surprise announcement Thursday, IKEA announced plans to go ahead with a new store in Burbank that will be nearly twice the size of its current location. The new store - if approved by the city - would be open in 2016 and be built on 22 acres west of San Fernando Boulevard and south of Providencia Avenue, less than one mile from the current location, according to the company. “Because of this store's success, we are excited about the opportunity to build upon our established presence in Burbank with a new, roomier store so close to the existing one, and in the same city,” IKEA U.S. president Mike Ward said in a statement.

On Oct. 21 we lost former U.S. Sen. George McGovern. Although many will recall his disastrous 1972 loss to Richard Nixon and his subsequent leadership in getting us out of Vietnam, his truly lasting legacy will be his war on hunger and malnutrition. In 1977, following extensive public hearings, McGovern's Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs published Dietary Goals for the United States, a precursor to today's dietary guidelines. It marked the first time that a U.S. government document recommended reduced meat consumption.

Burbank Unified officials say they, too, may enter the fray as school districts throughout the nation compete for millions in federal aid money. For the first time, the federal government is allowing individual school districts to apply for the highly competitive Race to the Top grants, which could prove to be a windfall. The highest allotments could bring in $40 million over the course of four years. The 70-plus-page application must arrive in Washington, D.C. before Oct. 30 with the comments of each city's mayor included.

We have had fantastic growth for a couple of decades, much of it credited to the work of redevelopment agencies and the investment of local governments. But then the state ended redevelopment and siphoned off millions of local government dollars. Glendale and Burbank invested millions of dollars into redevelopment, and now suddenly have no claim to that money. It's gone. Completely wasted. It places landmarks like the Alex Theatre in danger of being sold. Our assemblyman, Mike Gatto, voted for that.

The Luther Middle School student store has operated at the center of campus for decades, serving as a gathering spot for students looking to check out sports equipment and purchase after-school snacks. But in recent years the 200-square-foot, free-standing space had fallen into disrepair. The cracked tile floor was covered with an impenetrable layer of grime and hundreds of student signatures - the oldest dated 1972 - covered the walls and furnishings. “The student store was in vast need of repair,” student government advisor Lucy Bowers said.

Old chemical disposal pits on land owned by Bob Hope Airport are the source of new tensions in a three-way tango over who will pay to clean up contaminated groundwater. Airport officials argue that Lockheed Martin, once a manufacturer on the land parcel, is responsible for the pits, which could be a major source of the underground contamination. Lockheed, on the other hand, asserts that the U.S. government used the pits. Representatives for the Environmental Protection Agency, which has ordered Bob Hope Airport to assist in the cleanup, say they aren't sure who did what at the pits, which are part of a larger contamination site that could cost $108 million to clear.

A judge has dismissed the final complaint against the woman who engaged in a tussle last year with a federal transportation security agent over carry-on applesauce and other snacks for her 93-year-old mother at Bob Hope Airport. An administrative judge for the Department of Homeland Security accepted the Transportation Security Administration's motion on Dec. 3 to withdraw its complaint alleging that passenger Nadine Hays violated security regulations, effectively ending the government's action against her. "The TSA held several productive discussions with Ms. Hays over the past couple of weeks and, as a result, requested the dismissal of the case against her," the agency said a statement.

CITY HALL ? The City Council this week directed officials to draft a set of regulations that would ban smoking in most areas of multiunit residential buildings. The proposal ? supported by residents and special interest groups ? could ban smoking at play areas, swimming pools, and apartment buildings? and condominium complexes? private balconies and patios. Council members voted 3 to 1 Tuesday to craft the language, which was projected in July 2011. Councilman Dave Golonski recused himself because he owns multifamily property in the city.