Public Information Officer

Burbank officials are sifting through more than 50 applications for the position of public information officer, according to the city manager's office. Deputy City Manager Joy Forbes said she is unsure when the position - essentially the lead spokesman for the city - will be filled, but someone would be brought in to serve on an interim basis this week. Keith Sterling, who held the position for the past 2 1/2 years, left Tuesday to become communications director at the University of Utah.

BURBANK — City officials will begin interviews at the end of the month for a new director of financial services and a new public information officer so they can better manage the city’s economic challenges. “There are certain positions that become vacant, and you wonder if you can go without them in this economic crunch,” Deputy City Manager Joy Forbes said. “But they’re both very crucial positions for the city, and we couldn’t go without them in our budget process.

Jackson Bell The Burbank Police Department will usher in the new year with a new public face -- at least temporarily. Beginning Jan. 15, Sgt. William Berry, the depart- ment's public information officer, will be reassigned, and Sgt. Brian Matthews will assume Berry's duties. Berry will fill in for Lt. Pat Lynch, who will be on assignment for about three months. Neither Berry nor Matthews would disclose the nature of the assignment. Although Berry is not being promoted, he will receive a lieutenant's pay for supervising about 25 officers in the Patrol Bureau and overseeing the Communications Center and Records Bureau.

Burbank police officials hailed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week that determined officers were justified in invading the home of a Bellarmine-Jefferson High School student without a warrant in 2007 out of concern that an attack was imminent. The court essentially upheld a decision by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which had thrown out a lawsuit against Officers Edmundo Zepeda, Chris Roberts, Fernando Munoz and Sgt. Darin Ryburn for illegally entering the home of Vincent Huff, the Bell-Jeff student, on June 1, 2007.

Burbank Police Officer Cindy Guillen didn't want to file a lawsuit, her lawyer told jurors Monday, but was forced to do so after complaints of gender and ethnic harassment within the department were ignored. In his opening statements in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Solomon Gresen promised to tell Guillen's full story, from her humble beginnings to fulfilling her dream of becoming a police officer in Burbank. Gresen described Guillen as an “outstanding police officer.” “There is no question about the caliber of her work,” Gresen said, adding that Guillen serves as the public information officer to the Spanish-speaking community.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS The council heard from Michael McManus, the city’s public information officer, about a series of candidate forums the League of Women Voters will hold in 2008. WHAT IT MEANS The three forums would seek to inform voters about the presidential election and other measures. CHANGES TO PAYROLL SYSTEM Changes to the city’s payroll system were discussed. WHAT IT MEANS   The arrangement with Oracle Systems Solution involves maintenance support, including software upgrades, and is on track to be completed, said Penny Forbes, project administrator.

Burbank Police Officer Cindy Guillen finds herself in court as a last resort, after complaints of gender and ethnic harassment were not investigated, prompting her lawsuit, her attorney said Monday. In his opening statements to jurors in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Guillen's attorney, Solomon Gresen, promised the full story behind his client, from humble beginnings, to fulfilling her dream of becoming a police officer in Burbank. Gresen described Guillen as an “outstanding police officer.” “There is no question about the caliber of her work,” Gresen said, adding that Guillen serves as the public information officer to the Spanish-speaking community.

CIVIC CENTER -- As a college student, Burbank Police Lt. Larry Koch had aspirations of becoming a history teacher. In the end he settled on police science, which turned out to be a pretty good move. Koch, 49, a 26-year veteran who most recently has served as the department's public information officer, will be promoted to captain in January. "It's an exciting time to be a part of all the changes that will occur," Koch said. Captain Tom Hoefel, who takes over for departing Chief Dave Newsham on Jan. 1, selected Koch from a pool of three veteran lieutenants for the job of patrol division captain.

Lecture offered on native plants HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- While some plants attract birds or butterflies, others prevent soil erosion -- and residents can learn Thursday which plants to choose for around their homes. Ecologist Ellen Mackey will offer information on the region's native plants and how they can beautify and protect Burbank gardens. The free event will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Burbank Central Library, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd. For more information, call 238-5600.

Burbank police officials hailed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week that determined officers were justified in invading the home of a Bellarmine-Jefferson High School student without a warrant in 2007 out of concern that an attack was imminent. The court essentially upheld a decision by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which had thrown out a lawsuit against Officers Edmundo Zepeda, Chris Roberts, Fernando Munoz and Sgt. Darin Ryburn for illegally entering the home of Vincent Huff, the Bell-Jeff student, on June 1, 2007.

Burbank officials are sifting through more than 50 applications for the position of public information officer, according to the city manager's office. Deputy City Manager Joy Forbes said she is unsure when the position - essentially the lead spokesman for the city - will be filled, but someone would be brought in to serve on an interim basis this week. Keith Sterling, who held the position for the past 2 1/2 years, left Tuesday to become communications director at the University of Utah.

BURBANK — City officials will begin interviews at the end of the month for a new director of financial services and a new public information officer so they can better manage the city’s economic challenges. “There are certain positions that become vacant, and you wonder if you can go without them in this economic crunch,” Deputy City Manager Joy Forbes said. “But they’re both very crucial positions for the city, and we couldn’t go without them in our budget process.

Jackson Bell The Burbank Police Department will usher in the new year with a new public face -- at least temporarily. Beginning Jan. 15, Sgt. William Berry, the depart- ment's public information officer, will be reassigned, and Sgt. Brian Matthews will assume Berry's duties. Berry will fill in for Lt. Pat Lynch, who will be on assignment for about three months. Neither Berry nor Matthews would disclose the nature of the assignment. Although Berry is not being promoted, he will receive a lieutenant's pay for supervising about 25 officers in the Patrol Bureau and overseeing the Communications Center and Records Bureau.