7 CANDIDATES VIE FOR 2 SEATS ON BURBANK'S CITY COUNCIL MAIL-ONLY PRIMARY FEB. 27.Byline: EUGENE TONG tong 1 tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs. Staff Writer BURBANK -- The seven candidates vying vy·ing v. Present participle of vie. vying vie for two seats in the city's electoral primary Feb.27 include veteran activists from local development battles, business owners and civic volunteers. The top four vote-getters from this round of mail-only balloting will advance to the April10 general election. Below are thumbnail sketches thumbnail sketch n → esbozo thumbnail sketch n → croquis m thumbnail sketch thumb n → of the council hopefuls, arranged by ballot order, along with campaign finance statements as of Feb.10. Carolyn Berlin, 60, former city Planning city planning, process of planning for the improvement of urban centers in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions, efficient transport and communication, adequate public facilities, and aesthetic surroundings. Board member and community activist. Berlin, who served on the city's planning review panel for nine years until 2003, has been a fixture in civic activism for at least two decades, tackling issues including land use and Bob Hope Airport Bob Hope Airport (IATA: BUR, ICAO: KBUR, FAA LID: BUR) is a regional and national airport located in Burbank, California, United States. It was formerly known as United Airport (1930-1934); Union Air Terminal (1934-1940); expansion. She thinks members of the current council have grown lax in reviewing development and managing traffic, putting the city's unique quality of life at risk. Her reported campaign war chest totaled $19,635, including $5,635 in contributions and $14,000 in personal loans. At least $13,215 has been spent on campaign materials. Anja Reinke, 46, city Police Commission member, family law attorney and real estate agent. Reinke has been a member of the civilian oversight panel for the Burbank Police Department The Burbank Police Department is the police department serving Burbank, California. Tim Stehr became the Police Chief of the department on August 1, 2007. The previous chiefs were Thomas Hoefel, David Newsham and Glen Bell. since 2004. She has the endorsement of several current council members, including Mayor Todd Campbell, and she said she values collaboration and discussion over confrontation in resolving local issues. She has a campaign war chest of $14,135, including $5,273 in contributions and $8,862 from a personal loan. The entire amount has been spent on campaign mail and other materials Phil Berlin, 63, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport commissioner from 1995-2001, attorney. Berlin, like his wife, Carolyn, also has been a fixture in local activism for decades, taking on development and airport issues. He opposes what he has called the "Los Angeles-ation" of Burbank, saying the current council majority appears to give developers priority over neighborhood residents He has a campaign war chest of $19,396, including $5,396 in contributions and $14,000 in loans. At least $13,593 has been spent. Margaret Sorthun, 71, did not return calls requesting an interview. At a recent candidate forum, she expressed opposition to increased traffic congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. and growth in the city. Sorthun served on a committee reviewing the city's fencing ordinance A law, statute, or regulation enacted by a Municipal Corporation. An ordinance is a law passed by a municipal government. A municipality, such as a city, town, village, or borough, is a political subdivision of a state within which a municipal corporation has been , and she favored limiting construction of multiunit residential housing to preserve single-family home neighborhoods. Sorthun also proposed creating neighborhood committees to solve parking and other local problems. She filed a short form, declaring her campaign expenditures were less than $1,000. Vahe Hovanessian, 32, Burbank Water and Power board chairman, attorney. Hovanessian has been a perennial candidate A perennial candidate is one who frequently runs for public office with a record of success that is either infrequent or non-existent. Perennial candidates are often either members of minority political parties or have political opinions that are not mainstream. for the City Council since 2002. His issues include better zoning and planning review, competitive salaries to retain and hire quality municipal staff and to address traffic. His campaign finance disclosure declared only a $520 loan to himself, of which he spent $495. Whit Prouty, 42, real estate agent, member of the finance committee for the Burbank YMCA YMCA in full Young Men's Christian Association Nonsectarian, nonpolitical Christian lay movement that aims to develop high standards of Christian character among its members. . Prouty has been involved in local trade and civic groups, and his concerns include protecting low-density neighborhoods and ensuring adequate, qualified staffing in city departments for steady services. While in favor of holding back development in single-family home neighborhoods, Prouty said there are places in the city where growth is possible, including along south San Fernando Road San Fernando Road is a major street in the city and county of Los Angeles. It starts off in Castaic as The Old Road, passing through Santa Clarita and the Newhall Pass, where upon its intersection with Sierra Highway near the junction of the Golden State (I-5) and the and pockets southeast of downtown. His campaign war chest tallied $14,671, including $11,921 in contributions and a $2,500 loan. He has spent $11,824. Gary Bric, 54, city Traffic and Transportation Committee member, restaurant owner restaurant owner n → dueño/a or propietario/a de un restaurante . Bric has been running for a council seat since 2002, and he has been a regular voice in community issues for the past decade. He touted himself as an independent thinker. Bric said he wants to protect the quality of life for residents in the face of development. He said his vision is to plan properly for any future development, which is necessary in any community. Bric reported total contributions of $15,910 as of Feb.10, including $10,795 from donations and $4,827 in loans. He has spent $14,441. eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com (818) 546-3304 |
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