HUSBAND, WIFE BOTH VYING FOR COUNCIL SEATS THEY'LL BE INDEPENDENT THINKERS, SAY BURBANK PAIR.

Byline: EUGENE TONG Staff Writer

BURBANK -- Traffic, crime, development and Bob Hope Airport could be the recurring talking points for seven City Council hopefuls vying for two open seats in next month's primary, but the marital status of husband-and-wife candidates also became an issue at this week's candidate forum.

The Thursday night panel hosted by the Glendale-Burbank League of Women Voters pitted former Planning Board member Carolyn Berlin and former Burbank Airport Commissioner Philip Berlin against five others, including Anja Reinke, an attorney who serves on the Police Commission.

``Two-fifths of the City Council power in one household is a little scary,'' Reinke said.

Later during the forum, Philip Berlin responded by saying that although married for 28 years, he and his wife are independent thinkers and don't always agree on the issues.

It was one of the few notable exchanges in the otherwise ho-hum rundown of positions and civic boosterism expected from those vying for the seats of retiring Mayor Todd Campbell and Councilman Jef Vander Borght. A primary is set for Feb. 27, with a runoff April 10.

The Berlins, who are campaigning together, placed priorities on public safety, scrutinizing development and relieving local traffic congestion.

``Burbank is at a crossroads,'' Philip Berlin said. ``We need safer streets. ... We need to stop overdevelopment ... to stop the Los Angeles-ation of Burbank.''

Contrasting that outlook was Gary Bric, who serves on the city's Traffic and Transportation Committee. A resident since 1952, he called Burbank a great place to grow up back then.

``It still is today,'' said Bric, who ran for council in 2003. ``It's just the times have changed.''

He opposed the controversial 60,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market proposed in the city's Rancho Equestrian neighborhood, saying it doesn't fit the site.

Reinke, who has the backing of four of the five current council members, including Campbell, said she would solve problems facing the city by building consensus.

``I can listen to all sides of a problem,'' she said. ``I wouldn't represent just two or three people. I will represent the whole community.''

On development, Reinke said the council has to balance any ill impacts of building with potential benefits for the greater community.

Candidate Margaret Sorthun, who serves on a committee reviewing the city's fencing ordinance, put forth some of the more interesting ideas of the night, including a reduction in multiunit residential development and creating neighborhood committees to solve parking and other local problems.

``I would like to see Burbank not grow anymore,'' she said.

Vahe Hovanessian, a Burbank Water and Power board member who is endorsed by several local unions, said the city needs more affordable housing and advocated for competitive salaries for city employees.

Whit Prouty, a real-estate agent and finance committee member with the Burbank YMCA, said: ``Maintaining neighborhoods is a collective effort'' that requires ``good judgement and prudent decisions.''

Carolyn Berlin opposed several proposed changes to the City Charter appearing on the ballot this year -- to reduce the number of votes required to pass a budget to majority from four-fifths and to end elections for city clerk and city treasurer offices.

``Taking away the four-fifths vote is a big mistake,'' she said. ``Talking away voter rights is a huge mistake.''

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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