ROUND 2 FOR BURBANK COUNCIL CANDIDATES TRAFFIC, BUDGET AMONG CAMPAIGN ISSUES.Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer BURBANK - Voters will face a second round of decision-making Tuesday as each of four City Council contenders argues he is the best choice to ease traffic gridlock Gridlock A government, business or institution's inability to function at a normal level due either to complex or conflicting procedures within the administrative framework or to impending change in the business. and budget shortfalls in Burbank. Candidates Jef Vander Borght, Gary Bric, Todd Campbell and Brian Malone are vying vy·ing v. Present participle of vie. vying vie for two City Council seats in Tuesday's runoff Runoff The procedure of printing the end-of-day prices for every stock on an exchange onto ticker tape. Notes: If the "tape is late" then it can take a long time to print off all the closing prices. . The four had the best showing among nine hopefuls in February's primary election. ``I think we as a council will have to face some discussion and make a decision about how much traffic we are willing to accept,'' said Vander Borght, who holds an appointed council seat and was 114 votes short of securing it outright in the primary. The state's looming $35 billion budget deficit, however, dominates his concerns for the coming council term. ``I would say our biggest and most challenging issue is the budget shortfall,'' he said. ``It's not necessarily the platform to run on, but I'd rather be honest.'' Vander Borght, a Burbank resident of 30 years, has been endorsed by the council and local legislators, including U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff
Adam B. Schiff (born June 20 1960) is an American politician. He first served in the California State Senate. , D-Pasadena. Bric, owner of Gary Bric's Ramp restaurant near the Burbank-Sunland border, placed second in the earlier election. 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. , more so than airport noise concerns, is uppermost on residents' minds, Bric said, especially clogged streets near the Empire Center as well as near the Verdugo Mountains The Verdugo Mountains are a small mountain range located just south of the western San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, Southern California, The United States of America (USA). The range is commonly known simply as the Verdugos. , where hillside residents encounter heavy traffic on weekends. ``Everyone is concerned about traffic in the main arteries,'' Bric said. ``Even around the airport, all the signage when you get off Hollywood Way diverts you to that area. That area has a cluster of traffic.'' Bric wants more synchronization (1) See synchronous and synchronous transmission. (2) Ensuring that two sets of data are always the same. See data synchronization. (3) Keeping time-of-day clocks in two devices set to the same time. See NTP. of traffic lights and, if possible, improvements near northbound north·bound adj. Going toward the north. northbound Adjective going towards the north Adj. 1. Victory Boulevard Victory Boulevard is a major thoroughfare on Staten Island, measuring approximately 8.0 miles (12.87 km) and stretching from the west shore community of Travis to the upper east shore communities of St. George and Tompkinsville. , which leads to the Empire Center. ``I know when you head northbound on Victory toward Burbank Boulevard, there's a little island there that people can't get over to make a left turn. That needs to be removed,'' he said. Bric has won endorsements from several key groups in the community, including all three local unions, the Armenian National Committee's Burbank Chapter and Councilwoman Stacey Murphey, he said. Campbell, who placed third in the primary and has clinched endorsements by council members Dave Golonski and Marsha Ramos, touts his experience in Sacramento working for the Coalition for Clean Air. He agrees that traffic light synchronization would ease congestion around Burbank's larger corridors. ``Traffic congestion has always been a central concern for most residents,'' he said. ``It's a reality we're going to have to face in Burbank as we continue to grow. I think what I bring to the table compared to others is experience working with agencies that bring transportation into the region and to fight for improvement dollars that will help relieve traffic into the city.'' Campbell also defends his return last year to Burbank from Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , saying he made the shift to be closer to his work. ``I was born and raised here, and I attended Glendale Community College Glendale Community College can refer to one of two colleges in the United States.
Malone, an area real estate agent with a background in marketing and who served on the council-appointed airport committee last summer, said he would bring an independent voice and broad experience to the council, should he win Tuesday. Malone placed fourth in the primary election, but he has since lost the endorsement of Mayor David Laurell. ``I think the world of Brian,'' Laurell said, ``But I don't think he's ready right now for this position. I believe that my responsibility as a council member is to do what is right for this community.'' Malone, however, continues to pursue his platform. ``The issues out there include transportation and parking and congestion,'' Malone said. ``But the major one that's going to be very big is the state crisis. With my background as a local Realtor, I know about budgets.'' Malone said he favors studying city programs one by one to decide where cuts may have to take place. He also favors increasing a business presence in Burbank. ``If you are going to offset costs Costs for which funds have been appropriated but will not be obligated because of a contingency operation. See also contingency operation. , you've got to increase business,'' he said. ``It's a long process and takes longer, but it's a better approach.'' A CLOSER LOOK Gary Bric Age: 50 Occupation: Restaurant owner restaurant owner n → dueño/a or propietario/a de un restaurante Experience: Business owner for 20 years; served 15 years on board of the Burbank Men's Golf Club. Web site/e-mail: www.garybric.com Top issues: Traffic; promoting strong, independent businesses to help offset costs of budget shortfall. Todd Campbell Age: 32 Occupation: Public policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air. Experience: Lobbied lawmakers on issues involving growth at LAX and the Port of Los Angeles The Port of Los Angeles is located on San Pedro Bay in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, approximately 20 miles (30 km) south of downtown. Also called Los Angeles Harbor and WORLDPORT LA . Web site/e-mail:toddcpbl(at)hotmail.com Top issues: Strengthening the relationship between the City Council and the Burbank Unified School District A unified school district is a school district which includes both primary school (kindergarten through middle school or junior high) and high school (grades 9-12). In Illinois, these districts are called unit school districts. ; alleviating traffic congestion; increasing transportation options. Brian Malone Age: 54 Occupation: Realtor and businessman Experience: Member of the California Association of Realtors and member of the City Council-appointed commission to study residents' attitudes toward Burbank Airport. Web site/e-mail: www.votemalone.com Top issues: Alleviating traffic congestion; budget cuts; working with seniors and youth programs. Jef Vander Borght Age: 51 Occupation: Architect Experience: One year on the City Council, 11 years as a member of the city's Planning Board Noun 1. planning board - a board appointed to advise the chief administrator advisory board governance, governing body, organisation, administration, brass, establishment, organization - the persons (or committees or departments etc. . Web site/e-mail: www.voteforjef.com Top issues: Traffic congestion; state budget shortfall. CAPTION(S): 4 photos, box Photo: (1) Gary Bric (2) Todd Campbell (3) Brian Malone (4) Jef Vander Borght Box: A CLOSER LOOK (see text) |
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