Photo courtesy Sharon Springer
Resident Sharon Springer is making a run for the Burbank City Council. Two council seats will appear on the upcoming February 24, 2015 Burbank Primary Municipal Election ballot. Springer is past chair and current vice-chair of the Sustainable Burbank Commission. Springer has a Master of City and Regional Planning degree and a Bachelor of Science in geography.
Springer has a background as a commercial real estate appraiser, bank v.p., and business owner. Currently, she holds a position in nonprofit administration. I am asking a series of short questions of all the city council candidates. Here are Springer’s responses to those email questions.
1. Why are you the best candidate for a seat on the Burbank City Council?
- I’m well rounded, well educated and have public, professional and business experience that helps me understand and address the issues and the challenges that face our community.
- I work for a nonprofit organization and actively volunteer my time to the Sustainable Burbank Commission, the Burbank Farmers Market Advisory Board, the University of California Cooperative Extension and the Burbank Community Day School’s youth-at- risk collaborative garden and culinary arts program.
- I’m tough, resilient, and never, ever give up.
- I’m a creative, smart, hard worker with a positive, optimistic attitude and outlook.
- I’m a good listener and truly hear and care about what our community is saying. I readily admit my mistakes and I’m not afraid to ask for help, clarification and guidance.
- I’m tolerant, collaborative and work for the best possible outcome.
- Burbank has been my home for over 22 years; I love our city and our community, and would appreciate the opportunity to expand and continue my service.
- I believe all things are possible. I will do my very best.
2. What are the major problems facing the city that you can help solve?
- There are always funding challenges.
- Balancing development, density, and design characteristics of new construction with compatibility issues and the concerns and needs of our community.
- Affordable housing.
- Adequate support of our senior population: accessibility, health and safety issues, lifelong learning, and opportunities for active participation.
- Our environment: improving our air quality, managing scarce water, using energy responsibly, enhancing public and diverse transportation options and moving forward on our zero waste goal.
- Our economy – diversity and full employment.
- A feeling that our voices are not heard, coupled with a general sense of exclusion.
- Our sense of community, uniqueness, and small town charm is slipping away.
3. What are the biggest concerns of residents? What do you think the city council should do to alleviate those concerns?
- Parents are concerned for the well being of their children.
- The character of our neighborhoods is changing. Houses are demolished and mcmansions are built next to charming English cottages and 1930’s bungalows, blocking light and invading privacy.
- Traffic and congestion.
- Motorists and bicyclists need to know and follow the rules of the road and have mutual respect for each other.
- Is the airport going to expand?
Burbank, like all communities, faces challenges. We need to encourage, and listen to our very talented and creative residents, consider the advice of our city council – appointed commissions, and work with city staff to solve these challenges and problems. We need to look at what’s working and replicate these outcomes. We should study successes in other cities, and if applicable, implement them in Burbank.
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Q & A responses from other city council candidates.
