Ballots coming in fast and furious
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Hall 275 East Olive Avenue
On the day before Election Tuesday, the Burbank City Clerk’s Office has already received more ballots than were cast in the previous General Election. In 2011, 8,866 ballots were cast. City Clerk, Zizette Mullins, told me today that the ballot count jumped to 8,796 last Saturday. Today, 200 more ballots came in, bringing the total to 8,996.
Mullins says they are hoping to surpass 10,000 ballots in this General Election.
Two campaign sign theft suspects facing court date
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G - Char Tabet Burbank School Board candidate sign on West Olive Avenue Burbank January 14, 2013
A lot of talk around B-town and on the Internet about two campaign sign theft suspects. Last Friday, the Burbank City Attorney’s Office charged 26-year-old Sevada Isayan of Burbank and 25-year-old Vahe Assarian of Glendale with petty theft – – a misdemeanor. The suspects reportedly were stopped in Burbank by police, who discovered several campaign signs belonging to Burbank School Board candidate, Charlene “Char” Tabet, in their vehicle.
Senior Assistant City Attorney, Denny Wei, would not say why the suspects allegedly targeted Tabet’s campaign. Wei said the evidence would be present when the suspects appear in Burbank Superior Court on April 25. Each suspect faces up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Last month, a volunteer for Burbank School Board candidate, Steve Ferguson, Scott Trindad pleaded no contest to petty theft of property valued at less than $50, an infraction. He was fined $200 plus a $750 penalty. Trindad was caught on videotape snatching Tabet lawn signs from a Burbank property back in February.
While many consider the stealing of political campaign signs a prank, the Burbank City Attorney’s Office doesn’t see it that way. Wei says our “… goal is to seek justice in every case of theft.”
City council candidate Juan Guillen talks endorsements and future plans
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- (l-r) City council members Jess Talamantes, David Gordon, and council candidate Juan Guillen at the Women League of Voters Glendale/Burbank forum at City Hall January 30, 2013
Many of us were not aware of Juan Guillen until he delivered an impressive showing at the League of Women Voters Glendale/Burbank candidate forum last January. Despite this, Guillen was unable to gain enough ground, on his better known opponents, to make it into the General Election run-off. Yet, Guillen is not giving up.
Here are his responses to several questions I emailed him recently.
1. You did not make the run-off for city council. What are your feelings about your campaign and a possible run for office in the future?
I am greatly appreciative of the 2,485 residents who trusted me to lead our community.I will do my best over the next two year to reach out to more residents so I can better represent their concerns. I am planning to run for council again in 2015.
2. Have you endorsed any of the council candidates in the upcoming Burbank General Election? If so, who and why?
3. Do you plan to stay involved in the community and local politics? If so how?
As long as I am alive I plan to stay active in our community. I will continue to volunteer and support our community however I can. I will also apply for a commission/board and with any luck, I will be vote on by our city council.
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