Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Sharon Springer for Burbank City Council sign spotted in 300 block of South Griffith Park Drive Burbank January 5, 2017
The candidates are off and running in the 2017 Burbank Primary Election. Political signs started popping up in yards and on storefronts several weeks ago, despite the long-standing Burbank taboo against it. During the 2015 campaign, candidate/realtor/planning board member, Chris Rizzotti, blew off that antiquated custom of no political signs before Christmas, by allowing his supporters to display his signs for city council as early as November 2014!
Rizzotti considered running for council again, but so far has not pulled papers. Still, he has had an impact on the race. Oh, and there is still time for Rizzotti and anyone else who qualifies to jump into the race for three council seats, two seats on the Board of Education, as well as City Clerk and City Treasurer positions.
Write-in Candidates
The nomination period for write-in candidates is open through February 14, 2017. If interested, a potential write-in candidate needs to contact the City Clerk’s Office to pick up “nomination papers, pay a $25 filing fee and obtain 50 signatures from registered voters in Burbank,” according to an announcement from City Hall. The requirements to hold political office in the Media City are: be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of Burbank at least 29 days prior to filing nomination papers, and be a registered voter in Burbank at the time of nomination.
Write-in candidates will not have their names on the ballot, but voters can write them in. Nor will election materials include statements or names of write-in candidates. Still, latecomers will have a chance to be included in the upcoming “Meet & Greet the Candidates” events. City Clerk, Zizette Mullins, says: “As long as they qualify by the event date we can include them.”
The candidates that have qualified for the primary election on February 28, 2017 are as follows:
City Council
- Konstantine Anthony
- Richard G. Carr
- Bob Frutos
- David Gordon
- Juan Guillen
- Sharon Springer
- Gregory R. Sousa
- Jess Talamantes
Board of Education
- Larry Applebaum
- Steven Frinter
- Charlene “Char” Tabet
City Clerk
- Zizette Mullins
City Treasurer
- Debbie Kutka
Information about the candidates, including statements and photos, can be found here on the City of Burbank website.
Meet & Greet the Candidates
The first one will be held Thursday, January 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the John Burroughs High School library, 1920 West Clark Avenue in Burbank. Another is planned for Wednesday, February 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Burbank High School library, 902 North 3rd Street, Burbank.
Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G — Councilman Bob Frutos spoke to the gathering at his campaign kick-off in Burbank December 14, 2016
Campaign Kick-offs
Rewind. On Wednesday, December 14, incumbent, Bob Frutos, officially kicked off his re-election campaign with an event at The Hangar Grille on West Magnolia Boulevard in the Media City. The affair drew quite a crowd. Frutos has made no secret of his desire for four more years on the council. He gave a rousing speech to the gathering about the issues in Burbank. Frutos talked about the need to deal with the ills of traffic and “how to move forward with change,” which is inevitable for a city known as the Media Capital of the World.
Photo: FLLewis/ Media City G — State senator-elect for the 25th District, Anthony Portantino endorsed Councilman Bob Frutos for re-election in Burbank December 14, 2016
Endorsements
Also, newly elected state senator for the 25th District, Anthony Portantino, stepped to the mike and endorsed Frutos. In December, the incumbent picked up the endorsement of long-time Congressman, Adam Schiff. The representative for the 28th Congressional District, which includes Burbank, praised Frutos for his ability to “… work with other elected officials to make a difference in our community.” Schiff made the comment in a prepared statement released by the Frutos campaign.
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Juan Guillen table hopped at his campaign kick-off event in Burbank December 17, 2016
Meanwhile, small business owner, Juan Guillen, kicked off his third run for city council with a low-key event at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building on West Magnolia Boulevard, Saturday, December 17. Guillen, a former Marine, didn’t make a speech, but went from table to table chatting and greeting supporters and friends.
