Photo : FLLewis / Media City G — Chris Rizzotti and Emily Gabel-Luddy campaign signs side-by-side at Buena Vista Street and Verdugo Avenue in Burbank December 29, 2014
Campaign signs of the candidates, in the 2015 Burbank Municipal Elections, playing by the standard political rules are appearing around town now. A cluster of campaign signs supporting the re-election of council member Emily Gabel-Luddy are in several yards along West Verdugo Avenue between Catalina and Keystone streets. The signs popped up after Christmas — in accordance with an old school political rule of the city.
You might remember, first time city council candidate, Chris Rizzotti, ignored that rule. Rizzotti’s campaign signs have blanketed B-town for the past several weeks. That outraged some residents who accused the Rizzotti camp of ruining the festive holiday landscape of the city. Really?
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Emily Gabel- Luddy campaign sign shares space with holiday decorations on West Verdugo Avenue in Burbank December 29, 2014
Well, some of Gabel-Luddy’s campaign signs are sharing space with Christmas decorations. Does it really matter that the calendar says December 29 rather than December 9? You know, some folks don’t take down their decorations until well into the new year. Some leave them up year round! So what’s the big deal about campaign signs going up before Christmas? The rule or tradition benefits the better known candidates — not those who are scrambling to gain awareness with the voters.
Recently a Burbank business owner, Celia Wolin, who does not live in city, asked if I thought Rizzotti would win election to the council. I was surprised by her question, and asked if she had been following Burbank politics. She said “no.” Her question was based on all the Rizzotti signs around town, which in her mind meant he was the front-runner. I’ve heard others say the same thing.
Interesting twist. The incumbent, Emily Gabel-Luddy, should be in the position of front-runner, but may now be playing catch up to a challenger.
