City Buzz

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

City Buzz

Burbank police commissioner resigns The Burbank Police Commission’s most controversial and perhaps its most dedicated member is stepping down at the end of tomorrow’s police commission meeting. Jim Etter sent a letter of resignation late yesterday to Police Commission Chair, Elise Stearns-Niesen, Mayor/City Council member, Jess Talamantes, Burbank Police Chief and Deputy Chief, Scott LaChasse and Tom Angel. No, Etter is not […]
Monday, July 4, 2011

City Buzz

Happy Fourth of July! Dodger Stadium festivities The guys in blue kick-off a four game series against the New York  Mets tonight.  Also, fans will be treated to fireworks and tributes to our military. Gates at Dodger Stadium open at 3:40 p.m. Fireworks and more at the Starlight Bowl A July 4th tradition continues tonight at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank.  A […]
Monday, June 13, 2011

City Buzz: A suspect and a victim in a series of Burbank residential burglaries, needy kids’ camp fund, and more sunny skies ahead

New developments in that series of residential burglaries in Burbank.  Last Friday, Burbank Police announced the arrest of a suspect, 37-year-old Ericka Valladares of Los Angeles, and the recovery of some of the stolen items. Hillside resident Yvonne Smith’s home was burglarized last December. She went down to the BPD headquarters a few days ago and “was delighted” that some of […]
Friday, June 3, 2011

City Buzz: Mike Gatto’s pension bill, funds for needy kids to go to camp fall short, and Grand View opens after restoration

Local Assemblyman Mike Gatto  (D-Los Angeles) is very busy these days championing various legislation up in Sacramento.  Yesterday, the California State Assembly passed AB 1369, authored by Gatto. This measure, reportedly passed by a 62-0 vote, would stop criminals from using illegal tax deductions. Recently, Gatto authored ACA 11 which would raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. And […]
Tuesday, May 24, 2011

City Buzz: Bob Frutos, police commission drama, BPD cases and more

Bob Frutos plans to stay involved in city matters Bob Frutos lost on two fronts recently: a city council seat in a very tight race with Emily Gabel-Luddy and last week, the city council-majority (including Gabel-Luddy) refused to re-appoint him to the Burbank Police Commission.  Nevertheless, Frutos is still smiling and touting the need for change in Burbank. Frutos provided some […]
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

City Buzz: BPD lawsuits, investigations, and controversies

BPD cases and lawsuits Where is ex-Burbank Police Chief, Tim Stehr? Some reports say he’s planning to continue on a loooong European vacation for at least three months, perhaps more. On the other hand, a reliable source tells me Stehr is due back in the Southland next weekend. Stehr’s vacation has resulted in an expensive delay in the discrimination and retaliation case of Burbank […]
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

City Buzz: Emily Gabel-Luddy, dirty politics, and the BPD cases

After a week, some folks are still finding the audacious snub, oh wait, let’s call it what it is, discriminatory selection process of the vice-mayor by four members of the Burbank City Council — a stomach turner. Those that had hoped for an independent female voice on the council got blindsided by Emily Gabel-Luddy who came out publicly as the new member of this “good-old-boys-club” at the […]
Monday, April 11, 2011

City Buzz: Dirty politics in Burbank and the Leader’s attack on Bob Frutos

  I have covered numerous campaigns and elections during my many years working  in television news and now as a freelance journalist/blogger. A last minute attack on a candidate is not unusual, especially if the contender is the front runner or has recently gained some serious ground.  Nevertheless, I was surprised to see the Burbank Leader  fire a full-blown assault at City Council candidate Bob Frutos with less than a week […]
Tuesday, March 29, 2011

City Buzz

Tree talk in B-town Burbank is one of only two communities in the state designated as a Tree City USA recipient by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The other is Sacramento. It’s the 34th consecutive year Burbank has received the honor. “This national recognition acknowledges Burbank’s commitment to its community forest,” according to a news release sent out last week by City Hall. […]