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MAILBAG
Moving comments to end is grave injustice
The issue of oral communications being sent to the “back of the bus” for the convenience of city employees and the City Council is vexing (“Mayor Drayman faces first salvo,” Thursday).
On one hand there seems to be an overuse of oral communications by some “regulars.” However, if it were not for these “regulars,” the city would not have been so fully informed about: the tree ordinance; the Americana; the banquet hall abuses, outdoor grilling problems, traffic calming issues, increasing crime at Brand Park and the mishandling of city funds, just to name a few concerns that have been brought up in oral communications and have been addressed because of those speaking in oral communications.
The city cannot “throw out the baby with the bathwater.” Residents who work must be considered, as their time is valuable also, and they certainly are on their own time when addressing City Council with their concerns.
I, for one, think that the oral communications period is vital to the political health of the community.
The English-speaking residents in this community do not have the two or three TV channels to keep them informed like the Armenian community does on local events and issues.
Looking from that perspective, to take away the opportunity to speak and address local issues by the English-speaking residents, at a convenient time slot, would be a grave injustice to everyone.
Hopefully something can be worked out that is more acceptable than having members of the community wait excessively to address their particular concerns before the City Council.
CAROLE WELING
Glendale
Council meetings can be more efficient
The changes Mayor John Drayman announced April 15 should make Glendale City Council meetings shorter, while still allowing everyone to comment on any city issue they desire (“Mayor Drayman faces first salvo,” Thursday).
Oral communications at the end of the meeting might actually happen at a reasonable hour.
Not only will presentations be done monthly instead of weekly, but a group receiving a presentation is to have one spokesperson for three minutes — replacing the tradition of no time limits for an unlimited number of speakers. Requiring council members to hold all their comments until the end of staff presentations will also help.
Something Drayman didn’t mention is the delicate subject of multiple speakers repeating the same information — often their opposition to a neighborhood development project.
People at their first council meeting may not be comfortable deviating from what they have in mind to say. It would be a welcome change, though, if speakers could be persuaded that, unless they have new information, filling out a speaker card and stating “I support it” or “I oppose it” from their seat will make their point more effectively with the council than using all the time offered to restate what’s already been said.
NANCY BURNET KENT
Glendale
City critic needs to find a new focus
Kudos to Ray Trim in his Community Commentary (“City Council meeting regulars have it good,” April 19).
He captured everything that I have been wanting to write about our City Council gadflies, especially Herbert Molano.
Though there is no denying Molano’s intelligence and sincerity in wanting to make Glendale a better place to live, play and do business, his obsessiveness regarding certain issues is not in his own best interest nor that of Glendale.
Though I recognize that Molano may still have business interests in Glendale, his residence is in Tujunga, a community of the city of Los Angeles. Having recently retired as an administrator with the city of Los Angeles Police Department, I am very cognizant of the multitude of problems facing Los Angeles residents.
Molano’s enthusiasm, diligence and the vast experience he has gained in his oversight of the Glendale City Council would well serve the populace of Los Angeles. There are many issues, financial and otherwise, confronting not only the LAPD but also the Department of Water and Power and the Department of Recreation and Parks for which Molano could be an invaluable resource.
Time for Molano to take on this challenge.
RICHARD A. LIEBOFF
Glendale
Woman of the Year as good as they come
I read was very pleased to see that Elaine Paonessa was named a Woman of the Year by Rep. Adam Schiff (“Congressman names Women of the Year,” March 31).
A career volunteer since moving to Burbank in the 1950s, Elaine has been markedly involved in groups like the Salvation Army, the Civitans, Boy Scouts, Women’s Council, and helped to found the city’s Performing Arts Federation.
Most of us know Elaine from her commitment to music, either as president of the Civic Light Opera, or as the musical director of the Van Bloem Singers.
She is being singled out for her commitment and service to Burbank.
We know, though, that Elaine’s real profession is caring. When you see her, she always asks about your family, your career and your interests.
Because she has such care for those people around her, she is able to lend that skill to the many organizations she has worked with.
These organizations have all benefited from the commitment that Elaine brings to each and everyone. I am honored to know Elaine.
For many years I have witnessed the good that Elaine has brought to our city. She deserves every honor that comes her way.
JOE HOOVEN
Burbank
The issue of oral communications being sent to the “back of the bus” for the convenience of city employees and the City Council is vexing (“Mayor Drayman faces first salvo,” Thursday).
On one hand there seems to be an overuse of oral communications by some “regulars.” However, if it were not for these “regulars,” the city would not have been so fully informed about: the tree ordinance; the Americana; the banquet hall abuses, outdoor grilling problems, traffic calming issues, increasing crime at Brand Park and the mishandling of city funds, just to name a few concerns that have been brought up in oral communications and have been addressed because of those speaking in oral communications.
The city cannot “throw out the baby with the bathwater.” Residents who work must be considered, as their time is valuable also, and they certainly are on their own time when addressing City Council with their concerns.
I, for one, think that the oral communications period is vital to the political health of the community.
The English-speaking residents in this community do not have the two or three TV channels to keep them informed like the Armenian community does on local events and issues.
Looking from that perspective, to take away the opportunity to speak and address local issues by the English-speaking residents, at a convenient time slot, would be a grave injustice to everyone.
Hopefully something can be worked out that is more acceptable than having members of the community wait excessively to address their particular concerns before the City Council.
CAROLE WELING
Glendale
Council meetings can be more efficient
The changes Mayor John Drayman announced April 15 should make Glendale City Council meetings shorter, while still allowing everyone to comment on any city issue they desire (“Mayor Drayman faces first salvo,” Thursday).
Oral communications at the end of the meeting might actually happen at a reasonable hour.
Not only will presentations be done monthly instead of weekly, but a group receiving a presentation is to have one spokesperson for three minutes — replacing the tradition of no time limits for an unlimited number of speakers. Requiring council members to hold all their comments until the end of staff presentations will also help.
Something Drayman didn’t mention is the delicate subject of multiple speakers repeating the same information — often their opposition to a neighborhood development project.
People at their first council meeting may not be comfortable deviating from what they have in mind to say. It would be a welcome change, though, if speakers could be persuaded that, unless they have new information, filling out a speaker card and stating “I support it” or “I oppose it” from their seat will make their point more effectively with the council than using all the time offered to restate what’s already been said.
NANCY BURNET KENT
Glendale
City critic needs to find a new focus
Kudos to Ray Trim in his Community Commentary (“City Council meeting regulars have it good,” April 19).
He captured everything that I have been wanting to write about our City Council gadflies, especially Herbert Molano.
Though there is no denying Molano’s intelligence and sincerity in wanting to make Glendale a better place to live, play and do business, his obsessiveness regarding certain issues is not in his own best interest nor that of Glendale.
Though I recognize that Molano may still have business interests in Glendale, his residence is in Tujunga, a community of the city of Los Angeles. Having recently retired as an administrator with the city of Los Angeles Police Department, I am very cognizant of the multitude of problems facing Los Angeles residents.
Molano’s enthusiasm, diligence and the vast experience he has gained in his oversight of the Glendale City Council would well serve the populace of Los Angeles. There are many issues, financial and otherwise, confronting not only the LAPD but also the Department of Water and Power and the Department of Recreation and Parks for which Molano could be an invaluable resource.
Time for Molano to take on this challenge.
RICHARD A. LIEBOFF
Glendale
Woman of the Year as good as they come
I read was very pleased to see that Elaine Paonessa was named a Woman of the Year by Rep. Adam Schiff (“Congressman names Women of the Year,” March 31).
A career volunteer since moving to Burbank in the 1950s, Elaine has been markedly involved in groups like the Salvation Army, the Civitans, Boy Scouts, Women’s Council, and helped to found the city’s Performing Arts Federation.
Most of us know Elaine from her commitment to music, either as president of the Civic Light Opera, or as the musical director of the Van Bloem Singers.
She is being singled out for her commitment and service to Burbank.
We know, though, that Elaine’s real profession is caring. When you see her, she always asks about your family, your career and your interests.
Because she has such care for those people around her, she is able to lend that skill to the many organizations she has worked with.
These organizations have all benefited from the commitment that Elaine brings to each and everyone. I am honored to know Elaine.
For many years I have witnessed the good that Elaine has brought to our city. She deserves every honor that comes her way.
JOE HOOVEN
Burbank
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