Mailbag: Cul-de-sacs indicate ‘stop’

Reading about the permanent cul-de-sacs being implemented to help the streets affected by the mixed-use Talaria project, I wonder why the possible need for this wasn’t discussed and figured in before giving the construction plan the OK. This should be a wake-up call to the city manager, the Burbank City Council and the city’s planning department that before anymore mixed-use or large projects are even contemplated to measure what impact Talaria actually has on traffic, noise, air quality and water supply, after it is completed and running.

Think about it. It has approximately 200 apartments whereas one mixed-use project presently in planning for the old IKEA property has more than 700 apartments over stores on Third Street across from both a huge senior residence and Burbank High. How can that even be considered?

All this apartment building we are doing is supposedly to satisfy the government’s requirement for more living spaces. However, I thought that the requirement also stipulated that they were to be a mixture of affordable to expensive, and from what I have heard these are all expensive apartments for the very high-income bracket, so we may not even be compliant with the government requirement, and we certainly aren’t helping Joe Average and the kind of residents that built Burbank.

Please, city officials, don’t sell out to the developers as Glendale has. Let’s wait and see what the effects of the mixed-use Talaria project, the new super-huge IKEA and the other large presently approved projects have on our city, before we approve any more construction.

Anna May Nelson
Burbank

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Agreement to the letter

Re: “Development plans worrisome,” Mailbag, Sept. 16. Hats off to Carol Tensen, whom I’ve never met. Her assessment of adverse particulars were we to acquiesce to the developer’s proposal to add 1,467 apartments (really?) downtown within a quarter-mile radius is spot on. For whom is there value added? Certainly not for current Burbank residents. More density of cars and people lessens the quality of life here.

Carol Leigh Garner
Burbank

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In Theory fulminations

I was dismayed to see half a page of the Leader devoted to an advertisement for a memory loss cure and the other half for the “In Theory” section. I know the paper is cash-strapped, but honestly, the size of the advertisement up against “In Theory” cannot help but suggest that selling ad space is as important as the theological dialogue the Leader supposedly promotes. And I am not even a fan of the “In Theory” section. Hearing from the same Christian ministers each week, coupled with the lame attempt at “fair play” by offering up an atheist, is frankly, a bit ridiculous. As if there are only two side to these arguments, Christian or atheist (with the occasional rabbi thrown in for good measure).

If the Leader thinks that theological discussion is important to our social and spiritual welfare, can’t they dig up representatives from other religions as well? Buddhism is a pretty popular form of worship with millions of followers world-wide, as is Islam. People might be interested in hearing perspectives from these sources — if the Leader actually took the issue seriously. And I can’t conclude without taking exception to Pastor Bryan Griem’s fiery attack against infidelity, homosexuality and abortion in our “lecherous, hedonistic and materialistic citizenry,” all the while extolling the virtues of America’s Christian founders. Griem is correct when he points out that our Founding Fathers were Christians, but some of those same fathers were also adulterers, homosexuals and slave owners. It sounds like Griem would be happy if religion (or at least his religion) had a greater degree of control in our government. Isn’t this exactly what we decry about governments in the Middle East? I wonder how readers of the Leader would respond if a Muslim cleric had quoted the same words as the Rev. Griem on the subject: “We must obey God rather than any human authority!” Terrorists around the world agree with him.

Tom Abrams
Burbank

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BCC readies for holidays

There is a lot going on with the Burbank Coordinating Council and many opportunities to help others!

Our first meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 3, at noon, at Little White Chapel, 1711 N. Avon St, Burbank.

We will be honoring outstanding Campership sponsors that day and sharing announcements of upcoming events all around town.

Lunch is only $10 so come and bring a friend. Please RSVP at (818) 842-6361.

Also, it is time again to prepare for Holiday Baskets and giving help to our low income families in Burbank. Our food drives will be happening around the whole city on Oct. 8 and Dec.10, so call Barbara at (818) 843-7571 to sign up. For more information on how to help, check our website at www.burbankcoordinatingcouncil.org to download applications, donor forms, membership forms, information about our fundraisers and so much more. Also, feel free to email us at ccholidaybaskets@aol.com.

We have scheduled our first gala, “Spirit of Giving,” to be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 at First Presbyterian Church on Olive Avenue. It will be a wonderful time to honor and thank Emily Gabel-Luddy and the Burbank Fire Department. Anyone wishing to become a sponsor is appreciated. We will have holiday entertainment, including singing firefighters. Mistress of Ceremonies is Marsha Ramos. Buy your tickets today!

With lots of dates and times to volunteer, remember that we offer service learning hours for teens and welcome volunteers of all ages to help.

It is with everyone participating that we can help families in need and remember how blessed we are to have this wonderful city to live in together!

Janet Diel
Burbank

Editor’s Note: The writer is president of the Burbank Coordinating Council.