Mailbag: Bridge law’s lack of transparency

The Burbank City Council voted last February to begin the process of applying for available $680,000 of federal funding, to be matched by $170,000 in local funds, for the purpose of extending the Los Angeles River bicycle path and surrounding park area through its portion of the river, which would include a bridge for bicycles. The details of this plan were left to a later date and no planning funds were allocated at that time. The council vote on the river bike path extension was taken at the same meeting where they also voted to rescind a compromise vote the previous December that would have treated the Mariposa Bridge like downtown sidewalks, where bicycles may not be ridden on the bridge but were allowed to be walked or carried over it.

The original common-sense compromise was reversed after the powerful local neighborhood horseback riders met privately with council members and used their influence to bring about the reversal vote. The city attorney advised the council that the law they ultimately passed in February banning bicycles was “unenforceable,” and the Burbank Police have refused to issue me a citation for violating the new ban numerous times.

I believe that investigative journalists for this newspaper, as well as local bicycling groups, will need to be vigilant in forcing the council to conduct fair and open meetings on the subject of the proposed bike path. If there is insufficient transparency in the planning process then we will again see decisions on everyone’s public money being spent on our public parkland by and exclusively for the benefit of the horseback riders.

Doug Weiskopf
Burbank

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Keeping watch on police matters

With everything happening on a national level regarding both police officers and citizens, it is imperative that the community members of Burbank be reminded that we have a police commission.

Our duties are as follows: To initiate studies and surveys in the general field of police science and law enforcement and report their findings and recommendations to the City Council; to conduct hearings, investigations, or both, at the request of the council for the purpose of ascertaining whether additional legislation is needed for the health, safety, peace and welfare of the inhabitants of the city and to make findings and recommendations to the council; to act in an advisory capacity to the council on policy matters pertaining to the police department of the city; to receive complaints, except those relating to traffic engineering, pertaining to the police department and law enforcement in general; and to examine books, papers, records and accounts in the police department, other than confidential matters under investigation.

We also act as a liaison between the citizens and the local government regarding the police department. We can only do our jobs with participation from the community. Whether it be a complaint or commendation, we urge you to attend a meeting (the police commission meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., in the Burbank City Council Chambers, City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave.) or email us at PCommission@burbankca.gov. The success of our commission is reliant upon your active participation.

David D. Diamond
Chair, Burbank Police Commission

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Cartoon causes confusion

I found it hard to comprehend why Bert Ring would create the Forum drawing in the Sept. 24 Leader. I feel he should do some research and homework before he puts such an ill-informed “cartoon” in the paper. Not only do Disney, Pixar, Nickelodeon and others provide employment for people, these companies contribute so much to our city. They support Burbank Temporary Aide Center, Burbank Coordinating Council, blood drives and so much more. I really feel Mr. Ring should do some research before he starts drawing again and get the facts straight.

Nancy Lauder
Burbank

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Richmond’s moving Scully tribute

Ray Richmond’s column in last Saturday’s Burbank Leader, “Three Cheers for Vin Scully,” affected me deeply. I can’t imagine a higher tribute to any man than stating that he helped a young boy grow up to be another good man because of what he did in his work.

And that the young boy, Ray, recognized the fine traits in the man, Vin, and attempted to model himself after him. Therefore, it is a tribute to Ray as well. A better model than Vin would be hard to find.

And Vin did all this as a sportscaster, a rather improbable profession from which to provide counseling and guidance to a young man on how to build a good and rewarding life.

Parenthetically, I hope the other customers in Denny’s that morning were not too taken aback by the tears I kept wiping from my face. Thank you, Ray, for a very heartwarming column to a man who warmed all of our hearts.

Bill North
Burbank

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Date fights ostomy stigma

Oct. 1, 2016, is National Ostomy Awareness Day. At least 750,00 Americans of all ages live with an ostomy. Many readers may not know what an ostomy is. An ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen that allows for the removal of bodily waste into a “pouch” or “ostomy bag” outside the body. This surgery occurs when a person has lost the normal function of digestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, trauma (such as a military service injury or accident) and other medical conditions.

Education is needed to fight stigmas and misinformation about ostomies. Many patients fear undergoing this surgery. This day serves as a reminder to the American public that this is a life-saving and life-restoring surgery. People living with an ostomy should be accepted as the active and healthy individuals they are.

This year’s theme is Resilience: “Bouncing Back into Life” and is all about finding your inner strength to bounce back from this surgery. People and families of those with ostomies are not alone and can find support at United ostomy Associations of America, Inc. or find an affiliated support group by visiting www.ostomy.org/Home.html or by calling (800) 826-0826. ostomy nursing care can be found at www.wocn.org. Discover more about ostomy Awareness day at www.ostomy.org

Albert Hernandez
Burbank