Hastings Resigns From Burbank Airport Commission

Michael Hastings, former Burbank mayor, has resigned from the Burbank Airport Commission, citing increased business demands.

“If I can’t give 100%, I don’t want to kid anybody,” said Hastings, who had been on the commission for 2 1/2 years. Hastings’ resignation was effective immediately.

Hastings said he recently changed jobs, and can no longer afford the five or six hours each week the commission requires.

Hastings, Burbank’s mayor in 1987-88 and 1991-92, left the City Council in April after eight years. He had decided not to run for reelection.

The City Council will choose a successor on the airport commission.

Mayor George Battey Jr. said he will apply for the job, brushing aside criticism that it would be a conflict for a council member to serve on the commission.

“I think this whole business of conflict of interest is an artificial issue,” Battey said. Council members on the commission have an advantage, he said, “because they’re more knowledgeable with respect to those issues that affect the city.”

Burbank City Councilman Robert R. Bowne is also a commissioner.

The commission is now dealing with a series of major issues, such as expansion of the airport terminal, noise and the handling of now-vacant Lockheed Corp. lands.

Battey pointed out that he lives under the flight path for eastbound aircraft.