BURBANK : Mayor Vows to Hire City Ombudsman

In a sometimes emotional ceremony that turned into a festival of gift-giving, Dave Golonski became Burbank’s new mayor Monday and vowed to hire the city’s first ombudsman.

Golonski, a 36-year-old systems manager for Health Net, is believed to be one of the city’s youngest mayors.

He told an audience gathered at Burbank City Hall that he would fulfill his one-year mayoral term with a mix of old and new ideas.

He said he would continue to hold neighborhood summits and survey city residents by mail as his predecessor, Bill Wiggins, did, but would also hire an ombudsman.

“I would like to establish a single point of contact in the city where people with concerns or problems can contact an ombudsperson, if you will,” he said. “I’m looking for this position to help citizens of Burbank find their way through the maze.”

Wiggins, who has two years left in his council term, stepped down from his mayoral duties by giving canvas briefcases and letter openers to all of the city’s department heads, commendations to departing Councilmen Robert Bowne and George Battey Jr., and bouquets to their wives.

Golonski, in turn, presented a bouquet to Wiggins’ wife.

Named as vice mayor was Councilwoman Susan Spanos, who cried as she thanked her husband, family and friends for their support.