City utility considers name change

Paul Clinton

CIVIC CENTER -- Weary of communicating with customers who can’t

remember his department’s name, Public Services Director Ron Davis has

decided to go with the flow.

The department, which is responsible for water and electrical power in

the city, has sent out thousands of questionnaires to residents and

business owners asking them to vote for their choice from a list of six

possible names for the department.

“In the past, the name has been confused with other things,” said

Davis in somewhat of an understatement.

For Davis, opening wrongly addressed mail has become commonplace.

The most familiar goof the city’s utility department receives: Burbank

Water and Power. A local phone book even listed the public service

department as Burbank Water and Power. The confusion got so bad that at

one point department employees began answering phone calls as Water and

Power.

Well, if the customers can’t keep track of the department’s name, then

Davis is willing to change it.

Earlier this month, Davis randomly circulated questionnaires to 4,000

of the city’s 44,000 utility customers asking them to choose one of six

options to rename the department. While many of those questionnaires have

yet to be returned, an informal telephone survey revealed that residents

aren’t enthused about Public Service Department, which, despite the

confusion, remains one of the options.

After sifting through a large number of “I don’t care” and “I’m

confused” answers, Davis found that respondents liked Burbank Water and

Power. But the ballots haven’t been counted, so Davis will wait for the

final results.

Whatever the residents want, Davis said he will give them.

“If the customers think we should (change), then we will go to the

City Council with a proposal,” Davis said.

Davis said it would probably be at least July before he announces the

people’s choice.

The survey cost about $800, but Davis said it will be worth every

penny if it can help clear up some of the confusion over his department’s

name.

If the residents recommend a change, and the council approves it, the

new name could be in place by August. Then, all Davis has to do is order

new stationary.

BY ANY OTHER NAME

The following names have been proposed for the Burbank Public Service

Department:

1) Burbank Water and Light.

2) Burbank Utilities Department.

3) Burbank Water-Light-Power.

4) Burbank Water and Power.

5) Burbank Public Utilities.

6) Public Service Department (unchanged).

Contact the Leader and let us know which name you prefer. E-mail to

bleader@earthlink.net or fax your vote to 954-9439.