City shifts leadership positions

Lolita Harper

CIVIC CENTER -- Burbank city officials had much to celebrate Tuesday

as they bid farewell to two longtime public servants, renewed the terms

of three veterans, welcomed two rookies and selected a new mayor and vice

mayor.

New Councilwoman Marsha Ramos and City Treasurer Donna Anderson stood

at the podium and took their first oaths of office next to reelected

council members Dave Golonski and Stacey Murphy. Returning City Clerk

Judie Sarquiz swore in the city officials, but she had to turn the

microphone over to be sworn in herself.

After taking her new seat on the council, Ramos talked about her years

growing up in Burbank and thanked the community for its support.

“I know that I will not make everyone happy all of the time, but I’ll

do my best,” she said.

Once the new City Council was officially put in place, the first order

of business was to select a new mayor to succeed Bill Wiggins. Without

any discussion, the council decided Bob Kramer should step up from vice

mayor to mayor. Councilman David Laurell was selected to the position as

vice mayor by a 5-0 vote.

Kramer and Laurell expressed gratitude to the people of Burbank for

giving them the honor of serving the community in a greater capacity.

The council chambers were packed with family members, friends and

public supporters of the new and outgoing city officials. Tears were held

back by many while wishing both Wiggins and retiring City Treasurer Jim

Rogers good luck.