Resolutions, from dirty desks to sky issues

Ryan Carter

It’s 2003, and time for resolutions and wishes for the new year.

This year, various civic leaders had hopes on everything from

weathering state budget cuts to hoping 30 years of legal disputes

with Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport give way to harmony.

Of course, the lofty resolutions involve the big issues and

themes. But there are some important ones on a smaller level, leaders

said.

“I think my personal, realistic resolution would be to clean my

dirty office,” Burbank City Manager Bud Ovrom said. “But on the city

level, my new year’s resolution is always to see an end to the

airport dispute. It’s just too much money, too much distraction. I

think it really needs to come to an end.”

The money Ovrom spoke about was important, in Mayor David

Laurell’s wishes for 2003, particularly with a $30-billion shortfall

hanging over the state.

“Frankly, we’re going to have our challenges due to the state

budget,” Laurell said. “We need to apply ourselves so that we figure

out a way creatively, and in a fiscally prudent manner, to make sure

we keep our programs and facilities functioning the way we always

have.

“Otherwise, from a personal standpoint, it’s to lose that darn 20

pounds and keep it off.”

Longtime Police Capt. Bob Heins was also thinking about getting

back into shape. Heins, who retired Monday after 45 years on the

force, said he’s looking to burn off the accumulation that comes with

years at a desk job.

“I don’t make resolutions -- I can’t keep them,” Heins said. “But

if I could? Hmmm...Come out of retirement. No, I’d start getting out

to more workouts and physical exercise.”

Police Capt. Larry Koch, who will become the department’s first

deputy chief later this year, hopes to maintain standards of police

service.

“To keep the city as safe as we possibly can so that those who

live, work or pass through the city can have the best possible

community and the safest for the new year,” Koch said.

Fire officials also have resolute hopes for this year.

“My resolution is to remember to pray diligently for our leaders

and for wisdom as our nation, state and city face so many challenges,

economically and possibly in going to war,” Fire Capt. Lew Stone

said.

Leaders also want to examine themselves in the context of their

community.

“I’d say personally, to get rid of some of my own prejudices,”

said John Brady, president of the Burbank Human Relations Council.

Patricia Smola, executive director of the Burbank Temporary Aid

Center also talked about prejudice.

“We could take away the colored cloth that makes us all prejudiced

if we could look at each person as a person, and if we could not be

so judgmental and listen more,” she said.