Reader wonders about BTA endorsements I...
Reader wonders about BTA endorsements
I read with interest about the Burbank Teachers Assn.’s
endorsement for the school board. The BTA are the representatives of
teachers of the Burbank Unified School District. They know what the
working atmosphere within the schools is and they blame the current
school board. They see how bad the budget problems are and don’t want
more of the same. The BTA is smart enough to remember the way the
current board treated Dr. Aponik. Obviously, the BTA wants better and
more trustworthy leadership for the schools.
It makes sense that the BTA would endorse Dave Kemp, who is a
retired teacher and a former BTA president. However, I wonder what
experience Mr. Applebaum and Mr. Krekorian have with the schools. Do
they have children in the schools? According to Will Rogers, Mr.
Krekorian has not even been in Burbank very long.
I am glad the BTA did not endorse the incumbents, but I’d really
like to know more about the folks they are endorsing.
IRENE PARSONS
Burbank
Leaving out lockers was bad decision
Over the holiday, I was talking with a student at John Burroughs
High School about all the improvements at the school. I was most
surprised to hear there are no lockers in the new buildings. How do
small freshman carry all their heavy books all day? Is it safe to
have large backpacks littering the aisles of classrooms? What happens
during an earthquake or fire? What about a kid on crutches or even a
wheelchair?
Did the current school board really spend bond money thinking this
was a good idea to disregard health and safety?
I hope to retire soon, and I know that my property taxes will be
paying for this bond for a long time.
I trusted the current board to use bond money wisely. It looks
like I was wrong and shouldn’t have been so trusting. I am going to
vote for new people that are trustworthy -- not the incumbents.
ENA DOERZAPF
Burbank
City needs to drop Jesus case
Regarding the article concerning the ban on the use of the name of
Jesus Christ during invocations, I had to write. The city plans to
appeal the state court decision.
Burbank is a melting pot. It has residents of other religions
other than Christianity. Burbank is also made up of those who are
Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and others. In other words, not all people
believe in Christ.
The fact that the city is going ahead with the appeal shows a
blatant disregard for people of other religions. Aside from that, the
Constitution guarantees separation of church and state. The city
claims that it is pursuing the appeal due to the 1st Amendment. If it
truly believes in free speech, then it is doing a disservice to the
residents of Burbank by not allowing other things.
The city chooses to constantly waste money hand over fist, so
people can hear an invocation which includes the utterance of the
name of Jesus Christ.
Leave it as it is, people, and give help to people who truly are
suffering in this city because they don’t have the resources to get
help.
EDEN ROSEN
Burbank