Vander Borght and Campbell win
Laura Sturza
Months of knocking on doors paid off for architect Jef Vander Borght
and environmental policy director Todd Campbell, who won seats on the
Burbank City Council in Tuesday’s election.
“I’m extremely humbled,” said Campbell, policy director for the
Coalition for Clean Air. “I always thought that all of the candidates
were very qualified.”
Incumbent Councilman Vander Borght, 51 made his first run for a
council seat, having been appointed to the post by the council after
former mayor Bob Kramer resigned in March 2002.
“I feel I [have] a tremendous amount of additional duty to
represent the citizens ... [and] the responsibility to do the proper
job,” Vander Borght said.
Campbell will sit with incumbent council members Vander Borght,
Dave Golonski, Stacey Murphy and Marsha Ramos on the dais May 1.
Vander Borght drew 5,249 votes, Campbell 4,820, restaurant owner
Gary Bric received 3,434 and Realtor Brian Malone 1,721. City Clerk
Margarita Campos said 17.4% of registered voters cast their ballots.
The four candidates expressed their gratitude for the community
support that made their campaigns possible, and for the tremendous
amount of time that backers devoted to helping them.
Among his goals, the 32-year-old Campbell said he aims to help
protect Burbank from state budget cuts, bring road-improvement
projects to the city and keep a close watch on the city’s air and
drinking-water quality.
Vander Borght’s goals include maintaining city services while
balancing the city’s budget deficit, addressing concerns about the
Burbank- Glendale-Pasadena Airport and finding solutions to traffic
problems, he said.
As she watched winners and losers hug and congratulate one
another, Susan Bowers, Chamber of Commerce executive director,
described the campaign as “incredibly clean,” adding that “it hasn’t
always been this way.”
Malone, 55, reiterated his initial endorsement of Vander Borght.
“I’m very pleased for Jef,” Malone said. “I am happy for Todd.”
The next City Council election might mean another run for Bric, he
said.
“It was the greatest experience of my life, getting out there and
meeting the people,” said Bric, 50.