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.