Preserving city’s hometown feel
Laura Sturza
When 32-year-old Todd Campbell took his seat on the City Council
earlier this month, he faced the daunting task of working with his
four colleagues to balance the city’s $10-million budget deficit.
Campbell, a third-gene- ration Burbank resident who won election
with 31.7% of the vote, is policy director for the Coalition for
Clean Air. He recently sat down with the Leader to talk about his
first few weeks in office.
BURBANK LEADER: Why did you run for City Council?
TODD CAMPBELL: The next couple of years are going to be very
troublesome due to the budget and a couple of other challenges that
we are going to be facing in terms of growth and traffic. I thought
that given that I have a background in transportation and my
profession deals with trying to create livable communities, [the
council] would be a perfect match.
BL: How are you making decisions about budget cuts?
TC: With a lot of help from my colleagues ... and with the
terrific staff that the city of Burbank has. Also, by listening to
all sides. I really try to listen to ... what management has to say.
I’m interested in hearing what the rank and file has to say, and
certainly, the union leaders.
BL: Do you have any specific plan for addressing concerns
surrounding the airport?
TC: I’m trying to get our fleets at the airport turned over into
[more] alternative fuels and lower-emission vehicles. I think the
authority can go much further in what they are attempting to do. I’m
trying to work with the national community groups ... like Aviation
Watch, that I think could possibly help us get [a] legislative fix.
Right now, the Federal Aviation Administration has way too much power
over small communities.
BL: What has been the most fun for you about your new post?
TC: Meeting the people who make this city what it is today. You
can tell that everybody has pride in what they do. I was at the
sewage treatment plant. They took a real interest in their work and
showed me all their innovations. You learn things you never thought
about, like how a fireman puts together a firetruck.
BL: What do you most hope to accomplish as a councilman?
TC: I hope to enhance or preserve our hometown feel, which means
not allowing out-of-control growth that will create traffic problems,
and to retain and improve upon our excellent city services.