Bottom line, not safety, is the biggest concern

Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport officials would like to claim that

it is out of concern for pedestrian safety that they are trying to

prevent access between the Star Park parking lot, owned by Zelman

A-1, and the airport terminals. But when pressed on the issue by a

superior court judge, the airport’s own attorney acknowledged quite

clearly, “We don’t think this is a case about safety.”

Rather, as the Airport Authority’s assistant executive director

admitted in deposition under oath, the airport’s efforts to prevent

pedestrian access, such as removing the 60-year-old crosswalk and

installing fencing and signage, “were all designed with the belief

that Zelman was going to put a 3,000-car parking lot there.”

And, of course, safety is not the reason that

Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport has ticketed more than 120

travelers and airport employees. The airport is not threatening the

jobs of hard-working, dedicated Southwest Airlines employees out of

concern for their protection.

No, the airport’s lawyer put it best when he told the trial court

that it was in fact the airport’s financial interests that were

“absolutely” the reason they are opposing access to and from Star

Park’s property.

Airport officials can spin their words however they choose, but

the truth is that Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport is only concerned

about protecting its bottom line.

ALFRED E. AUGUSTINI

Attorney for Star Park