Residents react to allegations

AT ISSUE: Should Councilwoman Stacey Murphy, arrested last week on

charges of drug possession and child endangerment, resign her post on

the council?

Hmmm. Child endangerment, cocaine possession, affiliation with

someone who’s allegedly running guns to a street gang involved with a

Burbank police officer’s murder ... that’s a tough one. I can see

Burbank’s mayor wanting to continue to give Councilwoman Stacey

Murphy his support (it’s so reassuring that our city is being

governed by people who have their priorities straight).

No.

You have to ask?

JIM GENOVA

Burbank

Stacey Murphy should step aside at least until her guilt or

innocence has been determined. It’s too much of a distraction for her

to do the city’s important business. If she is found to have had any

knowledge of her “companion’s” alleged activity with this gang, she

should also go to jail for a long time. To have that kind of

knowledge and continue to work for a city that had a police officer

allegedly murdered by one of its members is beyond despicable.

STEVE BEHM

Burbank

I woke up dreadfully early Friday morning and tuned on my favorite

local TV news station.

And to my total shock, amazement and disbelief there was a story

about former Burbank mayor, and present City Councilwoman Stacey

Murphy’s being arrested.

My first thought was that I was still sound asleep and dreaming.

“This could not possibly be happening,” I declared to my drowsy eyes

and ears. Again I tried to wake myself up, and then I realized, I was

already awake, and that this crazy account of drugs, guns and gangs

was in reality actually on my bedroom TV set.

The reason that I was in total uncertainty and perceived this as a

dream, or even a better word for it, a nightmare, is the fact I’ve

known Stacey Murphy for more than 10 years. Moreover, I know

first-hand of her commitment to charity and her kind-heartedness,

compassion and concern for the people of Burbank. What’s more, I have

found that she has always been an outstanding leader and a proper

pillar of strength for this wonderful community.

I first met Stacey Murphy when I served on the board of directors

at the Burbank Boys and Girls Club. She was the volunteer chairwoman

for one of our fundraisers, and at that time I saw the true

steadfastness and dedication she has for helping her fellow man. I

also witnessed how she put her heart and soul into this noble event

that was raising money for the children of Burbank. Fortunately for

us, she also volunteered to lend a hand at many more events for the

club, and was always there when anyone needed her.

I don’t know the exact story of how this tragedy developed, but I

would make a small wager that Stacey was taken in, and that she knew

nothing of the Vineland Boyz street gang. If the charges are true, I

cannot understand how Scott Schaffer could be so dumb as to trade

guns, registered to himself, to a known gang member. Being human

sometimes isn’t painless or pleasant. As expected, sometimes people

make mistakes. I, for one, have made my fair share over the years.

And I’m sure Murphy has made a few mistakes in her life. As a student

of psychology and sociology, I found many things affect one’s good

judgment and common sense. I think the residents of Burbank should

give Stacey Murphy a chance to tell her story before we cast any

stones, and I for one have not forgotten all the amazing things she

has accomplished for our extraordinary community.

In my opinion, right now, Stacey Murphy needs the total support,

help and understanding of this enormously compassionate community.

I’m sure these are the darkest days in her life. Moreover, the public

should not forget and overlook all the outstanding deeds Stacey

Murphy has done for Burbank. Let’s remember the first-rate job and

years of service Stacey provided the city. More important, as a

20-year resident of the city, I believe she should be able to keep

her seat on the City Council, pending, God forbid, a felony

conviction. And I for one believe that will never happen.

In America, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Let’s not judge this devoted and dedicated city official before all

the facts are in front of us. With any luck, the true story will come

out beginning Aug. 25, when she is arraigned. Until then, let’s give

her the benefit of the doubt.

KEVIN MCKENNA

Burbank

For the past 10 years, Stacey Murphy has worked selflessly for the

city of Burbank and its residents. Now it is time for her to do the

selfless thing again. She should resign as city councilwoman.

The city of Burbank will be OK without her. There is nothing more

important right now than reestablishing stability for her children

and taking responsibility for her own future.

This isn’t about shame. This isn’t about prejudgment.

This shouldn’t be about pride. This is a time for reevaluation of

priorities and living a life that you love.

She should give herself breathing room.

SUSAN VANROOSENBEEK

Burbank

I think Stacey Murphy should take a paid leave of absence until

she is cleared of the charges she was been arrested on. There is a

clear conflict of interest, and any votes she makes could be

challenged in the future if she indeed is forced to resign.

KARL DAHLQUIST

Burbank

Dear Councilwoman Murphy,

It is in the best American tradition to consider people innocent

until proven guilty, but after hearing and seeing many differing

opinions over the last several days, I must put in my two cents

worth.

Since the City Council is, essentially, a non-paid office (yes,

there is some reimbursement and honorariums), there is no salary

issue hanging in there.

It would thus probably be in the best interests of the city and

yourself, that you should step down from membership on the council in

order to concentrate your efforts in your defense, and since it would

be distracting, to say the least, from each and every council meeting

to have to defend yourself from the audience (which, to say the

least, is hostile).

This action would allow the remainder of the council and your

successor to comfortably conclude the business of the city free of

any distractions and any possible “taint,” which, I am sure you know,

will now be brought up continuously until any trial or proceeding is

concluded (and beyond). The “taint” referred to is any suggestion of

“using the office” to avoid anything.

Since this situation has virtually destroyed any further political

aspirations you might have had, it will always be brought up

regardless of positive or negative outcome, why not exit graciously

and conserve your energies for what comes next.

May I suggest that the candidate from the last election (Michael

Bergfeld) with the next highest number of votes, be appointed to

serve either the full remaining term or until the next election (the

council can vote on this unless statute exists -- I don’t know).

This would allow full concentration of our council on the various

issues that concern our city and allow your full concentration on

your individual issues and children without distractions.

Thank you for your services to the city.

JAMES C. FRANZ

Burbank