MAILBAG

Not smoking doesn’t make you popular

Re: the article in the Saturday Leader, “Council tests the no-smoking water.”

Burbank resident Gail Romero states that the City Council has two choices ... “to make a reasonable and sensible judgment, or to do what the Calabasas council members did and vote for a ban just because it was popular.” Popular? Does anyone really believe that banning smoking is the popular thing to do? That for any nonsmoker, asthmatic, allergy sufferer, we want smoking banned because it is popular? Do we feel popular when we hold our breath as we run into the corner Starbucks or Coffee Bean, or walk behind a crowd of smokers on their way out to the movie or dinner, or just simply loitering on the street shrouded in their clouds of smoke, which we (the popular ones) must breathe in?

I remember when you were one of the popular ones if you smoked. I, for one, am vehemently teaching my kids how unpopular, un-cool and disgusting it is to smoke. So then maybe it is popular to ban smoking. Maybe it is popular to care about your health, to not want to expose your kids (or yourself) to the smell, the harmful effects, the habits of others who inflict their disgusting habit on (popular) people who just happen to be walking/standing/sitting or dining, nearby.

I have many people in my life who I love dearly who smoke. Of course I wish they did not. And sometimes I do have to choose to be with them based on whether or not I can handle being around their smoke. But when I’m out in public, I cannot make that choice. I cannot cross to the other side of the street, close a window in the movie line, or stand far enough away from the crosswalk. The point is — it is everywhere.

Smoke. You cannot get away from it. Particularly in our very culturally diverse city. And in my humble opinion, one cigarette is one too many. Being behind just one smoker can ruin the moment. So, Romero, do you think I’m popular?

DEBRA GILMORE

Burbank

RV parking code should stay as is

Replying to your question regarding recreational vehicle parking (“What do you think the city should do regarding RV parking?”): I feel we should leave the present RV code alone.

RV owners pay high vehicle-license fees which allow them the same privileges as we have on our automobiles — that is to use the streets and highways as well as parking on the public streets, alleys and parking lots. What is the purpose of not being able to park between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m. unless the owners obtain a 24-hour permit? Is this another sneaky way of unjust taxes and making money for the city? How can these beautiful, well-maintained vehicles be an eyesore? What do you call these monster trucks set upon giant wheels parked on our streets? That’s an eyesore. This is another form of discrimination. And what do we do with RV-visiting, overnight out-of-town guests? In preparing for departure and/or returning from a trip, it may take several days for the preparation and servicing of the RV. You have to do this in front of your house. There aren’t that many RVs to make a difference.

Several months ago I was surprised to see a boat and RV-storage facility coming to Burbank. A couple days later, I saw the RV storage facility had a half-page ad in the Burbank Leader. Then — how interesting — gripes about RV parking and proposal of a new Burbank ordinance. In all fairness to Burbank RV owners, shouldn’t we know the real source of the troublemakers? This seems to send a message that says the city wants to help the boat- and RV-storage facility to make money so they can get additional tax revenue from the facility at our expense. I checked with the RV-storage facility. The lowest monthly rent for a 10x20 is $135; 10x40 is $200 to as high as $300 for a 10x70.

When will the Burbank City Council understand that government control in this manner will not be tolerated by the citizens of Burbank? Remember, every time you hear the word “permit,” it is followed by the word “fees.” Is this what we want? I could name other suggestions that they may want to tax or permit, but I don’t want to give them any more ideas.

To the citizens of Burbank, please pay attention to what is happening behind your back. I was twice guilty of saying “that does not pertain to me” and did not get involved. We never know when it will pertain to us. I learned the hard way. Don’t you.

MARGARET SORTHUN

Burbank