No Band-Aids for her

With a diverse and multifaceted background, City Council candidate Anja Reinke has her eyes set on several different avenues where her experience can be put to work for Burbank residents.

As an attorney practicing family law, Reinke has developed a passion for helping victims of domestic violence and abuse. In 2000, she joined the board of directors of the Family Services Agency, a nonprofit organization that provides counseling and social services to low-income families at little to no cost. The agency applies a holistic approach, not only reaching out to abuse victims, but offering counseling programs for perpetrators, she said.

“It basically services people in the community who don’t have insurance,” she said. “So we’re looking at lower economic strata…. I’m very proud of the work the agency does.”

When it comes to the three concerns frequently on the minds of Burbank residents — traffic, development and airport expansion — Reinke has some concrete measures she would like to see pursued if elected to the council, she said.

“I think there needs to be a task force that involves the Traffic Department, the Development Department and the bus services to look at the difference angles of the traffic issue,” she said. “If you don’t do that, you’re just putting a Band-Aid on a wound. There’s no quick easy solution to traffic.”

Expanding the bus routes and making them more convenient for travelers would also help the city manage traffic congestion, she said.

With experience in a mediation and arbitration, Reinke describes herself as a candidate who would bring what she called “fairness” to the council.

“I don’t think you want people who are so entrenched in one point of view that they can’t listen to other points of view,” she said. “I think I have the ability to listen to all sides of the problem and then do something about it.”

Burbank Firefighters Local 778 President Lew Stone praised what he described as Reinke’s positive attitude when it comes to problem solving.

“What really impressed us with Anja right away was her willingness to want to learn and her overall attitude of wanting to gain knowledge,” he said. “Specifically for us in public safety, [she was concerned with] how do we get the job done, what tools do we need, what are the problem areas and how do we deal with the problem?”

Reinke’s civic involvement also led her to the Police Commission, where she serves in the capacity of a community representative with investigative powers into the Burbank Police Department, she said.

“The first thing I hear from citizens is how great Police and Fire are,” she said. “I want to keep that up and that’s why I was drawn to the commission.”

Looking into the city’s budget to come up with funds to fill vacant Police Department positions would be among her top priorities as a council member, she added.

Beyond confronting the traditional concerns of residents, Reinke has ideas in mind for enriching the community with new programs, she said. As a musician with a degree in vocal performance, she believes strongly in the power of the creative enrich a city’s culture, she said.

“I’d like to start a fine-arts council,” she said. “I think we have so much talent in our town in the theater and arts areas that I think we ought to have a commission to bring that out to the community. I think it’s those sorts of things that improve our quality of life in the town.”

ANJA REINKE: ON THE ISSUES

What type of role should local government play in monitoring the pace of land development in Burbank?

Local government must monitor the pace of land development in Burbank and have a long-range vision for what our city will be in the future. Local government can do this with thoughtful zoning and careful development. The City Council in particular must balance the need for new funds to come into our city with the impact that particular development will have on our neighborhoods.

Has the city’s almost two-year-old development agreement with the airport authority provided an adequate balance between the interests of airport officials versus the concerns Burbank residents?

Yes. The purpose of the airport agreement was to give the people of Burbank extra layers of protection against expansion, noise and pollution since we, myself included, are against further expansion of the airport. The agreement controls expansion and limits the airport authority to act. The agreement is not perfect and it is true that it will need to be looked at again. When that occurs, we must make sure that we have a seat at the table and we are heard loud and clear. Limiting the land available for airport use and zoning for non-airport uses will restrict what can be done to our city and will further limit attempts to be bullied by our partners in the airport. The trust documents, the airport agreement and Measure B all put some controls in our hands, which is exactly what we all want.

What types of things should be done to address traffic congestion on Burbank streets and freeways?

A multifaceted approach must be taken to address traffic congestion in Burbank. There needs to be coordinated effort between the traffic department and the development department that brings more traffic and finally alternative transportation that is convenient to use. Long-range plans have to be made. Current plans to have alternate on- and off-ramps to the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways will help. We must limit development to areas that can handle traffic. A task force needs to be formed to work on a comprehensive solution to traffic problems.

BIO BOX

Name: Anja Reinke

Age: 46

Family: Ericka, 22; Elise, 20.

Occupation: Attorney and Realtor

Education: Juris doctor, Case Western Reserve University; bachelor of arts in voice performance, California State University Los Angeles.