Airport authority elects new officers

BURBANK — The Bob Hope Airport authority elected a new president, vice president and secretary for fiscal year 2008-09 on Monday.

Former Burbank Mayor Bill Wiggins was named president of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, former Pasadena Councilwoman Joyce Streator will be vice president, and former Glendale councilman Rafi Manoukian will be secretary.

“I was looking for the rotation to go the way it did in the past,” Pasadena Commissioner Chris Holden said. “But I think it makes a lot of sense to have a Burbank commissioner as a president at a time when we are trying to get 161 approved.”

Since 2001, the airport has worked toward completing a Part 161 Study, which if approved by the FAA, would impose a curfew on flights between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“I think the new officials have the time, energy and political expertise to give one 161 its best shot,” Holden said.

Wiggins was voted as president after Carl Povilaitis declined to serve another one-year term.

“It’s been wonderful serving as president, but I want to step down because I think the typical two terms doesn’t give the other commissioners an opportunity to serve,” Wiggins said.

“All three cities share the governance of the airport, but you also have the president of the authority, and all three cities need to share in that.”

Wiggins was nominated by Burbank Commissioner Don Brown.

“Bill has the best interests of Burbank at heart, and he’s a good all-around guy,” Brown said. “He is very down to earth and doesn’t let positions of power get in his way.”

Wiggins served on the Burbank City Council for eight years and as mayor for three one-year terms.

He joined the authority in 2001 to establish a more open relationship between the city and the airport, he said.

“I think it’s fair to say that since I started, the authority has calmed the waters . . . I think the working relationship between the nine commissioners is extremely good,” Wiggins said. “Becoming president is largely a ceremonial post. I have no more power in my mind than any of the other commissioners.”

Streator’s 14-year term on the airport authority makes her a perfect choice for vice president, Brown said.

Since joining the authority, she has served as secretary, vice president and president.

“Joyce has been through all the battles, and she is very knowledgeable in all airport issues,” Brown said.

Streator, Wiggins and Manoukian will hold their titles until the next election in July 2009.

 ALISON TULLY covers City Hall and public safety. She may be reached at (818) 637-3242 or by e-mail at alison.tully@ latimes.com.