Letters to the Editor: Writer agrees with City Council’s decision on proposed tenant protection ordinance
I am a lifelong resident of Burbank. I wish to share my thoughts on the Burbank City Council’s action at its meeting of Oct. 29 with regards to First Step - Tenant Protection.
Sharon Springer, Emily Gabel-Luddy and Bob Frutos all said what was in my heart as I watched the meeting unfold. My parents were owners of a triplex and a single-family home contiguous to their own personal residence. They always rented these units for less than market rate.
This investment was their retirement. By housing family and caregivers they were able to live independently in their home until they died. They were not unique. Burbank has many caring landlords who are providing affordable housing.
The state has created a crisis with AB 1482 and has hurt the very people it set out to help. Caring property owners had a small window to protect themselves and thus removed the tenants, eliminating affordable housing. The “greedy” landlords were charging market rate and had no incentive to replace their tenants. Most local resident owners have not yet realized that their generosity has imperiled their retirement.
This is only the beginning as we have seen the effects of rent control in New York City and Los Angeles, which is facing a record housing shortage and the resurgence of medieval plagues. The housing problem will get worse as the incentive to create new housing, which would bring the price down, and properly maintain current housing has been removed. In the long term we will see more rental properties owned by big corporations as the mom-and-pop owners’ position becomes untenable.
Ludonna Grande Loney
Burbank
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The tribute to the veterans on Veterans Day has been a pleasure to watch every year, with a large turnout. Most dress in such a manner so as to show respect for the vets.
However, I find it disappointing to see Burbank City Councilman Tim Murphy dressed in either jeans or shorts and an over-sized shirt, which is very disrespectful to the city he represents.
Dave Berger
Burbank
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Your Nov. 8 article, “Burbank officials review progress of homelessness plan,” was interesting. But as a Las Vegas resident, I think your officials could learn a thing or two from my officials who just passed a law that says that it is illegal for the homeless to sleep or camp on streets and sidewalks. If caught, the homeless could get a fine or jail time, if beds are available. No doubt the advocates of the homeless and Democratic presidential hopefuls now say it is “unfair” what the Las Vegas City Council just passed.
But just think, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman is a Democrat and she is the one who championed this measure. And speaking of fairness, how fair is it when the homeless sleep in front of Downtown Las Vegas mom-and-pop stores, then use the property as a toilet?
David Tulanian
Las Vegas
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I have been so proud to tell my friends all over the country that the town where I live, Burbank, is represented by Rep. Adam Schiff. On Wednesday my pride doubled, as I saw him conduct the House Impeachment Investigation Committee Hearing as its chairman so professionally and explain to everyone throughout what was going on. His summation of the unmistakable guilt of President Trump and his minions was brilliantly laid out for all Americans watching the hearings on TV.
Two years ago when I heard Schiff speak to a cheering crowd of 4,000 locals on the Chandler Bike Path Park who had turned out for a high school student organized rally for gun control, I yelled out “give ‘em hell, Adam!” I saw him respond with a slight smile at my Harry Truman reference. He obviously took my shout-out to heart since then!
Doug Weiskopf
Burbank