Mailbag: Happy with the job Gatto’s done so far

Happy with the job Gatto’s done so far

I read your article titled “GOP says ‘L.A. is in play.’” (Oct. 2) I was particularly interested in the comments of Republican Chairwoman Jane Barnett that “a large percentage of voters are not happy” with Rep. Adam Schiff and Assemblyman Mike Gatto.

Really? Gatto just won election in June and has been in the Assembly for only a few months. As a registered Republican myself, I am very happy with his performance so far, including his sponsorship of legislation designed to address abuses of the public pension system like those that took place in Bell.

I supported Gatto when he ran for office because his campaign was based on real ideas and a strong character, not party affiliation or partisan bickering. In my view, that’s exactly the type of representative we need in Sacramento right now. As a result, I — along with several other Republicans I know — plan to happily vote for Gatto again in November.

Michael Maddigan

Burbank

Ramani’s service speaks for itself

In response to Carl Hunter’s recent allegations that Sunder Ramani could not “have an interest in this community if he does not live here,” I beg to differ (“Neighbors say they haven’t seen much of Ramani,” Sept. 17).

Ramani’s business is in Glendale and was previously in Burbank for his entire adult life. He also owns property in Burbank. But more important, his service to this community has been tireless. For starters, he was one of the founding members of the Burbank Sunrise Rotary and has been a Burbank Rotarian ever since.

He has served on the board of directors for the Burbank YMCA, including as chairman. He has been Burbank Chamber of Commerce president, served on the board at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and has been part of the Glendale Educational Foundation, just to name a few.

Obviously, I am not the only one to notice his immense contributions to this community. In 2005, he received both the Burbank Temporary Aid Center’s Top Award for Citizenship and the Burbank Assn. of Realtors’ Citizen of the Year Award, awarded “in recognition of your hard work to the people of Burbank.” In 2006, he received Glendale’s Man of the Year Award, and in 2007 Woodbury University bestowed upon him their “Movers and Shapers Award.”

Are you trying to disparage all these organizations by suggesting that these awards meant nothing? Besides established boards and organizations, Ramani has stepped up to help wherever there was a need. When a Burbank school needed a new sign for the front of its school, it was Ramani who raised the money and made sure that it received its sign.

When Burbank Officer Matthew Pavelka was killed in the line of duty, it was Ramani who helped raise the money to help organize an event which honored all Burbank officers in Pavelka’s honor. This list of accomplishments could go on for great length if enough newspaper space was allowed, as this list does not exhaust all that he has done.

Personally, I would rather challenge Assemblyman Mike Gatto to display his record of service to the community side by side to Ramani’s. Any takers? I thought not.

Jeff Bryan

Burbank