When the new Burbank city council was installed last year much was made about the proper “protocol” to use when they got around to choosing the mayor and vice-mayor slots.
In Burbank these are largely ceremonial because we have that “city council form of government” that we learned about in fifth-grade.
So I offered up a little history (from the past, the real kind) deeming that when the new council meets for the first time, they are supposed to look around and choose as mayor the member with the most seniority who has never served before.
Of course, because this would have meant calling Dr. David Gordon the ‘mayor’ and that they don’t like him, the city staff discovered another protocol, the quick result of which was that the two people who were elected had both served several times over the years.
Whatever, it’s Burbank. But a few weeks ago, when it became clear that Dr. Gordon could not be avoided or forgotten any longer, somehow Gary Bric was chosen as Vice-Mayor.
Howsa that?
You know, ten years ago Ted McConky was passed over for mayor because the council majority didn’t like the fact that his IQ was about 60 points higher than any of them. But even his longtime foe Will Rogers of the Burbank Leader told them not to do it. It was petty and mean spirited and it set a bad precedent…..
I love history. It’s easier, actually, than English.
Burbank, California 