The Unspoken Conflict

It was only nine years ago that I wandered into the Burbank Nature Center for what was to be the first meeting of what was later called Burbank Youth for Youth. I was both impressed and truly in awe by the number of high-ranking officials and local dignitaries that were present. I was taking the first steps on a path that would change my life.

While I am young, I try to focus on the direction my life is going constantly. Life is terribly short and now approaching my tenth year of involvement with the City, I have come to realize that I have given roughly an eighth of my entire life's expectancy to this community. Now, my tenure is a drop in the pond compared to some in our community however, it has been significant in my life.

Where this City was ten years ago and where it is today are vastly different. Back then there was an order to things that made sense to me. Maybe I was naive to the politics behind the scenes but what I see today is a drastically different community and a culture of fear.

Police lawsuits, cut-throat political tactics and gossip have created an environment of fear, paranoia, and desperation. It's not okay to disagree, to want to know more, or even to read a blog or two in our City. As a result, the dominant culture of our community divides those who are involved, based on their current views of City policies, into three groups: those who are right, those who are wrong and those who are not involved or don't have a clue. There is no longer any appreciation for a difference of opinion. The division is everywhere. When two individuals from different groups interact it is mostly unspoken and sometimes even eerily cordial.

Our City is facing, now more than ever, a clash of values and a fight for power. There are those who would hope to keep things going as is and those who are fighting for more openness and accountability. This clash was originally designed to be invisible to everyday members of the public, but as the fight begins to amplify more and more nastiness is spilling out into the public arena. Recent actions against different boards and commissions in this City have been a great example of the retribution-style tactics. When the Civil Service Board "stepped out of line" two of its members were almost removed from the commission. While it was a failed attempt, I think it was meant to send a very clear message: You fall out of line and there will be consequences. Our Police Commission has also been rumored to be on track for the removal process which would be even more evidence of retaliation for not towing the line.

I wanted to have a more unifying message at the end of this but truly there isn't one. This conflict will continue until there is a change of this City's paradigm toward its own residents. Until that happens, I hope you all know that I will continue into my tenth year with a renewed dedication to working hard for the everyday Burbank resident and that I will do my part to ensure that at least our parks and park programs continue to live up to their well-known, and no doubt sterling, reputation.