The Golden State Project was a large-scale Burbank redevelopment endeavor in the 1970s and 1980s in the "industrial northwest section" of the city, according to the Los Angeles Times. This photo was likely taken at the beginning of construction at the intersection of Avon St. and San Fernando Blvd. Former Burbank mayor John Whitney (1963-1964, 1968-1969) is at center.
"Left to right: David J. Augustine, v.p. Bandy Hinge Co.; Jim Algie, City Manager; Jack Whitney, City Treasurer; Lee Stacey, Production Manager Bandy Hinge Co.; Mary J. Petros, secretary/treasurer."--back of photo.
The Golden State Project was a large-scale Burbank redevelopment endeavor in the 1970s and 1980s in the "industrial northwest section" of the city, according to the Los Angeles Times. This photo was likely taken at the beginning of construction at the intersection of Avon St. and San Fernando Blvd. Former Burbank mayor John Whitney (1963-1964, 1968-1969) is at center. "Jim Algie, City Manager; Jack Whiney, City Treasurer; Dave Augustine, Bandy Hinge Co. Production Manager"--back of photo.
Burbank mayor Byron Cook prepares to cut the ribbon at the opening of a new 6-story office building on the corner of Glenoaks Blvd. and Magnolia St. in August 1978. Along with a number of unidentified men, members of City Council are in attendance: Leland Ayers (immediately to the right of the center column), Jim Richman (immediately to the right of Ayers), and Vice Mayor E. Daniel Remy (in the light suit, second from the far right).
Mayor Leland C. Ayers presents host Johnny Carson with a proclamation naming him “Burbank Goodwill Ambassador to the World” on the set of “The Tonight Show.” The proclamation reads: “City of Burbank. WHEREAS this year marks Johnny Carson’s 18th anniversary as host of the Tonight Show on NBC television; and WHEREAS over the years Johnny Carson has entertained more than 40 billion viewers, a formidable record for any performer; and WHEREAS in celebration of this anniversary I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Johnny Carson on the many years of good humor and imagination he has provided us; and WHEREAS Johnny Carson’s humorous remarks about Burbank have focused the television spotlight on our City; NOW, THEREFORE, because of the national recognition he has developed for our City, I am proud to honor and proclaim JOHNNY CARSON as Burbank Goodwill Ambassador to the World. [Signed] Leland C. Ayers, Mayor, City of Burbank. September 24, 1980.” Carson hosted “The Tonight Show” from 1962 until his retirement in 1992, and moved the program’s production from New York to Burbank in 1972. Carson’s successor, Jay Leno, continued to record the show in Burbank until 2014, when it was moved back to New York with new host Jimmy Fallon.
Notes on the back of the photo: “Lee Ayers, Mayor, after 5-1-1980 presenting to Johnny Carson comedian talkshow host as the Goodwill ambassador for Burbank.”
Mary Lou Howard, two-time mayor and long-time city council member, holds a box with an unidentified man. The other man behind her is unidentified as well. The signs indicate the Burbank Kiwanis Club is somehow involved in the event.
Between 1981 and 1985, Larry Stamper was a member of City Council, and also served as Mayor (1983 to 1984). Stamper poses before a fountain. From notes on photo: “Larry Stamper 1981-1985”
Mary Lou Howard (left) and an unidentified city official hold a Tree City USA banner during a 1980s ceremony outside Burbank's Olive Recreation Center. Howard was a Burbank city council member between 1979 and 1991, and served two terms as mayor, 1982-1983 and 1985-1986. Seated in the background is Mary Kelsey and an unidentified man. Kelsey was a city council member from 1985 to 1988, and served one term as mayor, 1986-1987. Waving behind the banner in the center of the photo is mascot, Spunky Squirrel, sporting his yellow Spunky cap. Tree City USA began in 1976 as part of a Bicentennial program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in association with the USDA Forest Service. After an application submitted by the city's Forestry Services staff in 1977, Burbank was named a Tree City USA and recognized for its efforts to plant trees and create an urban forest community. Burbank and Sacramento were the only California cities to earn the Tree City USA title at the program's inception, according to the Los Angeles Times. Spunky Squirrel was created by the American Forestry Association in 1981 as the mascot for the Urban Forestry program. Designed with the help of artist, Rudy Wendelin, creator of Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl, Spunky was dressed in blue jeans and running shoes to appeal to children. During the 1980s, Spunky and his "Care for Trees!" slogan became popular at Arbor Day events all over the country.
Identified in the image are Al Dossin (far left), Mary Lou Howard (second from left), and Mary Kelsey (third from right), all on the City Council in the 1980s. They are shoveling the first dig in the groundbreaking ceremony for an unidentified building. But the AMC on Palm and First Street and be seen to their back right.
An educated guess is that this is the ground breaking for the Avalon Apartment Complex as the Salvation Army on Third and Angeleno can be seen in the background. Identified in the picture are: Mary Lou Howard (far left), Mary Kelsey (fourth from left), Al Dossin (fourth from right), and Bud Ovrom (far right).
