Posted on 08/31/2005 1:37:08 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
DOWNTOWN BURBANK -- Citing potential "distractions" stemming from her arrest on suspicion of cocaine possession and child endangerment, City Councilwoman Stacey Murphy resigned from the City Council Tuesday, ending a more than eight-year run on the dais and setting the stage for a special election to fill her seat.
In a letter addressed to City Manager Mary Alvord, Murphy said it was with a heavy heart that she was stepping down from the council
"This is not an easy decision for me personally, however, for the best interests of our city, and my children, it is the right thing to do," she wrote.
"Our council has many important issues facing it at this time," Murphy continued. "The distractions caused by my personal issues should not be a factor that the council should have to deal with." Alvord read the letter at the beginning of Tuesday's City Council meeting.
Murphy, 47, who was reelected in February to a third term that expires in 2009, also thanked residents for their "support, compassion, and carrying comments during this period."
Attempts to reach Murphy were not successful.
Murphy was charged Aug. 23 by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office with misdemeanor child endangerment and felony possession of cocaine. She pleaded not guilty to the charges on Aug. 25 in Pasadena Superior Court.
She was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 28.
Mayor Jef Vander Borght expressed sadness over Murphy's resignation and said the council would miss her.
"I recognize that she has to do what is best for her and her family," Vander Borght said before Tuesday's meeting. "I wish her well with her case."
The three other council members -- Marsha Ramos, Todd Campbell and Dave Golonski -- did not comment on the matter during the meeting.
Vander Borght was confident that council business could continue with only four members, but a special election to fill Murphy's seat is on the horizon.
The city charter requires that a special election take place to fill Murphy's seat.
First, the council will have to declare Murphy's seat to be vacant, which is expected to take place at the Sept. 13 meeting. A call for an election could come then, with an election required to follow within 120 days, City Clerk Margarita Campos said.
At Tuesday's meeting, the council continued the city's business as it has for the past six weeks -- with only four members participating and Murphy's seat empty at the far left side of the dais.
The former mayor was arrested July 13 after police found cocaine, three handguns -- registered to her boyfriend, Glendale resident Scott Schaffer -- and 900 rounds of ammunition in her Burbank home on Lima Street, where she lives with her 12-year-old son.
Schaffer's alleged involvement with the Vineland Boyz street gang led investigators to Murphy. Her arrest came the same day Schaffer, 51, was taken into federal custody after police found a Vineland Boyz gang member in possession of a handgun registered to Schaffer, which was not reported stolen.
Schaffer has been released on $1-million bond and is now living at a drug treatment facility. He awaits an Oct. 25 trial date and is accused of trading handguns to the gang members in exchange for cocaine.
If convicted, Murphy could face three years in state prison.
Mark Barton, a Murphy supporter, expressed shock upon hearing that Murphy stepped down.
"She said she's not guilty, so why resign if she isn't?" Barton said. "I think there is more distraction by not showing up. This is too bad."
ping
She's dirty. IMO
Was this criminal link to your councilman a surprise to you? Your neighbors elected her 3 times.
What's her party affiliation?
Typically, city council positions are supposedly non-partisan. I think you'd need to look up her campaign donation history to figure out her party affiliation.
I grew up in Burbank and have lots of family there. Many who know Stacy. They were all SHOCKED by this, but as the news trickles out, it adds up. The boyfriend was not a pilar of society, to say the least, but the woman stayed with him, which does not reflect well on her judgement.
I'm glad she has stepped down. It's too distracting and she's going to have to fight to stay out of jail for a long time.
Pretty sad for her kids and her ex husband who is a judge. It's like a soap opera.
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