'Mr. Alhambra' once again set to become city's mayor

ALHAMBRA, Calif. (AP) Elected as this city's youngest mayor more than 45 years ago, Talmage Burke will become its oldest leader when he is expected to be sworn in Tuesday.

Burke, 85, will be appointed Alhambra's mayor for the 15th time in 50 years. It's no small feat for a man who has run for City Council 13 times six of them unopposed and is the longest-serving official currently in office in California.

``It's hard to imagine a time in Alhambra without him,'' said the city historian, David Hostetler. ``He is Mr. Alhambra.''

Burke's ties to the suburb eight miles east of Los Angeles run deep. His father, Montivel, was elected city commissioner in 1942 and two years later was elected to the state Assembly. Burke could have moved after his parents died to a tony estate in nearby San Marino, one of the most expensive places to live in California. Instead, he stayed in Alhambra and was elected mayor in 1957.

``I just kind of got used to it and I've gone on, not for years, but for decades,'' Burke said. ``It just seems natural to continue. It's a great feeling of acceptance to have lived in one place all my life.''

Burke's name adorns two city parks and a senior citizens apartment complex. By Burke's count, 23 buildings in Alhambra have plaques bearing his name. There are plans for Talmage V. Burke Way.

His political longevity is partly due to working with the city's large Asian population and his determination to stay above the political fray.

``Never show rancor, never get polemic in any way,'' he said.

Among his accomplishments while in office: having the Southern Pacific railroad line sunk into a trench during the mid-1970s, giving residents quiet nights; insisting that a new $1 million City Hall be paid for in cash; and probably his biggest coup convincing the city attorney in 1976 to exempt him from Alhambra's successful ballot measure establishing term limits.

He said he asked the city attorney to write the measure to read: ``No person shall be a candidate for election to the office for three consecutive four-year terms, provided that the limitation shall not apply to incumbents in office on the date of the approval of this amendment.''

Tuesday's ceremony will coincide with the city's centennial. How appropriate for a man who has spent most of his life working for Alhambra.

``Given term limits, given the fact people run for higher office, given the demands of today, Talmage will be the last politician of his time,'' City Councilman Paul Talbot said. ``No one else is going to get 50 years.''

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)