Archive for September, 2006
« Previous EntriesThings I learned this week…
Thursday, September 28th, 2006I receive literally tons of announcements and invitations each week in my city council office. It is amazing how much is going on in Long Beach and how many organizations are doing exciting things around the City.
For instance, the City has implemented a Reverse 9-1-1 Emergency Notification System in order to be able to contact […]
Council-manager system of government
Thursday, September 28th, 2006It is very interesting for me to have worked both sides of the Long Beach “council-manager” form of government. First as an Assistant to the City Manager and now, as a Councilwoman.
In 1977, I was hired by then City Manager, John Dever, to work on the 13th floor of City Hall as part of the […]
Big Boxes, Mum’s the Word, Real Estate and the Port
Saturday, September 23rd, 2006Big Boxes
This was a very busy week. We considered over 50 items on the Council agenda on Tuesday — including the issue of whether or not to ban “super stores” that sell groceries. The ban was approved on a 7-2 vote. (My vote in favor.) Not one person came forth to discuss the issue pro […]
Consent Agenda
Wednesday, September 20th, 2006Council watchers will note that the Council takes up quite a few items under a “consent agenda.” So what is a consent agenda? Why are several items voted on at one time? Why are some consent agenda items “removed” for further discussion?
Simply, a consent agenda is a common practice for councils and boards that are […]
Dealing With Retailers Who Sell Cigarettes to Minors — Changing My Mind
Monday, September 18th, 2006Let me say at the outset that I have a personal bias towards the tobacco industry and the havoc it has caused by marketing a product that causes illness and death. Professionally and personally I have seen firsthand the impact smoking has on creating serious health problems for those who smoke.
As an OB/GYN Registered Nurse […]
Why We Need to Change Our Write-In Law In Long Beach
Friday, September 15th, 2006As you know, I am fresh from an election in which Long Beach voters were asked to write in a candidate’s name in both the primary and general election. Going through that process as a voter, a candidate and a taxpayer, I came away feeling that we need to change our write-in law in Long […]
Day Three — League of California Cities
Saturday, September 9th, 2006More interesting workshops and speakers on issues facing cities. Amazingly, every session I attended was packed — standing room only. Topics offered on Friday included:
Addressing housing in an era of state mandates
Can we really build cities without building communities (this was one of my favorites)
Day Labor Centers - how cities respond (or..what happens when Home […]
Day Two — League of California Cities Conference
Thursday, September 7th, 2006The San Diego Convention Center ballroom was packed today for the general session of the League of California Cities Conference. Most people in attendance are elected officials — councilmembers and mayors and city attorneys (elected and appointed). Many cities have also sent their key staff to attend the specialized workshops.
Today, 44 workshops were offered. Some […]
Attending League of Cities Conference
Wednesday, September 6th, 2006I drove down to San Diego this afternoon to attend the League of California Cities Annual Conference. Lots of workshops on a variety of ideas aimed at improving cities. During registration, I picked up a card that included the following factoid:
“The average full service California city …
Receives about 21% of property tax and 1 […]
Why Long Beach Fire Department Needs a Class I Rating
Tuesday, September 5th, 2006Last week, I spent the morning touring six of the Long Beach Fire Stations — #7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 20. They aren’t in my council district – but when it comes to public safety there should be no boundaries of concern.
I toured these specific fire stations because I heard they were in the […]