Archive for February, 2007
« Previous EntriesFallen Law Enforcement Officers
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007I was late so I didn’t grab a seat with the other councilmembers and the Mayor. I sat to the side behind a young woman with two of the most adorable little blonde boys. Both wore vests and ties and white shirts. Their hair was short and neatly combed. One was probably two, the other […]
Referral to City Attorney
Sunday, February 25th, 2007Say it isn’t so!! I have just received a report from a resident in Lakewood Village that a young woman (with a child) came to her house and asked that she sign a petition to “help the workers at the hotels.”
When she told the woman that she would not sign the petition, the young woman […]
Good Neighbors
Sunday, February 25th, 2007Friday night I spent some time with the Diagonally Association — a group of homeowners who live in the 5th District and have organized themselves to deal with the issues that impact their specific neighborhood which is adjacent to Los Coyotes Diagonal.
They had a number of questions concerning why the city’s streets, sidewalks and alleys […]
City Budget: 101
Friday, February 23rd, 2007As promised, I am beginning writing a series of blogs to help residents understand the city’s budgeting process a little better so that when we begin the budget process for Fiscal Year 2008, residents can fully participate. (Thanks to a great publication: “A Primer on California City Finance” provided by the League of California Cities, I […]
Winter Turf Freeze
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007Yeah, the grass is an ugly brown around many of our parks and golf courses.
Here’s the official response from the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department:
In January, the area had several days in a row of very low and freezing temperatures. Because of this winter weather condition, many areas of turf in the parks, particularly ones […]
The More Things Change in Long Beach…
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007“Especially should we dwell upon moral training and the building of character. The wave of crime about us, the growing disregard of law, the orgies that shock decent citizens are due largely to the passions unloosed during the war. These passions must be shackled if civilization is to survive. It is to the schools and […]
Start the Budget Process Soon
Monday, February 19th, 2007We need to begin the public discussion of the budget for the coming year. Although, it is an annual process,quite frankly I’d like to see us adopt a longer budget cycle so that there is more than a year of funding and programming.
Citizens find the budget process overwhelming and confusing. It has taken me years […]
Get Ready for Read Across America Day
Sunday, February 18th, 2007From coast to coast, more than 45 million readers, both young and old, are gearing up for the nation’s largest reading celebration–the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day.
Here in Long Beach, parents, the Teachers Association of Long Beach and its member teachers, education support professionals, students, firefighters, and elected officials are doing their part […]
Busy Week
Saturday, February 17th, 2007This was a busy week.
Making remarks at the grand opening of the Assistance League’s philantrophic building in the 5th Council District (we are very fortunate to have this group and the others who do so much for our less fortunate residents)
Presenting the State of the 5th Council District. Great turnout. Good response.
Celebrating the opening of […]
Chief Batts’ Contract
Wednesday, February 14th, 2007The Chief of Police, Anthony Batts, does not presently have a contract with the City of Long Beach. Only the City Manager has a contract –and that contract is negotiated with the City Council who has the power to hire, evaluate and fire.
The City Council because of the City Charter, does not have the power […]