Mad about U?
I have been following the debate over Measure U, and I have found a significant difference between the arguments that have convinced me to vote no on Measure U. Several credible people and organizations have studied Measure U and determined that Measure U is bad for Signal Hill. Here are a few of those urging voters to vote no on Measure U: United States Congressman Alan Lowenthal, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association, [and] Los Angeles County Fire Fighters Local 1040. Other newspapers also oppose Measure U.
The City [of Signal Hill] did the responsible thing by conducting an independent fiscal analysis of Measure U. The independent fiscal experts said Measure U would fundamentally alter the management of the city’s municipal finance and budget planning and affect over $450,000 in revenues that pay for police services. Even worse, the city attorney, who has over 30 years of municipal-law experience, warns that Measure U is so broadly written the courts will need to decide how the measure will be applied.
Unfortunately, Measure U was written by an attorney that does not practice municipal law and without any input from the community which leads to a few questions: Did she consult with the experts to be sure that her measure will not harm Signal Hill? Why aren’t there any experts that publicly endorse Measure U? Do the citizens of Signal Hill want their tax dollars spent on unnecessary court and legal costs to figure out Measure U? Finally, if Measure U is good for Signal Hill, why do so many trustworthy people and organization oppose Measure U?
There are too many unanswered questions about Measure U. I urge the voters of Signal Hill to join me on June 3 and Vote “no” on Measure U.
Devon Austin
Signal Hill Planning Commissioner
There is much I like about the citizens’ initiative Measure U, but most of all I like that it puts the Signal Hill voter in the driver’s seat, where the taxpayer belongs.
With the passage of Measure U, I can take comfort in knowing my dear city will not follow the cities of Bell and Cudahy into the abyss of mismanagement.
I like it that talented neighbors— professionals in our community like Carol Churchill and Maria Harris— were willing to lead a grassroots effort to protect the taxpayer. They have persisted even though a well heeled city establishment has fought them every step of the way.
They took action when it became clear, after discovering many instances of city financial mismanagement, and after Governor Brown eliminated the redevelopment agency, that the City intended to proceed with business as usual, not listening to the concerns of our neighbors who saw threats to their pocketbooks.
“Yes on Measure U” proponents are honest, responsible people who truly care about the residents and our city. And the naysayers are only interested in controlling political power and advancing their “pet projects.”
I like it that the “Yes on Measure U” proponents have studied the situation carefully and have crafted a reasonable, practical and well focused alternative to the taxpayer writing a blank check.
I am voting Yes on Measure U because Measure U requires the City to be fully transparent and genuinely include us where it really counts— the ballot box.
Bob Long
Signal Hill
Familiarity breeds contempt?
I was so disturbed by something that happened on my way home last night, that I felt compelled to share it.
I left work around 7pm, heading south on PCH. Crossing Anaheim, I glanced over to the left and realized it was someone on a scooter, tipped over into the parkway.
A man (“Bob” ) was in a distressed state. He appeared to be disabled in some way, but I was not sure if his inability to speak clearly was part of his disability or a result of a stroke or a fall from his scooter. Determining that police help was needed, I called 911.
While I waited, numerous cars continued on. Shortly, an SUV stopped, and a woman and her teenage son offered assistance. Between us, we were able to determine his name, that he has Parkinson’s, and his scooter’s battery was dead. Our first concern was getting him safely off PCH.
We put the scooter in neutral and pushed him to the entrance of Hotel Current. The concerned woman (Julie) was able to connect to his wife on his cell. She was in Lakewood, picking up grandkids, and said “just leave him” but was on her way. Dumbfounded, we reiterated to her that he was on PCH at dusk. We assured her we’d get him off the street and stay until she arrived. We got “Bob” to safety. The teen was solicitous of “Bob’s” needs, getting him water and trying to engage him in conversation, discovering he was a veteran. Turns out Julie’s husband is a Long Beach police officer, and she called to see if he could be dispatched to help us.
He and “Bob’s” wife arrived the same time. I was thunderstruck at the dispassionate behavior of “Bob’s” family. No greeting with a sense of relief that he was safe, no appearance of concern about his welfare— the grandkids appeared bored, unconcerned. His wife didn’t greet him with obvious relief, love, affection— seemingly, it was just another chore on her list to retrieve him and leave.
Perhaps this rescuing happens regularly, perhaps they have been dealing with his debilitating disease a long time, perhaps they’re tired, but it really saddened me to see the casual disregard for this person. “Bob” and his family remained heavy on my mind well into today. My utter disappointment in this behavior is somewhat mitigated by the caring help from complete strangers.
Shari Blackwell
Business owner
Signal Hill
Happy campers
Summer is almost here! I wanted to provide you with an 8th District resource guide for summer camps and activities for families and kids. We will be putting it up on our website at longbeach.gov/district8 next week. If you have additional resources that you feel should be listed, please email district8@longbeach.gov with your suggestions.
Al Austin
Councilmember
8th District
Keep on votin’ in the free world
Voter turnout in the recent election in the embattled country of Ukraine was reportedly 65 percent. Sixty-five percent of voters literally risked their lives to exercise their freedom to vote. Polling places had been ransacked, ballot boxes destroyed, armed men lurked nearby, threatening them. But they stepped up and voted.
What will your excuse be for not enjoying your freedom to vote here in Signal Hill on Tuesday, June 3?
Louise Cunningham
Signal Hill
A consumption presumption
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc., as the producers of the Annual Pride celebration, considers the safety of those in attendance as a priority. With an event of this magnitude come many responsibilities, and at the top of the list is a responsible alcohol-distribution practice.
In a press release by the Long Beach Police Department dated May 20, 2014, subject titled “Over 60 Cited In Undercover Operation,” it mentioned citations issued related to alcohol-related crimes. It made reference that a “minor decoy” operation was conducted at the Pride festival May 17 and 18, 2014. This may have misled those reading the press release to think all of these citations were issued inside the Pride celebration, when in fact they were issued to persons in the adjacent parking structures, along the parade route and [on] city streets.
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. was informed by an Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) representative that no citations were issued inside this year’s Pride celebration. Long Beach Pride has always been proactive in addressing concerns by city agencies and ABC. This year, in order to add another layer of security, Long Beach Pride contracted guards that were trained in the Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) program approved by ABC. These guards completed the RBS training and staffed all the 21-and-over wrist-banding stations at this year’s Pride celebration.
The beverage stations that failed in the decoy operation are of great concern to our leadership team and will be discussed further in the post-event meeting with city agencies and ABC, where all details will be made available to us. Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. has and will continue to work with city and federal agencies to ensure that the laws governing alcohol sales and consumption are strictly enforced.
We look forward to working closely with the City of Long Beach, federal agencies and Alcohol Beverage Control to ensure that next year’s Pride celebration meets the required regulations. We will continue to seek the advice and participate in all training from Alcohol Beverage Control and the City of Long Beach to have responsible alcoholic-beverage service systems in place.
Frank Rubio
Vice president of entertainment
Long Beach Pride
