A climate of change?
I’m proud to see the President take action on climate change when many in Congress won’t agree that we even have a problem. Not taking action is simply no longer an option. Burying our heads in the sand, or protecting the status quo, will not prevent the inevitable effects from a warming planet. The President has taken a big step under the Clean Air Act, but to comprehensively address this problem, Congress will need to show the same leadership.
Alan Lowenthal
47th District
U.S. House of Representatives
No more of U
We can breathe a sigh of relief now that Measure U was voted down. A big thank-you to everyone who worked hard educating people about the consequences of Measure U.
Signal Hill Community First (SHCF) got off track with Measure U. In the past, SHCF was impartial. SHCF had three members running for City Council, and they chose not to endorse anyone because they valued neutrality. In contrast, SHCF wrote Measure U, supported it, and campaigned for it. A complete u-turn.
SHCF has done a lot of good things in our community. They stopped the demolition of the basketball courts, stopped a tattoo parlor from opening up near a school, helped improve traffic safety on Cherry Avenue, hosted a City Council election debate and much more. There are lots of things that SHCF could help out on today, such as standing up against a potentially high-crime, high-density, low-income housing project from being built next to the elementary school on Hill Street or help increase attendance at community events, such as the police department’s open house. Previously, SHCF conducted surveys with residents and shared their findings at council meetings, and this led to positive changes.
I hope SHCF goes back to its roots, being neutral, providing a voice for the community and bringing people together.
Matthew Simmons
Signal Hill
Gotten by the bear?
I want to thank all of the Long Beach residents that extended me the privilege to move on beyond the primary and into the run-off election. I’m very proud of the campaign we ran and the support we built. I can remember my college football coach, Ty Willingham, telling the players after a difficult loss, “Men, sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you.” In life, we have to learn to process both success and defeat. There are valuable life lessons to be learned in both. I’ve certainly looked defeat in the face before and found that I had both the courage and energy to start again. I will do so again.
Robert Garcia ran an excellent campaign. It was a competitive race, and he ultimately figured out a way to close out the election and lead his team to victory. I admire his tenacity to meet the challenge and do what is required to achieve the desired outcome. I have full faith and confidence that he will leverage this same tenacity to be a fantastic mayor.
Campaigns can be contentious. However, now is the time for Long Beach to come together, rally around Mayor-elect Robert Garcia and begin a wonderful new chapter in our city’s history. I’m very proud of Robert and what he has achieved. He has knocked down barriers and created optimism for so many people that have faced a glass ceiling. He is creating history with his every step moving forward. It will be awesome to watch from a distance. He deserves our support and encouragement.
I will also begin a new chapter in my life. It starts with taking my daughter Skye, the love of my life, on a daddy/daughter summer vacation. I’m also eager to get back to work in the school district helping students access college and realizing their potential.
Thank you again for extending me the privilege and honor of representing you in this election. God is good, and he is faithful.
Damon Dunn
Long Beach
