Changing chiefs
Last week I received two-week notification of resignation from my chief of staff, John M. Edmond. His last day will be Friday, April 20, 2018. I share this news with a heavy heart, as we lose a valuable asset. John has spent 11 years, a total of almost three terms, in my council office and has never missed a beat in demonstrating his commitment, sharing his professional experience and always being a significant resource to our staff and constituents. He has played an important role in selecting and training competent council office staff that will carry on the work of serving our 6th District constituents in years to come.
I am appointing Isabel Arvea chief of staff for the 6th District effective April 19, 2018. Isabel has served as field deputy and district director to the 6th District office in prior years. Currently an assistant administrative analyst in the Economic Development Department, she will transition back to the council office, having been appointed with confidence to fulfill chief-of-staff duties. She is a 6th District resident, understands the community I serve and is completing a master’s degree in public administration this May. Please feel free to contact Isabel on all district-related matters.
Please join me in congratulating John as he moves on to a new career journey.
Dee Andrews
Councilmember
Sixth District
Being in the know, in the Knolls
Beginning in May, the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) will transition out from being the organizer of the First Fridays Art Walk and hand the event back over to our business members to program the fun in their individual locations. Many businesses will continue to stay open late for the community, and we encourage you all to come out to support them as you always have.
First Fridays’ purpose has been to promote and support the BKBIA business members using the arts as a catalyst to attract community participation and support. Over 11 years, First Fridays has grown larger and more popular than we ever could have imagined!
With the BKBIA’s contract for Redevelopment [Agency] (RDA) funds getting closer to expiring, it is important that the BKBIA plan for the future and maximize the value of these funds for the association. It is critical that we manage these resources to further our primary mission of supporting our members, making improvements to the district as a whole, ensuring a clean and safe environment, and creating manageable, fun and safe events for the district. We will direct some of these resources into the creation of a new event(s) that are truly beneficial to both our business members and the community as a whole.
The BKBIA will first coordinate a Small Business Saturday event on May 19 similar to the national Small Business Saturday in November. This is our semi-annual “reminder” about the importance of supporting local business. Remember, you do not have to wait for an event to support our businesses. Every day is Small Business Saturday!
In June, the BKBIA will launch its new “Summer Saturdays” event scheduled in the afternoon during normal business hours, making it easier for BKBIA members to participate and for families in the community to attend. The event will be loaded with fun activities for both adults and kids. Expect to see everything from art, music, free classes of all types, tastings and food pairings, movies, the trolley and perhaps a petting zoo. All activities will take place inside of the businesses to strengthen the connectivity between community members and business owners.
Also look for the BKBIA’s summer Concert in the Park(ing Lot) series, the new “Knights of the Round (Turn)Table” group, and its monthly Strollers, Literary Society, Good Spirits Club and Kidical Mass programs.
We encourage you to attend, get involved and continue to support the businesses in the wonderful community of Bixby Knolls!
Blair Cohn
Executive director
BKBIA
Jumping on the ban wagon
[Tuesday] night, my council colleagues and I unanimously passed an ordinance to ban expanded polystyrene single-use food containers for distribution at our Long Beach restaurants (both large and small) as well as our city facilities and city-sponsored events. This was a responsible choice and bold direction for the City of Long Beach, yet we are not the first city to take this step. In fact, Long Beach will now join the other 114 cities that have already implemented some form of an expanded polystyrene ban.
I am glad that our city progressed forward into a more sustainable city by banning a known pollutant and culprit of litter. We are the 7th-largest city in California, with prime coastal real estate, award-winning Aquarium and the mouth of our LA River. Our Long Beach residents care deeply about the environment, and I thank my colleagues on the city council for finally approving an ordinance that was 13 years in the making, locally.
I am proud to be a champion and leader on our city council. Here is just a snapshot of our environmental work as a City:
• Long Beach Municipal Urban Storm Water Treatment Facility
• Solar panels at City facilities
• Urban agriculture ordinance
• Free EV chargers for residents
• Aquarium of the Pacific investment
• LA River Masterplan work
This “Foam Free LBC” ordinance included many years of hard work from various community and city partners such as: Algalita Marine Research, Heal the Bay, Don’t Waste Long Beach, Sierra Club, Long Beach Environmental Alliance, Sustainable City Commission, City Attorney’s Office, Public Works (Environmental Services Bureau) and many other community advocates and academics who are not only passionate but extremely educated on the issue.
I am also proud to announce that I have been appointed to the Environment Sub-committee on the LA River Masterplan Committee. On this sub-committee, I will be able to further advocate for open-space opportunities in areas of need, habitat, nature and native upland, riparian, aquatic ecosystems and more. This meeting will be taking place at 1pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at the LA County Department of Public Works located at 900 S. Fremont Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803.
Here’s to our environment!
Lena Gonzalez
Long Beach Councilmember
First District
