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Dave in Alamitos Beach
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4 days ago
in CATCHING UP WITH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER MICHAEL SHANE ELLIS on The District Weekly
I had assumed he was dead somewhere, but with this eviction, I'm changing my opinion to "he's flopped out in a crackhouse somewhere and/or living under a freeway overpass." Has the School Board been down to the Main Library to ask the homeless people there if they've partied with Ellis?
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howardx
has anyone checked legends?
5 days ago
in INTELLIGENT REDESIGN on The District Weekly
I find it amazing that no one has yet commented on this article because I found it very interesting and uplifting.
I walked by the building in question this weekend because I wanted to see the Art Deco details mentioned in the article, and the building's facade does look pretty singular.
I'm so glad that people like Jan van Dijs and Brian Uwhatshisname ;-) are around to protect what's left of Long Beach. Why aren't these two running the Redevelopment agency? Or even all of Long Beach?
I walked by the building in question this weekend because I wanted to see the Art Deco details mentioned in the article, and the building's facade does look pretty singular.
I'm so glad that people like Jan van Dijs and Brian Uwhatshisname ;-) are around to protect what's left of Long Beach. Why aren't these two running the Redevelopment agency? Or even all of Long Beach?
1 reply
Evan Gould
The reason these guys aren't running the RDA or the entire city is because they are interested in turning a profit. They see these projects as an economic opportunity with a clearly defined outcome -- profit! They put their own chips into the game, and take on risk, and hopefully pay themselves when the project is complete. The RDA however, has no skin in the game. They are given money (our money) to play builder with. The RDA doesn't have a profit motive. Instead, if a project is successful, and helps the citizens of Long Beach it is good. Or maybe it is a failure, in which case it's no big deal, because they will always be given more money (our money) to play builder with. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if the RDA does a good job or a bad job, everyone gets a paycheck. Mr. Van Dijs and Mr. Ulaszewski try to make all of their projects a success, because at the end of the day they only get paid when there is a profit.
Good luck to these guys, and keep making Long Beach an even more awesome city!
Good luck to these guys, and keep making Long Beach an even more awesome city!
1 week ago
in KROC CENTER ONE SMALL STEP CLOSER TO REALITY on The District Weekly
Isn't rap supposed to be dead or something like that? I wouldn't count on five million from the Dogg.
But I wonder, how much spare change would it take to raise the money? I think at least all the McDonalds in town should have repositories for spare change, in honor of the generous Mrs. Kroc.
And if some kids were hanging around grocery stores ringing a bell for the Kroc Center a la The Salvation Army, would people contribute enough?
But I wonder, how much spare change would it take to raise the money? I think at least all the McDonalds in town should have repositories for spare change, in honor of the generous Mrs. Kroc.
And if some kids were hanging around grocery stores ringing a bell for the Kroc Center a la The Salvation Army, would people contribute enough?
1 reply
The Toad
I nominate howardx to be the first bell ringer. At least he would be making a positive contribution instead of making cheap-shot comments from the sidelines.
1 week ago
in CITY MULLS ALCOHOL SALES IN PARKS on The District Weekly
I'm surprised that everyone is so opposed to this. It seems to me that people are drinking in the parks as it is anyway, so why not get a little bit of revenue out of it? And I assume this will be for some sort of Oktoberfest or Wine Festival thing?
1 reply
howardx
the P-T article makes it clear it would be a very limited thing, im forced to assume people here would rather have closed parks than have them sullied by occasional beer sales during special events.
1 week ago
in CITY MULLS ALCOHOL SALES IN PARKS on The District Weekly
Well, it may be the only thing that can save the Queen Mary. I've long advocated that it become a full-time, major Casino. I'm not sure about the strip-club aspect though.
1 reply
suburban robot
the casino idea would work if only the queen mary were upon a protected indian reservation. otherwise it can only be a card room (like Hawaiian Gardens, the Bicycle Club, etc) which is really all you would need to start.
2 weeks ago
in CONNECTING THE DOTS ON THE DLBA’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE on The District Weekly
The only problem I see is that if Craig Beck is ever replaced, his successor will just be more of the same. We've got to change it systemically. How can we do that? How can the RDA be reconfigured, or just done away with if necessary? At the bare minimum, how can we get some checks and balances in place for the RDA?
1 reply
Mike Ruehle
Why can't the RDA be done away with and that responsibility be taken up by City Council like in most cities?
1 month ago
in DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES PETITION DLBA TO FIRE KOJIAN on The District Weekly
Don't take it personally lbresident. I don't think you're being ignored, I just think that Kojian has inspired a high level of paranoia. Wow.
What took so long for this story to come out? Why have people been paying their dues all these years to this fascist-lite organization? Is there no way to opt-out or is it just that "resistance is futile?"
What took so long for this story to come out? Why have people been paying their dues all these years to this fascist-lite organization? Is there no way to opt-out or is it just that "resistance is futile?"
1 reply
Mike Ruehle
Belmont Shore’s business association’s (BSBA) president Gene Rotondo is probably Mr. Kojian’s instructor for how to run fascist-like organizations? Mr. Rotondo has been president of the BSBA for over eleven years and rules it with an iron fist. Retail and service stores are entirely ignored. All he cares about is bars and restaurants in his attempt to turn our neighborhood shopping area into his personal entertainment district. That’s why he and his partners have purchased three of Belmont Shore’s most troublesome bars. It’s almost a conflict of interest for him to lead such an organization with a budget of $350,000 devoted entirely to bar and restaurant promotions.
1 month ago
in DID FOSTER’S ‘SOURCES’ SCUTTLE SMITH’S REAPPOINTMENT? on The District Weekly
Wait, wait, I'm confused. Is this board even a paying position? If not, why on earth would anyone get booted off because they have a different opinion from the mayor about Tom Dean? (An opinion the majority of Long Beach shares by the way).
Mayor Foster cannot really be this thin-skinned and petty, can he? Forget the Seventh District - Jack Smith for mayor perhaps?
Mayor Foster cannot really be this thin-skinned and petty, can he? Forget the Seventh District - Jack Smith for mayor perhaps?
1 reply
Mike Ruehle
JACK SMITH FOR MAYOR. When he gets elected, he can appoint Boob Foster and Gary DeLong to be Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively of the TOM DEAN BOOSTER COMMISSION. Together, they should be able to raise tons of cash from their Virginia Country Club pals to appease the promises they’ve made to Mr. Dean. And chances are, Mayor Smith would probably not remove Commissioner Foster because he talked about a Mayor that actually cared for and listened to resident constituents.
1 month ago
in THE MAYOR’S GOT SOME ‘SPLAININ’ TO DO on The District Weekly
But wait, that's not what I read in this story. If I'm reading this correctly, Foster still loves Tom Dean so much that he can't bear to have anyone he has authority over make disparaging comments about Tom Dean. Have I got that correct?
Wow, if so, talk about paranoia and "killing the messenger."
Wow, if so, talk about paranoia and "killing the messenger."
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howardx
hehe yeah you could be right!
1 month ago
in THE LEGEND OF BELMONT SHORE BAR PROBLEMS GROWS on The District Weekly
Stella, get a grip! You clearly don't know a bad neighborhood when you see one. Might I suggest you venture further West into my part of town? ;-)
The reason that this is such a big deal is precisely because this is relatively unusual for the shore. Mike R. and others want to nip this thing in the bud if possible before it gets REALLY out of control
I wouldn't suggest going out alone on 2nd Street after midnight, but honestly, I don't know if I'd suggest doing that anywhere in Long Beach, or even most part of the OC.
The reason that this is such a big deal is precisely because this is relatively unusual for the shore. Mike R. and others want to nip this thing in the bud if possible before it gets REALLY out of control
I wouldn't suggest going out alone on 2nd Street after midnight, but honestly, I don't know if I'd suggest doing that anywhere in Long Beach, or even most part of the OC.
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lbresident
I agree. A little perspective is due. Belmont Shore is one of the safest, nicest places in socal. This reaction is because the incidents are out of the norm and we need to as you say nip this now.
1 month ago
in THE LEGEND OF BELMONT SHORE BAR PROBLEMS GROWS on The District Weekly
I'm sure there is more to this story. But I don't understand what is upsetting you so much - that the cop used his gun, or that he fired three bullets? The officer warned him several times, attempted to use "lesser force" i.e. his baton, and then the guy wrestles it away from him. What was he supposed to do next? He already tried negotiation. And the baton. Was he supposed to wait to get hit in the head by the baton?
I guess I've just lived in a "marginal" neighborhood for a long time. I have very little tolerance for this sort of behavior. Oh, and I guess I'm becoming more grateful that my neighborhood seems to have more potheads than drunks. ;-)
I guess I've just lived in a "marginal" neighborhood for a long time. I have very little tolerance for this sort of behavior. Oh, and I guess I'm becoming more grateful that my neighborhood seems to have more potheads than drunks. ;-)
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howardx
if you grapple with a cop for his weapon youre asking for it plain and simple especially since this officer was apparently on his own due, i assume, to lbpd's staffing decisions in BS.
BadBay90803
Excellent point, Dave! What was the officer supposed to do next? Maybe Gene should have invited the whole gang into Legends for drinks ... on the house! Yeah ... right!
1 month ago
in OOOOF: BELMONT SHORE FIGHT CAPTURED ON YOUTUBE on The District Weekly
I live on an alley too and have thought about doing this. It might be more techinical than I can handle, and I had assumed I'd show any videos to the police, but maybe Youtube is a better forum in this day and age.
1 reply
LB City Girl
It's easy to do, just hire someone to set it up. From there the system runs itself. You can download footage as needed if something happens and you want to check the recording for it. It works pretty much like your DVR or TIVO.
1 month ago
in WHAT IS CONGRESSWOMAN RICHARDSON’S POSITION ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE? on The District Weekly
Hey, don't blame me, I voted for Jenny Oropeza. ;-) But really, there has got to be a credible candidate to run against Laura, no? Is there anyone in Long Beach who even respects her at this point? We've got to find our own Obama to run against this empty shell.
1 reply
BrettM
How about the newbie Garcia or Alan Lowenthal to run again against her?
