DISQUS

Duke,
You shouldn't let your emotions get you carried away. My point about Richardson being strong and competent are based on the fact that she has held elected office for the past eight years. She has legislative and political experience, and a track record of accomplishments. And most importantly, she has developed relationships in Long Beach, Sacramento and Washington D.C. that are necessary to be effective in getting the job done.

I agree, her personal finances are a mess, and she is to blame. She made quite a few ill advised, irresponsible and risky decisions to win her elections. But when I weigh what's best for the greater good of my city and community, I wouldn't risk my vote on a neophyte substitute teacher (a republican with too much time on his hands) or on a suspcious snake oil salemans who has been running for the same office for almost twenty years. Laura still has my vote for now!

I'm not too sure that LR should be blamed for the condition of the home today. She hasn't leved there in almost a year. The home changed hands a couple of time over the last several months, and it was unclear who the owner was until a couple of weeks ago. Not to defend Laura, but the nuisance complaints from the City of Sacramento seems like unfortunate timing to me. Surely Laura will find a renter, and probably absorb a significant loss.

As for Dibs and Mathews, I'm not buying into the angry mob fervor cooked up by those trying to sell news (sorry DW). Neither of those guys are qualified or fit to serve in the U.S. Congress. Like her or not, Laura is a strong, competent representative who can deliver for Long Beach.

Good news. I hope somebody has the guts to start a new daily publication to compete directly with the PT.

I here that most of the employees have already signed cards. If the workers are organized aready I don't see a problem with allowing them from a union.

Opponents cried foul last year when the city council approved the labor peace agreement for city land leased hotels. They argued that it wasn't fair for the council to legislate fairness into the city's hosptality industry. What will the issue be when the employees have demonstrated their choice for a union? Card check is arguably the most democratic approch to organizing. A clear majority (60 percent) should be where the bar is set.

If it were only that simple.

Our hospitality industry is ripe with potential. Long Beach has to take forward steps and realize that injustice and economic disparity are not virtuous. More residents should weigh in on this. Thanks DW for the the enlightening story.

Juan,
You're right. It is not an easy balance, and municipal employees, including police and fire, have actually taken some considerable concessions over the years. Some have actually gone years without pay raises and/or promotional opportunities. And despite popular thought, most don't enjoy great retirement benefits. Think about a what Long Beach would be like if they just stopped services for a week. Trust me, you would come to appreciate the value of their contributions real quick. We should be clear about who to blame for mismanagement and inefficiencies in the City. It's not the police, firefighters or city employees. They play important roles, but they are not the responsible decision makers.
Bad Policy - The Mayor and City Council
Bad City Management - The Mayor and City Council
Poor Services - The Mayor and City Council
FIscal Irresponsibility - The Mayor and City Council
In my honest opinion, I think the mayor and members of the council are playing political roulette with our lway of life and our tax dollars. I don't think for a second that Foster is being completely honest about his intentions, nor do I believe he cares about the infrastructure bond measure passing. We will see who he gets to pay for the measure. In the end, the little man will lose out as Foster laughs and slaps backs with his cronies at the yacht club.

Don't go for the head fake. Say no to Foster's fradulent tax scheme!

I live in the Central area (the overlooked area of the city). There is nothing in the Mayor's initiative that will help address the problems facing my community, like crime, violence, parking. We know that there is no room for any parks in the Central Area. I wish our council would vote to reconsider this unfair tax scheme. If they won't, I will.

I'm voting No and I will tell my neighbors to do the same.

Really, this story is nothiing more than smut because the District doesn't reveal the source of the information and nobody is on record confirming such relationships. It's a private matter until somebody talks.

Nice story about a trailblazer and icon in Compton. The title of this story doesn't seem befitting of someone who served his city and with honor and pride. Maybe you guys should diversify or just grow up.

http://www.thecomptonbulletin.com/news01_070908/

DW is the PT developmental league. It's sad that the 49er and Viking are the least corrupt publications in Long Beach. The District gave many people hope for honest journalism. Too bad you guys sold out before the revolution, which won't be televised or even covered by the PT.

LMAO....Good one ZZZZZZ!

This story is getting more and more messy.

WIshful thinking or uniformed babble talk Kelson. No member of congress has ever been recalled in the history of the United States and no such provisions exist.

Newsweek is set to publish a highly embarrassing report on Sen. John McCain, revealing that the McCains have failed to pay taxes on their beach-front condo in La Jolla, California, for the last four years and are currently in default, The Huffington Post has learned.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/28/mccain...

This story is a bunch of crap. Get over it already. Fair minded reporters would be looking into some of the indiscretions (financial and otherwise) of other local elected. There would be plenty of interesting stuff to write about I am sure.

This publication has stooped to the same level as the PT over the past few months. I call it "me-too" journalism. I was hoping the District Weekly would offer something different, like objective reporting.

DW is proving itself to be the same ole' stale crackers, status quo with an edge. Maybe because your staff is comprised of wannabe PT reporters, and a couple of PT rejects. Have you guys joined the LB Chamber union yet? Stop being a tool for the right wing and stick to the facts.

The mayor and a few select city councilmembers will probably seek help from the philanthropic, business and labor interest in town to help bail the museum out. They'll probably want to resturcture the board to build in more fiscal accountability. I must say, City Auditor Laura Doud is restoring the concept of no nonsense governance by producing results. She should be considered as a viable contender for Mayor in two years when Foster abandons Long Beach for bigger stage in politics.

I'd take Laura Richardson and all of her money problems over most of the weak, milquetoast, city hall politicians in Long Beach. At least she knows how to fight and what's important to fight for. She's one of a few elected officials in this city who doesn't take marching orders from the unofficial mayor, Randy Gordon and the millionaire energy boss. In this weak economy, her problems may become common to many. A year from now, home foreclosures and deliquent bills may have the same shock as $4 a gallon gas prices. We can thank George W. Bush and the special business interest poverty pimps for further weakening the middle class. Let's keep it real people!

Haters never prosper!

The LB Chamber's political program is OVERRATED. They are just fortunate enough to have the PT as their no/low cost PR machine. The truth of the matter is they consistently lose campaigns in the field, and the Ellis recall would have required a field strategy and able management of such. How much money did Gordon and his yes men waste? The Chamber should get away from the dark side and dump Lord Vador, Randy Gordon.