Disqus - Latest Comments for PatB

Re: COUNCIL HAS THE ‘PRIVILEGE’ TO RELEASE LAND-SWAP RECORDS

PatBryant — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:38:57 -0000

Perhaps (and perhaps not) you've missed the point. 90+% of a councilperson's job happens between Tuesday's. Very little occurs at council meetings.

Most of the meetings are with residents, organizations around their district, city staff people and department heads, etc., etc. "The Public" only sees a small percentage of what they do.

Re: FOCAL POINT

PatBryant — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:35:14 -0000

I'd like to understand how Ray Thorn and Dave Pirazzi are so effective at working with Councilman DeLong. I've heard from FOCL that the Lagoon is one of DeLong's top legislative priorities, and whenever they ask for something, he delivers.

FOCL (thru DeLong) has even got Rohrabacher to advocate on behalf of the restoration project.

FOCL is a very impressive organization.

Re: COUNCIL MAJORITY LEANS TOWARD RELEASING WETLANDS E-MAILS

PatBryant — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:02:27 -0000

Once again Mike you state half-truths and draw inaccurate conclusions.

The Tot Lot Committee accomplished it's mission very well. The committee consisted of a variety of points of view, the different alternatives were presented to the public, and a decision was made.

The community will soon have a repaved and "green" parking lot, and the existing Tot Lot has been wonderfully updated. By the way, I noticed that Councilman DeLong and his wife personally donated to the Tot Lot campaign. What did you provide to the effort besides criticism?

And in regard to his "pro-development" group? It consisted of a couple of soccer moms, a retired School district administrator, a member of the original SEADIP committee, and yes it did have one commercial realtor on it. It is laughable to consider it a "pro-development" committee. However, to be fair, you couldn't call it a "pro-Wetlands" group.

Re: COUNCIL HAS THE ‘PRIVILEGE’ TO RELEASE LAND-SWAP RECORDS

PatBryant — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:52:29 -0000

Could it be that all of the elected officials just hit the "delete" key when they see the email is from Mike Ruehle?

I find it interesting that not even Gerrie Schipske kept Mike's email, or if she did, she didn't provide it when requested . . .

Re: COUNCIL HAS THE ‘PRIVILEGE’ TO RELEASE LAND-SWAP RECORDS

PatBryant — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:47:37 -0000

Or maybe DeLong believes that the gadflies that come to Council meetings AREN'T the people who elected him . . .

Maybe he appeals very nicely to the Silent Majority.

Council meetings are "the show", the real work happens behind the scenes - working on constituent issues day in and day out.

Re: COUNCIL HAS THE ‘PRIVILEGE’ TO RELEASE LAND-SWAP RECORDS

PatBryant — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:17:36 -0000

Well, now you've killed all possiblity of DeLong supporting the release of the documents. If he hears you support it, he'll automatically assume it's a bad idea . . .

Re: COUNCIL MAJORITY LEANS TOWARD RELEASING WETLANDS E-MAILS

PatBryant — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:15:49 -0000

Or, maybe O'Donnell is listening to the majority of his constituents, and they have a different view than you do . . .

Re: COUNCIL MAJORITY LEANS TOWARD RELEASING WETLANDS E-MAILS

PatBryant — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:11:46 -0000

Mike,

Are you referring to the secret SEA-DIP committee that had over 21 public meetings, and was not disbanded but completed their assignment?

Or the secret Livingston Tot Lot committee comprised of a local resident, a Bayshore Church representative, a representative from the BSBA AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION, THE BSRA?

Or the "secret" Parks & Rec list of projects that was developed when Colonna was in office, not DeLong, that would have to have been approved by the City Council in a public hearing before going anywhere? Also, none of the potential projects moved forward due to lack of financing, so your opposition meant nothing?

It's strange when you allege Brown Act violations by the Parking Commission, and the City Attorney repeatedly states that no Brown Act violations have occurred . . .

It's pretty clear to most of us that you have an agenda Mike, and it's not in the public's (or BSRA members) best interests.

Re: ‘A DOMINO OF SCREWUPS’

PatBryant — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:05:13 -0000

And what exactly would DeLong have done on site? He has no authority to issue a stop work order, nor does he have any authority to direct staff to do anything (without 5 votes). All he can do is "respectfully request" the City Manager to take an action.

It is my understanding that DeLong called City Manager West that morning and requested him to take action, as did Councilman O'Donnell.

Re: ‘A DOMINO OF SCREWUPS’

PatBryant — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:00:19 -0000

I was at a Naples meeting earlier tonight where Councilman DeLong was one of the guest speakers. At the end of his remarks, he brought up the Wetlands land swap and asked if he could address any questions or concerns. Only 2 people (out of 75 or so) were concerned.

One wanted to extend Studebaker Road and DeLong tried to patiently explain that it was impossible due to Coastal Commission wetlands policy. The 2nd guy tried to insist that there really wasn't wetlands south of 2nd Street and DeLong not as patiently tried to explain that there definitely was wetlands south of 2nd Street, although no one knew at this point how much of the acreage was wetlands.

There was not a single person who raised any opposition to the proposed swap.

And by the way, the Naples rep that spoke before DeLong gave a long list of the projects Councilman DeLong and his staff person (Julie Malleki) had accomplished on behalf of the Naples community so perhaps the "bookend" may be longer than you think.

Re: ‘A DOMINO OF SCREWUPS’

PatBryant — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:53:23 -0000

Mike Ruehle,

Then why does Councilman O'Donnell deny having lunch with DeLong at Legend's?

Who should we believe, you or O'Donnell?

Re: DEMOCRACY AT WORK

PatBryant — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:42:10 -0000

I thought the City always know that the parcel was zoned Office/Commercial? When Planning & Building Manager Craig Beck presented the SEADIP plans he indicated the current zoning for all parcels. If I remember correctly, the large 150+ acre Bixby parcel is zoned Residential.

However, if a property has Wetlands on it, it doesn't matter what the zoning is - a developer can't building on wetlands.

Also, a delineation study has nothing to do with zoning . . .

Re: COUNCILMAN-ELECT GARCIA PICKS HIS STAFFERS

PatBryant — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:25:35 -0000

If anything, DeLong is "slightly" to the right. Unless you compare him to a far, far left liberal. DeLong is about as moderate as you can get. I don't ever recall him giving a rant from the right. About the only "right-wing" position he takes is that taxpayer needs should be considered before union needs.

Re: COUNCILMAN-ELECT GARCIA PICKS HIS STAFFERS

PatBryant — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:23:31 -0000

If you truly believe that LBPost is a front for the Chamber, or that the Chamber has much pull with ANY of the existing councilmembers, you obviously don't read the current environment very well. The Chamber has about as much pull as, well, you . . .

Re: RACE RELATIONS

PatBryant — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:33:32 -0000

John's response makes sense to me. He has a position (rightly or wrongly), until proven otherwise. He's looking for more "facts" before he is willing to change his position.

Re: RACE RELATIONS

PatBryant — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:42:20 -0000

I like this "off-topic" rant. I think lbresident is on to something here. Maybe you can't "force" employees to live in Long Beach, but you sure can Directors and above. Guess who DOESN'T live in Long Beach - Pat West, Suzanne Frick, Mike Conway, Dave Ellis (Fire Chief), and most others. I know Chief Batts lives in Long Beach, and I'm not sure about Craig Beck.

It isn't THEIR city, it's just a job . . .

Re: RACE RELATIONS

PatBryant — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:39:13 -0000

DeLong voted against the recent Miscellaneous Employee contract (along with Rae Gabelich).

Re: WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE

PatBryant — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:09:20 -0000

A couple of thoughts for Mike Ruehle. Do you really want to call City Manager West a liar? Did he make a mistake regarding the zoning, yes. Did he lie (knowing they were zoned wetlands, but intentionally referring to them as Open Space / Commercial) intentionally? I doubt it. Why would he? The truth would certainly be known sooner or later, and more likely sooner. Same with the gravel. In regard to #3, you're calling Pat West a liar for saying that the City didn't issue a permit. But in fact Mr. West is correct, the City didn't issue a permit (at least not to my knowledge).

You appear before the City Council, and then are mad because they don't take your concerns seriously. But you bash the Mayor, don't like the 3rd District Councilman, and now call Pat West a liar? How do you ever hope to partner with City Hall to get anything done for Belmont Shore?

Or do you think you can intimidate these people into coming around to your point of view? If so, it doesn't seem to be working . . .

Re: DELONG TIME NO SEE! RECLUSIVE COUNCILMAN MEETS PUBLIC TODAY AT 11:45 A.M.

PatBryant — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:53:12 -0000

I don't know that I am on an "A List", but I have had calls and/or emails returned and so have my neighbors.

You may wish to email your issue directly to him at DeLong@LongBeach.gov. This email address bypasses his staff. I'd be surprised if you didn't hear back from him within 24 or 48 hours.

Re: DELONG TIME NO SEE! RECLUSIVE COUNCILMAN MEETS PUBLIC TODAY AT 11:45 A.M.

PatBryant — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:22:25 -0000

I may be mistaken, but I am on the distribution list for the 3rd District monthly meeting and I don't ever remember a meeting being cancelled due to the lack of a topic. However, it is true that the group is normally dark in December.

Also, in regard to Congressman Rohrabacher, it is true that the guest speaker was changed (and the group was noticed), but the date & time didn't change. I did attend that meeting, and although I'm not a Rohrabacher fan, I did enjoy hearing from a sitting Congressman regarding the proposed "bailout" as it was happening, and about his perspective on Treasury Secretary Paulson.

In regard to the 3rd District meeting, I have been on the list for a long time. It has been my observation (perhaps I'm wrong) that the invitees are generally residents who serve on the boards of neighborhood associations. However, it is an open meeting, and if anyone asks to be on the list they are readily added. Most politicians would do what you suggest - announce it to everyone and encourage attendance. These types of meetings can be marketing tools for them to tell their constituents how wonderful they are.

Also, as you may recall, the name of the group has been the "3rd District Joint Council Meeting". The Joint Council was the leadership from the neighborhood associations.

In regard to individuals having issues with DeLong, as an elected official, if only 30% of his constituents are unhappy with him, he is doing a great job. What I do know from various friends of mine is that he is highly respected in other neighborhoods such as Naples, Bluff Park, Alamitos Heights, Bay Harbour, the Peninsula and others. I'm not saying every resident in those areas love him, but most residents appear to, and their neighborhood associations appear to be supportive of him.

Perhaps Belmont Shore has a unique set of issues that generate conflict with him, just like the Home Depot project caused disatisfaction with the University Park Estates association and other residents in UPE.

You may have him for 5 1/2 more years, so hopefully a reconciling will occur. Otherwise he may just ignore Belmont Shore and focus his efforts on 3rd District areas where he feels he can be more productive . . .

Re: DELONG TIME NO SEE! RECLUSIVE COUNCILMAN MEETS PUBLIC TODAY AT 11:45 A.M.

PatBryant — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:58:01 -0000

I can't explain why Councilman DeLong sent an email to only 2 of the associations, and they asked his staff person to do the rest.

But it would appear that you are being a little over-sensitive to the fact that you weren't included in the first 2 contacted.

Not everything is black & white. Be willing to accept some gray once in a while, and realize that it's not a horrible thing to compromise on occasion and perhaps only get part of want you wanted.

You and DeLong are not going to agree on everything, and maybe not on most things, but can you at least work together on things you could agree on?

You may feel good by bashing the elected officials and city management, but it doesn't appear to me that Belmont Shore residents are benefitting as a result.

There is a difference between respectfully disagreeing with someone (as John Greet does), and attacking someone who holds a different viewpoint than you do.

Re: SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT CITES 2H CONSTRUCTION

PatBryant — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:47:16 -0000

Foster and DeLong are elected officials. If a resident requests to be their "Friend" on Facebook, should they say "no" if they don't know the person well, or at all?

Many elected officials perceive Facebook as another method of connecting with their citizens.

Re: DELONG TIME NO SEE! RECLUSIVE COUNCILMAN MEETS PUBLIC TODAY AT 11:45 A.M.

PatBryant — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:51:30 -0000

Then he needs a raise . . .

Re: DELONG TIME NO SEE! RECLUSIVE COUNCILMAN MEETS PUBLIC TODAY AT 11:45 A.M.

PatBryant — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:49:23 -0000

Sorry, I don't think the side of a commercial building is a residentail street. I guest we'll just agree to disagree on this one.

Since you dislike 2nd Street noise so much, have you ever thought about moving a block or two away?

Re: DELONG TIME NO SEE! RECLUSIVE COUNCILMAN MEETS PUBLIC TODAY AT 11:45 A.M.

PatBryant — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:44:59 -0000

I am on the meeting email distribution list, but I did not attend yesterday's meeting. However, why did you think there would be a discussion regarding the Loynes property? It wasn't listed in the email I received regarding the meeting.

I agree with JT. I heard it was Tom Marqueesy that asked the Health question. He should either contact his Dr., the City's Health Department or a state agency (assuming he has a medical condition, which I doubt . . .).