DISQUS

Well RIGHt on brutha.....our music must not die...not classic rock, pop roack, ACID rock, hard rock soft rock can go.......nor Glen Miller's catalog.....or Joe Passe's cool guitar virtuosity.

Nor Gerswin's orchestral rapture, nor Billie Holiday's heart rending fluidity.....nor nor nor nor Elvis hitting it hard in the 50s....Nor Janis Joplin's explosion onto the scene nor the Platters enduring hits....geez...what voices they had.....

The only thing a lot of us would not see less of, is what passes for Due Process, Fairness, Accountability or Transparency in this town from time to time ???? Oh ya, or Fiscal Discipline......

Happy 4th to all.......preparing an interesting Legal move.

Based upon how many upset residents we meet, it sounds like a Shareholder action. It should be afforded no less deference because at the end of the day, we are paying for the party downtown, and by the way....we own the building.

Rock on.

Let's encourage Mr DeLong, or his intimates, or his friends to return to this forum under any alias that they choose.

If what gets said resonates, we'll applaud. If any position is false, or unwise, or adverse to many others, we will hammer it out.

Complicated issues are better resolved in a wide open debate of all of the relevant matters.

Let Gary and his friends say whatever they want, whenever they want. At the end of the day it often seemed to advance the discussion, and vet , or flesh out the relevant postures.

The anecdote for restricted speech, is more speech. The 1st Amendment allows wide latitude under the Free and Fair debate clause.

Government places it's limits where they are constitutional. But then there is the Fariness factor. Long Beach could be more fair at times.

At City Council, that restrictive 3 minute rule should be lengthened to 5 minutes, and certain individuals, like Homeowners Board members, or reps from Orgainzations, or groups, should be given additional time, maybe up to 10 minutes, so they can get their members point across.

More importantly, for every minute that a Lobbyist is allowed to privately meet with any Councilman, or Staff Head, the public should be allowed a similar block of time, and identical access.

This is only fair when an issue is disputed, or contentious.

More importantly, Staff Reports should be posted for some period of time before made official, so that the residents can review them and suggest their concerns or legal objections. These additional positions, or objections should be added as the counter position, exactly like a Court or Corporate Board does. Placing the residents in the position of having to stuff a position paper in the Council package, at the very last minute, is fundamentally unfair.

Often, it ends up wasting time, and often yields too many errors.

Government in this town could be a better partner to it's shareholders at many times.

When residents get frustrated, or upset, the actual cause is often a flawed system, or simple bias or denial of meaningful Procedural or Substantive Due Process.

The present practice is far too skewed in the direction of manufacturing a predetermined result which is often problematic, unreasonable from the residents perspective, and sometimes illegal.

Staff and a client can spend a year or two coming up with an elaborate package which far too many stakeholders MAY have 2 or 3 days to attempt to understand,analyse, vet, confirm and rebut. This is an egregious burden at times, fundamentally unfair in others, and just plain wrong at times.


Let's expand the debate, and give everybody a seat at the table. And please, Long Beach, be as fair and objective as you can ?

This is forum is only as good as our abilty to let everybody have a swing at the ball, and 3 strikes.

Limiting or restricting Speech, is a tool of the bad guys.

This post is specifically not intended to be 'anti police', and is in fact the synopsis of dozens of conversations exchanged concerning this matter. This attempt is to review common sentiment observed concerning the subject matter of this article, and is intended to hopefully glean futher understanding of the relevant issues.

Bob Shannon, when viewed by many Legal peers, is a very smart, skilled man with decades of sage experience. Like him or not, he knows how to play cards with the big boys.


Giving this matter media scrutiny puts it right back onto the Politicians, and the Unions, and the Officers to sort out. And we pay the bill, as always, and expressly reserve our right to look at this matter critically..

This lawsuit by many Police Officers, is basically, or ultimately against all of us as Citizens who pay taxes. By naming Long Beach, any action names every resident and business, so it is proper to cast the light of concern back directly onto the Planitiff's.

The Plaintiff's must carry the Burden of Proof, and take the scrutiny from beginning, to end, and beyond.

Let's look at the landscape realistically? Monetarily.

The Mayor recently looked towards the Police reps, at Council, while discussing the need for all City Employees to do their fair share while the Budget and the furloughs were debated..

Basically he looked at the PD, and FD, to 'try' to 'help' us all, by scaling back the overtime on their own volition. Basically.

He looked at their leaders, sitting in the Council audience, compassionately it appeared, for 'help'. He asked please.

Why don't we join him?

If we are correct, he basically estimated, that if the Police raise goes through, all other City employees would have to take a 40% reduction in pay, or net expense if no jobs are lost.

This possiblilty is wholly unreasonable. Especially if Police and Fire, including retirees consume around 82 % of all of our present expenditures Something has to change and many residents are not happy about the present balance of expenditures. You hear this all of the time.

Our Mayor might be wise to also ask these entities for concessions on this litigation too ?
Spending, if not wasting another 200,000$ is enough funding for a few more Officers isn't it? It would buy a lot of paint for our schools? Or books?

200,000 could help fund some nice Summer programs for our youth?

It would fill a bunch of pot holes? Plant a mess of trees? Help dispose of a lot of garbage on our beaches? Feed a bunch of the hungry? And for certain, these expenditures are a long way from finished


Kudos to Greet for not signing on. Let's sponsor and Ordinace that he, and any non Plaintiff's get 25% off of their power bill.....or gas.....or water. Thanks Sarg.

Good for him. Now lets see him do an essay about why this is a basically frivolous Lawsuit, or untimely, or inappropriate, or anti Long Beach in some way?

This issue really upsets a lot of residents. It springs out of the mouth of the average resident all of the time when local concerns get vetted, or debated.

It seems fair to say that this issue seems more part of the problem, than part of the solution?

It is also perceived as a significant Black Eye upon an image, it tarnishes a good reputation in some palpable, offensive way, and doggedly maintaining such actions are terrible PR.

It simply has that 'overreaching' feeling to the average Joe or Jane? There is also an ingratitude feel to it.

When most people file a Lawsuit, it is to receive money due to some serious level of plausible 'harm'. And eye is lost, a limb is broken, a home is damaged, a life is lost, or a contract yield an injustice, or inequity. The quid pro quo was tainted, or skewed, or manifestly unfair.

To many, this matter has always seemed like making a huge deal out of a teeny, tiny, ticky tacky technical foul. To some making a very expensive mountain, out of a mole hill. Maybe we missed something.

Somebody needs to estimate the true cost so far, including Staff time, contract expense for Investigators, Specialist Attorneys, and all of the rest, plus the projected potential Judgment, in Millions.

Somebody guessed that the amount may be 40 or 50 Million, including Interest? Is this close? More like 20 or 30 Million?

So maybe more of us can ask politely. Men and women of the PD, please, help us slow the rate of the Municipal bleeding around here? Beloved old Lady Long Beach is looking a little pale in the flesh these days ? She is dizzy with debt and contemplating life support?

And her purse is not only empty, it is hanging in the pawn shop. She may have a hard time reclaiming it. She needs our help now, and we need to remember how very very generous she was when her purse had Millions to toss around, freely.

To every person who got such gifts, follows a moral debt to return the favor. To every pensionaire, consider a modest roll back as well?


Our town is in serious infrastructure decay, our children are doing without, our schools have never looked more dilapidated, we have the highest unemployment rate since WW2, property values have plunged, business is down almost everywhere, 401K's are now 201K's.

How and when will some people learn that the well ran dry?

We need to be candid enough to ask our kind men and women of the police and fire to help us with significant, substantial and meaningful solutions, not lawsuits demanding more, more, more?

Many view this a a DeFacto demand for a raise and a huge bonus, via an end run through the Courts.

Save such matters for richer economic times. Maybe if we see 'High Cotton' again some Decade.

And help pale, kind, aged, once stunning, still much beloved, Grandmother Long Beach, get her purse out of hock??? She has been very good to many of us, she still holds out promise for many others and she definitely deserves our help ?

.

Some people simply say.... Come on guys, you're milking a dry cow? There is only so much money and when we're broke, we are broke.

Let's help that the Unions and the Politicians can do the right thing for the entire town. It is long, long overdue.

Many are certain that this all traces back to those outrageous salary and pension spikes under Hankla, Taboada, Miller and O'Neil , so let's significantly scale back our expectations? Or go belly up? Have a top down lay off?

Very few are immune to the economic cycle and this Lawsuit needs to go away, or be deducted from future earnings expactations..

Who wants to bet Joe Friday would have had nothing to do with this one. No way.

Good job DW. Stand up for doing the fair thing.

Yo Howard, don't forget to crank 'Your pushin' too hard.'' and ' Talk Talk' and maybe '' Psychotic reaction''....then of course...some Hendrix !! Happy 4th !!

This sounds like a fair question for John Greet? He could also tell us whether or not he is a Plaintiff, or why about 80% of his fellow officers feel that this action is warranted ?

OK, he often asserts that people look to government too much, and that many are too reliant upon the Sovereign for basic needs, so, some might 'bet' that he is not a Plaintiff.

However, he did suggest that Long Beach might have more Officers living in town if we agreed to subsidize them with free, or discounted Gas, Water, Power, etc., so his hand was out for more then. Survey says......he's a Plaintiff.

With respect Mr Greet, what is this action really all about? The entire world shows up for work dressed for the job? And they dress and undress on their own time?

We reviewed the original filing, quickly, and the need to not drive to and from work in uniform was a justification. OK. So, civilian clothes on, civilian clothes off, just like a kid in gym class ?

To many, the additional pay simply does not seem reasonable, or fair. So why, Mr Greet, or others, do a majority of your members, who by in large do fine work, persist with this? What have we missed in this analysis?

Mr Greet, or others, might also direct somebody towards the relevant statistics, or a means to gain further knowledge about who is for, and against this filing?

Mr Greet, when you become available again, you might also offer a simple opinion. For every Officer that you know, about how many do not live in town now? 6 in 10? half? 2/3rds? Consider this a rudementary 'straw poll' of sorts, nothing conclusive, just foundational.

This should not really be adjudged an extremely sensitive matter?

We did a very rough poll of Officers that we know, and over half do not live in town. One is in Laguna, another in Chino Hills, another in O.C., and 2 in town. 3 of them want to leave the State upon retirement. This seems like a fairly representative sample.

Amongst Firemen friends, the numbers seem even more slanted away from town?

Can you kindly offer an informed opinion?

For certain, given these severe financial times, State vouchers for Income tax refunds, and a severe National recession, this suit has a terrible P.R. value from many perspectives. Apparently around 80% of the rank and file have signed on to it as well? Of course, recent retiree's factor in. Many wonder, what is the actual gravemen of these contentions? Are their any less expensive means to resolve this matter?

We should post, or acknowledge favorably, the 20% who refused to sign on to this action. To many, objectively, somebody needs to praise them as fair minded, and insodoing acknowledge their fiscal , and more meaningful contribution to this town. They deserve some form of special consideration for not voting to further substantially impair our beloved town's mortally wounded balance sheet.

As a gesture of good faith to our town, and as a reasonable concession, this case should be withdrawn with alacrity . It has that feeling of suing your own siblings, or parents, or friends, for more and more money, despite having plenty.

To many, you get that 'Bite the hand that feeds' feeling from this matter. To some it kind of feels '' Un American '' in some way as well, given our town's huge fiscal crisis, withering infrastructure, ever limited essential services, school cut backs and widespread blight.

While debating this matter over recent months, people ask, ''Since when do the soldiers sue the sovereign during a severe recession and despite well known budgetary restraints?''
'' Especially when the sovereign is doing everything possible not to attrit one solitary job amongst your ranks?''

If Police and Fire, including retiree's, comprise around 82% of our expenses, we need to get serious about meaningful concessions during the negotiations concerning the next 2 budgets, at a minimum. Let's all pitch in? For Long Beach?

On the macro concerns, people seem to feel that present Officers need to convince all Officers, including the retiree's, to give something back, even on the pension side, for the good of the entire team, collectively, and significantly, or, the present force may need to shrink proportionally and demonstrably ?.

This is sad news, but the numbers simply do not lie. There is only so much money. Maybe as a condition, we could incent a restoration of benefits or raise package down the road when the economy rebounds substantially, over a number of years?

Until then, we are in rationing mode and we all need to shoulder the burden.

California and Long Beach are in fiscal crisis mode from which few are immune.

California issued 53 Million in debt by way of tax vouchers, today?

And CALPERS, the retirement giant, has a projected 200 Billion dollar shortfall?

Here's part of the story you missed. Ocean BLVD used to be State Route 1, for decades. It served as the major North South Coast Route from the turn of the Century through WW1 and WW2.

A large wooden bridge spanned from the end of the Peninsula over both jetties to 1st street in Seal Beach. You can still see the approaches and abutments. It was a narrow, 2 lane bridge for Model 'T"s.

Around WW2, a decision to move Coast Route 1 inland, to where PCH is now was make for several reasons. The route bed could be widened to 4 plus lanes, less bridges were needed, or smaller, stronger concrete bridges could be used. Part of the engineering reasoning was that less wave born erosion would happen, reducing maintenance cost and reducing storm related closures.


If you recall in the 60s and the 70s, the original coast route 1 bridge still stood from Seal Beach to Sunset Beach, along 1st, over the entrance to the Seal Beach weapons station. If you recall, it was there but cars could not use it. It was taken down in sections, but the approaches were there for a long time. If you look, you can still see the roadbed as you drive over the newer bridge going South on PCH into Sunset.

There are other State Parks that went away when the road got relocated too. There are a few down South in San Diego County.

Hope this helps.

Sky Saxon sang lead for the SEEDS, and sang 'Pushin' too hard' and other cool stuff. They played Gazzari's on Sunset, in Hollywood for a long time.

Whenever you hear those long guitar solo's in ther songs, remeber them really really loud as performed live.

The first time a few of us played on that same stage, we'd think about him. They had a mural with signatures on the wall. When you'd talk to the club owner, Bill Gazzari, we'd ask him questions about the bands he had booked.

When you'd ask him about ...''Who was the loudest band that ever played here'',,,,he would get all riled up, and say''Those fucking seeds !''. ''They played here for years, and they were the loudest god damned band!!''. ''Every night I'd have to yell at them to turn their amps down...and we'd all go home deaf''. ''Night after night,,,they were so god damn loud..'' ''those fuckin' seeds''....''they were too loud'' !!

It was funny to watch the old Godfather of the strip go off. He'd talk about the Doors when they were his house band, and van halen, and many others...but he would always end up with his story about ''the fuckin' seeds.'' I He'd go on, '' I used to fire them all of the time''. ''They'd come back, apologize, I'd give them another chance, and before you knew it, they were playing so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think !!'' ''My cocktail waitresses couldn't even call in an order to the bar''.....''Those fuckin' seeds'' " They were the loudest God damned band I ever booked!!'' '' I still have a headache''

Of course, we found this extra cool, and totally hilarious. So......If he is singing lead upstairs.....with Hendrix....and all the rest.......I hope that they can play as ear bleeding loud as they want to.....but hear...perfectly.

And that Bill Gazarri is running around animated....shaking his fist....

Sad news, had no idea he had passed....thanks for the tip off Howard . Missed the fact that he died......triggered a funny memory about a cool band.

Rest in Peace.......You rocked big time !

The entertainment business is so very tough, and there are so many victums.

Then there is the availablility of celebrity Doctors writing 'script', or drug perscrptions, for anything just to say...''I am treating star x''.

And the pressure / fear / rejection/love/hate/indifference. All all of the cling ons and parasites......If you have ever worked in Hollywood, or been in or around the business, that aspect makes you really ill too.

And an artist, who's a perfectionist, has the internal drive to make every time that you set foot on stage your very best performance. Your body pays for that drive to perform at your best level each and every time.

What a fascinatingly bizzare, painful, odd, but touching story. Artists have a special path which can be so, so hard at times. . No debating that his art made Billions of people smile or be happy at some moment in time.


But one of our Mothers actually got to know him pretty well in the 80s and 90s, because she was a close friend of Muhammed Ali. She had a room in Ali's mansion and would watch the kids while Ali did appearances.

Michael used to slip over to Ali's mansion quite often and he was nothing but happy and nice, and loving while there.. . She herself was a very kind, loving person with a huge heart. She said that Michael, in his private space, was one of the nicest persons that she had ever met. She said that time after time, he would slip over, and just be a funny, fun, quiet, happy guy. She always said that he had a kind, spiritual, kind, big heart, and that he radiated love. They used to talk and talk about faith, and spiritual things, love, and goodness.

They visted dozens of times during the White Hot period of his career, and the private side of him then, put a lot of the hype, and scandel in a different context for some of us. As for the problems concerning young boys, no direct personal knowledge at all, but . He would actually spend much more time goofing around with Ali's daughters Layla, Hauna and (forgot). She said that he just adored all children and that he loved playing with the kids.

. She'd laugh that there would be all of these 'A" list celeb's in the house, and he would just spend most of the time entertaining the kids and spend little time with the stars....

She said, often, that he had a wonderful, humble child like heart.

50 is too young to die. Rest in peace.

We had witnesses watching this guy carry on. Several cannot remember seeing a grown man act like such a fool while in public. People commented after how ridiculous his behavior was.

What a spoiled, self centered , overly self impressed ego maniac, said one. Another commented that he was acting like a baby having his bottle taken away from him. In this case, it is around 100 proof.

The BSRA Meeting was very interesting. The bar crowd really showed their colors, and they were not pretty.

Nice job BSRA. You helped show the community how greedy some people are, and how hard they clutch to their little franchises.

It was like watching a parade of whining weasel's at times. Even a fat, lazy Landlord showed up to make a big scene, huff and puff ineffectively, and act like a soiled child who was not getting his way. It was hilarious to observe.

3 Attorneys met before and after, and are working upon some interesting, and expensive sanctions, or remedies of some related matters.

An the Councilman even had an aide their to vote in support of the Bars and against the Residents Association. Telling.

Who do you think you are, Chief? The Great CornHolio?

''Enjoy your mediocre life'' ??? What's up there, do you presume to pass judgement upon each and every resident? Or merely see into, and speak for their minds ?

It takes a special kind of Moxey to live in LB, or Brooklyn, or Chicago.

If you can't handle it...see ya......oh delicate one.


You really need to get over yourself. Why don't you stand up, contribute, give of yourself, and make a difference in this world?

Too, too funny.....is their a town large enough for that sense of importance of yours? Or ego?

Long time Long Beach residents have a saying, love it, or leave it. And if you go...don't let the door hit you in the ass.....

Wherever you are, stay there. Snivel at them.

Thunderous Applause......fell out of the Chair laughing....tears in the eyes...Well done !!

Honorable Sarg,

As friendly advice, you really seem to have a measurable grudge against a Residents President at times. You can come across as if President Ruehle is solely in your cross hairs at times, and this concerns some.

People are saying this...just a friendly FYI

True, he has had his criticisms towards Law Enforcement at times, but he has that right? You are Public Servants, and he represents an Association that is less than happy?

We can quibble about 'style'... or not.

But clearly, he is not the rapist. He is not running a binge bar. He did not slash a throat, nor shoot anybody, and he did not attrit the Police presence down to 1 mere Officer after 10 Pm?

This happened under this Councilman, and on certain Police Officers beats. You guys get paid to deal with this ?

Where is the Councilman's Statement?

As for the 'OBJECTIONS", that was largely in fun....but kind of fair? If we are talking about crime, and misconduct, and Nuisance Bars, how does President Ruehle's Character come into play? This was merely an 'off topic' chide.

Also, and in all fairness, you too, have your Evidentiary Objections to raise, that's fair? When you look at all of the comments, you see patterns.

Some comments tend to resonate, others attract a pack response at times?

On the BSRA vote? A 6% turnout is phenomenal in this town?

And hey...what about the infallable voice of...''The Electorate''. It spoke? Hail to the Chief?

There are sitting Councilpersons who barely attracted 1000 votes out of 55,000? 1,300 in the 9th?

So is it your belief, that the representative sampling, was too small, and thus Ruehle's Rule is suspect? Putative? Erroneous?

Fine? Walk the area with petitions for an opponent next time. You'll get seen, and teased, but hey...he won?

President Ruehle ran no campaign, sent no 'pieces', ran no ads, and did pretty well?

You might need to become a Residents Association Pres, or Vice Pres, or Director, to sense the frustration, or problems at times.

You are inside the system, and thus strained to be wholly objective. Your speech is severely restricted too. Thanks none the less for your service.

Again, why are we rehashing this?

The sickening precedent was the bars boozing up friends to attempt to storm the election, but mostly, a Councilman stooping to personal involvement, an email campaign, and actually handing out voting stickers?

How LOW....will they GO....?? Doin the limbo

Help us solve some crimes here?. Tell the residents, for example, how to detain a suspect resembling this reprehensible bastard of a RAPIST?

If you blog at work, help us play Joe Friday. We want to work as a team here, and enforce the law, more often.

(Now for a little levity)

Hypothetically, If we see a guy resembling this SOB, making a move on one of our Ladies, what force is appropriate to stop it?

Hypothetically, say for instance..

Some now carry STUN GUNS in the area. (Thanks Binge Bars.) Would 50,000 Volts applied directly to a sexual predators errant, felonious testicles be inappropriate?

Of course, to merely countermand a crime in progress. Is this a reasonable application of force?

If so, can we exhaust the batteries in the stun gun, until the perp faints...for instance?

To those of us skilled in Martial Arts, or Self Defense, can we subdue this Mother F...er with a nice, long, choke hold?

OK, once he is on the ground, assuming we are wearing our Viet Nam boots, while calling 911, how long do you suggest that we stand upon his testicles?

Sensing the outrage yet?

If several of us catch this despicable weakling, again, in the act, how many full rotations might you suggest that we twist his nut sack? 3 full revolutions? 4? Several vote for 5.

Would you suggest using latex, or nice rough leather gloves? Let's propose the latter.

Are you starting to get how pissed off a few of us are at this scumbag?

A little 17 year old girl, is taking an HIV, Hepatitus, Herpes, STD test right around now? Right? Standard procedure? Her family is waiting, and possibly hoping, and praying for clean results?

Who knows? Maybe she'll become a Mother?

But hey, some Kidding aside, help us resolve the Police, Political, and Residents issues here please?

Help the people organize more Neighborhood Watch? Urge Residents to keep their Probable Cause Meters on?

Urge your kind colleagues to watch a little closer, respond a bit quicker, deploy more assets and educate their callers, and residents repesentatives more effectively. Sooner? More widely ?

Few get the PT in the area, why doesn't the Councilman email the residents? Their Reps? Prepare and distribute Flyers?

How about the PD ?

S for BSRA politics, President Ruehle is in Office, many are certain he will get re-elected, you have to be a resident to gain a vote, let his members direct his advocacy. They are his base. He answers to them?

Sources claim, that he actually thought that you were a pretty cool guy for a while, but something has changed recently?

Let's mend a fence? Or not...

Many of us might be wise not to take blogging too very, very seriously at times as well ?

However, reducing Crime in the Shore is important. Let's all do our part? And put personality differences aside?

You have your job, Ruehle his, us ours, let's get the bars to throttle back significantly, restore a better sense of calm and quiet in the community..and catch these RAPISTS, and other criminals ?

Go get 'em Sarg !! Don't let us catch him first !! He'll be siging high soprano at his arraignment !!

As an aside..What is the latest about the Shore Shooting? Why have we heard zero official details?

Several of us have burned dozens of tires off of our 10 speeds, for around 15 years, to Huntington Pier, or farther, and back,5 days a week. Some of us finally got off of certain roads due to near death experiences, not of our making.

A Brain Surgeon friend is part of the opinion here. 98% of bicyclists admitted to ER, never recover. The helmet is not much help. Some of the Legal experts in our group, and others, see potential concerns, that's all.

A 2 ton car, versus a basically naked body, is a dangerous deal. At least you have a 600-1000 pounds of mass to compete with on a motorcycle, which is still, little defense. The 'vehicle code' does not suspend the laws of physics , or the equations regarding 3,500-4,000 pounds of metal , against 100 to 200 pounds of exposed flesh and bone.

Some people put on their trained Civil Negligence glasses, and consult the Legal team, and others, including noteworthy Engineers, and Architects, other Experts, and merely express a little concern for others. That's all. We all ride, or did.

A concern is for new or novice riders, and having plowed it recently, it seems too narrow. Too many bodies, car doors, J walkers. Especially for kids, and seniors.

We simply do not want to see anybody get hurt. There are much wider, less harried streets inland, like 1st, Broadway ? PCH ? And others. Why did we chose the very narrowest street of all, in the busiest area??

To add 'eyes' and potential foot traffic and revenue past a business district?

Personally, we have seen 3 riders get a door opened into their path, and get launched like Super Man .......up up and away .....

A Doctors wife we know, got her face torn up bad after skidding to a stop on it.

Personally, one of us nearly bought the farm due to a car clipping a yellow light, way too late, or blowing a red, twice.

It seem fair to raise a few concerns, by way of caution.

We will not dignify your pathetic name calling, other than to let it reflect upon your lack of intellectual integrity, fear of free and fair debate and less than stellar personal code of ethics.

Many of us, will continue to ride where it is smarter, and safer. That's all.

Have fun !! See you in top gear on PCH . Wear that helmet ! Ride defensively.....

Don't ride on the sidewalk like a Girl Scout !!

Exactly. The issues are clear. To file Civil charges, based upon Negligence, we need to establish a Duty, a Breach, Causation, and Damages.

Violation of a Statute, proves Duty and Breach and shifts the burden of proof onto the respondent.

The Bars have a Duty to the patrons, and the residents. The Police have a duty to uphold the Law. There have been a range of Breaches of these Duties, according to many. The harm to individuals, and their property rights, and safety, have been caused by these breaches. It seems quite arguable, that certain conduct has fallen below several applicable standards of care .

Time to allege the above, and get on to estimating, and requesting, an award of monetary Damages.

There are also many Public, and Private Nuisance issues. A temporary, or Preliminary Injunction seems possible. A Civilian can fill out a form, have a parallegal assist them, and request one from a neutral magistrate.

One way or another, something has to change for the residents sake.

And the sitting Councilman has do something meaningful, and to tell a few friends the bad news. They had a sweet deal, and they blew it.

Greed betrays you again boys.

Any solid engineer would have run them down a wider street, inland. Wait until the Lawsuits begin to pile up. The roadbed is way too narrow to funnel guys who want to keep it in 9th or 10th gear. Also, there are too many cars, pedestrians, and crosswalks. It's another accident waiting to happen. The cyclists tend to veer left, to avoid the parked cars, and they are already flirting with your right front fender. Kind of scary.

A recent Negligence case, settled for 1.3 Million, because a driver, opened his door into the path of a cyclist. There was no bicycle lane involved, and a much wider road bed, and margin of safety. Several forsee problems, let's hope not.

The issue is Rape, and Shore Lawlessness. President Ruehle is not on trial here.

OBJECTION; Irrelevant, and Immaterial.

And the advocates say..........sustained

Mr Greet,

Such is understandable, we merely endeavor to advance the debate and address relevant concerns. Clearly, we enjoy great latitude here.


With respect to our Chief, there is no doubt that Tony Batts is an awesome dude. Many would love to help him become Mayor some day, or more. He is one of those men that you feel privileged to shake hands with.

And many ladies get all gaga around him ! Recall he was voted Long Beach's most sexy man !!

His plate is so very full, that we will rely upon his able men and women to handle this matter for now. He has to help work on the budget with our Mayor, we here.

Oh, if we only had a bigger piece of the Tidelands Revenue, or more of the Port Revenues, or larger allocations from the State or Federal Government?

We feel certain, that he deserves substantial praise for allocating resources to the East Division which are clearly helping return Law and Order to Belmont Shore.

Many believe that he can help usher in meaningful solutions, and reforms. For sure, he has always had respect for the Residents Associations, and their members, Neighborhoods, and the little guy or gal.

He understands advocacy, and he respects all residents rights.

We have a fine Chief and we will bet that he can help bring the Law back into Dodge City. We'll help.

Also, we have some Excellent City Attorneys, and Prosecutor's. We need to keep them informed, and engaged as well. Many live in the area, and most doubt that they want to see the area morph towards a perpetual 'Spring Break' Party either.

A simple letter, with a concise request, can do a lot. For example, how can we better enforce the existing Noise Ordinance?

How can we assemble a case for an Unlawful Private, or Public Nuisance filing?

How do we initiate, and move forward with a Safe Streets Action?

Give us acceptable guidelines for affecting a lawful Citizens Arrest?

What merit would you assign to a Midnight Curfew, on a 6 month trial basis, over all bars on 2nd?

Finally, may God rest Michael Jackson's soul. Rest in Peace King of Pop. You died way, way too young.

Same for Farah Fawcett. What a babe she was.

Let's not forget, on the original Amerigas/Wetlands Exchange, Mr DeLong apparently , along with certain Staff, and others, quite covertly, helped facilitate, conspire, enable, and nearly pull off, and aproximate 100 Million dollar 'Buddy Bailout' for a close, close friend, or favored, 'A' list citizen ?

And the Lobbying remains quite questionable Ethically? As does the extent of several arguable, colorable misrepresentations?

This massive, attempted transfer of wealth, assumes an approximation of every component of Fair Market Value, and reasonable estimations of actual worth, and an objective collection of estimates, and approximations of all of the component parts.

As we continue to evaluate this attempted transfer of Municipal, and State wealth, the 'fire sale' of many of the City assets, almost given to a 'freind', at huge discounts, and the unjustifiable premium expected for the Sellers Wetlands, is truly alarming.

We are hearing that any attempt to gun this deal again, is going straight into State, and or Federal Court for an Injunction and more? Oh joy, oh rapture.

Recall further, that as soon as this Exchange slowed down, the Loynes Wetlands got destroyed? Retribution? There are filings being finalized there too. It is a wait, see a vulnerability, and file deal, rumor has it.

There is a whole lot of explaining to do yet, including many appearances of impropriety caused by a wide range of Conflicts of Interest, arguable Gifts of Public Funds, Professional Negligence on several levels, and a range of Breached Fiduciary Duties, and more.

Penning a bad deal, hands the concerned several potential Causes of Action. It fixes the potential damages too. It well may establish Fraud as well.

Until the Cost, and liability, and degree of contribution owing, for around 6 decades of Toxic Dump operation is confronted, head on, fairly, and with candor, many forsee great difficulty. A possible remediation bill of 250 to 400 Million $, cannot be ignored.

Why would any reasonable Municipality purchase, let alone accept such liability in the absence of an estimate of the expense? If this is not Negligent, what is?

Couldn't a private action be filed, after Long Beach accepts title, and cause the contamination issues to become ripe? Many believe that they can clearly prove, that the incidence of cancer, in, and around this area is much higher than normal, and that this contamination is the cause?

The Political Timing is fascinating.

If Staff was smart, they would Offer 25 Million, for all of the Wetlands, and all of the Mineral Rights. The Sellers would be lucky, to receive 28 Million in today's economy.

Certain speculators only look towards the big score. Others see spending a Million, to save the State, and the City, tens, and tens of Millions, fun.

Unless we prioritize some Soil Remediation, and much well relocation, and significant road removal, we have concerns.

Let the War rage on. There has been fair warning. May the chips fall where they may.

Back to the topic,let's catch and convict these Rapists, and clean up all of these other dirty deals, and sanction any overly influenced politicians or staff.



This is includes a arguable conspiracy to, or acts in the direction of, financial RAPE of anyone's reasonable expectation of funding a Wetlands Restoration budget.

Let's be reasonable, fair, transparent, and accountable ??

Nice inventory and analysis Advocate Sunshine.

Great danger? To whom? Techno Terrorism? Where is the threat of death to innocents ?

What other than your personal pecuniary interest is at risk, rude kindof stool ?


President Ruehle has a right to his opinion, and to advocate on behalf of his members, and his residents. That is as legal as eating a Hot Dog at the ballpark.

Belmont Shore has been pouring way too much booze for the last few years, the residents are assembling their pitchforks, the atmosphere of benign neglect has resulted in demonstrable harm to the residents, their property rights, and their personal rights.

To attempt to regain some modicum of sanity to the area, the Nuisance Bars have now cost the City plenty of money for additional patrols. At some point, we will legally qualntify these expenditures, and then compare them to the revenue that a few special friends bars generate for our City.

It is clear, that the cost to the City, is greater, than the revenue obtained, net, to our General Fund. Thus, tax dollars are in essence diverted, into profits for certain franchise holders.

These Bars cannot, and will not fund their own security to an effective level. The have harmed, not helped our community, at large. Restrict their footprint, and volume, pull back their closing times, set an entirely new tone for the binge drinking crowd, make it patently clear that the Shore is once again, a good place to get arrested if you break the law.

And insodoing,let a few, greedy old men, with few scruples, little humanity towards their neighbors, and far too little respect for the adjacent home owners, or lessee's, scale back their outsized profit expectations.

And Tool Box, if you, and your click, wants to file anything against the BSRA, get out your check book, we will counterfile in earnest, and proceed with both barrels.

You have a lot of well connected, well represented, well funded people upset about all of this, and Mr Ruehle is not the problem. He and his associates, are endeavoring towards meaningful solutions.

Funny, that is supposed to be a Council responsibility.....oh right.......''hands off my buddies''. He can stand up, show community sympathy, and knock down this perception by implementing real, meaningful reform.

It may be time for him to finally confront a politically hard choice, and err on the side of the people this time. Finally.

Mr DeLong was correct, in his TV interview, to state;"They are pouring too much booze'. Now it is time to do something about this, beginning with the worst offenders. Start where the highest gross sales exist.

This entire mess, appears primarily attributable to acute Political Negligence. And cronyism.

And if you want to allege Tort's by President Ruehle, do so formally. Get out your check book, we have considerable resources, are well connected, and very well represented.

Let's dance twinkle toes. We doubt that you personally have enough 'powder' to blow your nose with, or, are so miserably cheap, that it is all about your bottom line.

The rumor is, somebody is stressing out, because they couldn't keep their gun in the holster, and are staring at handing the ex, justifiably, Millions.

Hope you had fun???

I

What is so very scary, is how often this tragic crime happens, and is not reported, due to humiliation, and shame. Stigma. What really sucks, is when you know a lady, who meant well, who met a guy, who seemed nice, a the second street bar in question, and got RAPED, brutally, and who suffers in silence since. Young men, booze, drugs, hormones= RAPE.

If President Ruehle was our Councilman, bet that he'd tell the Police...'' I want this guys balls on my desk by week end''.....or ''soon''. If not, re-assignment time.


One thing is for certain, Doug Drummond would not tolerate this BS for a New York minute under his administration. When he was the Councilman, he ran a very tight ship down there.

This benign neglect, is purely political. It is a failed experiment.

It was pretty quiet under Bulldog Drummond, and Colona, and very safe at night. You could go on a date without concern. Safety, and Law Enforcement was a high priority, as was personal concern, outreach and personal involvement.

This unfettered Capitalism mindset, along with this failed de regulate business goal, and a stiff shot of being 'business friendly' has proven it's downside. We have enough 'Entertainment Zones' in town.

Neighborhoods First ?

Thank you for the support, it matters. We believe that President Ruehle is quoting Official Police Statistics, and Official sources.

Clearly, the pre and post Legend's re-opening statistics are telling...actually...damning. Congregating drunk and stoned people, and midnight half price shots, grossy inadequate parking to support the licenses, inadequate buffers to the homes, has a downside.

Look at the Police Expense now?

A 200% increase is founded in fact now. What a shame.

Ask anybody, the area was much nicer before the Rotundonator super sized the joint.

Maybe we need a new condition on the License there. The entire upstairs room, becomes a Police Sub Station? 1 $ Lease, free food. Comp one Beer at the end of all shifts.

Don't we have a little Police Museum next to the Fire Station? Set that up as a Mini Sub Station, booking area's an all. Drag 2 or 3 of the units from the East Division Sub Station over there, park them in the red zone, assign some aggressive Rookies, tell them write anything and everything, no special consideration, and we have a cheap, temporary fix?

How's the Midnight Curfew Petition going ?

What is does the Councilman have to say about this alarming number of RAPES under his watch? How can he help us arrest this alarming trend?

His last public statement at Council was that he was exceedingly pleased with the Police response in the area. Great. What about the RAPES?

Also, what affirmative steps has he made in mitigating the Bars Gone Wild syndrome plaguing the area?



Apparently he 'talked' to some residents. What has been communicated to the residents, and their organizations? Let's all ask?

The PT killed the Shooting Story. Ignored the RAPE? But did a glowing, fluff piece about Mr Hankla ? OK Starting to see the big picture here.

We read all of the papers, and no President Ruehle, we never heard about the prior Rapes. Now we are wondering, how many Attempts happened? We have members who attend the Citizens Police task meetings, and they never said a thing? Some of us are pretty pissed off about this too.

Alerting the community is part of the 'Serve and Protect' function we expect from the mainstream media, and the PD. Maybe, somehow, somewhere, something broke down, or there is a Policy that got misconstrued?

Now for the common community lament....''Why weren't we told??''

For certain, the Councilman would have been briefed. No doubt about it. So why didn't his Office alert the Homeowners Associations? So they could alert their Neighborhood Watch?

In many other Jurisdictions, or areas, this would be on the front page, or at least in the 'A' section, every time.. It should be. The public has a right, and a need to know about such brutal crimes.

Sitting on such stories in just , plain, wrong. We are not dealing with 'Sensitive National Security'', and we need to hear a lot more about how this may have 'Compromised a pending investigation?''


As usual, excellent work LBReport, and the District.

We are going to quote one of the best Attorneys in town, with a State wide reputation, on the issue of problems in and around this town.

'' Thank God for the Long Beach Report, and the District Weekly''. Without them, who knows where we would be.

Mr Greet, in the future, would you be a bit more forthcoming as to matters of Public Safety in our area? Why was the community left in the dark as to unknowingly leave our guard down here?

What about the Public, Private partnership? If we are your eyes, and ears...as we often hear......why weren't we alerted?

Not one Neighborhood Watch member, or block Captain that we know, heard a word about this?

Who made this call, and who do we send the Letters to?

Might you please tell us the status of the prior cases? Anyone arrested? Any resolution ? Are they still all open cases?

Bless the Police for the increased presence in the area, please, keep up the good work, but remember, keep us in the loop. At least our elected Residents Rep's. We are your partners, and we want to help. Many of us, are always on a patrol of sorts, looking out for our friends.

So President Ruehle, according to your official sources, and data, is the Shore now the Highest Rape zone in town over the last year?

More half price shooters at Midnight !! Better yet, midnight curfew, and boot a few Politicians.....??

Thunderous Applause ! Time for the big give back, and a return to fiscal reality and responsibility. Time for a Top Down Haircut. The wage and pension spikes were never sustainable. Why not seriously study Municipal Bankruptcy? Isn't that the only thing that will set the stage for reform of the bloated, super sized, pensions? Force some meaningful give backs?

During the Junk Bond crisis era, where Orange County went belly up, they brought in some real reforms? Many got pulled back into local politics when we read in the Wall Street Journal, and heard on CNBC, that Long Beach Debt had fallen to 'JUNK" status. That was a big clue, and sign of the last economic cycle.

This cycle, is a lot more serious than many, defending the sacred cow, would lead you to believe.

If the Politicians could step away from the "Family' mindset, long enough to affect some serious discipline, they might eventually be hailed as hero's to the community. It might be unpopular short term, but eventually most would agree...''It had to be done'. '' We were staring Bankruptcy square in the face''.

Agreed, our Parks are for Children, and the Elderly. Have the Booze fests downtown.

Ms Schipske will do the right thing for the average resident.

Since we are trying to imagine new ways to drive revenue, let's take the next step in logic? We did a poll. We have tons of bars, and millions in booze sales. It is getting to the point where they are stealing eachothers business.

If we are turning our parks into party zones, lets do it right? Let all of the 60s, 70s crowd do a retro pot festival too? FAR OUT.

If we are in the Party Business, lets turn the Parks into Marijuana OK Zones on certain days. We can have Grateful Dead copy bands, all of the 60s and 70s icons. We'll grow our hair, get the moustache back, let the sideburns go to mutton chops, and hey, we''ll put this City on the Map? We can grab a big piece of the pot sale revenue, ticket sales, license fees. . We can make sure all of the growers have display stands. No police needed.

If booze is OK, we have friends who want to get roasted too. We'll have one big Summer of Love. Council and Staff get complimentary bong hits. You know, at times they could use them....we may be on to something here.

To heck with the Sea Festival. Let's really think out of the box, since we are contemplating Booze Parks. Drop the Sea Festival, begin the WEED FESTIVAL..

Dear Staff, we grant you the intellectual property rights to the idea. Now go burn one and write the WEED FESTIVAL Staff memo. Project the Revenues, count the dough. Makes about as much sense?

Hey, then we could really call ourselves the GREEN (as in caninbus) City?

We might get Cheech and Chong to help. Far out man...

Hey, if we are thinking out of the box.....WOODSTOCK IN THE PARK.......and the LONG BEACH WEED FESTIVAL

We'll stay home. Kidding aside, what's next?

Now here's an idea. SEX sells. Maybe be can capture some Nevada style Revenue too? You know, brothels, strip clubs, xxx movies, conventions.

That's it, rent the parks for a Porn Convention, get everybody drunk, and wasted, and we'll solve the deficit in a year? Now were cooking with Colman?

We kicked this around at lunch, final, similarly brilliant idea. NUDISM. Let's turn the Parks into a fee for permit NUDE retreat, once in a while. NUDE FEST. Makes similar sense? We can all embrace the NUDE lifestyle. Nude Volleyball, archery, horse back riding, shuffle board, golfing. Again, Council gets a free pass, and staff.

We'll rename Eldorado Park, Eldo Nudo Park? Clothing Optional Park ?

We can have a drunken, stoned, xxx, nudist, Grateful Dead , Woodstock Zone? We'd make MILLIONS, gain National notoriety, and hey, many would have a blast??.

The neighbors would explode, but since when do they matter?

Turning mellow, PG parks is kind of a first step down the slippery slope idea isn't it? Parks are Parks. Bars are Bars. Nude is......interesting.......?