Travel Records and Council Budgets

While I was away on my first major vacation in many years, I learned that a public records request was made by the local media on travel expenses. No folks, I wasn't on official travel to Alaska.

Apparently over the course of 3 plus years I have spent slightly around $1300 for travel to various city conferences -- that works out to be around $400 a year in travel. Am not sure what budget it comes out of because I submit the bills and they are paid through the council liaison office.

I don't have a travel budget. So I would imagine it comes from the Legislative Department's budget which is a pool of money to pay for Council and Mayor travel.

I keep official travel to a minimum because I don't like to travel and I think we need to be frugal with tax dollars. I also don't take my council staff -- I can't imagine why anyone would.

Back Home

It was great to land at Long Beach Airport from Seattle. I had a wonderful time and spent the afternoon touring Bainbridge Island off Seattle. Beautiful place. Then took the public bus (saving $50) from the Pier to the SEA-TAC Airport. I only was able to do so because we had shipped our luggage from the ship directly to Alaska Airlines (missed flying on Jet Blue) and didn't have to lug them around the bus or airport.

Didn't feel too on vacation when I read the Seattle Times and its editorial was going after a local councilwoman.

Final note on the day. It is a sad commentary when every television program in the airport was focused on who knew Michael Jackson and the various theories on how he died. Folks we have so many serious issues facing us right now -- the wars, health care reform, the economy, etc. News coverage on all of this vanished and celebrity fodder took over.

Alcohol in the Parks

I need to be fair to Phil Hester, our Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine Department who has talked with me for several months about possibly having an OctoberFest in El Dorado Park. This would mean the sale of alcohol. I understood it would be in a very specific contained area with appropriate security.

I supported the concept again provided it was in a contained, secure area with sufficient security, with revenues returing directly to the Parks Dept instead of the general fund. Also, I requested that the community be briefed on the concept before it was brought forth for a vote.

Several thousands of miles away I understand the concept has been expanded to several parks on a year round basis and the proposal was brought directly to the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission before it was brought to the community -- particularly the community that was so involved in stopping the Sports Complex in El Dorado Park which also had an alcohol sales component.

We need a community meeting to discuss the proposal before City Council takes a vote. Unless that happens I am opposed.

Port Appointment

Am writing off the coast of Canada. Read LBreport.com about "deep throat" report on former State Senator Betty Karnette wanting to be appointed to Harbor Commission. That's not much of a secret, readers. I received a letter from Democractic activist Doug Frankenfield urging my support of Betty to replace Jim Hankla.

But I had already met with former fire chief, Harold Omel, who is a 5th District constituent and who asked me for my support -- which I gave. Because of Harold's long-time experience in public safety I thought that would be a great addition to the current Board. Also it would be great to get another 5th District resident on the Board.

Interesting while being on this cruise I did get to see several large ports. And folks, we need to do a better job in Long Beach welcoming visitors to our port area and providing sometype of historical information for visitors to learn about Long Beach while they are there. We need to incorporate more public useage of the port area and not just around the Queen Mary.

What Happened About LB Museum?

Damn. The city didn't broadcast any report out of closed session. So what happened? Did the council vote to do something about the Museum of Art and the debt we're saddled with?

Met a policeman tonight on the cruise as we make our way out to sea towards Ketchican -- who is from Napa. They are having to forego their raises plus they pay 9% of their PERS. Everyone is hurting.

Spent today in Sitka. It is beautiful. Much better than Juneau. Visited a raptor recovery place. No it isn't for birds that drink. It is for eagles who get injured. Quite impressive as was the Tongass National Forest they walked us through.

Got to keep this brief because internet is on satellite and expensive. Two more days of rest at sea.

P.S. I opposing the allowing of alcohol in our parks. I thought the pilot was for a set area in El Dorado Regional that could be controlled. Now I read it is for several parks and several parts of the El Dorado Park. We don't have enough Rangers. This isn't a good idea right now.

Juneau and Glacier Bay

I walked through Juneau, Alaska's state capitol. It is smaller than the 5th Council District but has more bars/saloons. Sorry, Gov. Palin but I can't see Russia from your back door (saw your mansion which cost $2 million to fix up and looks like it should be in Virginia not Alaska). Saw a little graffiti downtown next to city hall. There are some homeless -- god help them in the winter. And a soup kitchen downtown next to all the tourist shops.

Spent the day cruising Glacier Bay and seeing the awful impact of global warming. The glaciers are melting at a fast pace. But it was spectacular.

The seals are pupping. The puffins are floating. The terns are turning before they dive bomb the ship. It is very cold and gray and overcast.