Schipske Asks Press Telegram to Help Sponsor LB Municipal Band

Dear Press Telegram:

Hope you will join in my calling for a corporate sponsor to help fund the Long Beach Municipal Band. I have posted names and addresses of businesses in Long Beach who might want to step up and help. Unfortunately, I forgot to add the Press Telegram to that list. How much can we count on from you?

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske
5th District

P.S. Readers can send an email to the Press Telegram at: speakout@presstelegram.com

Update of Municipal Band -- Mayor Resolved to Find a Solution

Last night in City Council, Mayor Bob Foster stated that he is committed to finding a solution to the funding of the Long Beach Municipal Band.

In the meantime, here is a copy of the letter I am sending to Long Beach businesses in hopes they will step up and provide sponsorships:

Because your company operates in the City of Long Beach you understand how important it is to have programs which celebrate the history of this great city and which also enrich the quality of life for our residents.

That's why I am contacting you today. One of the last remaining historical icons in our city -- the Long Beach Municipal Band -- is facing economic problems which seriously threaten  its future.

This is no ordinary band. Every summer thousands of people gather on a weekly basis throughout parks in the City of Long Beach to listen to the finest Municipal Bands in the nation.  For the last 101 years, the Long Beach Municipal Band has brought enjoyment to community members of all ages. This wonderful ensemble include the best of the Southern California's symphony, studio recording and jazz performers. This diversity of talent provides Long Beach audiences with impressive concerts of jazz, movie, musical and light classical literature.

However, after 101 years of music, the future of the Long Beach Municipal Band is in jeopardy.  Historically the band has been funded at taxpayer expense.  Unfortunately, these difficult economic times have resulted in the City Manager recommending that the current level of funding for the Municipal Band not be sustained. 

We need a corporate partner or several corporate partners to help us maintain this rich tradition of music and culture.  Rescuing the Long Beach Municipal Band would bring a great deal of notoriety to your company and help continue the tradition of music, family and the great out doors.

Please contact my office to discuss how we can arrange your sponsorship. My Chief of Staff, Josh Butler, can be reached at: 562-570-6932.  I want to thank you in advance for your consideration of this special sponsorship opportunity.

  Regards,


  Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

P.S. To the people who are circulating comments that "Schipske's facts are not accurate" about the Municipal Band costs -- I would kindly remind you that they aren't my figures or facts. They come from the City Manager. So if anyone out there can provide different amounts that it costs to hold the band series each summer, please let me, the Mayor and the other members of the City Council know.

Help Find Sponsors to Save the Long Beach Municipal Band

In order to maintain the funding of the Long Beach Municipal Band, the City needs to find corporate sponsors. Each summer the City spends $432,000 or $16,000 each concert for this 101 year tradition.

I previously posted a detailed memo prepared by City Manager Pat West that outlines the costs that I urge readers to review.

Also, help me contact the following Long Beach businesses and ask for their support of the Long Beach Municipal Band.



Southern California Edison
Larry Labrado
2800 East Willow St
Long Beach, CA 90806

WalMart
Merriah Dotson
7250 Carson Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90808


Barnes and Noble
Jeanne Ferrara
7881 Edinger Avenue #110
Huntington Beach, CA 92647


Costco
Gabriela Arteaga
2200 E. Willow St.
Signal Hill, CA 90755


Molina Health Care
Javier M. Mendoza
One Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802


Memorial Medical Center
Peter J. Mackler
7677 Center Ave., Ste. 403
Huntington Beach, CA 92647


St Mary Medical Center
Chris Dicicco
1050 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90813


Cal Worthington Ford
Cal Worthington
2950 N. Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90815


BP
Cindy Wymore
6 Centerpointe Drive
La Palma, CA 90623


Verizon
Mike Murray
One World Trade Center, Ste 206
Long Beach, CA 90831


Jet Blue
Bob Land
P.O. Box 1927
Rockvile, MD 20849



Kaiser Permanente
Diana Bonta
393 East Walnut St
Public Affairs, 2nd Floor
Pasadena, CA 91188


Boeing Company
Mitra Novin
2201 Seal Beach Blvd. MC SC-01
Seal Beach, CA 90740


Charter Communications
Del J. Heintz
4781 Irwindale Avenue
Irwindale, CA 91708

Everything you need to know about why it costs the City of Long Beach $432,419 for a summer municipal band

2010 Summer Concert Series

Schipske Blasts KFI-640 Talk Host for Comments About Long Beach

Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today blasted KFI-640 talk host, Tim Conway, Jr., for comments he made during his show on Saturday concerning the City of Long Beach.

"Conway was doing a review of City Manager salaries in Los Angeles County and giving each city a rating regarding whether or not the condition of the city was reflected in the salary of the city manager," explains Schipske. "When he got to Long Beach he said 'Patrick H. West is worth every dime he makes because Long Beach is diverse, has lots of food and shopping opportunities.' Conway then ended his segment by saying 'of course, if you don't live near the ocean in Long Beach you're going to get killed.'"


"I don't find his comments 'funny' or even accurate for that matter," responds Schipske. "In his review of other cities and their managers' salaries, he didn't make any comments about whether or not those cities are safe to live in. The crime rate in Long Beach is low, particularly in the east side which is miles away from the ocean."


Schipske sent an email to Conway asking that he retract his comments about Long Beach.

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