June 20, 2011 – Is there a sidewalk that needs fixing in your neighborhood? Has a street sign faded and needs replacing? Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske invites you to join her and other residents in launching “Shaping Up the 5th District”-- a project that encourages walking while at the same time giving residents a chance to help inventory the things that need fixing in their neighborhoods.
“I started walking the 5th district several years ago,” says Schipske. “But the district is 11.5 square miles and I need help in order to get to every street so that the city has a complete inventory of what needs to be repaired or replaced.”
Schipske adds that rather than having the city spend funds on a street by street inventory of its infrastructure, she wants to encourage walking, while at the same time getting residents involved in the process of identifying what needs to be fixed. Residents who walk a neighborhood will be given a bright yellow “How Can I Help You?” card that includes a checklist that can be used to identify what needs to be fixed at each location walked.
Schipske notes that she offers residents several other ways of alerting her to what needs to be fixed: a website “Service Request” form that can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (at www.lbdistrict5.com) ; email (district5@longbeach.gov); contact form on her blog (www.gerrieschipske.com) or by telephone during working hours (562 570-6932).
“Shaping Up the 5th District will be just one more way residents can get involved in making certain the city is informed about what needs to be fixed.”
“Shaping Up the 5th District” will kick off in the Rancho’s neighborhood on Saturday, June 25, 9 am - 11am, 7130 E. Premium Street. The walks will be scheduled monthly. Please wear comfortable shoes.
“I invite residents from other areas of the 5th District to join in all of these walks so that you can see the conditions of all neighborhoods.”
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