I was struck by a 2010 Knight Foundation story that surveyed the factors that make a resident love their city -- what makes the soul of a city. The story showed in 25 cities -- including Long Beach -- that residents who love their city help make the economy grow. What residents want are places to gather, clean and green spaces and openness -- acceptance by others.
The cuts being proposed go to the soul of Long Beach. Our residents need and depend upon our libraries and our parks and recreation programs. Our families count on after school opportunities and a place for their children to study and to read. Our kids want to play sports and stay busy. Those with disabilities need adaptive recreation and safe swimming pools so they have the chance to interact with their peers. Our seniors want to attend programs that enable them to keep active and out of nursing homes.
We should not be pitting these quality of life services against police and fire for funding. It should not be an either or especially when the city has a surplus.
Notice: This is not a City of Long Beach site.
Save Station 18
Popular Posts
-
Prior to the construction of a 150-acre airport in 1923, pilots could be seen taking off and landing on the long strand of beach or on a san... -
I came home the other day to see a yellow notice taped to my front doorknob. The notice was also visible up and down Studebaker. These are s... -
WPA artist, Grace Clements, who designed the tile mosaics on the floor of the Long Beach Municipal Airport and murals on the walls of the te... -
USC Graduate Students Present Winning Design for 2nd and PCH in Long Beach A couple of weeks ago I placed an item on the council age... -
For the first time in the history of California, politicians of either major party will NOT be having influence on how the boundary lines ar...
-
In response to the Little Hoover Commission's report on public employee pensions and Councilman Gary De Long's current attempt to g...