Can
political candidates use the official seal of the City of Long Beach on their
printed materials, Facebook and campaign websites? In most cities use of the
city seal for personal or political purposes is illegal. But apparently that’s
not the case in Long Beach, which is why Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is asking
for an ordinance to prohibit these uses of the City seal.
“The City seal and logo are the property of the City of Long
Beach and are designated to identify official City business, facilities, events,
and publications,” says Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.
“Long Beach does not
currently have code specifying allowable and prohibited uses of the City seal
and logo. Therefore, there is no mechanism to prevent unauthorized use that
could lead to public misperception that an event, candidate, endorsement, or
position is officially sanctioned by the City.”
The Fifth District Councilwoman also notes that with more
and more elected officials setting up personal websites and Facebook pages that
are not official city sites, use of a City seal and logo give an impression
that they are official and their contents approved by the City.
“As we enter campaign season it is important to have clear
rules so that we don’t again see the City of Long Beach official seal on a
webpage soliciting contributions for a Congressional political candidate,”
Schipske points out.
Schipske adds that many cities have enacted ordinances
controlling the use of the official seal and logo because of concern that
allowing it would constitute a “gift of public property,” noting that if there is a
determination that no public purpose was advanced by such use of City property,
an illegal gift of public funds could result. Although the courts have
liberally interpreted the definition of a public purpose, it would be difficult
for the City to justify the allowance of such use, especially if the City
limited such use to particular parties or individuals.
“Without an ordinance detailing the allowed and prohibited
uses of the City Seal, it is difficult for the City to enforce its rights.”
Note: The first city seal was designed in the early 1900s
and consisted of a ship sailing along the coast of Long Beach. In 1930, a
contest was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce with a prize of $150. The
winning design selected was drawn by an employee in the City engineer’s office,
Roland S. Gielow. Gielow’s design included what were then considered to be
symbols which best represented Long Beach. Most of Gielow’s design was
officially adopted on September 23, 1930. The 4 stars signifying Long Beach as
the state’s 4th largest city and the Edison plant smoke stacks were
removed. The rest remain: “Urbs Amicitiae” (Friendly City); airplane; port, oil
derrick and Edison plant; a long beach; the municipal auditorium and rainbow
lagoon; “Queen of the Beaches,” California bear, horn of plenty and a lamp and
book (to symbolize the city’s cultural side).