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Friday Newsletter Final

Where Have Medical Marijuana Collectives Applied to Do Business in Long Beach?

The following is a document given to the Press Telegram today by the City concerning where medical marijuana collectives have applied to do business. Please note that because of the school buffer zone which I strongly pushed for adoption, the 5th Council District has only 3 commercial areas in which a collective can apply. I am also working with my colleagues to re-instate a buffer for parks which was removed by a majority of the council:

10-02380 Response w Business Addresses w CC Districts for Press Alert ONLY

LB Junior Concert Band To Do Free Concerts on Labor Day

Thanks to LBReport which is allowing me to copy the breaking story....

LB residents can hear the award winning all-volunteer Jr. Concert Band, comprised of talented musicians ages 13-21, in their neighborhood parks listed below.
Executive Board President Jim Mitchell says that after the LB Jr. Concert Band marches on Monday morning (Sept. 6) in the Wilmington Labor Day Parade, they'll make a bus tour with concert stops scheduled in all nine LB Council districts. "We have to do it within five hours; we've rented the bus from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and they'll charge us more if we go beyond that," he notes. 

Here's the Jr. Concert Band's Labor Day Monday blitz concert tour. Note: times approximate (suggest you arrive early). Each concert estimated to be roughly 20-30 mins (may be adjusted to reach all nine stops within time frame). All concerts are free.

• Houghton Park (starts approx 2.00 p.m.)
• Scherer Park at 46th Street
• Cherry Park 1901 E. 45th St.
• Vets Park 101 E. 28th St. (est. approx 3:30 p.m.)
• Drake Park, 951 Maine Ave.
• Bixby Park 130 Cherry Ave.
• Rec Park, 4900 E. 7th St. (est. approx. 5:00 p.m.)
• El Dorado Park West (by golf course entrance)
• Stearns Park

The LB Junior Concert Band -- a local institution with nearly sixty years of history -- is open to young people from 12-21 and has deep roots here. At a recent City Council Budget Oversight Committee hearing, multiple parents and former band members testified to the Band's demonstrated successes in taking children off the street and channeling their energies and talents into a constructive, disciplined endeabor.
The LB Jr. Concert Band drew cheers in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and Belmont Shore's Christmas Parade (as Band Director Marvin Marker marched alongside, Dec. 5, 2009, one day before his sudden death).
Organized by Mr. Marker in 1952, the LB Jr. Concert Band is the "Official Host Youth Band" for the City of Long Beach. The band's website states in pertinent part:

The City Manager's Recent Newsletter

Friday Newsletter Final

Come On A Free Cruise

You are cordially invited to join Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske for a free cruise of the

Port of Long Beach on:

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Boarding Location: Departs from Dock 2 at Rainbow Harbor, adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific

Guest Arrival: No later than 5:30 p.m. - Boat departs promptly at 6:00 p.m.

Food and beverages provided

Attire: Casual - rubber soled shoes - light jacket

Parking: Aquarium of the Pacific Parking Structure

{$8.00 for Parking}

Come join your friends and neighbors on a cruise of the Port of Long Beach and learn about how this major seaport provides a tremendous economic engine for Southern California. You will be amazed at what goes on right here in Long Beach. For our guests with disabilities, please inform us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

Please RSVP by calling 562-570-6932 or emailing district5@longbeach.gov.

Contact Us and Let Us Know Who Will Be Attending this Fun Event!

Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

phone: 562 570-6932 or email: district5@longbeach.gov

And a clarification from City Manager on City Salaries

After the first memo and LBBJ article appeared on City salaries, the City Manager sent a clarification on their prior memorandum:

Clarification on 100 Club

City Mangement Response to Article on Employee Salaries

Annually, the Long Beach Business Journal runs an article listing all the salaried employees in the City who make $100,000 or more and those who are approaching the $100,000 figure. Here's the link to that article. Below is an explanation by City Management:

City Salaries in Long Beach

Dog and Cat Licensing -- An Explanation

Many of you have asked why the City of Long Beach is now going door to door on the issue of dog and cat licensing. Below is a memo from the City Manager explaining:

Dog  and Cat Licensing

Good News --You Can Help Save the LB Municipal Band Now.

Long Beach Municipal Band 1925

I have several pieces of good news concerning the future of the Long Beach Municipal Band.

As you know, many of you contacted me about saving the Long Beach Municipal Band from the financial cuts proposed in the budget presented to the City Council.

I immediately set out to try and find a corporate sponsor by sending out a number of letters to key business contacts. I also encouraged residents to do the same.

I was contacted by a member of the Harbor Commission about engaging the Port of Long Beach in helping to fund. It appears we may be able to secure $50,000.

The law firm of Keesal, Young and Logan have agreed to provide pro-bono legal work to form a non-profit "Friends of the LB Municipal Band" which will allow tax deductible contributions to be made that will go directly to maintaining the LB Municipal Band.

In the interim, I have asked city staff to arrange with Partners of Parks, which is a non profit organization that can accept tax deductible donations, to waive their 10% administrative fee and accept donations right now for the Long Beach Municipal Band.

You may now send your tax deductible donation to help save the Long Beach Municipal Band to:

Partners of Parks
2760 N Studebaker Road
Long Beach, CA 90815-1697

Mark your donation: Long Beach Municipal Band.

The fight is not over. We need to make certain the band receives a steady source of funding from the City of Long Beach. As we look at other programs funded from the same source of monies, we need to make certain the LB Municipal Band receives it fair share.

Community Budget Meeting for 5th Council District Saturday August 21st

The public is invited to attend a Community Budget Meeting on Saturday, August 21 at 10 am. The meeting will feature Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and key city management who will discuss the Mayor and City Manager's proposed budget for the coming Fiscal Year.

The meeting will be held at Emerson Parkside Academy at Josie and Willow.

Weekly City Manager Newsletter

The most recent City Manager's weekly newsletter:

Friday Newsletter 0813102

City Council Compensation

 The following was given to the LA Times regarding the compensation given to City Council members and the Mayor:    Council Compensation 8-13-10

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.

Weekly City Manager Newsletter

City Manager Newsletter

The Long Beach Municipal Band

I have received dozens of emails asking that the Long Beach Municipal Band not be reduced or eliminated out of the city budget.

First, please know I live across the street from where the El Dorado park concerts are held on Fridays and have attended these concerts long before I was elected to City Council.

Secondly, the city faces a $18 million dollar deficit. The concerts performed by the musicians cost the city $450,000 for 6 week -- 2 hour venues. The same amount funds 4 police officers or 4 firefighters for an entire year.

Thirdly, Long Beach long ago abandoned employing a Long Beach Municipal Band. Instead, they would contract each summer for a conductor who would put the call out in Southern California for band players. They would come together and play each summer. The next summer different players would sign on.

Fourthly, people who attend the concerts do donate -- but the amount is small: $50,000 which leaves $400,000 to come out of the budget.

So that being said, we need to find a corporate sponsor to underwrite the costs and/or get a conductor and band that will play for less than $15,000 a concert plus the costs of the sheet music which I understand runs @ $54,000.

We are cutting parks, recreation, libraries, police, fire, etc. That is why the Mayor proposed cutting band concerts. Let's find a solution.