LBPOST -- it would have only taken a moment to call me to get the information your article lacks.
First of all the 5th District is the largest district -- 11.5 sq. miles which means we have the most streets, the most sidewalks and the most city trees. So we have the most infrastructure needs.
Unlike prior councilmembers, I have worked with Public Works to bundle repairs in an area so that it wasn't done on a shot gun approach. That approach has been inefficient and the costs of sending crews from one corner of a district to another is silly. That is why the Ranchos got their sidewalks done and we are moving north and west (something I go over in great detail at my state of the city). That is why one area gets their trees trimmed instead of here and there. And because I brought saw cutting to the city, we are able to fix many more sidewalks at a lower cost than we have ever done in Long Beach. (You can see the video on my city website: www.lbdistrict5.com).
Now as to the major streets being fixed in the 5th with stimulus monies -- Spring goes from Orange County to the west border of the City and is a major thoroughfare. Los Coyotes dissects the east part of the city south to north. These projects have been slated for repair for several years. They were shovel ready and have a tremendous impact on the traffic.
Regarding the lack of an alley behind Euclid -- that has been a problem for 40 years. I have worked on it (albeit quietly) for 4 years I have been in office. Those homes have been ruined because of the flooding and the city wouldn't do anything about it. Now they are fixing it.
I also have a serious problem with streets raised up to 3 and 4 feet because of stone pine tree roots. Those problems have been there for many years and I am pushing the City Attorney and the Public Works department that they need to be removed because they are hazards.
I also constantly walk and inspect my district and leave constituent service cards with residents and email the problems via Blackberry. I also have a sophisticated computer tracking system that monitors when we call in a problem so we can follow it up to get it done. I was the first to place an on line service request form that can be accessed 24/7 and so we are on top of the complaints.
My job is to advocate for my residents in the 5th District. If I hadn't been doing that you'd be the first to blast me for not doing my job.
Gerrie Schipske
