Several of my colleagues who also faced re-election in April are supporting a proposal to reduce the number of council meetings to two a month.Funny, they didn't bother to campaign on this issue. They didn't bother to tell voters: re-elect me and I will vote to cut the number of times I have to report to work for you.
The argument that it will save $3500 a month is ridiculous. If that is so, then reduce the Mayor and Council's office budgets to pay for the public meetings. Have each council person chip in $375 to hold the meeting.
The argument that it will allow council people to hold community meetings on Tuesday with their constituents is also nonsense. Hold your community meetings 6 other days in the week if you aren't having enough meeting with your constituents. A public council meeting is the only time the public can watch and participate as we openly deliberate on issues. But maybe that is why my colleagues want to limit those opportunities -- less public discussion, less pesky constituents seeing what is being done.
Okay. So you want to cut the number of times you need to show up for city council meetings to twice a month? Then I urge you to support my charter amendment which would cut our salary 50%. (That's because our salaries were set by charter in 1988 when council met 4 times a month. In 2004, the council cut out a meeting and now some want to cut out yet another meeting.)
Put it on the ballot in November and let the people tell us what they really think of a council that doesn't want to do the job they were elected to do.
Notice: This is not a City of Long Beach site.
Dear Readers: Please note that this is not a City of Long Beach website and is not paid for nor maintained by taxpayer funds.
If you contact Gerrie Schipske through this site on any matter pertaining to the City of Long Beach, a copy of your contact will be forwarded to her official city email as an official public record.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Save Station 18
Popular Posts
-
I was the only councilperson who voted against the sale of the building and parking lot at 100 Ocean Blvd last week. (www.lbeport.com publis...
-
How do I begin? Last week I learned of a management proposal to seriously restructure the fire department. I asked my staff to get a communi...
-
I am sure you agree that Long Beach needs jobs! That's why I am asking my colleagues on the City Council to approve two measures I hav...
-
We're the 6th largest city and the only one of those 6 without a lobbyist ordinance which regulates and discloses contacts between our ...
-
The public is invited to a meeting at the El Dorado Community Center at 2800 Studebaker, to hear what is being proposed for the staging of B...
-
Ok. I admit it. I hate fast cars and rollercoasters so it was amazing that I said yes last week when I was invited to take a spin in a race ...
-
Last night, the Council approved two agenda items brought forth by Councilman Robert Garcia and me that would further open up City Hall to t...
-
Was stunned that I was included in the list of the top 10 most powerful people in Long Beach compiled by LBPOST.com. Really. There are a lot...
-
As you know, US troops have returned from Iraq and several cities have held parades and other celebrations to acknowledge their service. I...
-
Date: January 19, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “Creating Community Through People, Places, Programs and Partnerships” Public Meeting Sche...