1944 Movie -- Since You Went Away -- to Show at Art Theater on June 12

Ladies and Gentlemen -- Get Ready for a Good Cry -- Art Theater to Show 1944 Film "Since You Went Away"

Long Beach, CA – Grab your favorite guy or gal and head on down to the Art Theater on Sunday, June 12 at 11 am and step back in time as you watch the 1944 film "Since You Went Away" presented by The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation "Home Front Theater."

The very emotional 1944 film, Since You Went Away, depicts the life of a mother, played by Claudette Colbert, and her two daughters, played by Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple, on the home front at their father is away at work.  In their struggle to make ends meat, they take in a lodger.  However, the inconveniences and rationing cannot hinder the love affair of a daughter and the grandson of the lodger.  This movie won the 1945 Academy Award for Best Music, as well as, nominated for eight other nomination including Best Picture.  1940s newsreels will also be shown.

The screening will take place 11 a.m. at the Art Theater, 2025 4^th Street in Long Beach.  Tickets will be available at the door for a suggested contribution of $20 for The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation, a non profit organization established to develop and maintain the history of the women who worked on the home front in Long Beach during WWII.

State Senate Passes SB 847 --moves medical marijuana clinics 600 feet away from residences

A bill authored by State Senator Lou Corerra passed minutes ago prohibiting the placement of medical marijuana dispensaries within 600 feet of any residence.

Early this month, the US Attorney General took action against the northern California city of Iselton for facilitating the growing of illegal marijuana by allowing the cultivation of same in the city for medical marijuana clinics.

If this trend holds, cities will have to seriously relook at allowing medical marijuana clinics to operate.

Stay tuned.

Fireworks Halted in San Diego Because of Environmental Impact

A judge has ruled in San Diego that the City must undergo an environmental impact study before it allows fireworks to be discharged into the sky. Local leaders worry that this will prevent 4th of July fireworks from taking place.

See link to story.


The same may happen for the Del Mar fireworks display which has been threatened with a law suit if the organizers of its fireworks show does not agree to a plan for assessing the impact on water quality and wildlife, particularly in and around San Dieguito Lagoon.

Long Beach offers fireworks shows both down at the Queen Mary and at Veterans Stadium near Long Beach City College. No word as yet if the court ruling in San Diego will impact what happens in Long Beach this 4th of July.

Long Beach's Own TedxSoCal is Coming

 A wonderful working group coordinated out of my Council office has put together a fantastic event for Saturday, July 16 -- TEDxSoCal. See the poster below and buy your tickets today.



TEDx Poster

Important City Documents You Need to Read

For your Memorial Weekend pleasure, I am linking documents I have just received on some of the issues facing the City of Long Beach. If you have questions or need more information, please contact me at district5@longbeach.gov.

Documents:

Infrastructure Needs in Long Beach
FAA Project to Look at Local Airspace
March Investment Portfolio for City of Long Beach
Parks and Recreation Commission Approve Octoberfest in El Dorado Park

Ethnic Groups Possibly Change Boundaries for Assembly, Senate and Congressional Districts Including Long Beach

Although the State Citizens Commission on Redistricting is supposed to draw the new lines outlining the boundaries of Assembly, Senate and Congressional districts which include Long Beach, it is clear that some of the Commission's work has been done for them by Redistricting Partners and Political Data, Inc. Additional work has been done by the Mexican American Legal Defense and the Asian Pacific Law Center.

Redistricting Partners is a Sacramento‐based political redistricting firm working at the state, county and
local level to help local governments and outside interest groups navigate the redistricting process. Key
clients include the Community College League, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, the
Sacramento Downtown Partnership and several incumbent legislators and members of Congress.
Political Data Inc. is the unparalleled leader in voter information, working with campaigns throughout
California on a bipartisan basis. For twenty years Political Data has provided campaigns with necessary
tools for direct voter contact, phone, mail, internet and walk programs. The Political Data servers house
the most robust and trusted political data in the state ‐ and this information will be at the fingertips of
their clients in this year’s redistricting process.

They have teamed together and calculated data based on the census and the supplemental information found in the PDI dataset that will be used by demographers and mapmakers to justify lines based on economic, workplace, and consumer patterns.

I am linking their proposed maps for your review. 
Announcement of PDI-+-Redistricting-Partners
California Minority Districts
Congressional Populations
Senate Populations
Assemly Populations

MALDEF maps:
MALDEF Narrative
Proposed Congressional maps
Proposed Assembly Maps
Proposed Senate maps

You will find of interest that the Assembly Districts and Congressional Districts which include Long Beach all experienced increases in Hispanic populations and all will have to add people in order to be balanced. Alan Lowenthal's 27th State Senate District actually had a decrease in Hispanic population.

The most startling news and the factor that will probably produce a congressional district with all of Long Beach within it -- forcing Congresswomen Richardson and Sanchez to slug it out with Congressman Ed Royce and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher if they want to stay in congress.

Particularly vulnerable are Congresswoman Laura Richardson with an 8% increase in Hispanics and a 4% decrease in African Americans. Ed Royce saw a 6% in Hispanics; Linda Sanchez saw a 4% increase and Dana Rohrabacher a 4%.There is another calculation that takes place that is referred to as Citizen Voting Age Population. A 50% CVAP provides protected status on a minority group.

Whatever occurs, it is almost certain that Long Beach will be in one Congressional District, most likely shared with west Orange County -- which is steadily going bluer and bluer (more Democrat). If this redrawing occurs, then the Congressional District will look very much like the one I almost won in 2000 -- to be precise I lost by less than 1% of the vote. It was reported as the 5th closest Congressional race in the U.S. And if this new Congressional District includes west Orange County...I just might have to take a second look at running for Congress again.

Why I Voted Against the Plastic Bag Ban and 10 Cent Fee

Schipske one of three votes against banning plastic bags in grocery stores -- and slapping on 10 cent fee for paper bags... 

It apparently didn't matter to the majority of council members that that most residents of Long Beach do not appreciate being told they aren't responsible enough to recycle and reuse plastic bags or that they now must pay 10 cents for the privilege of using paper bags in grocery stores. That's why on a vote of 5-3 (with one member absent), the Council approved the ban and slapped on the 10 cent fee.

I VOTED AGAINST THE BAN AND 10 CENT FEE -- I did so for a number of reasons:

• unless the state bans all plastic bags, this action singles out only one type of plastic bag used by one type of store -- grocery stores
• it is not appropriate for a city council to slap on a fee for anything that is not related directly to local government -- this fee goes to the grocers who already admit that they charge customers for plastic and paper bags by increasing the cost of groceries
• if the intent was to help clean up the ocean and the LA River, then why aren't we going after the real culprits -- styrofoam and plastic water bottles?
• we are losing numerous wild birds in our local El Dorado Park because they are wrapped up in fishing line..but we aren't going to ban fishing or fishing line
  
• this action does not generate one penny for the city to recover any refuse costs associated with plastic bags
• not one plastic bag from Long Beach winds up in landfills -- that's because in Long Beach we don't use landfills for our trash -- we burn in at our SERRF plant which generates electricity
• the EPA warns that paper bags can house cockroaches and their eggs and should be kept outside...nice
• this country switched from paper to plastic because of concern of how many trees were being destroyed and the terrible pollution the manufacture of paper bags makes...duh, these are still concerns
• many of the reusable bags being sold are not all safe -- many have been recalled due to lead and other toxic materials (if you use one, cotton is the best)
• I believe that the best approach and most reasonable thing to do would be to continue a voluntary recycle and reuse plan and perhaps even implement a plastic bag refund program whereby grocers could pay customers who return 10 or more plastic bags..nothing works better than incentives
• This issue should be put to a vote of the residents who will be impacted 

What you can do:

• Contact Mayor Foster and ask him to veto the ordinance. He has 10 days to sign it into law or to veto it.
• Contact your local grocery store and tell them you want them to carry and offer the types of plastic bags that are used at Wal-Mart and Target stores for their groceries and which by the way are STILL LEGAL under the City ordinance -- a little factoid not told to many.
• Gather signatures to stop the ordinance and to place it on the ballot. 

Please keep in touch.

Gerrie

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, 5th District 

Schipske to Request Report on Impact of Supreme Court Decision Mandating Release of Prisoners

 Readers -- I am submitting the following council agenda item in light of the May 23 US Supreme Court 

decision ordering the release of State prisoners:

Subject:           Request for Report from City Manager and Chief of Police on Local Impact of Supreme Court Decision Ordering State to Release Prisoners and Assessment of City Budgeting Necessary to Respond

Discussion:

On May 23, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the State of California to release tens of thousands of state prison inmates, saying overcrowding in the state prison's had resulted in "needless suffering and death." The state is being required to reduce its prison population by as many as 46,000 inmates. Some prisoners will be transferred to local jails, others may be sent to the community to live in half-way houses and still others may be released.

It would be helpful and instructive to the City Council if the City Manager and Chief of Police provide an assessment of the potential impact of this court decision, including what additional public safety budgeting may be necessary.

Recommendation:

Motion to approve a request that the City Manager and the Chief of Police  report on the local impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering the State to release prisoners and an assessment of what additional public safety budgeting will be necessary to respond.

Not controversial enough -- but I won my bet!

I bet my staff that the Press Telegram wouldn't cover the fact that Councilman Robert Garcia and I walked together in the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday.

I had a hunch that they would rather print a story that portrays Garcia and me in some type of "fight" about what to name an area at 3rd and the Promenade. They did just that last week and then KCAL picked it up incorrectly that I voted against referring the issue to committee, when in fact I wasn't even there. But it made good tabloid news.

So Councilman Garcia and I were both concerned about the inaccuracies and decided to walk together behind a banner with both of our names. Not only did the Press Telegram not even mention that we walked together to show unity, but I am the only member of the City Council who was in the parade that didn't appear in their photo gallery.

Gosh, fellas, your bias is really showing. If I didn't have this blog, the people couldn't get the facts. Now I have to collect my bet.

PS. Justin Rudd sent me a photo so I know I was there. (Time to get the grey dyed...)

What a busy week

On Thursday, community volunteers and the Long Beach Firefighters came through again to help fill over 100 bags filled with items for newborns and educational materials for their moms in my annual Community Babyshower. Great community involvement! Thanks everyone.

On Saturday, residents, staff and I, associates from Wal-Mart and Public Works planted 12 new trees in the Rancho's area on Premium. Great team work and involvement from the residents, who after having 17 diseased trees removed by the City, got together to move ahead getting replacements, which we got from the City Office of Sustainability. Thank you!

Today, I marched the entire length of the Gay Pride Parade with Councilman Robert Garcia. Yes, I can and yes, I did!

Ran home (actually was driven there) and changed my clothes so I could head over to Carpenters Center at CSULB and give the commencement address to the class of 2011 from Charter College. Charter prepares students for careers in health care, law enforcement, business and technology. The Center was filled as 200 graduates received their diplomas.

I shared with the graduates how I had been reluctant to accept the speaking engagement since yesterday was supposed to be the end of the world. I thought maybe I was invited because the school thought I'd be the only elected official in Long Beach left behind.  I also pointed out that while the end of the world would have spoiled their graduation...it would have wiped out their student loans -- to which I received a lot of applause. It was fun to watch people starting their careers and celebrating their accomplishments. I am glad I said "yes."

Schipske and Garcia to Walk Together in Gay Pride Parade

Following my earlier blog posting today, Councilman Robert Garcia and I exchanged a series of emails discussing the need to make it clear to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community that the two of  us are not engaged in any type of fight about the issue of naming space in honor of Harvey Milk.

I suggested to Councilman Garcia that the two of us walk together at the upcoming Sunday Gay Pride Parade to demonstrate our unity.  He agreed. (I do hope we have a backup car just in case my feet give out.)


Both of us understand how very important this weekend is to our community and how significant it is that Long Beach has two openly lesbian and gay elected officials who both care deeply about our City and all of its residents.

I've cautioned Councilman Garcia that our walking together without my partner, Flo, will be the talk of the community.  But in the words of my favorite (maybe lesbian) singer, Anne Murray: "Let's give them something to talk about."

Let's stick to the truth

For those of you who really value the truth, you need to know that some of the press coverage over the issue to name a space on 3rd and Promenade in honor of Harvey Milk is not factual -- either deliberately or laziness in researching the issue.

ISSUE:
I understand that a news caster stated that the City Council voted unanimously to approve the naming of the space in honor of Harvey Milk and that I voted against it.

FACTS:

• I have never opposed the naming. I just didn't co-sponsor the item because (gasp..) I thought we should expand the concept and include local LGBT heroes. (And apparently so did others on facebook. Councilman Garcia even posted to say he appreciated the discussion.)
• I wasn't at council because I left earlier due to bronchitis that triggered coughing I had a hard time stopping. 
• Only five council members remained.
• The agenda item was NOT the approval of naming the space but to refer a recommendation to two committees that will have public input on the item.
• I would have voted for the council agenda item to send it to committees because I do think we should have discussion.

ISSUE:
I understand that the discussion of any thing less than naming the area for one specific person and expanding the concept to include local LGBT heroes in any dedication, is being characterized as a "fight."

FACTS:

• Really? There is no "fight" going on -- just a healthy discussion. I know it is more dramatic to frame this as an "us vs. them" fight -- but that is not what is going on. There isn't any "them."
• I understand no one came to council to oppose the issue -- so where is the "fight."
• The lesbian and gay community is diverse and has diverse opinions and ideas.
• Many people fought very hard against City Hall to have a Gay Pride Parade and Festival -- that was a real "fight" and should be acknowledged and honored.

ISSUE:
Is Gerrie Schipske "gay enough?"

FACTS:

• Heard this for the past 25 years in local politics if I ever dare raise questions or another view point.
• On the other hand, I have been the target in many political mailers because I am gay.
• My partner Flo and I have been together for 31 years and have worked on so many issues.
• I subscribe to the Harvey Milk theory of being gay and a public official: Milk was quoted about his work on non-gay issues: "All over the country, they're reading about me, and the story doesn't center on me being gay. It's just about a gay person who is doing his job."

Out with bronchitis

Made it through the first hour of council tonight after a full day of meetings at City Hall and then my bronchitis got me. Was down a couple days last week and should have just taken it easy.  Am going to listen to doctor's advice this week.

Headlines on Plastic Bag Ban Visible through Plastic Bag holding Press Telegram

I count on it. I retrieve my daily Press Telegram in its plastic bag -- free of dirt and water from the sprinklers.
How ironic that today I could read "LB Council Set to Pass Plastic Bag Ban" through the plastic bag that held my newspaper. But I should not despair, because those plastic bags won't be banned if the Council has its way, even though the bags are as thin (if not thinner) than the ones proposed to be outlawed. (We reuse them in our house when the dog is walked.) Only those bags used for groceries will be banned unless you sell groceries in Target or Wal-Mart -- because their bags are thicker.

As you know I held a town meeting on this topic several months ago because of the emails I received that indicate residents (the majority) are not supportive of a mandatory ban of plastic bags and a mandatory fee of ten cents to buy a paper bag.

The opposition boils down to the following:

• Use of non plastic bags should be voluntary as it is now.
• Grocers already admit to increasing the cost of groceries for both plastic and paper bags.
• The current economy is not conducive for adding any type of fees.
• How in the world is the city going to enforce the ban and the imposition of the fee?
• The production of paper bags is the number ONE source of air pollution in the Pacific Northwest.
• The ordinance may be found to be illegal . We will know once the California Supreme Court finishes a case before it challenging the Manhattan Beach plastic bag ban.
• Shoppers will go to Lakewood or Signal Hill (which do not ban the plastic bags) and our Long Beach businesses will be impacted unfairly.

I took a walk in El Dorado Park yesterday and found several plastic bags floating through the air or stuck on a fence. Many of them were from the 99 cent store -- which does not sell groceries and would not be covered under this ban. So what about those bags?

A statewide ban on plastic bags would be more appropriate and probably more legally defensible.

See Short Video on TEDX-So Cal that we are bringing to Long Beach in July

Readers -- see this exciting spot on the Tedx-SoCal that we are bringing to Long Beach this July 16th! My staff and I and a wonderful committee of creative, talented people put the event together. Our theme is "Thriving". Tickets are on sale and we encourage students to attend to listen to the array of thought provoking speakers and entertainers.

Why I didn't co-sponsor naming a plaza after Harvey Milk

At the risk of losing my "gay card," I will explain why I turned down the offer to co-sponsor a council item to name Third and Promenade in honor of "Harvey Milk" the first out elected official from San Francisco who was killed along with George Moscone by Dan White.

First District Councilman Robert Garcia's staff asked my staff if I would co-sponsor the naming and I responded with: "I would prefer that we name the area 'Unity Plaza' or 'Human Rights Plaza' so that it could be more inclusive of all those who have fought for civil and human rights." My suggestion was rebuffed.

I know the Gay Pride Festival is coming in a week and that Harvey Milk's birthday is May 22, but for those folks out there,  you youngin's -- Harvey wasn't the first out elected official -- it was Elaine Noble who in 1975 was out and elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature. I know because I was 25 at the time and was amazed that anyone who was gay could get elected to office.

More importantly, why not honor a Long Beach person who worked so very hard to get the Gay Pride Festival and Parade in Long Beach. Judith Doyle and two others were the founders and had to fight the City of Long Beach every step of the way to get the parade. As a result, the event is the City's number two event in terms of sales tax and visitors! (Actually the Chamber of Commerce should honor all three!)