Schipske Calls for Rule Preventing Use of City Seal for Personal or Political Uses

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). 

Updates from Long Beach Police

Shooting of Armed Suspect Who Fled Burglary in Redondo Beach and Ended in Eastside Long Beach  The following was released by the Long Beach Police Department: [Release text] On Thursday, February 21, 2013, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Long Beach Police patrol officers were in pursuit of a felony suspect in the 6400 block of E. Keynote Street when they were involved in an officer involved shooting. Below are details of the incident as they occurred: English: Photograph of a California Highway Patrol badge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Long Beach Police Department (California) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) shortly before 1:00 a.m., the Long Beach Police Department was notified of a stolen vehicle pursuit involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP)  CHP lost sight of the vehicle shortly after it exited the 405 Freeway at Studebaker Road Long Beach police officers located the vehicle in the area and a pursuit was initiated the suspect vehicle crashed into a vacant residence in the 6400 block of E. Keynote Street the suspect driver armed himself with a handgun, began firing multiple rounds, and an officer involved shooting occurred the suspect was pronounced deceased at scene no officers were injured in this incident and the investigation is ongoing the suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Christopher Taylor from Maryland The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting, as they do with all officer involved shootings that occur in Los Angeles County that result in injury or death. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark McGuire or Roger Zottneck at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

Residents Encouraged to Be Aware of Utility Worker Scam The Long Beach Police Department is alerting residents about recent reports of persons falsely representing themselves as utility workers as a ruse to commit burglary. In this scam, the bogus workers are apparently targeting homes to burglarize when no one is expected to be home, or working as a team to distract the occupant and burglarize the home. The following information is provided to allow residents to confirm that they are interacting with Long Beach City employees: Utility employees are identifiable by their uniform and are required, upon request, to show a City-issued identification card Customer contact is made either in person by a uniformed employee or through a form that is left in a prominent location on the property - The form provides a contact number to inquire about the work scheduled or to reschedule the work at a more convenient time If residents have any doubt, they are encouraged to call the appropriate department to verify the legitimacy of the employee Long Beach Gas and Oil - (562) 570-2140 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Long Beach Water Department - (562) 570-2300 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Residents are advised to keep gates to backyards locked and secure at all times and to immediately report suspicious activity, including loiterers, to the Long Beach Police Department by calling 9-1-1 with a suspect description.

Join Councilwoman Schipske and KCET anchor Val Zavala Help Long Beach Get Ready!

You are invited to a Night at the Aquarium and a Chance to Go Behind the Scenes

Spent two hours today walking neighborhood. Talking to residents. Inspecting sidewalk repair.

With good weather I am able to re-launch my Shaping Up the 5th District walk program. Today I walked for about two hours, going door to door and talking with residents. I also got an opportunity to inspect first hand the extensive sidewalk, driveway and curb repair going on in the 5th District.

Remember, I started a program to consolidate these repairs by neighborhood instead of by what I call "politics." What I mean by that is historically a resident called a council office and complained of a sidewalk needing repair. A crew was dispatched to that address and then on to the next complaint. It didn't matter that the sidewalk next to the first caller needed repair or the one across the street. Because those two others did not call and complain, their sidewalks were not on a list.

So in addition to walking the 5th Council district alone and with residents, we took our inventory of a neighborhood to Public Works and have been able to group them together and coordinate tree trimming and street repair so that there is some infrastructure repair going on in some part of the 5th all year long.

Today, I got to see first hand the workers remove concrete, cut very large tree, roots, lay down a root barrier to prevent more roots and pour concrete.

If you notice markings on your sidewalk, that probably means you are in line for a repair. If there is a little blue marking in the corner, that means the sidewalk doesn't need to be replaced but can be fixed with sawcutting -- a technique I brought to Long Beach several years ago. Saw cutting saves the city a tremendous amount of money and it means that we are able to fix many more sidewalks so that trip hazards can be removed.

The 5th District is receiving over $530,000 for sidewalk repairs which means we are able to complete several major sections of the council district. As soon as more funds are available, more sidewalks will be repaired. We have a list that goes beyond 2014 which is when I leave Council.

Hundreds Attend Fourth Annual Solar Grand Prix Race Orientation

Long Beach, CA – February 9, 2013 – The annual Long Beach Solar Grand Prix competition which challenges students to work as a team, using their creative thinking and scientific knowledge to experiment, design, and build a high-performance model vehicle, kicked off on Saturday February 9th with an orientation in a packed Long Beach City College Liberal Arts Campus Auditorium.

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, Fifth District Sustainability Task Force and Solar Grand Prix organizer Jaime Guoz, and CSULA students competing in the EcoCar 2 challenge were featured speakers at the event attended by students and coaches representing a record 79 teams. Each team has 4-6 students headed by a teacher/coach.

To compete in the annual race, students must build a working model racing vehicle using a solar panel and gear kit. Every team receives a starting kit which includes a solar panel and electric motor. How they choose to construct a winning racer and what they will add to the basic kit will also be judged in separate categories for design, innovation, and speed.

“This year’s Solar Grand Prix will be bigger and better than ever. We have a record number of students and coaches who have signed up to compete in the race. Every year, I’m amazed at how innovative and technologically advanced our students are when I see the model cars they create each year,” Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske commented.

The Solar Grand Prix was launched by the Fifth District Sustainability Task Force as a way to introduce students to the possibilities of careers green technologies and to introduce them to practical applications of engineering, design, and creativity.

Seventy-nine teams, 66 middle school, and 13 high school teams have registered. Students grades 6-12 will design and build a solar-powered model car that will race, powered only by the sun.

The event, sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Ameco Solar, AES Alamitos, Long Beach Police Officers Association, Long Beach City College, Segue to Solar, Parnters of Parks, and the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is expected to attract over 1000 family members, friends, and fans who will gather to watch the cars race on a 20 meter (65 foot) track in a series of head to head elimination rounds.

The 4th Annual Solar Grand Prix will be held in El Dorado Park behind the Parks and Recreation Administration Building on Saturday, April 20th starting at 10 am. For more information about the Solar Grand Prix, contact Rachel Powers, Neighborhood Liaison in the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, 562-570-6932 or rachel.powers@longbeach.gov. Information about the race is also posted on the 5^th District website and more information about the CSULA EcoCar 2 team can be found here.

ABC Announces “Splash” – “Diving with the Stars” Starting in March...Was Going to be at Long Beach Belmont Pool and then...

I met with the producers of this show who happen to be 5th district constituents several months ago and urged the City Manager to do whatever to get this "diving with the stars" show booked at Belmont Pool. 

There would not only be fees paid for its use, but the producers and I talked about how the City wanted to be the "Aquatics Capital of the World" and any publicity and donation of funds would be most appreciated. 

I even connected them with Pat McCormick because I encouraged a local connection. 

Then this month, whack. I get the news the City is closing down the pool. 

So we lost out on a fantastic opportunity. What bad timing.

Celebrities on 'Splash': ABC announces celebrity divers set to hit pool in 'Splash'

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Politicians Setting Up Bogus Campaigns for State Treasurer

Money for Nothing (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Imagine getting a solicitation to contribute to a campaign for State Treasurer and then finding out the politician had no intentions of running for State Treasurer but wanted some way to get funds that he could use on another campaign which would result in going around campaign limits!

Well it seems this is all too common. While we have specific limitations on how much an individual can contribute to a campaign there is this gimmick going around in some political circles where politicians set up a number of campaign accounts and solicit contributions for all "campaigns" and then "donate" the funds from the campaign they are not pursuing to the real campaign they are. This allows donors to essentially give twice -- once to the phony campaign and once to the real. Consequently, this has created large political slush funds. But because these campaign reports are filed separately it is difficult for the public to track the double contributions.

This practice was highlighted in the Sacramento Bee as it detailed how Assemblyman Dan Logue set up a committee for State Treasurer and then admitted to the press, that he wasn't really running for State Treasurer but in fact raising money for other campaigns. (Most politicians never publicly admit that they didn't have a chance in hell of running for a statewide office because after all it might stop the contributions.)

We need to stop this practice because it creates political slush funds and makes a mockery out of campaign contribution limits. Most importantly it fails to provide the public with transparency about campaign finance.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/02/dan-logue-eyes-2014-treasurer-run-leno-goes-for-lt-gov-in-2018.html

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I goofed. I overspent. I am sorry.

Money - Black and White Money (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Two of the councilmembers and Mayor delighted in pointing out in public last Tuesday that I had come in over budget this past year by $3,543.86 out of a total council budget of $408,836.71. (Not to diminish the error but this amounts to .008 percent of my budget.)

I had been under budget for 11 months and in September (last month before the budget year ends) I was presented with an additional $1,336.88 in xeroxing charges and $747.10 and $1,246.79 in charges to use an IPAD to access the City Clerk’s Legistar system while in City Council.

I take responsibility for an overage. Just wished I had been given those charges earlier in the year so I could have cut something else.

I would like to point out some facts these councilmembers and the Mayor failed to point out about the 5^th District budget since 2009:

2009 – under budget by $273.00

2010 – under budget by $3,957.00

2011 – under budget by $13,001.00.

After the wailing, gnashing of teeth and beating of their breasts about where or where would the City Manager find the money to offset this overspending, I offered to make a corresponding cut in the 2013 5th district budget of $3,544.00.

Below is my budget for 2012 -- which is the same amount as every other councilmember. The budgeting system is very convoluted with City charges and projected salary savings and other items that don't make much sense to the average person. (By the way the council and Mayor budgets are never shown by line item in the City budget document. The one I am including is probably your first look at what a council office budget looks like line by line.)

I am still trying to find out why I was charged $20 for Fleet Services; an extra 32 cents for Email and webservices; an extra .36 cents for desktop support. 

Psst! Wanna Buy City Hall, the Main Library and the Old Courthouse for the Lowest Price in Real Estate History? Then Come to City Council on Tuesday, February 12!

I know my memory sometimes misses things, but in a search of records and the website, I cannot for the life of me find when the City Council ever had a public session and invited the public to come and discuss whether or not to sell off prime property a block from the ocean. That property would be the Civic Center, Lincoln Park, the Main Library, a parking structure and the old Superior Court.

Now you’d think I could remember such a public session where we invited the public to hear what City management had in mind for the not yet 39 year old structures. And I don’t ever recall the City Council giving direction to City Management to proceed in planning on selling this property – property that I might had has not had a public appraisal and is probably at its lowest value in 10 years due to the recession.

That’s why I strongly objected to the City Attorney Bob Shannon about the plan to put this discussion into a closed session out of public view and hearing this week. Apparently the City Attorney agreed because he pulled it out of closed session and opined it had to go into open session.  Unfortunately the item is not available for public review even though we have in place a rule that council agenda items have to be submitted 12 days in advance of the meeting so the public has time to review and to have notice if they need to come to City Council. But I do understand it will be submitted under the deadline on Friday and the public will get to have 3 days to review.

I am not sure who on the City Council or if it is the Mayor that is pushing City Management to start the process to sell off the City assets. But you have to ask yourself why? It does not make sense economically. The City cannot afford police services and just removed a fire engine from Gary DeLong’s district in Belmont Shore. We can’t maintain our parks right now. Our libraries don’t have enough funds to update materials. Real estate values are the lowest in 10 years.

So say we sell all this valuable property at dirt cheap rates, then what? What are we going to do to replace the buildings and pay to move everyone out and then back in? Where are we going to get the money to purchase or to lease new properties? Right now the buildings are paid for so why would we incur these costs?

Don’t even mention a public-partnership because everyone of those are nothing more than sweet deals for private developers that leave the taxpayer holding the bag for paying the costs. Take for instance the new courthouse in Long Beach. It is magnificent. However, the independent California Legislative Analyst's Office has found that the public-private partnership now building the state's $490 million Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in downtown Long Beach is costing $160 million more than it should because cost estimates were flawed. This money is being taken out the court system statewide.

No one seems to care about the taxpayer in these flight of fancy ideas to sell off public assets or to build new Taj Mahals.

It does not matter that the Mayor hates the design of Civic Center because the external appearance can be altered significantly for less than a new building. If it has design defects it is only 39 years old and the designer and construction company are both still around to be held accountable.

Keep in mind when a former Director of Public Works, who by the way was named the top Public Works professional in the U.S., wrote a memo showing how the Main Library and City Hall could be fixed and did not need to be replaced, she was promptly removed. She then left to head public works in Santa Barbara.

This is your city hall, your main library, your Lincoln Park and your courthouse. You should decide what happens to all of them. This Council and this Mayor won’t be in office when their plans get implemented. You will still be here paying taxes on whatever folly they put in motion.

Come on down to City Hall on Tuesday, February 12 at 5pm and let us know what you think about this plan.

Selling City Hall and the Main Library Should Be Decided in Public -- Not Behind Closed Doors

I objected to the City Council going into closed session regarding the potential sale of City Hall, the Main Library and the old courthouse, on the basis that the Brown Act is very specific about the conditions under which discussion about real property can take place in closed session.

Section 54956.8. Closed session; Real estate negotiations reads in pertinent part:

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a legislative body of a local agency may hold a closed session with its negotiator prior to the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for the local agency to grant authority to its negotiator regarding the price and terms of payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease.

However, prior to the closed session, the legislative body of the local agency shall hold an open and public session in which it identifies the real property or real properties which the negotiations may concern and the person or persons with whom its negotiator may negotiate.”

The City has not identified the persons or persons with whom its negotiator may negotiate and therefore I believe this should not go into closed session and would ask that this be laid over for a public session at which the Council can publicly discuss what it is exactly being proposed for the City property. 

 A recent Attorney General Opinion narrows what can be discussed in closed session concerning real estate to price and terms:  “If local agencies need a ‘rule of reason’ allowing them the flexibility secretly to discuss all aspects of any project involving some transfer of an interest in real property, they must seek such authority in new legislation.  Otherwise their ‘rule of reason’ is precisely what is withheld in the Brown Act’s preamble as ‘the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know.’”

 The taxpayers deserve to know what their elected officials have in mind for their public assets. Additionally, in this economic time when property values are at an all time low, it seems unwise to be placing property on the market. It also seems unwise at a time the City cannot properly fund police and just recently removed a fire engine from Belmont Shore, that it would embark on buying itself a new City Hall. Taxpayers have the right to know in open, public sessions what is being proposed by City management and to fully engage in any discussion that would impact the decision. To date, taxpayers have not been given this opportunity.

The item was pulled from the agenda and will be placed in open session next week.

5th Council District Resident Takes on Reconstruction of Belmont Pool

Opera Entrance (Photo credit: Keturah Stickann)

The Belmont Plaza pool is closed because of an assessment it is unsafe should an earthquake happen. The pool is not just an asset of the 3rd Council District, it is a city wide, regional asset that needs to be fixed so that Long Beach can continue to claim being the "Aquatic Capital of the World."

A 5th District resident, Lucy Johnson, has taken on this issue and has sent the City Council and the Grunion Gazette her thoughts, which I am sharing below. Join Lucy and others in getting Belmont Pool rebuilt correctly by logging on to www.facebook.com/RebuildBelmontPlazaOlympicPool:

Dear Mr. DeLong:

Thank you for your comments. I believe we are all in agreement on the need to move quickly on what Suzanne Fricke described as the "short-term solution" of constructing a temporary pool in the parking lot area. Where we disagree is over the long-term solution. You were not in attendance at the meeting Jan. 10 where Pat West, Ms. Fricke, and Eric Lopez presented their long-term solution, of building 2 pools, one indoor and one outdoor. So far so good.

However, all of the aquatics people in the room were stunned when City staff said the outdoor pool will be the competition pool, and the indoor pool will be a recreational pool. There are any number of reasons why the aquatics community does not accept that concept. One, the various major competitions in swimming and water polo that have been held at Belmont for many years primarily take place from November through May. These competitive events utilize Belmont specifically because not only is it a fast short course pool, but it is indoors, a major plus for events held during the colder months in Southern California.

We were further shocked when one member of the landscape design firm hired by the City stated that, "Our design meets all but national and international standards." What? Does City staff not understand the facility was built in the first place to host the 1968 Men's Swimming Olympic Trials? And that is has since been the venue for the 1976 Men's and Women's Swimming Olympic Trials, the 1974 and 1978 Men's NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, and numerous Men's NCAA Water Polo National Championships, CIF championships, Southern California Swimming's Junior Nationals and Junior Olympics and many other events? These events not only showcase the many of best aquatic athletes in the world but also result in additional revenue to the City of Long Beach from the many, many hotel rooms booked and restaurant meals eaten by attendees at these events. How can the design for a new indoor pool NOT meet national and international standards?

As it is, many of these events no longer come to Belmont because of the deterioration of the facility over the years. I understand that CIF will not return. A popular swimming news web site based in Austin, TX, run by an Olympic gold medalist, (www.swimswam.com) posted four articles about the Pac12, PCSC, MPSF and SCIAC meets having to move out of Belmont for the second year in a row (http://swimswam.com/belmont-pool-closed-mens-pac-12-championships-likely-to-move-again/,  http://swimswam.com/pcsc-moving-championships-as-well-invites-simon-fraser-to-the-party/, http://swimswam.com/sciac-moving-to-la-mirada-completes-clearing-out-of-belmont-schedule/, http://swimswam.com/d-1-mountain-pacific-sports-fed-moving-conference-meet-from-belmont/). Several of the comments in response to those articles are not flattering to the City of Long Beach.

As to your comment, "...(and perhaps other members of the aquatic community)...", I have spoken to and corresponded with numerous people in the aquatics community over the past two weeks, and have yet to find anyone who agrees with City staff or disagrees with me on the need for a new world-class competitive aquatics facility to replace Belmont, in the same location. We all fully support the need for a second pool to serve the recreational and teaching needs of the City, but fervently wish to see Long Beach return to the top ranks of aquatic opportunities in the U.S., as we once were, and truly be the Aquatic Capital of America.

When this issue comes up for discussion at the City Council, which I have been told will be on February 19, I would like to see that the short-term solution is approved by the Council, and that the necessary funds are appropriated to accomplish the task. As to the long-term solution, we would like to see the Council agree to the concept of constructing an indoor and an outdoor aquatics facility so that design work can continue, but that it is premature to approve any specific design concept or approve any funding for the project on that date while there is such a disparity between the City and the aquatics community over the form and function of the facilities.

I hope this email will assist you with your further analysis.

Sincerely,

Lucy Johnson
2402 Petaluma Avenue
Long Beach 90815
562-431-0052
lucyjohnson1@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/RebuildBelmontPlazaOlympicPool

Catching Up

I has been a while since I blogged. That's because I have been down with bronchitis for more than 4 weeks. Yikes. It has taken its toll. Coughing and being tired have been my life. Most of the time I have had to sleep sitting up so I didn't break out in a vigorous cough. That being said...

I am back teaching at CSULB. I teach 3 sections in Health Care Administration -- Human Resources Management and Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration. I am preparing my students to either work in HR or to get the best job available because they know how to write a job description, job ad, resume, cover letter, interview questions. Right now I am having them practice their "elevator speech" so they can land a good paying job.

In the legal aspects class I am teaching among other laws, the Patient Protection Act and Affordable Care Act.  These two laws are the most significant changes in our health care system since Medicare. So these students will know the law which will give them an advantage in health care administration.

The reviewing box.

My partner, Flo Pickett, standing in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The press box on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Congressman Alan Lowenthal speaking at his Long Beach swearing in ceremony yesterday.

My council staff kept the office running while I was out ill and in Washington, DC for the inauguration. Despite being ill, it was awesome to see the inauguration and to be there that week. The preparations were amazing.

People were so friendly and positive during the inauguration. I can't begin to tell you how helpful the staff of the Metro were to everyone who asked a question, including me who put my ticket in the wrong slot and needed their help to retrieve it.

This past week my staff and worked on plans for a variety of efforts aimed to improve our infrastructure and support our libraries. I will be sending out details shortly. A big event is coming in March -- Ready Long Beach -- which is a full day workshop on how you can get prepared to survive a major earthquakes. Details coming soon.

Last night I attended the local swearing in of Congressman Alan Lowenthal. Alan's brief speech was very touching as he recounted how awesome it is to serve in the US Congress. He has taken over the congressional offices on Broadway that were occupied by former Congresswoman Laura Richardson. Some of the nicest offices I have ever seen!

Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell speaking at the Independent Cities Association
Conference focusing upon public safety.

Today I am in Santa Barbara at the Independent Cities Conference which is focusing upon public safety. Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell is one of the speakers. My 4th District colleague, Patrick O'Donnell is here as well and we enjoyed lunch together.

Am still taking it slow until the cough stops completely. I can't tell you how many people I have run into who a) either have had the same cough for up to 6 weeks or b) has someone in their family who has this virus.

While I enjoyed being in Washington, DC, I am so glad to be home in Southern California.

City filling up with thousands of supporters

Homeland Security equipment placed everywhere in city.

In line for free concert at Kennedy Center

Up close look at Presidential review stand that will be used during parade on Monday.

Catering truck parked in front of White House. Guess you have to pull strings to get this one.

Bike share in DC. Across from Washington Monument bikes are lined up for rental. Even with traffic and crowds of people walking, people were lining up to rent bikes.

What a difference a day makes. The city is starting to fill up. As we walk around the National Mall and over to the White House thousands of people are walking around. Impossible to take a cab anywhere because traffic is bumper to bumper. It's a festive mood. People are inspecting all the preparations in place for the parade after the swearing in.

The weather improved today but it is still very cold.

Because I know the city so well having lived here twice in my life, we were able to get around easily but nonetheless slowly because of the crowds. Was amazed how quickly the vendors had photos and tshirts showing the First Lady's new hair cut out on the street.

Thousands of young people here because of the 65 High School ands going to play in the parade. Many of them were at the Kennedy Center tonite as Flo and I attended a free quartet concert by the National Symphony.

Then back to Georgetown for dinner with a long time friends who is a political consultant. Fun to catch up.
Took lots of photos some of which I am posting to show the preparations in front of the White House.

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On the road to the inauguration

Despite not being able to fly on my favorate airline -- JetBlue -- I made it to Dulles airport last night without a hitch.

I am not a fan of flying. I know. I know. I write about aviation history but I still wonder at how such a large machine can getup in the air, stay there and then land.

It is so cold back here. Wait. It was so cold back there. Now snow is predicted. And colder weather.
I love DC. Lived here two separate times -- once working for the CIA and once working for a public relations company and the US House of Representatives.

I know my way around so even though I am really under the weather with a cold or the flu or whatever, my partner Flo and I managed to get around today up to Capitol Hill for a visit with Congressman Alan Lowenthal and to pick up our tickets for the swearing in ceremony this coming Monday.

Congressman Lowenthal looks right at home in his office on the 5th Floor of the Cannon Building. That is the building that has the tunnel to the Capitol which is really handy in this cold.

All around us preparations are being made for Monday's events. Was surprised to see Capitol Police holding submachine guns. So sad that much of the access to the people's building has been cut off since 911.

Tomorrow I get to play tour guide and go to a couple of museums. Bus drivers and taxi drivers told us today that big crowds are expected starting tomorrow.


Taking lots of Vitamin C and fluids and actually getting rest.

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US Dept of Energy Showcases SERRF Plant in Long Beach

Having just gone behind the scenes with Long Beach residents at the Southeast Resource Recovery Facility (SERRF), a recycling and solid waste-to-energy plant, I was pleased to see that when one “googles” SERRF that you find a case study on the US Dept of Energy’s website about the project.

SERRF took ten years to come on line in 1988 and is similar to plants in Germany and Japan that take waste (garbage) and burn it, clean up the gases produced and recycle the ash produced and convert the steam generated into electricity which is sold to Southern California Edison.

Our tour was amazing. It began with a detailed briefing of how the plant works, its funding, its future. SERRF processes approximately 1,290 tons of municipal solid waste each day, generating up to 38 MW of electricity. It also serves as the site where law enforcement can dispose of narcotics.

SERRF is owned by a Joint Powers Authority formed by the City of Long Beach and the Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 2.

SERRF allows a reduction in garbage being placed in landfills (Puente Hills and in Orange County) which in turn keeps charges to consumers lower than if landfills were used.

Garbage trucks dump their loads and then e-waste or what is called white goods – refrigerators and washing machines are sorted out and the scrap is sold. The remaining waste is incinerated and the toxic gases and residue are scrubbed. (I saw the furnace and it probably is the closest thing on earth to what hell might look like.) The resulting ash is hauled to the landfills and used as pavement for the roads that go into the landfill. In other countries, the ash is used to pave all streets.

The steam generates electricity which is sold to Southern California Edison. Unfortunately, SERRF does not yet qualify for a non polluting source of electricity which would then qualify the plant to receive carbon credits.

SERRF processes garbage. Recycled goods are picked up at the curbside by a private contractor in Long Beach – Waste Management—and taken to another site where they are sorted and sold to recycling companies.

It was a very interesting tour and briefing. I appreciate the residents who took time to learn the behind the scenes of this important City program. More to come in the months ahead with Open Up Long Beach. (see www.openuplongbeach.com )