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!)

Another Effort I Have Working on -- TEDx-SOCAL to Happen in Long Beach

      
Press Release

For immediate release
Contact Name: Tiffany Andrews, Chief of Staff, Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske
Contact Number: 562-570-6932
www.TEDxSoCal.org

Your Ticket to “Thrive”
TEDxSoCal Tickets on Sale Friday, May 13 at 10am

Long Beach, CA  -- TEDxSoCal, an independently organized TED event, comes to the Center Theatre in Long Beach this July. The day-long conference and interactive experience features short talks and performances from inspiring and innovative people with big ideas. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 13, 2011 at 10am at www.TEDxSoCal.org.The event  – organized along the theme of “Thriving” – looks at the way communities, organizations and individuals are flourishing and prospering through the lenses of well-being, creative cultures, sustainability and lifelong learning.
At the May 10^th Long Beach City Council meeting, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske revealed a short video introducing the event and highlighting the TEDxSoCal speakers. The video can be seen at www.TEDxSoCal.org.
The TEDxSoCal Planning Committee continues to add groundbreaking speakers and performers from around Southern California. Confirmed participants include:

· Dr. Sylvia Earle – American oceanographer, explorer and 2009 TED Prize Winner· Chip Conley – Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Joie de Vivre, author · Dr. Judy B. Rosener – Author, researcher and Professor Emerita at UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business · Paul Dateh – Singer and violinist, known as the “Hip-Hop Violinist” · Josh Tickell – Environmentalist and director of the 2008 Sundance Audience Award winning documentary FUEL · Lalo Alcaraz – Satirist, writer and creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip “La Cucaracha” · Tim Carpenter – Founder and Executive Director of EngAGE · Elizabeth Amini – Social entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Anti-Aging Games, LLC · Charles Gandy – Cycling, pedestrian and livable communities expert · TAIKOPROJECT – Award winning American Taiko group · Rebecca Harrell Tickell – Author, producer and activist · Rosie Romo – Chef and Director of Culinary Operations at SMG · Nick Pugh – Artist, designer and educator – known for his work in digital fine art · Darren Saravis – Engineer, designer, musician and founder and president of Nectar Design

What: TEDxSoCal, where x = independently organized TED event
Theme: Thriving! Well-Being, Creative Cultures, Sustainability, Lifelong Learning
Where: The Center Theatre at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
When: Saturday, July 16, 2011; 9am – 4:30pm (followed by an evening reception)
Ticket Information: Tickets on sale Friday, May 13 at 10am at www.TEDxSoCal.org

$40 General$20 Students

About TEDx

In the spirit of "ideas worth spreading," TED has created TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxSoCal, where x = independently organized TED event. At TEDxSoCal, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

About TED                                                                                          

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to organize local, independent TED-like events around the world; and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

TEDGlobal 2011, "The Stuff of Life," will be held July 11-15, 2011, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Follow TED on Twitter at twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TED.

Long Beach City Manager's Weekly Report -- Black Hawk Meeting

Newsletter 050611 Final

Step Back into the 1940s and Win a $100 Savings Bond

"Home Front Theater" Features "Swing Shift" movie and 1940s Costume Contest

-- Best "Rosie the Riveter" to Win $100 Savings Bond

Long Beach, CA -- 4/25/11-On Sunday, May 15, the public is invited to step back into the 1940s and wear their best "Rosie the Riveter" outfit to the premiere of "Home Front Theater," today announced Gerrie Schipske, President of the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation.

"We're showing the movie 'Swing Shift' and we thought what a great way to kick off our Home Front Theater fundraiser," says Schipske, adding that the "best 'Rosie the Riveter' will receive a $100 savings bond."

Home Front Theater is a fundraising project of the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation and brings to The Art Theater a series of movies and newsreels that focus on the home front during World War II.

Although "Swing Shift" was made in 1984, it is set during WW II at an aircraft plant that looks very much like Douglas Aircraft, points out Schipske. "The story line of the movie is actually what happened to many, many women and men during WWII."  "Swing Shift" stars Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Christine Lahti.

The May 15 program begins at 11 am at the Art Theater, 2025 E. 4^th Street, Long Beach. Tickets are sold at the door on the day of the event. Suggested contribution: $15 if in 1940s attire; $20 general.

The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation is a 501 3 (C ) non profit organization established to develop and enhance the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center at Conant Street and Clark Avenue.

See you there!

Come celebrate Armed Services Day in Long Beach on May 14th

Armed Services Day Ceremonies Planned at Rosie the Riveter Park –

National World War II Memorial Artwork to be Dedicated.

Councilwoman Schipske singles out DAR and Mayor Foster for helping raise funds.

 Armed Services day will be celebrated at 10 am, Saturday, May 14 at the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center today announced Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske. There will be a flag presentation by the Army JROTC from Millikan High School to honor our armed forces. A representative of each branch of the military will also attend and read the names of the 12 men who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. A member of the Long Beach Police Department will play "Taps."

The events will also include the public dedication of the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ bas relief produced by Raymond Kaskey, designer of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“Mr. Kaskey reproduced one of his 24 bas reliefs featured at the National World War II Memorial for our Long Beach park,” explains Councilwoman Schipske. “The artwork depicts the women who assembled the airplanes that helped the U.S. win the war. We are grateful to Mr. Kaskey for allowing Long Beach to be the only location outside of Washington, D.C., to display this wonderful work of art.”

Schipske also noted that without the generous support of a number of contributors the bas relief could not have been purchased.

“I specifically want to thank Nancy Alexander, State Regent of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) who made certain that funds raised by DAR went toward this artwork,” says Schipske. “The sales of NSDAR’s publication: ‘The Legacy of Rosie the Riveter – Rosie’s Daughters’ provided funds for the artwork.”

Schipske also thanked Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster for helping raise funds for the artwork. “Mayor Foster’s mother was a ‘Rosie’ and he told me of his interest in the project and offered to put the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation in contact with several local businesses who might be interested in donating. And they did donate.”

In addition to the NSDAR funds, contributions were received from Southern California Edison, Union Bank, Toyota Auto Body Company (TABC), and Toyota Motor Sales (TMS). The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation is a 501 3 (c) non profit established to develop and enhance the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center at Conant Street and Clark Avenue.

Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center are located at the corners of Clark Avenue and Conant Street.

Meeting on May 4th on Black Hawk Helicopters

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 Black Hawk helicopters at the Los Alamitos Joint Training Forces Base. The meeting will be held at 6:30 and the public has a chance to hear the plan and to see where the helicopters will be flying over.

I have also requested staff from our Airport Department to be on hand to talk about noise issues. The military needs to hear your input on this project.

Schipske Donating Salary Increase

See below for the announcement that pursuant to the City Charter, elected official salaries are raised 1.3% which is the Consumer Price Index amount.

Accordingly, I will be donating my @ $300 to The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation, a 501 3 c non profit organization established to develop and enhance the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center.

I am also calling for the Mayor and City Council to stop out of state travel and attendance at conferences until we can get out of this financial mess.

Elected Officials Annual CPI Salary Increase 4-27-11

Just contact the California Citizens Commission on Redistricting Directly

For the first time in the history of California, politicians of either major party will NOT be having influence on how the boundary lines are being drawn for the districts of elected office. And that is they way it should be. District boundaries should not be drawn in a way to favor one political party over another.

That's why it is important that non-elected residents of Long Beach directly contact the California Citizens Redistricting Commission about how they would like the boundaries drawn. The Commission is mandated to:

• Draw districts with equal population.
• Comply with the federal Voting Rights Act to ensure minority voters have an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.
• Draw districts that are contiguous.
• Respect counties, cities, communities of interest and neighborhoods, where possible.
• Draw districts to be compact, where predictable.
• Draw districts to nest within each other, where practicable. The goal is for one State Senate district to contain two State Assembly districts, and one Board of Equalization District to contain 10 State Senate Districts.

The Commission which is meeting in Long Beach on April 27th in City Hall at 6pm is asking for the following direct input from residents concerning how the boundaries should look. A handbook on redistricting, suggests that the Commission should hear from residents about: "Important places, such as parks, cultural centers, religious or government buildings, a commercial area, schools or clubs; Census or demographic data about the residents of our community; Issues that bring residents together such as where to locate a new road or transit line, or traditions such as a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march; Important stakeholders who represent different parts of the community; Boundaries of our community."
 
You don't need to go through anyone, elected or otherwise, to let the Commission know your opinion on how boundaries must be drawn to provide equal representation. In fact, if the Commission believes that the input is politically directed, it may ignore the information to avoid the appearance that once again, lines were drawn to suit politicians and not the voters.

You can attend the public hearing or go online at http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/ to read more about the process.

You can then contact the Commission directly at http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/contact.html
or send an email directly to votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov

Get involved. This is a once in a 10 year chance to decide how political boundaries should be drawn -- and they should be drawn by you, not elected officials.

POA and FFA Independent Expenditures in 2010 Campaign

I just learned what was spent by the LB Police Officer's Association (POA) and the Long Beach Firefighters Association (FFA) on independent expenditures during the last 2010 campaign for council, City Prosecutor, City Attorney and Mayor.

An independent expenditures means just that -- independent of the candidate's campaigns.

I knew the Firefighters had paid @ $1440 to have campaign signs printed for my campaign -- because they brought a stack of them after they had distributed them to their members.

I did not know however, (until I read the report today) that the POA spent @$1,200 to place my name on two slate mailers which go out to high propensity voters (voters most likely to vote in a city election).

So here are the links if you want to read the entire reports on what was given in 2010.
Firefighters Expenditures

POA Expenditures

Working with Traffic Engineering and Police on 7th Street Closure

I met with the city Traffic Engineer and a representative from OCTA yesterday to discuss what I observed as impact of the closure of the 7th Street bridge by OCTA. The signage is confusing both on the freeway and on our city streets. This will be corrected.

Additionally, we need police in the morning and the evening to help guide drivers until they become accustomed to the closures.

I also requested a no u-turn sign at Willow and Palo Verde to discourage drivers unfamiliar with the area to turn around after they get off the 405.

Several problems occurred yesterday -- CSULB came back to school and there was a police action at Bellflower and 7th -- greatly causing congestion. Additionally, some drivers apparently thought that the 604 north bound was also closed and it was not.

This closure will take some time for adjustment. I want to assure readers that the City traffic department, the LBPD and OCTA are working together to make this situation as painless as possible.

Yes, my life flashed before my eyes...

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 car in front of the students at Cubberly Elementary. I will spare you the impact the short ride had on me...but yes, my life indeed flashed before my eyes as the driver took me around two laps in the parking lot.

This is why education is so important

San Diego Trying to Save Its Local Schools With Redevelopment Money

The San Diego Unified School District is laying off teachers just as being done here in Long Beach. Apparently they have come up with an answer to their financial problems by using redevelopment money to keep the teachers who received pink slips on March 15th.

The attorneys at SDUSD believe this is a legal use of redevelopment funds.

When schools are in a redevelopment area, the redevelopment agency usually has agreements to pass back some of the tax increment collected for redevelopment.

I am going to agendize a council item asking for a report on the relationship of Long Beach redevelopment with the Long Beach Unified School District and the Long Beach Community College District -- specifically asking: 1) how much does RDA pass back to the schools and 2) how can we free up redevelopment funds to help keep our local schools open.

2nd Annual Solar Grand Prix -- Lots of Fun and a Great Success

Thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered, staffed and sponsored the 2nd Annual Solar Grand Prix held on Saturday, April 9th in El Dorado Park.

More than 500 students participated in design and racing contests. The students were amazing. So enthusiastic. Such team spirit.

Take a look at these photos and also check out: http://www.lbreport.com/ and http://www.presstelegram.com/. Very nice coverage.

LBreport.com Alerts El Dorado Park Estates Homeowners About Coming Impact

LBreport.com has posted an article about the pending impact of Black Hawk helicopters flying out of Los Alamitos Air Station. Click here to read article.

While the City of Long Beach apparently responded to the plan via the Planning department, I am trying to find out why my office wasn't alerted directly so that residents could have weighed in. Apparently the comment period  for this item ends today!

I encourage readers to link to the article on lbreport.com and then follow up with comments postmarked today.