I am a member of a new organization, Neighborhoods First, created to ensure our local politicians consider our neighborhoods and the quality of life issues that affect them, before they cast their vote on Tuesday night. Too many times I have seen important neighborhood issues voted down and believe council members and our mayor should express reason(s) why they support or do not support an issue before them.
Neighborhoods First will issue a report card to each council member and the mayor at the end of the year. Grading will be uniform and fair. Our mayor and council members will be given an opportunity to participate in setting up the parameters of our grading process.
“The City Council has a new watchdog.
Long Beach Neighborhoods First promises to serve as an advocate for residents in the way that chambers of commerce champion businesses.
With board members from the city’s nine districts, the state-registered PAC pledges to tackle matters as small as graffiti and as large as the breakwater.
“We’ll take on any issue that is going to impact residents in any district, in any neighborhood,” said Mike Kowal, chairman of the board and the representative for Bixby Knolls’ 8th District. It’s whatever is in the front of people’s minds. We’ll take on anything that’s necessary.”
Kowal, a real estate agent, is best known for leading LBHUSH2, the organization that challenge Long Beach Airport expansion. His board features the airport group’s Joe Sopo, as well as various people known for neighborhood advocacy. With the terminal expansion plans approved, the airport is not the main focus of the new group.
Youth program supporter Dave San Jose said he signed on tentatively to the board because of his focus on public safety and his relationship with 9th District Councilman Val Lerch.
“If we are going to do some good positive things that include public safety and quality of life in Long Beach, then that’s what I am for,” San Jose said.
The neighborhood group plans to give each council member and the mayor A-F report cards and endorse candidates in city elections.
Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske said she welcomes the evaluations and input. “I think it’s great,” she said. “We need to encourage citizen activity like that.”
Schipske said that those who look closely at government typically learn that “things are not so black and white.”
In addition, she said the days of town squares and Main Streets are largely gone and that community issues are discussed in forums.
“There’s been a groundswell in Long Beach about the whole issue of neighborhoods,” she said.
On a more routine basis, the PAC plans to weigh in on business that goes before City Council, as well as issues it wants to bring to the council’s attention.
Members of th ePAC’s board were chosen largely because they have exisisting relationships with elected officials. The idea is that a PAC member can go directly to an elected official with pressing matters.
“We’ll lobby the council,” Kowal said, “and aid and assist each district in local mattes and issues that affect [residents] citywide.”
The PAC does have priorities, namely public safety, neighborhood density, traffic and infrastructure improvements like streets and sidewalks.
The group is reviewing a handful of bigger issues, including the Home Depot store proposed for Studebaker Road and Loynes Drive in the 3rd District, and the much-discussed reconfiguration of the breakwater.
Though Neighborhoods First does not plan to spend a great deal of money, it s a PAC an dcan legally raise and spend funds on political endeavors.
However, Kowal said the organization is non-partisan and does not lean right or left.
As far as rating candidates, there will be an opportunity for the group to weigh in on council races in districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 next year.
There could also be openings in the 1st and 7th districts if either Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal or Tonia Reyes Uranga are elected to the Assembly.
For more information, visit www.lbneighborhoodsfirst.org.”
John Canalis- The Press Telegram 8/20/2007
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