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Strictly Business | January 26, 2010
Redistricting Commissioners Wanted
 The
convoluted marriage between California's famed citizen
democracy in which “the people” determine spending and
taxation matters via ballot propositions...and a what
seems to be California's new form of democracy in which
legislators choose their constituents rather than the
other way around has essentially made elections and
voting, the cornerstone of a real democracy, irrelevant
in California.
Our state government is dysfunctional mainly due to the
self-interested process of Legislator's deciding the
geographic area of their constituency. This process is
known as gerrymandering. Since the birth of the phrase
in 1812 when Governor Gerry of Massachusetts signed a
bill into law that redistricted his state to benefit his
Democratic-Republican party, communities throughout
California have almost no control over who represents
them in state government. Every ten years following a
census, it is the majority party in the State
Legislature that controls the process. However, both
Republicans and Democrats have taken part in this
unseemly “process” and so both share the blame. Consider
this: When the legislature draws its own districts the
result is that 99% of incumbents are re-elected and not
a single seat of the 120 seats in the State Legislature
has changed party hands in the last two elections.
Staggering!
A solution was desperately needed and in November 2008
one surfaced. The Long Beach Chamber supported
Proposition 11 entitled, The Voters FIRST Act, and it
passed statewide by a slim margin of 50.9%. The Act
created a Citizens Redistricting Commission which must
draw district boundaries for the state Senate, Assembly,
and Board of Equalization. Citizens can step in and make
our elections, and out votes, relevant again and
reinforce the notion that we should never doubt that a
group of thoughtful, committed citizens can make a real
difference.
The Commission is in search of a representative pool of
applicants from which to randomly select its members. In
particular, there is a real and significant need for
more young people, women and people of color to apply.
A few, practical considerations: the position pays $300
a day and reimburses for travel and other related
expenses; it is time intensive, including lots of
evening and weekend meetings around the state; it
requires about an eight-month long commitment.
Now, a few, more symbolic considerations. Participation
on this Commission offers nothing short of an
opportunity to serve every other voter in this State by
providing them more reliable and relevant engagement to
elected leaders. By strengthening the integrity of our
election process and reversing the existing notion that
legislators should get to choose their constituents, you
are helping to combat the bureaucratic ineptitude,
premeditated shenanigans, and outright attempts to
disenfranchise, marginalize, and generally, neglect
citizens across our state and the communities in which
they live.
Involvement on this Commission represents a chance to
better the voting process and make the process of
participation more accessible, meaningful, and
representative for everyone, everywhere. This most
fundamental idea cannot be met with merely our support.
It has to be met with our resolve and, in this case, at
this time, our engagement.
As government balances and interprets opposing forces of
interest and makes law, it ought to calculate and
consider the needs of those who have empowered it, those
it is responsible to. This Commission affords citizens
an opportunity to more seriously and authentically
connect government’s service to those it is in service
to.
This is truly a remarkable opportunity. Unfortunately,
it will be "business as usual" or the lack thereof in
Sacramento unless we take full advantage of this
opportunity. I would love nothing better than to see
thousands applying for this commission!
So please, take a moment to think about who you can
encourage to volunteer – or if you yourself can do so –
and then visit
www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov to learn more and to
apply...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business | January 20, 2010
Ready, Willing &
Able To Lead In 2010
 |
|
Seated left, from the top, at last
week's Government Affairs Committee
meeting: LBUSD Superintendent
Christopher Steinhauser, LBCC
Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz
Oakley, and CSULB President F. King
Alexander. |
Last week, at the Long Beach Chamber's Government
Affairs Committee (GAC) meeting, CSULB President F. King
Alexander, LBCC Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz
Oakley, and LBUSD Superintendent Christopher Steinhauser
spoke passionately about the role of the Chamber in our
community. They focused much of their words how the
Chamber and the three institutions will work together to
protect our award-winning educational systems from the
constant funding cuts coming from the State Capitol.
In 2009 our economy – on all levels - faced changes and
challenges we have never seen before. It would be a
serious mistake to take current signs of growth too
seriously and neglect the need and opportunity to
identify and address key issues that impact our
competitiveness today before they become crises
tomorrow.
Indeed, we must act now to reform and better the
policies and practices that drive some jobs, capital,
and companies out of our community. On each of these
fronts, the Chamber is prepared to lead in 2010.
In 2010, the Chamber will use this scale to appeal to
governments at all levels, elected officials across the
political spectrum, companies and organizations of all
sizes and specialties, and institutions across our local
society to join us in advancing a clear mission—to build
a more competitive local economy that creates jobs,
opportunities, and economic security. We understand that
the political and legislative environment will be
challenging, as it always is in an election year. This
may alter our tactics and, in some respects, our
expectations, but not the ambition of our goals.
Under the leadership of our GAC Chairman Joanne Davis,
the dedicated members of the GAC spend much of November
and December 2009 determining the top three Long Beach
Chamber strategic public policy priorities for 2010. The
GAC unanimously approved the following three priorities
at their meeting last week and are listed below, in no
particular order:
Strategic Priority Number One: Education.
The Long Beach Chamber will support efforts to maintain
a high level of educational quality at California State
University - Long Beach, Long Beach City College and
Long Beach Unified School District. The Chamber will
support educational training programs and internships
that will allow Long Beach businesses to meet future
workforce demands. The Chamber will seek ways to make
sure educational spending is used effectively for
enhancing student outcomes.
Strategic Priority Number Two: Job Creation and
Retention
The Chamber will identify public policy barriers to job
creation and business retention throughout Long Beach.
The Chamber, with the help of regional organizations,
will proactively seek solutions to stimulate the local
economy and protect Long Beach businesses from
unreasonable costs to employers. The Chamber will work
with elected officials at all levels of government to
support solutions to job creation and business retention
challenges.
Strategic Priority Number Three: Business Regulations
The Chamber will support efforts to reform regulations
at all levels of government that negatively impact job
creation and retention. The Chamber will secure
reasonable solutions in order to balance business
interests with the creation of new regulations and
protect the Long Beach business community from
burdensome regulations and tax increases.
---
I am absolutely committed to maintaining the Long Beach
Chamber as the most forceful and productive group
representing the interests of businesses at all levels
of government. We will never apologize for being an
institution that works towards job creation and we will
never stop telling our story and demanding action on our
priorities. In 2010, that is exactly what the Chamber
intends to do...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
December
23, 2009
2009 Vote Record:
Long Beach Chamber Holds Elected Officials
Accountable
 The 27 Most
Important State Legislative Proposals of 2009 for
the Long Beach Business Community and How Long
Beach's Legislators Voted
This past year was
another busy year for the Long Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce as the Chamber focused its advocacy efforts
on the 27 most important legislative proposals that
would have the greatest impact on the Long Beach
business community. The Chamber studied each
proposal and took a position of support or
opposition by communicating those positions with
each Long Beach legislator. This year, most
legislators scored below the 50 percent mark, with
the exception of State Senator Rod Wright and
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Click here for
more.
Strictly Business | December 18, 2009
Blinded By The Truth
 Like
many others in Long Beach, I have read with interest
some recent articles
(here and here)
documenting the Lodgeworks hotel development plan at the
Pike.
A group calling themselves the Long
Beach Coalition for Good Jobs And A Healthy Community sued
Lodgeworks because they believe Lodgeworks violated the
California Environmental Quality Act. According to this
Press-Telegram editorial, the "Coalition"
wanted "a new report, because one done several years ago
didn't consider a second hotel at the Pike.
The city counters that it was the number of rooms - not
the number of hotels - that was counted. That number is
900 rooms, and the two hotels would fall short of that."
What's important to understand here is that the
"Coalition" claims to be made up of "local community,
labor, religious and student leaders and organizations."
Their mission is to "ensure that our city’s tourism
industry provides good jobs, strengthens our community
and is accountable to the public."
Sounds great, right? Well, not really.
I am compelled to address the uninformed and misguided
viewpoint of this so-called "Coalition"
(mainly run by unions such as Unite - Here, IBEW,
AFL-CIO, LA County Federation of Labor, SEIU, NRDC and
Teamsters) on this project
and economic development in general. Their unenlightened
perspective belies a reckless if not tragic ignorance
that brings disrepute upon the people and groups that
are affiliated with them. In fact, it calls into
question who precisely is affiliated with them and what
their motives are.
It is a shame they felt obliged to comment on something
they apparently know so little about. I wonder if in
their extensive "research" into “good jobs” they
encountered someone who’s actually created a job or had
run a business. The answer, it appears, goes without
saying.
They advocate, for instance, honoring a “worker’s right
to organize”, but this position is telling. In
economics, interpretations and recommendations should be
based on data, not self-conviction. Consider the words
of Larry Summers, President Obama’s choice for Director
of the National Economic Council, “Another cause of
long-term unemployment is unionization. High union wages
that exceed the competitive market rate are likely to
cause job losses in the unionized sector of the
economy.”
It troubles me that this "Coalition" interested on any
level in jobs wouldn’t support an effort that would grow
the number of jobs in our community, generate revenue
that make possible services and benefits, and, it’s
reasonable to predict, would in time attract new
investment and even more jobs.
I wonder, have they simply chosen to ignore the myriad
of studies that document a near perfect correlation
between the type of wage hikes they demand and increased
unemployment among teens, the poor, and the minority
community?
Do they honestly believe securing jobs of any sort (even
low wage jobs) is worse than not having those jobs and
that investment in our community at all?
Are they so willfully naive to think our community would
be better served if we keep throwing up roadblocks
whenever a developer attempts to begin a project in our
community?
To believe such rubbish demands some fairly
sophisticated cerebral blinders. Or, perhaps these are
the only reasonable positions to stake out given their
group’s so-called composition of people from Long Beach.
And, it would seem to me in reviewing the members of
their "Coalition" and its very public activities that it
has really two types of supporters. There are the
seemingly very few well-meaning Long Beach supporters
and then there are the special Los Angeles-based (not
Long Beach-based) union interests that are using the
well-meaning supporters as part of their charade.
In any case, my exhortation to this "Coalition" is that
they set aside their agenda and learn to tolerate and
indeed, welcome, a responsible, well-intentioned
employer into our community to which a countless number
of Long Beach citizens will owe gainful employment and a
better quality of life...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
December 17, 2009
Long Beach Chamber
Political Action Committee Announces Endorsement of
Councilmember Robert Garcia
 The
Long Beach
Area Chamber
of Commerce
Political
Action
Committee
(Long Beach
Chamber
PAC), the
separate
political
action
committee
entity of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce, is
responsible
for ensuring
that Long
Beach
business
interests
are being
represented
in the
political
decisions of
our
community.
The Long
Beach
Chamber PAC
raises funds
to support
pro-jobs
candidates
for a better
Long Beach.
To date the
Long Beach
Chamber PAC
has not used
any Long
Beach
Chamber
membership
revenue to
fund Long
Beach
Chamber PAC
endorsed
candidates.
Today, the
Long Beach
Chamber PAC
announces
its
endorsement
of 1st
District
Long Beach
City
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia
who is
seeking his
first full
four year
term on
April 13,
2010. The
Long Beach
Chamber PAC
endorsed
Garcia in
his April
2009 special
election to
fill the
seat of
Councilmember
Bonnie
Lowenthal
who vacated
her City
Council seat
to run and
eventually
win her
election to
serve in the
State
Assembly.
Click here
to read the
recent Press
Telegram
article on
our
endorsement.
Members of
the Long
Beach
Chamber PAC
met with
Garcia and
informed him
that since
the Long
Beach
Chamber PAC
endorsed him
less than a
year ago in
his special
election,
the
endorsement
would
therefore
remain for
the April
2010
election.
The Long
Beach
Chamber PAC
is committed
to
Councilmember
Garcia for
the upcoming
April 2010
election
because of
his ability
to work with
the business
community on
some
important
issues
facing Long
Beach in the
short time
he has been
in elected
office. The
Chamber
worked
closely with
Councilmember
Garcia on
responsible
growth at
the Port of
Long Beach;
to ensure
the
community
was able to
play an
active role
in securing
the a new
downtown
courthouse;
and provided
input on the
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance.
“I want to
thank the
Long Beach
Chamber PAC
for their
continued
support of
my efforts
to change
Long Beach,”
stated
Councilmember
Garcia.
“Working
with the
business
community
and the
Chamber
itself to
understand
how they
want to make
Long Beach a
better place
is one of my
top
priorities.
Job creation
and job
retention is
important to
our city and
to me and I
am committed
to ensuring
our
resident’s
have
opportunities
for higher
paying jobs
and a better
quality of
life,”
continued
Garcia.
Other
Races
On November
12, 2009 the
Long Beach
Chamber PAC
announced
its
endorsements
of Vice
Mayor and
9th District
Councilmember
Val Lerch
and 3rd
District
Councilmember
Gary DeLong
for their
April 2010
election and
3rd District
Long Beach
Unified
School
District
Board of
Education
candidate
Richard
Lewis in his
December 29,
2009 special
election.
Also, as
announced on
November 12,
2009, the
Long Beach
Chamber PAC
unanimously
decided not
to render
endorsements
and,
therefore,
will remain
neutral in
all
city-wide
races and
the 7th
District
City Council
race.
Finally, the
Long Beach
Chamber PAC
board of
directors
has not
decided when
it will
interview
candidates
in the 5th
City Council
race.
December 15, 2009
Long Beach
Chamber
Sends Letter
To
Councilmember
Patrick
O'Donnell on
Proposed
Alcohol
Sales Motion
The
following
letter was
sent to
Councilmember
O'Donnell
requesting
more time to
discuss his
proposed
motion to
ban alcohol
sales
through
assisted
self-checkout
counters.
The Chamber
is working
closely with
the
California
Grocers
Association
to seek more
time to talk
about the
proposal
because of
the
devastating
impact it
would have
on two local
grocers.
After
receiving
the
Chamber's
letter,
Councilmember
O'Donnell
decided late
yesterday to
send this
issue to
Council
committee
for further
review and
discussion.
Recent
Media
December 15,
2009 Press
Telegram
Editorial
December 16,
2009 Press
Telegram
Article
Letter
December 14,
2009
Honorable
Patrick
O’Donnell
Councilmember,
4th District
City of Long
Beach
333 West
Ocean Blvd,
14th Floor
Long Beach,
CA 90802
Subject:
Pull Agenda
Item 09-1348
Dear
Councilmember
O’Donnell:
The Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
urges you to
pull Agenda
Item 09-1348
from the
December 15,
2009 City
Council
meeting
agenda. The
Chamber
opposes this
proposed
motion to
ban alcohol
sales
through
assisted
self-checkout
counters.
The Chamber
is working
closely with
the
California
Grocers
Association
to seek more
time from
you to talk
about the
proposal
because of
the
devastating
impact it
would have
on two local
grocers.
Our main
concern is
that
assisted
self-checkout
counters
already have
the
logistics
and
mechanisms
in place to
ensure the
highest
level of
protection
against the
unlawful
purchase and
theft of
alcohol by
minors. This
proposal is
overkill and
it also
unfairly
mandates a
regulation
on such a
small number
of
businesses
in our City.
Furthermore,
let’s not
forget the
Long Beach
Chamber-supported
efforts this
past summer
working with
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia to
open a Fresh
and Easy in
his district
and our
continued
efforts with
Vice Mayor
Val Lerch to
attract a
major-chain
grocer in
the 9th
District. If
this
proposal
passes it
will send a
message to
current and
future
grocers that
Long Beach
is less
interested
in working
with
business and
more
interested
in placing
unfair
mandates
upon them.
This
proposal
sends the
wrong
message at
the wrong
time.
I urge you
to
reconsider
your
approach.
Sincerely,
Randy Gordon
President
and CEO
CC:
Honorable
Bob Foster,
Mayor, City
of Long
Beach
Members of
the Long
Beach City
Council
Pat West,
City
Manager,
City of Long
Beach
Lori
Lofstrom,
Chairman of
the Board,
Long Beach
Chamber
Joanne
Davis, GAC
Chairman,
Long Beach
Chamber
Strictly Business
| December 14, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement on
the Harbor Department Annual Transfer to the Tidelands Operating
Fund City Council Agenda Item
 Blake
Christian,
Immediate
Past
Chairman of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
Board of
Directors
releases the
following
Long Beach
Chamber
statement on
the December
15, 2009
Long Beach
City Council
Meeting
agenda
regarding
the Harbor
Department
Annual
Transfer to
Tidelands
Operating
Fund:
“The Chamber
strongly
opposes
increasing
the current
level of
investment
by the Port
of Long
Beach into
the
Tidelands
fund.
Currently,
our Port
transfers
10% of the
tidelands
fund to the
City to pay
for
tidelands-related
services
which has
amounted to
$16 million
so far this
year.
The Chamber
agrees that
during
difficult
budget
times, it is
important to
re-examine
all funding
sources and
ensure they
reflect the
changing
economic
environment.
But
re-examining
ALL funding
sources
should not
mean simply
going after
the most
“convenient”
pool of
money.
Instead, we
need to
further
drill into
our city
expenditures
and programs
to hone in
on the items
that
ineffectively
drain our
shrinking
resources.
Increases or
changes to
the
tidelands
transfer
will send
the wrong
message to
our
critically
important
regional
logistics
industry. By
taking away
funds needed
to make
short and
long-term
investments
into the
port, you
send the
potential
message to
industry
that the
City of Long
Beach is not
business
friendly or
committed to
making sure
that we have
an
efficient,
state-of-the-art,
environmentally-friendly
complex with
a cost
structure
that will
attract and
retain cargo
in our port.
The Chamber
thanks the
Port for
their
continued
effort to
maximize
opportunities
for doing
business
with Long
Beach-based
companies.
This effort
retains jobs
and serves
as a
potential
job-creating
opportunity
when new
businesses
are
recruited to
Long Beach.
The Port is
committed to
driving our
local
economy and
they are
also
committed to
investing in
their City.
The Port of
Long Beach
is the only
port in the
United
States that
annually
transfers
funds to its
governing
City. And,
since 1990,
our Port has
invested
over $790
million into
the City of
Long Beach
which would
average out
to
approximately
$41.5
million per
year.
Increasing
or making
changes to
the
tidelands
transfer
will take
away from
the Port’s
ability to
invest in
the areas
that this
Council,
vocal
members of
our
community,
and state
and federal
regulatory
agencies
urge (or
mandate) the
Port to
invest in:
things like
environmental,
security and
transportation
programs
(all which
create local
jobs).
Finally, we
all need to
understand
that if we
keep going
down the
path of
these
tug-of-war
antics with
the
Tideland’s
Fund, we
might
attract
unwanted
attention
from the
State
Legislature
who needs
sources of
new revenue
too.
The Chamber
urges the
City Council
to take the
spirit of
the well
intentioned
motion and
focus their
efforts on
areas that
deserve
further
budgetary
review.”
Strictly Business
| December 7, 2009
Along Comes A Proposal
 The
Long Beach Chamber supports the creation of
environmentally sound policies that reward
responsible business practices. Specifically, the
Chamber supports efforts by businesses to lower
their emissions in the atmosphere.
The Chamber measures climate change legislation by
evaluating the regulatory consequence to: 1)
preserve jobs and business competiveness, 2) energy
costs to the consumer 3) real energy conservation
and efficiency 4) compromising our nations security
and 5) efficient use of California's resources.
Sometimes a climate change proposal comes along that
fails to understand the many competing pressures
within society (economic, social, environmental,
security) and neglects to achieve a balance that
best supports a sustained high quality of life for
its citizens, fosters economic development, improves
our environment, allows for upward movement in
society or even delivers security for our nation.
The Waxman-Markey, “American Clean Energy and
Security Act” is a perfect example. It is a 1,500
page hodgepodge that places a massive tax on
companies that produce the products we all use,
jeopardizes American jobs, creates
severe
trade
inequalities, which will surely damages strategic
international relationships, allows for CO2-based
mass tort litigation, and further hampers the
permitting process for clean energy.
Furthermore, exporting fuel production increases
reliance on foreign sources of fuel and seriously
weakens energy security, creates another Wall Street
banking "shell game" in the form of emissions
trading and will create (as clearly written in the
Act) a system of massive redistribution of wealth in
the form of energy rebate payments made directly in
low income bank accounts.
Achieving balance is not easy and cannot be done by
selecting one of the competing forces such as
environmental concerns, and conveniently ignoring
all other concerns. The climate change legislation
being contemplated at present does exactly that.
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| November 30, 2009
The Fight Has Just Begun
 Thanks
to Governor
Schwarzenegger's
tireless
leadership
over the
past three
years and
the efforts
of
legislators
from both
sides of the
aisle
representing
our entire
state, we
have
achieved a
2009
legislative
package that
can
modernize
our aging
water system
and make
wiser use of
California's
precious
water
resources.
Water supply
reliability
will be
improved,
but so, too,
will our
stewardship
of water
resources
and
governance
of the
Delta, a
vital water
source for
two-thirds
of
California.
The water
plan now
before us is
the boldest
and most
promising
since
Governor Pat
Brown
advocated
voter
approval of
the State
Water
Project in
1960.
The new plan
is comprised
of four
vital water
policy bills
recently
passed by
the
Legislature
and signed
by the
Governor,
and a
broad-gauged
$11.14
billion
water bond,
timed for
voter
approval in
2010. As a
package, it
can
help meet
our water
needs deep
into the
21st
century,
keeping our
economy
vibrant and
our people,
farms, fish
and habitat
provided
with the
lifeline of
water they
all require.
We are very
proud of
several
areas of the
water plan
that
directly
impacts Long
Beach. The
20 percent
water
conservation
goal has
been
achieved by
our very own
Long Beach
Water
Department
11 years
ahead of the
2020
deadline.
However, the
water plan
will
encourage
all other
urban areas
of the state
to do the
same. Also,
the Los
Angeles
Gateway
Region
Integrated
Regional
Water
Management
Joint Powers
Authority
(Gateway
IRWM), of
which Long
Beach is a
member city,
is now an
officially
recognized
body. This
new
designation
will allow
for Long
Beach to
compete for
competitive
state grants
and loans.
This will
enable a
stronger
voice at the
table for
Long Beach
when going
after funds
for things
such as
water
recycling
and
conservation.
The
four-bill
legislative
package also
establishes
a Delta
Stewardship
Council,
sets
ambitious
and
productive
water
conservation
policy,
ensures
better
groundwater
monitoring,
and provides
funds for
increased
enforcement
actions to
thwart
illegal
water
diversions.
With local
cost-sharing,
the bond
will fund
drought
relief,
water supply
reliability,
Delta
sustainability,
statewide
water system
operational
improvements,
conservation
and
watershed
protection,
groundwater
protection,
as well as
water
recycling
and water
conservation
programs.
For the
first time
in history,
California
will monitor
its
groundwater,
urban water
agencies
will have to
develop
plans to
achieve 20
percent
conservation
by the year
2020, and
agriculture
will be
required to
develop
agricultural
water
management
plans.
Management
of the
Delta's
complex
ecosystem
will benefit
from new
governance,
with a Delta
Stewardship
Council
providing a
broad
statewide
perspective.
The Council
will develop
a plan to
guide state
and local
actions in a
manner that
advances the
co-equal
goals of
Delta
restoration
and water
supply
reliability.
The Governor
has been a
staunch
advocate of
reform and
modernization
of
California's
water
systems for
over three
years. In an
era of
doubt,
debate and
drought, He
has
persevered.
In recent
weeks, he
has brought
together
citizens and
officials,
farmers and
fishermen,
environmentalists
and
irrigators,
in a
marathon
effort to
address and
resolve our
challenges.
Passage this
month of the
comprehensive
water
package
marked the
culmination
of many
years of
discussion,
analysis and
negotiations.
This
historic
water
package
could rank
as the most
important
legislation
in
California's
recent
history. It
puts the
Golden State
on a path
toward
long-term
water
stability
and progress
that
promises
safe and
reliable
water
supplies
long into
the future.
This package
represents
as a new
approach for
California---total
water
resource
management.
It faces the
new reality
that water
managers
must be
responsible
stewards and
plan for
changes in
the climate
that
challenge
our current
system.
In the
months
ahead, I
urge
everyone to
carefully
study and
evaluate
this
important
comprehensive
water
modernization
program.
This
comprehensive
package
represents a
water
renaissance
that will
offer a
renewed,
effective
water system
and
enlightened
water policy
management
that will
address our
water needs
for
generations
to come.
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Lori Lofstrom
Chairman of the Board
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| November 25, 2009
Giving
Some Overdue Thanks
 Last
week, the Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor
Commissioners approved a Long Beach Chamber-supported
ordinance by a vote of three to one, with Commissioner
Mario Cordero dissenting. This ordinance allows the
successful Clean Trucks Program to continue eliminating
polluting trucks at the Port and ends a lawsuit that
would have been expensive and protracted, saving
millions of dollars that can now be utilized to further
the Port’s Green programs.
The vast majority of those in opposition were
union-affiliated with the usual “parade” of speakers
organized by a few supervisors with clipboards. Although
each speaker in this group appeared genuinely compelled
by their position, the inherent contradiction in the
reasoning associated with their position is evident.
On one hand they are very fond of jobs, products,
services and benefits that positively affect the
economic well-being and quality of life in our
community, while, on the other hand, they seem to
resent, criticize and at this hearing even blatantly
insult, those who create jobs, generate revenue streams
that positively benefit the economy and encourage
investment into our community.
To be fair and honest, I acknowledge that no
organization is always as good as it is when it’s at its
best nor is it always as bad as it is when it’s at its
worst. As with individuals, they operate on a continuum
and ideally, they should understand and see the benefit
of doing right and serving as a leader in their
communities.
The Port of Long Beach understands this as much as any
organization and has delivered real and significant
value to our community and its citizens. As we approach
the final Thanksgiving holiday of the decade, I urge you
to take a moment and give some thanks to the Port of
Long Beach for being one of the primary beacons of
economic hope and prosperity.
Consider the facts:
- Port operations support nearly 30,000 jobs, about one
out of every eight jobs in the city.
- Nearly $1.9 billion a year is spent in the city for
Port industry services (services purchased primarily by
foreign and domestic shippers and steamship companies).
- More than $800 million a year is spent on wholesale
distribution services in the city for goods imported
through the Port.
And, that is just the impact in Long Beach.
The impact of the Port of Long Beach on the local,
regional and national economies is even more
substantial. More than $100 billion worth of cargo moves
through the Port every year, creating jobs, supporting
retail and manufacturing businesses, and generating tax
revenues.
Taking all of this into account, I am going to direct a
sentiment to the Port markedly different than that
expressed most recently - and quite vocally – at the
recent Board of Harbor Commissioners meeting:
Thank you for your contribution to and investment in our
community. We’re thrilled to have you here and are
thankful for all that you do.
Finally, I
want to give thanks to our dedicated and hardworking
Long Beach Chamber members. All of us at the Chamber
wish you
the very best this Thanksgiving...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| November 20, 2009
Finally.
 We
finally have a person we can be proud of running in the
3rd District Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD)
Board of Education race. Richard Lewis is that person
and he is running on December 29, 2009 for all the right
reasons.
But first, we must go back to the fall of 2007 to
understand why Richard's election is so important to you
and our community.
The Chamber and our business community plays an
important role in our school district by supporting our
young people and their transition into their careers.
The Chamber co-founded the successful Principal For A
Day event. Each year, business people are placed for one
day in all of our LBUSD schools to see what it takes to
run a large urban school and to find out first-hand how
important great leadership and superb teaching are to
student achievement. Principal For A Day is a national
model and just celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Long Beach businesses also depend on the school district
to train our youth so they are ready to participate in
the Long Beach economy. LBUSD also has over 1,000
business partners who help the district provide the
necessary services to prepare our young people. Also,
LBUSD is our community's largest employer providing
thousands of jobs that help strengthen our local
economy.
All of this was in jeopardy in the fall of 2007 and the
Chamber decided to do something about it. At the time,
School Board member Michael Ellis served on the board
and at the same time was in deep trouble with the law
and refused to resign from office for reasons still
unknown to this day.
The Chamber stood up and decided to do what no one else
in Long Beach had the guts to do - we moved forward with
a process to recall Michael Ellis. After the recall
process was underway, we decided to shift our focus in
the spring of 2008 to actively supporting School Board
members Felton Williams and Jon Meyer for reelection.
Successfully securing the reelection of Williams and
Meyer on the School Board proved to be the right call
because it ensured that any impact of Ellis' lack of
leadership and irresponsibility on the board did not
impact the future of LBUSD. In the end, Ellis finally
resigned allowing for an election this December to
replace him.
This brings us to Richard Lewis - the proud, hardworking
parent of two pre-school aged children. A candidate who
knows the right questions to ask and more importantly
understands what it will take to solve the issues facing
our schools.
Last week, the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Political Action Committee (PAC), the separate political
action committee entity of the Long Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce, announced its unanimous support of Richard
Lewis for the Long Beach Unified School District School
Board District 3 race on December 29, 2009.
An active community leader in Long Beach for more than
10 years, Richard will bring a vast amount of business
expertise and a record of strong community service to
the School Board. He has more than 21 years of
experience in business operations and financial
consulting in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors.
He is a successful entrepreneur and resident of Long
Beach’s East Village since 2005, and is instrumental in
the continuing transformation of the area from a once
blighted and struggling urban core into a thriving
residential community now widely recognized as a
burgeoning arts and cultural district.
Matt Kinley, the co-chairman of our PAC said this about
Richard: “Long Beach Unified School District deserves a
School Board member that will be engaged, attentive and
invested in the future of our young people. Lewis’
strong business background as an entrepreneur will bring
a point of view to the School Board that will help
strengthen the fiscal crisis faced by our award winning
LBUSD."
After receiving the Chamber PAC's endorsement, Richard
said: “I am honored to have the Chamber's PAC
endorsement and I look forward to working with the
business community to increase its level of support and
to find reasonable solutions to weathering the fiscal
storm that faces our school district. My experience and
record of involvement is exactly what our young people
deserve on the School Board."
Our prized LBUSD is the best in the world. It deserves
the very best leadership and Richard Lewis fits that
role perfectly. I challenge you to do what you can for
Richard by joining us in electing this dedicated leader
who will help our young people prepare for their
future...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Go to
LewisForSchoolBoard.com for more information.
Strictly Business
| November 16, 2009
Chamber Chairman of the Board to Speak at Port of
Long Beach Harbor Commission Tonight
Tonight,
Lori
Lofstrom,
Chairman of
the Board of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
will deliver
the
following
statement in
response to
the proposed
Port of Long
Beach
Ordinance
regarding
the
settlement
agreement
with the
American
Trucking
Association:
Good evening
members of
the Harbor
Commission.
My name is
Lori
Lofstrom and
I am
Chairman of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
Board of
Directors.
The Long
Beach
Chamber
supports the
current
staff
recommendation
to approve
the
ordinance
accepting
the
settlement
with the ATA
that is
before you
tonight.
The Port and
the truckers
form a
unique and
important
symbiotic
relationship.
If this
partnership
is not in
place and
the parties
remain at
odds,
progress
will stall,
business
will suffer
and positive
environmental
progress
will
deteriorate.
Even though
the Chamber
supports the
use of
on-dock
rail, our
Ports cannot
work without
trucks.
And, trucks
can't work
without the
Ports.
It is
critical
that this
settlement
be accepted
tonight for
several
additional
reasons.
First, it is
illustrative
that the
Port of Los
Angeles
budgeted $7
million
dollars for
its defense
in the
lawsuit
brought
against both
Ports. As of
October of
this year
the Port of
LA has spent
approximately
$5 million
dollars and
they are
still only
in the
discovery
phase. Thus,
by accepting
this
settlement,
the Port of
Long Beach
will take a
wiser course
of action to
avoid
exceedingly
expensive
and
protracted
litigation
on this
issue.
Second, the
American
Trucking
Association
has never
opposed the
environmental
efforts of
the POLB or
the POLA. In
fact, many
in the
trucking
industry
have
purchased
newer,
cleaner
truck on
their own
impetus
because they
understand
the
importance
of clean air
and are
fully
“on-board”
with the
Port’s
efforts in
this regard.
Even prior
to the
Ports’ Green
program
implementation,
the ATA
partnered
with the
Environmental
Protection
Agency to
develop the
SmartWay
Program to
reduce
emissions
and increase
fuel
efficiency
in trucks.
This program
was later
adopted by
the
California
Air
Resources
Board. As
you can see,
the ATA
understands
its role in
implementing
a Green
Port.
Finally, the
settlement
will benefit
the ATA as
well since
all clean
trucks are
exempt from
the claiming
process
which had
previously
severely
impeded the
processing
of
containers.
Shippers now
prefer and
request that
motor
carriers
only
dispatch
"Clean" and
"Exempt"
trucks to
access their
containers
in the Ports
incentivizing
the use of
ATA
vehicles.
It is in
this spirit
that I urge
you this
evening to
support
acceptance
of the
settlement
reached
between the
Port and the
ATA.
Thank you.
Strictly Business
| November 16, 2009
If Not
Us, Who? If Not Now, When?
 Last
week, the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action
Committee (PAC), the separate political action committee entity
of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, announced its latest
round of endorsements for local elected office.
These endorsements are important to you because the decisions
these people make impact your business, employees and our entire
community.
It is the responsibility of the PAC to ensure that Long Beach
business interests are being represented in the political
decisions of our community. Just as important is the level of
responsibility that the Chamber itself has to be the voice of
business on the important policy decisions. We accomplish this
each month via our Government Affairs Council (GAC).
So, our PAC raises funds to support pro-jobs candidates and just
to be very clear, we do not use any Long Beach Chamber
membership revenue to fund our PAC activities.
Getting this job done is so important because if our PAC doesn't
support the candidates who are dedicated to creating jobs and
protecting the vitality of our local economy - no one else will
do it. That is why we endorsed the two following candidates for
the City Council election in April 2010.
Councilmember Gary DeLong
Long Beach City Council, 3rd District Candidate
www.garydelong.com
Councilmember Gary DeLong earned our endorsement in the 3rd
District race for being the driving force for job creation in
his district as well as throughout Long Beach. He routinely
seeks ways to prevent government waste and looks for
opportunities to understand the economic and fiscal impact of
city decisions.
A long-time business owner and entrepreneur, Councilmember
DeLong understands the responsibilities and outcomes associated
with signing the front of a paycheck. DeLong is a friend of both
job creation and the taxpayers – something our community demands
from our local leaders at a time in which creating jobs is so
important.
"I am honored to have earned the Chamber PAC’s endorsement,"
DeLong said. "The Chamber’s PAC and the Chamber itself are the
leading business organizations in the State of California and
are instrumental to the City's economic development efforts,”
continued DeLong.
Vice Mayor Val Lerch
Long Beach City Council, 9th District Write-In Candidate
www.writeinvallerch.com
Vice Mayor Val Lerch also earned our endorsement as he gears up
for his write-in campaign. Our endorsement of Vice Mayor Lerch's
write-in campaign is our third endorsement of a write-in
candidate (former Councilmember Jackie Kell's and former Mayor
Beverly O'Neill's write-in efforts being the two other
candidates).
Vice Mayor Lerch has reduced crime in North Long Beach to levels
that fall below crime activity from 20 years ago. He delivered
upon the North Police Sub-station and was instrumental in the
opening of new businesses specifically, the new Target at 68th
and Cherry, producing 200 new jobs and $600,000 to general fund.
Vice Mayor Lerch is committed to job-creation and job-retention.
We have worked very well with the Vice Mayor for a long time and
he has a strong record of supporting the Chamber and our
business community to ensure that we work together to attract
and retain jobs in the 9th district,” continued Lofstrom.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Long Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee,” stated Vice
Mayor Val Lerch. “I have been a supporter of the Chamber and
local businesses for years. I have worked with the Chamber’s
membership on many issues and feel that we have for the most
part come to fair and equable conclusions. I look forward to
continuing this relationship for the next four years,” continued
Lerch.
The Chamber's PAC unanimously decided not to render endorsements
and, therefore, will remain neutral in all city-wide races and
the 7th District City Council race. We have not decided when we
will interview candidates in the 5th City Council race. And,
finally, we will determine our endorsement in the 1st District
City Council race in the near future.
Now that we have put the good name and resources of our PAC
behind Vice Mayor Lerch and Councilmember DeLong it is up to you
to join us and do the same. Because, if not us, who? If not now,
when?
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
November 15, 2009
Chamber Congratulates
the City of Long Beach as Los Angeles County’s Most
Business Friendly City
Randy
Gordon,
President
and CEO of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
released the
following
statement
this morning
regarding
Long Beach
winning the
award from
the Los
Angeles
County
Economic
Development
Corporation
for being
the most
business
friendly
city in Los
Angeles
County.
“I want to
thank Mayor
Bob Foster,
the City
Council,
City Manager
Pat West and
City staff
for their
strong
commitment
to
strengthening
our local
economy.
This award
is important
to Long
Beach
because it
rewards the
hard work of
city leaders
and our
business
community
who came
together for
a better
Long Beach.
This award
is also
important to
our greater
community
because it
not only
validates
everyone’s
hard work,
but it also
serves as a
reminder
that it is
critically
important to
remain
focused on
job creation
in order to
maintain the
high quality
of life to
which our
entire
community
demands.
Under the
leadership
of Blake
Christian,
the
Chamber’s
Immediate
Past
Chairman of
the Board,
we worked
tirelessly
to secure
the renewal
of Long
Beach’s
Enterprise
Zones which
aids in the
creation of
jobs and the
retention of
many more.
Also, the
Chamber was
instrumental
in the C-17
Red Team
which worked
diligently
to retain
the
production
of the C-17
Globemaster
III in Long
Beach. These
and other
policies
that aid our
focus on job
creation and
retention
puts us all
closer to
maintaining
the high
quality of
life to
which our
community
has grown
accustomed.
The Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce,
the voice of
business for
over 118
years, will
continue to
work beside
our city
colleagues
as partners
toward
refining the
policies,
programs,
and
initiatives
which will
continue to
make Long
Beach even
more
business
friendly in
the years to
come.”
November 14, 2009
Long Beach Chamber
Statement On Equal Benefits Ordinance
Lori
Lofstrom,
Chairman of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
Board of
Directors
released the
following
statement
regarding
the Equal
Benefits
Ordinance
agenda item
before the
Long Beach
City Council
on Tuesday,
November 17,
2009:
“The
Chamber is a
strong
supporter of
equality and
is proud to
represent a
business
community in
the most
diverse
urban city
in America.
The idea of
an equal
benefits
ordinance is
commendable
based on our
collective
desire to
maintain our
standing as
a diverse
city. Also,
the
implementation
of such an
ordinance
must take
into
consideration
the impact,
both
positive and
negative, to
all who will
be affected
by this law.
On July 8,
2009, the
Chamber
released a
statement
outlining
our position
on
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia's
proposed
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance.
At that
time, we
supported
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia's
aggressive
action
relative to
his beliefs
so early in
his term and
understood
that an EBO
is a trend
in many
cities with
wide support
and also has
the needed
support of
Long Beach
City Council
to pass.
However, the
Chamber
likewise
understands
that
business,
especially
smaller
businesses,
are simply
unable to
sustain
increased
governmental
expense
requirements
in the
current
recessionary
environment.
The Chamber
remained
neutral on
Councilmember
Garcia's
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance
(EBO).
However,
after many
conversations
with the
business
community,
elected
officials
and
Councilmember
Garcia, the
Chamber
decided to
support the
Councilmember’s
decision to
seek further
review of
this
ordinance by
allowing it
to be fully
vetted in
this
Economic
Development
Committee.
We felt that
the
committee
process
allowed the
Chamber and
other
interested
stakeholders
more time to
be a part of
the process
of the EBO’s
development.
The Chamber
ultimately
participated
in the
Council
Committee
process and
provided
reasonable
recommendations
to help
craft an
ordinance
that will
work for all
concerned.
Now that the
EBO has
completed
the
committee
process, the
Chamber
urges the
Council to
support an
EBO that
includes:
• An
understanding
of the
fiscal
impact to
the city and
business
community
based on
empirical
data from
other cities
with similar
ordinances
already in
place.
• A method
of
assessment
by the City
Manager to
monitor
costs,
savings, and
other issues
associated
with
implementing
a new EBO to
ensure that
the fiscal
impact to
the City
remain
stable and
manageable.
• Any
exceptions
and waivers
implemented
by the City
Manager must
be specific
and the
process for
such
exceptions
and waivers
must be
streamlined
to avoid
unintended
results of
vendors
being
discouraged
from doing
business
with the
City.
Also, the
impact of
this EBO
upon small
businesses
is
considered
at a time
when
businesses
are losing,
people are
losing homes
and credit
remains
tight if
not,
inaccessible.
Business
owners are
being
impacted at
all levels
of
government
with
increased
regulations
and taxes.
The Chamber
is
disappointed
that the
proposed EBO
does not
only apply
to contracts
over a
monetary
threshold of
$100,000
from the
beginning
and
throughout
AND it fails
to exempt
businesses
with less
than 25
employees
which has
been a
common
threshold to
define
‘small
business.’”
Small
business is
struggling
now more
than ever.
As proposed
in its
current
iteration,
the Chamber
does not
believe that
this EBO, if
passed,
would
adequately
protect the
interests of
small
business.
The $75,000
disparity
between the
first and
second year
contract
limits
coupled with
the vast
uncertainty
of the
implementation
of this EBO
past the
first year,
render this
ordinance
too
indefinite
to even
determine
with any
modicum of
certainty
what the
future holds
or its true
impact on
small
business.
Finally, the
Chamber is
unable to
support this
or any
ordinance
that cannot
be assessed
past its
first year
but remains
open to
further
revisions
that protect
small
business to
a greater
extent or
with a
greater
degree of
certainty.
November 12, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Political Action Committee Announces
Endorsements
The Long
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (LBACC-PAC),
the separate political action committee entity of the Long Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce, is responsible for ensuring that Long
Beach business interests are being represented in the political
decisions of our community.
The LBACC-PAC raises funds to support pro-jobs candidates for a
better Long Beach. To date the LBACC-PAC has not used any Long
Beach Chamber membership revenue to fund LBACC-PAC endorsed
candidates.
The LBACC-PAC board members interviewed candidates running for
the Long Beach Unified School District School Board District 3
race for the election to be held on December 29, 2009.
The LBACC-PAC board members also interviewed candidates running
for the Long Beach City Council race in Districts 3, 7, and 9
for the election to be held on April 6, 2010. The results are in
and the following are the LBACC-PAC endorsed candidates so far:
Richard Lewis
Long Beach Unified School District, School Board District 3
Candidate
www.lewisforschoolboard.com
The LBACC-PAC board of directors has unanimously
endorsed Richard Lewis for the Long Beach Unified School
District School Board District 3 race. An active community
leader in Long Beach for more than 10 years, Lewis will bring a
vast amount of business expertise and a record of strong
community service and experience to the School Board. Lewis has
more than 21 years of experience in business operations and
financial consulting in both the nonprofit and for profit
sectors. He is a successful entrepreneur and resident of Long
Beach’s East Village since 2005, and is instrumental in the
continuing transformation of the area from a once blighted and
struggling urban core into a thriving residential community now
widely recognized as a burgeoning arts and cultural district.
“Long Beach Unified School District deserves a School Board
member that will be engaged, attentive and invested in the
future of our young people,” stated Matt Kinley, Co-Chairman of
the LBACC-PAC. “Lewis’ strong business background as an
entrepreneur will bring a point of view to the School Board that
will help strengthen the fiscal crisis faced by our award
winning LBUSD,” Kinley continued.
“I am honored to have the LBACC-PAC endorsement and I look
forward to working with the business community to increase its
level of support and to find reasonable solutions to weathering
the fiscal storm that faces our school district,” stated Richard
Lewis. “My experience and record of involvement is exactly what
our young people deserve on the School Board,” Lewis continued.
Councilmember Gary DeLong
Long Beach City Council, 3rd District Candidate
www.facebook.com/GaryDeLong
The LBACC-PAC board of directors has unanimously endorsed
Councilmember Gary DeLong for the Long Beach City Council, 3rd
District race. DeLong continues to be a driving force for job
creation in his district as well as throughout Long Beach. He
routinely seeks ways to prevent government waste and looks for
opportunities to understand the economic and fiscal impact of
city decisions.
“A long-time business owner and entrepreneur, Councilmember
DeLong understands the responsibilities and outcomes associated
with signing the front of a paycheck,” stated Randy Gordon,
Secretary of the LBACC-PAC and President and CEO of the Long
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “DeLong is a friend of both job
creation and the taxpayers – something our community demands
from our local leaders at a time in which creating jobs is so
important,” continued Gordon.
"I am honored to have earned the Chamber PAC’s endorsement,"
DeLong said. "The Chamber’s PAC and the Chamber itself are the
leading business organizations in the State of California and
are instrumental to the City's economic development efforts,”
continued DeLong.
Vice Mayor Val Lerch
Long Beach City Council, 9th District Write-In Candidate
www.writeinvallerch.com
The LBACC-PAC board of directors has unanimously endorsed Vice
Mayor Val Lerch for the Long Beach City Council, 9th District
race. Vice Mayor Lerch is running as a write-in candidate. This
endorsement of Vice Mayor Lerch's write-in campaign is the third
LBACC-PAC's endorsement of a write-in candidate (former
Councilmember Jackie Kell's and former Mayor Beverly O'Neill's
write-in efforts being the two others).
Vice Mayor Lerch has reduced crime in North Long Beach to levels
that fall below crime activity from 20 years ago. He delivered
upon the North Police Sub-station and was instrumental in the
opening of new businesses specifically, the new Target at 68th
and Cherry, producing 200 new jobs and $600,000 to general fund.
“Vice Mayor Lerch is committed to job-creation and
job-retention,” stated Lori Lofstrom, a LBACC-PAC board member
and Chairman of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors. “We have worked very well with the Vice Mayor for a
long time and he has a strong record of supporting the Chamber
and our business community to ensure that we work together to
attract and retain jobs in the 9th district,” continued
Lofstrom.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Long Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee,” stated Vice
Mayor Val Lerch. “I have been a supporter of the Chamber and
local businesses for years. I have worked with the Chamber’s
membership on many issues and feel that we have for the most
part come to fair and equable conclusions. I look forward to
continuing this relationship for the next four years,” continued
Lerch.
Other Races
The LBACC-PAC unanimously decided not to render endorsements
and, therefore, will remain neutral in all city-wide races and
the 7th District City Council race.
The LBACC-PAC board of directors has not decided when it will
interview candidates in the 5th City Council race.
The LBACC-PAC board of directors will determine its endorsement
in the 1st District City Council race in the near future.
Interviews
The LBACC-PAC decided a few years ago to engage in the political
process early in order to maximize the efforts to secure the
successful election of our endorsed candidates. The LBACC-PAC is
always open to anyone interested in running to ensure every
current candidate has the opportunity to interview for an
endorsement consideration.
In the case of Terry Jensen who is a candidate in the 3rd City
Council race and Dan Pressburg in the 9th City Council race,
both candidates are the only two candidates of all known
candidates for School Board and City Council that were not
interviewed by the LBACC-PAC board. They were not interviewed
due to unsuccessfully being able to coordinate an interview
within the timeframe to meet the LBACC-PAC expectations for
endorsement interviews and consideration.
Questions
The LBACC-PAC board of directors asked the City Council
candidates the following questions:
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background in
Long Beach, and why you are interested in running for City
Council?
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities? What measures
will you use to gauge if you have been successful in addressing
them? If they cost money, how would you pay for them? Finally,
please address the economic impact and job creation potential
for Long Beach in your answers.
3. What are your thoughts regarding the demands of providing for
positive economic growth in Long Beach? Specifically, what will
you do to strengthen the local economy and provide quality jobs?
4. Our Chamber issued its 2008 Voting Record on Long Beach
Legislators last December. All three of our legislators
routinely vote for bills that have drastic impacts on the Long
Beach business climate. As a Councilmember, to what degree will
you communicate to our legislators the importance of a balanced
approach when voting for bills that have a major impact on our
business climate? Are you familiar with those positions and do
you agree or disagree with them?
5. What do you think are the City’s major budgetary challenges?
As a councilmember what would you contribute to overcome these
challenges?
The LBACC-PAC board of directors asked the School Board
candidates the following questions:
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background in
Long Beach, and why you are interested in running for the LBUSD
School Board?
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities? What measures
will you use to gauge if you have been successful in addressing
them? If they cost money, how would you pay for them?
3. What specific plans do you have to deal with the possibility
of laying off up to 900 LBUSD faculty members?
4. What specific plans to you have to deal with LBUSD decreased
state funding? What are your thoughts on parcel taxes to fund
shortfalls?
5. A recent study, based on fourth grade reading and eighth
grade math scores, showed that LBUSD was the most improved urban
district in the state, and the fourth most improved in the
nation. What specific plans do you have to maintain educational
quality and to continue to improve these scores?
November 2, 2009
Chamber Supports Water
Package
The Long
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce supports the proposed
comprehensive legislative package which holds the
promise of a restored Delta ecosystem and a reliable
water supply for 25 million Californians, a
multi-billion dollar economy and millions of acres
of farmland. Maintaining the status quo is
unsustainable and unacceptable, given the severe
water crisis we currently face statewide.
Click here for more.
October 23, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement On Measure T
Lori Lofstrom, Chairman of the Long Beach Chamber Board of
Directors; Joanne Davis, Chairman of the Long Beach Chamber
Government Affairs Council; and, Randy Gordon, President and CEO
of the Long Beach Chamber released the following joint statement
today announcing the position of the Long Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce on Measure T:
"At its October 22, 2009 meeting, the Board of Directors of the
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce voted to remain neutral on
the Classroom Teacher, Student Safety and Education Measure on
the November 3, 2009 ballot, commonly referred to as Measure T.
The Long Beach Chamber has a long-standing position of
supporting LBUSD and its endeavors. The Chamber is committed to
supporting education for our students today which leads to
innovation, economic development, and ultimately wealth creation
in the future. Fundamentally, an educated workforce is essential
to success in the business community.
Conversely, a primary concern to the Chamber is fairness: the
parcel tax would apply only to owner-occupied single-family
homes, not to renters and not to those over the age of
sixty-five. Thus, the tax base appears to be narrow compared to
those who would directly benefit, which in particular may
include many who rent their homes.
Another concern is that Long Beach voters recently approved
Measure K. This measure was a bond to fund the repair of schools
and classrooms that will result in a property tax assessment of
$60 per $100,000 in assessed value for the next 25 years. The
Chamber is concerned that there never seems to be an end to
requests for taxes to fund education. Instead, the LBUSD should
seek to reduce costs rather than increase revenue.
The Chamber does, however, recognize the extent to which LBUSD
has made dramatic recent budget cuts -- $100 million in the last
five years - and has reduced staff. District Superintendent
Chris Steinhauser has voluntarily accepted a 10 percent pay cut.
At the same time, the LBUSD has won once and been a finalist
five times for the Broad Prize for Urban Education, and has
improved the quality and impact of its programs so that
enrollment has actually increased.
However, in the end, the Board of Directors of the Long Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce did not come the conclusion that the
benefits of passing Measure T outweighs the costs, and vice
versa.
For these reasons, the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will
remain neutral on Measure T."
Strictly Business
| October 15, 2009
Matching
Virtue To Necessity
 In
shaping America's future ability to extend power, both
globally and domestically, our leaders must attempt
whenever possible to match virtue to necessity. And,
this most fundamental idea cannot be met with merely
rhetorical support. It has to be met with equal resolve
and with our country's decision-making. Economic,
financial, militarily, and political must all reflect
this value. It is a rare occasion when each of those
criteria is awarded.
Congress appropriating funding to sustain; in fact,
grow, the C-17 Globemaster III production program is one
such occasion. In many ways the C-17 will make a real
and significant contribution to America's foreign policy
agenda.
Consider the proliferation of airlift missions that are
emerging:
- Humanitarian relief and disaster assistance in remote,
rugged locations.
- Transport of cargo, munitions, and every type of
equipment, artillery, or vehicle, including the 70-ton
Abrams tank, needed to enforce and sustain peace on
virtually every continent.
- Rapid deployment of missile defense and special
operations forces to theaters where we are presently
operating.
- Counter-insurgency and nation-building in places like
Africa that demand exceptionally high readiness and
availability of strategic airlifters.
With the list of global responsibilities growing (not to
mention the increased size of American ground forces),
which we as a country have historically been and will
continue to be uniquely suited to serve as the primary
and immediate respondent to, the only real problem with
the C-17 is that the Air Force lacks a sufficient number
to cover the world.
I am mindful that cuts in defense spending are necessary
from time to time to help pay for increased domestic
spending - which is perhaps a topic for a future column
- and that is true today. I am also mindful that it is
not a perfectly calculable endeavor for Congress to
determine whether and to what extent a defense program
warrants funding. And certainly we've all read or heard
about the myriad of occasions when bureaucratic
ineptitude, premeditated shenanigans and outright
attempts to commit fraud have created waste in defense
spending.
The C-17 is plagued by none of this. The need for this
aircraft is already apparent in present day and what is
true for our engagements today is also true for
engagements we aren't yet in, or that we simply wish to
stay prepared for.
For all of these reasons, and more, the production of
this Long Beach-built aircraft provides our great city,
region and our nation with the jobs critical to our
economic well-being. It is also an opportunity to
prevent the further deterioration of our country's
manufacturing sector.
Congress and the Obama Administration must seal the deal
on funding necessary to keep the C-17 in production for
the long term…
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| October 8, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement On California’s Water
Crisis
Randy
Gordon,
President
and CEO of
the Long
Beach
Chamber
released the
following
statement
today on the
California
water
crisis:
I
strongly
urge the
Governor and
the
Legislature
to come to a
solution on
California’s
crumbling
water
system.
Our business
community
cannot
afford to
wait a
moment
longer.
After
decades of
inaction,
California’s
water system
is finally
on the brink
of bringing
us into the
21st
century,
thereby
preserving
this vital
hub that is
the conduit
for shipping
water from
the north to
Central
Valley farms
and Southern
California
cities. A
Sacramento-San
Joaquin
Delta plan
can soon be
a reality.
We all know
our 700-mile
maze of
waterways,
levees and
islands
drives the
state’s
economy.
California’s
water system
was built
for a
population
of 18
million. It
is now
strained to
the breaking
point and
needs to be
upgraded for
a population
of more than
36 million
that is
expected to
reach 50
million. The
ecological
considerations
also are
straining
the system
and are
being
co-equally
considered
in
legislation
passed in
September.
The need to
complete
this task is
crucial -
and
lawmakers
must reach
consensus on
funding a
historic
compromise.
Strictly Business
| October 1, 2009
A Chance
To Build, Together
The story
of
Tesla Motors
is that of a true underdog. The upstart automaker had a
dream to reinvent the electric car market with reliable,
attractive, performance-minded vehicles that ran on pure
electricity. The odds were stacked against them and many
hurdles stood in their way. But, Tesla has been deemed
an undeniable success after completing all deliveries of
its striking Roadster and debuting an electric four-door
sedan called the Model S that threatens to change the
American view of mass-produced vehicles as we know it.
The United States Department of Energy recently
validated Tesla’s efforts by granting them loans
worth about $465 million to produce more electric
vehicles – an attempt to jumpstart the electric industry
with the once-mocked Tesla Motors leading the way. Now,
the young company is looking for the perfect place to
settle and produce its revolutionary automobiles. And
Long Beach is just the place.
In order to build the annual 20,000 Model S sedans that
are planned, Tesla needs a facility and they need it
fast. An immediate interest was taken in Long Beach,
where we are always looking for new business partners
and just happened to be looking for a new tenant in a
Boeing-owned former aircraft production plant. What a
coincidence! The currently vacant plant can accommodate
Tesla’s needs. So,
the
automaker announced that it would locate its new
manufacturing headquarters either the vacant plant in
Long Beach or...in nearby Downey.
Now, with all due respect to the fine city of Downey,
there really is no comparison here. Their city
government has made a strong push to attract Tesla. But,
Boeing as well as a Long Beach team of city staff led by
Mayor Bob Foster and City Manager Pat West have worked
tirelessly to communicate and negotiate with the
carmaker since rumors of a partnership began. Also, Long
Beach City Councilmember Gerrie Schipske (the vacant
Boeing facility is located in her district)
reminds her constituents time and time again,
our city offers so much more than just a place to build
cars. Specifically, we offer our rich manufacturing
history in the aircraft and automobile industries; we
offer a dedicated, experienced workforce that is highly
skilled and well educated; we offer the resources of two
local colleges that continue to produce California’s
best and brightest. These are the foundations that built
Long Beach and will carry it into the future – with the
help of Tesla, innovators in their industry and leaders
of a new automobile revolution.
The effect that Tesla would have on Long Beach is
immeasurable. While creating 1,000 to 1,200 jobs and
generating substantial revenue, the clean-and-green
company would only further Long Beach’s reputation as
one of the most environmentally-conscious cities in
America. In return, Tesla Motors would receive lucrative
enterprise zone tax credits for hiring local employees
that are simply not available anywhere else.
Additionally, freeway access and nearly endless stream
of a local, talented workforce will ensure a strong and
vibrant economic future for a company of the future.
This deal is not about what the City will receive, or
what Tesla will receive. Instead, is a deal that is
about the things that the two can accomplish together.
And, it is the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s
belief that Long Beach and Tesla Motors can accomplish
so much more with each other than they ever can
separately, forming an alliance of
environmentally-friendly innovation and leadership to
guide others in the same direction. Eventually, changing
the industry. Then, maybe companies across America.
This relationship has the potential to change the way we
look at our own society. This is a chance to build
better cars, to build a better local economy, and to
build a better nation, together. We cannot and must not
allow that opportunity to slip away…
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
September 29, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement On San Pedro
Waterfront Project
Randy
Gordon,
President
and CEO of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
will deliver
the
following
statement
tonight at
the Port of
Los Angeles
Harbor
Commission
meeting in
support of
the San
Pedro
Waterfront
Project:
Statement
by Randy
Gordon,
President
and CEO
Long Beach
Area Chamber
of Commerce
Port of Los
Angeles
Board of
Harbor
Commissioners
Public
Meeting,
6:00pm
September
29, 2009
Boys & Girls
Club
Liberty Hill
Plaza
100 W. Fifth
Street
San Pedro,
CA 90731
Good
evening,
President
and Members
of the
Harbor
Commission.
My name is
Randy Gordon
and I am
President
and CEO of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce.
I am here
tonight on
behalf of
the Chamber
to speak in
support of
the San
Pedro
Waterfront
Project; a
critical
project that
will add
thousands of
jobs,
revitalize
the
waterfront,
and will be
built with
the
environment
in mind.
The San
Pedro
Waterfront
Project is
an important
project not
just for the
business
community,
but the
surrounding
community as
well.
Along with
added jobs
and revenue,
the Project
will enhance
the
surrounding
area and add
to the
quality of
life for
many who
will
ultimately
visit and
take part in
the many
enhancements.
Many
improvements
such as
construction
of new
pedestrian
walks and
plazas,
along with
green public
open spaces
are two
worthwhile
enhancements
for all to
enjoy.
The Project
also calls
for major
revitalization
of the Port
to meet the
increasing
cruise
industry
demands.
The Ports is
vital to the
economy,
whether be
it in San
Pedro or
Southern
California,
all can
benefit by
improving
the Port.
For example,
our Port
operations
in Long
Beach
support
nearly one
in eight or
over 30,000
jobs
throughout
our City and
approximately
315,000 jobs
or 1 in 29
in Southern
California.
The San
Pedro
Waterfront
Project will
put people
to work,
invest in
San Pedro
and continue
to make San
Pedro a
cruise
business
destination.
The Long
Beach Area
Chamber
joins with
neighboring
Chambers and
business
organizations
in saying
now is the
time to help
San Pedro
resurrect
business in
the Port
area.
Please
ensure that
future
generations
will be able
to enjoy
this well
planned,
environmentally
conscience,
community
oriented and
pro-business
project by
supporting
it tonight.
Thank you.
###
September 29, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement On Proposed Housing
Preference
Randy
Gordon,
President
and CEO of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
released the
following
statement
today
regarding
Councilmembers
Robert
Garcia and
Gary
DeLong’s
proposed
housing
preference:
“It is a
policy
priority of
the Long
Beach
Chamber to
support
responsible
housing
policies
that help
attract and
retain Long
Beach
businesses.
Specifically,
the Chamber
is committed
to
supporting
efforts,
such as the
proposed
housing
preference,
which will
increase
workforce
housing
opportunities
for Long
Beach
residents.”
“The Chamber
supports
Councilmembers
Robert
Garcia and
Gary
DeLong’s
upcoming
request of
the City
Attorney and
City Manager
to return to
the Council
within 60
days to
report on
approaches
to
strengthen
the local
housing
preference
program in
new and
existing
residential
developments.”
“When
housing
developments
open, the
City of Long
Beach
conducts an
outreach
effort to
local
residents
before
opening up
the new
housing to
applicants
who do not
live in Long
Beach.
According to
Garcia and
DeLong,
approximately
60% of new
units go to
people who
live or work
in Long
Beach at the
time of
application.
This leaves
40% of Long
Beach’s
workforce
housing
stock to
residents
who do not
live or work
in Long
Beach. Long
Beach
residents
deserve
better.”
“The Chamber
looks
forward to
working with
Councilmembers
Garcia and
DeLong to
create a
stronger
housing
preference
for Long
Beach
residents
and workers.
City
resources
should serve
Long Beach
residents
first.”
Strictly Business
| September 23, 2009
Re-Examine This
Last night, the Long Beach City Council approved a
Chamber-opposed motion to hold a study session
to talk about ways to increase the current level of
investment by the Port of Long Beach. Currently, our
Port transfers 10% of the tidelands fund to the City to
pay for tidelands-related services which has amounted to
$16 million so far this year.
The Chamber agreed with the authors of the motion that
during difficult budget times, it is important to
re-examine all funding sources and ensure they reflect
the changing economic environment.
But re-examining ALL funding sources should not mean
re-examining the funding sources that actually
work...and then pick their pockets. Instead,
re-examining sources that drain funding is a more
productive way to fix our fiscal problems.
How about re-examining out of control costs associated
with public employee pensions?
How about re-examining increasing fees on businesses?
How about re-examining ways to actually retain and
attract businesses?
How about re-examining ways to streamline current city
staffing levels – instead of just eliminating vacant
positions?
How about re-examining ways to stabilize public safety
funding?
The “What We Should Be Re-Examining List” goes on and
on. The bottom line here is that re-examining ALL
funding sources was not the intention of the motion.
Instead, this move was yet another political power grab
at one of the few departments in this city that can
actually run itself responsibly.
It is also important to understand that the Port of Long
Beach is the only port in the United States that
annually transfers funds to its governing City. And,
since 1990, our Port has invested over $790 million into
the City of Long Beach which averages out to
approximately $41.5 million per year.
Increasing or making changes to the tidelands transfer
will take away from the Port’s ability to invest in the
areas that this Council and vocal members of our
community urge the Port to invest: things like
environmental, security and transportation programs.
Speaking of the environment, the Port has made major
strides to improve its footprint through progressive
policies such as the Green Port Policy and Clean Air
Action Plan. Taking additional tidelands funds away from
the Port’s operating revenue will impede the Port
ability to fund these programs and accomplish their
environmental and security program goals.
Finally, increases or changes to the tidelands transfer
will send the wrong message to the shipping industry.
Funds used for the transfer come from leases, wharfage
fees and other fees paid by terminal operators and the
shipping industry. These funds have are collected and
are designed to be reinvested in the port through
capital improvements and environmental programs.
By taking away funds needed to invest into the port, we
send a message to that the City of Long Beach is not
serious about job-creation and not committed to making
sure that we have a state-of-the-art,
environmentally-friendly Port complex.
I urge the City Council during its upcoming study
session on this issue to leave Port investment levels
off the table so the Port can do its job providing the
needed economic job-creation and annual investments
already in place so that the City can focus on the real
areas that need re-examining...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| September 21, 2009
Long
Beach Chamber Chairman Statement To Be Delivered At
Equal Benefits Ordinance Hearing Today
The following statement will be delivered by Lori
Lofstrom, Chairman of the Board of the Long Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce at the Long Beach City Council
Economic Development and Finance Committee meeting today
at 4:30pm in the City Council Chambers regarding Agenda
Item 2: 090704 – Recommendation To Discuss Equal
Benefits Ordinance:
Good afternoon, Chairman Gabelich and members of the
committee.
My name is Lori Lofstrom and I am Chairman of the Long
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
On July 8, 2009, the Chamber released a statement
outlining our position on Councilmember Robert Garcia's
proposed Equal Benefits Ordinance.
At that time, we supported Councilmember Robert Garcia's
aggressive action relative to his beliefs so early in
his term and understood that an EBO is a trend in many
cities with wide support and also has the needed support
of Long Beach City Council to pass.
However, the Chamber likewise understands that business,
especially smaller businesses, are simply unable to
sustain increased governmental expense requirements in
the current recessionary environment.
The Chamber remained neutral on Councilmember Garcia's
Equal Benefits Ordinance.
However, after many conversations with the business
community, elected officials and Councilmember Garcia,
the Chamber decided to support the Councilmember’s
decision to seek further review of this ordinance by
allowing it to be fully vetted in this Economic
Development Committee.
We felt that the committee process allows the Chamber
and other interested stakeholders more time to be a part
of the process of the EBO’s development which we
appreciate.
The Chamber is a strong supporter of equality and is
proud to represent a business community in the most
diverse urban city in America.
The idea of an equal benefits ordinance is commendable
based on our collective desire to maintain our standing
as a diverse city.
The implementation of such an ordinance must take into
consideration the impact, both positive and negative, to
all who will be affected by this law.
After even further discussions with interested
stakeholders the Chamber would like to take this
opportunity to respectfully submit our input to help to
craft an ordinance that will work for all concerned and,
therefore, the Chamber urges this committee to consider
the following recommendations:
- We would request that City Staff research, understand
and present to this committee, the fiscal impact to the
city and business community based on empirical data from
other cities with similar ordinances already in place.
This committee and eventually the City Council must
understand that San Francisco, for example, experienced
significant costs associated with its implementation of
a similar program to the tune of $300,000 a year. Any
massive fiscal impact of any proposal must be understood
given these tough economic times for both the City
itself and for our local economy.
- It will be critical that the City Manager develop a
method of assessment to monitor costs, savings, and
other issues associated with implementing a new EBO to
ensure that the fiscal impact to the City remain stable
and manageable.
- Any exceptions and waivers implemented by the City
Manager must be specific and the process for such
exceptions and waivers must be streamlined to avoid
unintended results of vendors being discouraged from
doing business with the City.
- Finally, the Chamber strongly recommends that the
impact of this EBO upon small businesses be carefully
considered at a time when businesses are losing, people
are losing homes and credit remains tight if not,
inaccessible. Business owners are being impacted at all
levels of government with increased regulations and
taxes. In order to accomplish a reasonable balance, the
Chamber would advocate that the proposed EBO apply only
to contracts over a monetary threshold of $100,000 AND
exempt businesses with less than 25 employees which has
been a common threshold to define “small business”.
The Chamber hopes that these four recommendations will
be given due consideration in your discussions today and
in the future related to the decision to move this EBO
forward.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Strictly Business
| September 17, 2009
Commission Yourself
Last month, the Long Beach Chamber conducted our fourth
Candidate Academy since 2005. This unique, non-partisan
training program is designed for individuals considering
running for elected office at all levels of government.
Sometimes, though, the thought of running for public
office may cause some trepidation for the very people
whose voices are needed most when it comes to critical
issues affecting our community.
Regardless of the reason for not pursuing the life of an
elected official, there are still positions within the
community where you can make a difference if given the
opportunity to do so. And, the perfect first step is an
appointment to a city commission.
There are many Citizen Boards and Commissions within the
City of Long Beach. They come in various sizes and cover
a broad range of issues. Moreover, these boards and
commissions, and those who serve on them, play a vital
role in how our community is shaped.
The City of Long Beach's "Authorities, Boards,
Commissions, and Committees Handbook" puts it best:
“The boards and commissions system provides the
opportunity to interact creatively with people of all
ages, interests, and backgrounds. Democracy can be
realized when citizens are able to come together across
neighborhood and economic lines to assist in making the
community decisions that will shape all of their lives.”
Right now is your time to make a difference in our
community, as there are several vacancies on various
commissions. The Harbor Commission, for instance, has a
vacancy. Harbor Commissioners are all members of our
community who are charged with setting policy for the
Port of Long Beach and managing the Harbor Department.
But, if being a Harbor Commissioner does not appeal to
you, then there are other commissions ranging from Parks
and Recreation to Planning, and all points in between.
The City's web site has a comprehensive list of
all commissions the city has to offer. The list also has
the number of vacancies each commission has and what
criteria must be meet to be eligible for appointment.
Find the one that you think may match your background,
work experience or passion and apply. The application
process is fairly straightforward and the application
itself is only two pages long.
As our community moves through the latest peaks and
valleys of these tumultuous times it is imperative that
we have the best people giving our elected officials the
best direction. Our city government has set up its
commission structure to embrace the ideas of the
community. We must take advantage of this opportunity
and serve.
I encourage you to take a look at the list on
the City's web site and make the decisions to
get involved. Who knows, after a stint on one of Long
Beach’s commissions we may see you at a future Candidate
Academy…
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| September 10, 2009
Disturbing More Than The Peace
 How
do you give a business a fighting chance during a
less than desirable economy? Better yet, how do you
try to make it so a business, its employees and the
community do not fail during one of the toughest
markets in recent history?
UNITE HERE Local 11, the Los Angeles-based union
attempting to organize the Long Beach Hilton, has an
interesting approach to these questions. Their
answer: use irresponsible intimidation and illegal
tactics to place their need to boost their coffers
before the needs of our community and the very
employees whom they so desperately want to become
dues-paying members. Their tactics may whip up a
little fervor among the rank and file, but let’s
stop and look at how their latest stunt fits with
the reality we face every day.
Right now, in Long Beach, the unemployment rate is
soaring and thousands of people are looking for
work. Our local business community is shrinking.
Yet, the leaders of UNITE HERE feel it is in the
best interest of the Hilton employees to stop
business from coming, period. Not only have they
called a boycott against the hotel but they have
proceeded to use sirens, drums and bullhorns at the
incredibly early hour of 6:00am outside of the hotel
to disturb the peace of the guests, the employees
and the city of Long Beach. Luckily, the Long Beach
Police Department was there to protect the laws of
this city and issued
misdemeanor
citations to stop the noise.
Everything about the action from the union smacks of
irresponsibility, intimidation and now illegal
activity. From its timing to its blatant disregard
for the well being of the employees and our
community, it must be squashed.
Regardless of the state of our economy, businesses,
and their employees, must always be afforded the
opportunity to operate free from intimidation.
Moreover, there is no place in our community for the
counterintuitive tactics being used by UNITE HERE
Local 11 because, quite frankly, UNITE HERE does not
accurately represent every voice they claim to
represent.
Take Maria Castro, for example. Singled out by the
Press Telegram in
this
article from last week. Castro stood with
anti-union workers in front of the Downtown Long
Beach Hilton holding signs that read "Union X" and
"We love Hilton."
According to Castro, "I don't have nothing
against their right to decide whether you be in the
union or not, but they're talking for everybody, and
it's not everybody. We have families to support. We
have bills to pay."
The article also points to Orfelina Olmos, a 17-year
room attendant at the Long Beach Hilton who said,
"I (don't) want the union to disturb my job. When
guests come over here, I have a job."
So, how do you try to make it so a business, its
employees and the community do not fail during one
of the toughest markets in recent history? I submit
that we, as responsible members of this community,
work together to find ways to support local
businesses so they can create more jobs...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Photo Credit: Diandra Jay,
Press-Telegram Photographer. Photo used with permission.
Strictly Business
| August 27, 2009
Stop The
Bullying, Los Angeles
For many
decades, the Port of Long Beach has been a particularly
strong point of pride for our city, both as an economic
engine and a major employer. Massive amounts of
container traffic passed through our harbor each and
every day, helping to make Southern California’s
second-largest port essential to the financial health of
the entire country.
The Port has
been an economic steward for so long, and has taken on a
new role as an environmental caretaker in recent years
after implementing new practices to reverse
environmental harms that they have caused to the region.
It has been a noble and successful fight as the Port of
Long Beach has become one of the most
environmentally-friendly ports in America, and the
world.
The nearby Port of Los Angeles joined into the spirit of
this new “Green” transition, but with a few small
differences. Unfortunately, today we are seeing that
these differences have caused huge rifts in the
transportation industry that may negatively affect
business in the entire region, and prove that the Port
of Los Angeles was using the veil of environmental
efficiency to attempt an industry takeover based on
power and greed. Now, when the shipping industry is
slowing rapidly and ports should do everything they can
to attract business, the Port of Los Angeles is pushing
potential clients away and alienating those that work
long, dangerous hours for them. And they may be dragging
the Port of Long Beach down with them.
The Port of Los Angeles is lobbying the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization
Act (F4A) so they can have greater control over the trucking
industry. Their ultimate goal: to prevent independent
truckers from operating at their Port that will lead to
full unionization of all truckers. The Port of Long
Beach is not participating in this advocacy sham. Obviously, the Port of Los
Angeles signed up with the Clean Trucks Act not to
improve the environment, but to impose its will on its
business partners.
Why does this matter in Long Beach? Well, the two ports
are in such close proximity to one another that they are
often confused to be one large port, and any bullying
tactics used in Los Angeles could also be negatively
attributed to Long Beach. Ultimately this will make
shipping companies less willing to do business here.
Such a chain reaction would be devastating to the Port
of Long Beach, which has seen container traffic steadily
decline for the last two years with no signs of
relenting. In fact, because of increasing fees, taxes
and generally poor reputations (thanks to the Port of
Los Angeles), shipping companies have made it no secret
that they prefer to take their business elsewhere.
In about
five years, a widening of the Panama Canal will make it
easier for Asian companies to bypass the West Coast and
head to the other side of the nation – something they
will gladly do to avoid higher fees. Meanwhile, Gulf
Coast and East Coast ports are expanding in anticipation
of the surge in business.
The Port of Los Angeles is lobbying hard to pass their bullying tactics into the
F4A. Well, we must lobby Congress even harder to ensure that
their efforts are not successful. The Port of Long Beach
has been an excellent community partner for many
decades, and it’s time we step up for them…
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| August 26, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Supports Instant Runoff Voting
Proposal
The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announces its
support of the proposed Instant Runoff Voting proposal
to be considered by the Long Beach City Council.
Instant Runoff Voting elects officeholders with a
majority of the vote in a single election thereby
eliminating the need for a second-round runoff election
or primary election. Voters rank the candidates in order
of their preference -- first choice, second choice,
third choice -- and if their first choice cannot win,
their vote goes to their second choice candidate as
their "runoff" choice. Voters are liberated to vote for
the candidates they really like, instead of worrying
about "spoilers" or having to choose the "lesser of two
evils."
"In 2006, Long Beach taxpayers paid a total of $2.5
million for an April primary election and a June runoff
election," stated Randy Gordon, President and CEO of the
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. "If IRV had been
used then, over $1.3 million of precious tax dollars
would have been saved,"
continued Gordon.
"I believe Instant Runoff Voting represents a more
effective way to make every citizen's vote count and at
the same time reduce the fiscal impact of costly
elections on Long Beach," stated Second District City
Councilmember Suja Lowenthal. "I thank the Long Beach
Chamber for joining me in supporting a proposal that
brings election reform to our great City," continued
Councilmember Lowenthal.
"Instant Runoff Voting is an innovative idea that saves
taxpayer dollars and has been tested in other cities,"
stated Councilmember Gary DeLong. "I too welcome the
Long Beach Chamber's support and look forward to working
with the business community and City Clerk Larry Herrera
to save over $1 million in the 2012 elections alone,"
continued Councilmember DeLong.
Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal, Gary DeLong Robert
Garcia, and Val Lerch have already endorsed IRV, along
with Long Beach City College Trustee Mark Bowen.
"We are thrilled to have the support of the Long Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce," said Gautam Dutta of New
America Foundation. "We thank the board for their
thoughtful consideration," he added. The New America
Foundation is the major proponent of the IRV proposal
and responsible for educating communities across
California of the impacts of such a proposal.
To bring IRV to Long Beach, voters need to approve an
amendment to the City Charter. For this to happen, a
majority of the nine-person City Council must first
approve legislation to put IRV on the ballot.
The Chamber also urges all interested people to attend
the Long Beach Town Hall on Instant Runoff Voting hosted
by Councilmember Suja Lowenthal and the New America
Foundation from 5:30pm to 7:00pm on September 29, 2009
in the Long Beach City Council Chambers, 333 West Ocean
Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.
Strictly Business
| August 24, 2009
Give
Money. Live Better.
In 2009, being a good
business partner doesn’t just mean turning a profit. It
means giving back. It means providing opportunities. It
means understanding the needs and priorities of the
community.
Walmart has shown time
and time again that they are that kind of corporation,
and proved it once more recently with the presentation
of a $550,000 check to fund environmental services and
youth job training at the Conservation Corps of Long
Beach.
Walmart presented six of these checks to the US
Conference of Mayors and asked them to decide which
programs across the nation were most worthy of receiving
the funds. The Conference quickly pointed to the
Conservation Corps of Long Beach, an organization that
provides job training to at-risk youth by teaching them
sustainable and environmental skills like recycling and
solar installation. The young workers develop strong
work ethics and learn valuable skills, and are required
to attend school while enrolled in the program.
The grant is a win-win for everyone. Walmart does their
part to serve the community they operate in, the
Conservation Corps receives some much-needed assistance,
and the City of Long Beach benefits as opportunities
increase for our youth and our desire to become more
environmentally-friendly as a city is fulfilled. The
Conservation Corps has been serving Long Beach for more
than 21 years, and they deserved a hand from the city’s
business community.
New programs can be pursued now that Walmart’s grant has
reached the hands of the Conservation Corps. Recycling
and environmental services like planting new trees are a
core function of the organization, but new sustainable
technology emerges each and every day. This grant allows
the Conservation Corps to keep up with the latest
industry developments and keep their workers sharp. In
this way, at-risk youth are not only learning skills so
that they can work now; they’re learning skills that are
going to keep them employed in the environmental field
for a long, long time.
Of course, that’s good news for Long Beach. One of the
most environmentally-conscious cities in America, Long
Beach has a wide range of Green initiatives ranging from
solar energy to water quality. But there is always more
that can be done, and the training going on at the
Conservation Corps will keep our city on the cutting
edge of sustainability.
I talk often about the responsibility that businesses in
Long Beach have to their community, so it pleases me to
see one of our most visible corporations taking the
initiative to give back. When a major company like
Walmart steps forward to help, it can influence other
companies who operate in Long Beach but have never given
back.
Walmart has shown its Long
Beach business community the way, and sets a grand
example of charity during this tough economic times. The
$550,000 grant will go a long way not only because of
the jobs and the quality of training it will provide,
but because that money will be recycled back into our
community for years to come. Walmart understands that…
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Strictly Business
| August 24, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement on Race To The Top
Funding
Randy Gordon, President and CEO of the Long Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce released the following statement
regarding the Race to the Top grant program:
“Recently, President Obama and U.S. Education Secretary
Arne Duncan outlined federal requirements for Race to
the Top, a $4.35 billion competitive grant program in
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act designed to
support education reform and innovation. Under current
law, however, California is ineligible to apply.
Continuing his commitment to ensure California gets
every possible dollar from the federal economic stimulus
package, Governor Schwarzenegger last week called a
special session of the Legislature and proposed
legislation to seek the changes in state law necessary
so California can meet the Obama administration’s
eligibility requirements and be highly competitive for
its fair share of these funds.
The Long Beach Chamber applauds the Governor’s recent
actions, including calling for a special legislative
session to address the current flaws in the California
education system and begin an era of properly rewarding
dedicated and effective teachers and administrators and
holding each school district more accountable for
developing primary and secondary students with the skill
set to compete in the local, state, national and
international marketplaces.
We are fortunate to have an exceptionally solid and
nationally recognized Long Beach Unified School District
led by Chris Steinhauser and a dedicated School Board,
which can offer lesser performing districts concrete
ideas for improving their educational systems.”
Strictly Business
| August 10, 2009
Hurts
More Than Helps
Consider the plight of the
hard-working employee who’s earned the right to obtain
benefits from their employer after years of loyal
service – a coverage plan that works for the employee
and is affordable for the employer. All of a sudden,
that efficient agreement is interrupted by a government
attempt to interfere and mandate the terms of the
employee’s coverage while possibly instituting new fees
(or even fines) to the employer.
For some reason, the Congress and our President (and
quite frankly our State Legislature, too) insists on interfering
in the perfectly efficient way that employees across the
nation receive healthcare coverage. Why? Many businesses and
employees long ago figured out how to come to an
agreement on proper coverage terms, with both sides
coming away satisfied. And that’s the way it should be.
The government’s plan is to provide healthcare for any
and everyone – and that’s fine, but why should it
negatively impact those who already enjoy their
coverage?
It is for this reason – in addition to many others –
that the current form of healthcare reform being pushed
through legislation should be reconsidered and altered
in order to provide new quality care to some, while
preserving quality care that others already enjoy.
President Obama and his team may well be on their way to
a revolutionary new healthcare system that provides the
best possible coverage at a reasonable rate; but this is
not that plan.
The Long Beach Chamber would like to join the 64% of Americans that said they
do not believe President Obama’s healthcare plan is a
good one (according to a recent Wall Street Journal
&
NBC News survey). With a majority of his citizens
against him, and an ailing business community struggling
to free itself from the reigns of recession, Obama
should reconsider a plan that adds unneeded strain to
those that aren’t asking for it.
Click here to join the Long Beach Chamber and add your
name to the National Health Care Sign-on Letter.
President Obama's healthcare plan will hurt more people than it
will help, but this does not mean that our voice can't
be heard. We need help from legislators, businesses, and
YOU to make it known that we will not stand
for further government interference into our healthcare
problem...
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
August 7 ,
2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement on the Resignation of LBUSD School
Board Member Michael Ellis
Randy
Gordon, President and CEO of the Long Beach Area Chamber of
Commerce released the following statement this morning regarding
the resignation of Long Beach Unified School District School
Board Member Michael Ellis:
“It’s about time!”
###
Click here to ready today's Los Angeles Times article on Ellis'
resignation.
Click here to read today's Press Telegram article on Ellis'
resignation.
Click
here to read the Chamber's efforts to remove Ellis from office.
 August 3,
2009
Interested In
Running For Elected Office?
Sign Up For The
Chamber's 2009 Candidate Academy
The Long Beach Chamber’s Candidate Academy is a NON-PARTISAN
program designed for individuals considering running for local,
county, regional, and state public office.
Thursday evenings
August 6, 2009 – August 27, 2009
5:30pm – 7:00pm
$100.00 total
(cost includes food at each session, class text, materials and
supplies)
daVinci Ristorante
2801 East Spring Street, 3rd Floor
Long Beach, California 90806
Click here to RSVP.
Click here for
more information on the program.
Strictly Business | July 23, 2009
Healthy, Fresh And So Damn Easy
 The
Chamber has always been committed to finding and
promoting willing business partners who seek not
only to sell but to provide to the community they
serve.
Today, the City of Long Beach is nearing an
agreement that would bring one such business to
downtown Long Beach, which is desperately in need of
an active and beneficial business partner in the
community. The potential introduction of a new Fresh
& Easy Neighborhood Market will bring downtown Long
Beach residents the convenient, affordable and –
most important of all – healthy shopping option that
they have been lacking for far too long.
There are currently
two Fresh & Easy stores
located in Long Beach that have been doing very
well, and the fact that the company is interested in
opening yet another store in our city is a
commitment to Long Beach that we should embrace. We
are fortunate to have found a new business partner
that is providing a needed service that betters the
lives of our citizens.
And there is no better place for Fresh & Easy to
spread its roots that downtown Long Beach. The
proposed location in the City Place shopping center
is the heart of a community that currently has few
healthy shopping options. Many residents must travel
long distances to shop for foods that will benefit
both their stomachs and their wallets. Opening a
Fresh & Easy in the City Place center will introduce
a new market of consumers to a convenient and
healthy way of providing for their families. That
option, sad as it may be, simply does not exist at
this time. A new Fresh & Easy will change that once
and for all.
Councilmember Robert Garcia is leading a letter
writing campaign to bring the community into the
process of securing a Fresh and Easy in the Downtown
(which happens to be his district).
Click here to submit your
letter of support.
On the job front, Fresh & Easy has committed to
providing competitive employment that stays local
(more than half its employees live less than four
miles from work). With their other Long Beach
locations, the market has proven their intentions to
stick with that commitment. They are an
environmental leader that uses energy-efficient
light bulbs, promotes recycling and donates proceeds
to neighborhood schools. In welcoming Fresh & Easy,
we are not only welcoming a new grocery store, but a
new community partner, neighbor, and friend…
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
July 18, 2009
Long Beach Chamber Statement On City Manager Pat
West’s Letter Requesting A 5% Voluntary Reduction In
Invoices From Vendors Under Contract With The City
of Long Beach
Randy Gordon, President and CEO of the Long Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce released the following
statement yesterday regarding City Manager Pat
West’s letter to vendors under contract with the
City of Long Beach requesting a 5% voluntary
reduction in invoices:
“On July 14, 2009, Long Beach City Manager Pat West
sent a letter to 2,784 vendors under contract with
the City of Long Beach requesting their voluntary
participation in reducing their invoices to the City
between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 by
five-percent (5%). After speaking with the City
Manager about this request, the Chamber understands
that it is the right of any vendor to decide to
voluntarily participate in the request. However, if
a vendor does not want to participate, that is their
right as well.
The City Manager clearly outlined his intent of the
five-percent (5%) voluntary request:
1. This request is voluntary, not mandatory.
2. This request is not intended to be a threat to
any current vendor who might feel compelled to
participate in order to renew any contract.
3. The five-percent (5%) reduction request is
modeled after a request from the Port of Long Beach
to its vendors to do a reduction in invoices.
4. The City does not encourage a vendor to
participate if it will put their business at a
disadvantage.
5. Other cities are doing similar requests.
According to the City Manager, of the 2,784 letters
sent on July 14, 2009, so far 111 vendors
voluntarily agreed to participate at a 5% reduction
and three (3) vendors voluntarily agreed to
participate at a ten-percent (10%) reduction.
The Chamber will work closely with the City Manager
in the coming days to monitor the progress of his
voluntary request.
Finally, the Chamber will spend time early next week
researching the results of the Port of Long Beach
and other cities who have requested similar
reductions from their vendors.
Any questions from vendors under contract with the
City of Long Beach are encouraged to contact the
City of Long Beach Department of Financial
Management, Business Relations Bureau at (562)
570-6200."
Click here to read the story on this issue in the
Press Telegram.
Click here
to read the story on this issue in the LBPOST.com.
Strictly Business
| July 17, 2009
Too Much
Friction, Not Enough Light
 Next
Tuesday, the Long Beach City Council will vote on
whether or not to allow the Hotel Sierra to be built Downtown. Just as a hotel would not turn away someone
interested in a room, the City Council should not turn
away someone interested in developing a new hotel
downtown. Approving this project means Long Beach will
gain much needed jobs in this struggling economy.
It is also a troubling time for the hotel industry, but hotel
developer Lodgeworks has years of experience and a
sterling reputation that should put any concerns at
ease. If Lodgeworks see an opportunity in investing
further in the area with a new hotel they should be
supported to take the chance.
The Pike has so much commercial potential that it is
still striving to fulfill. Progress at the Pike has been
slow, which is why the Hotel Sierra may just be the
kick-start that the Pike needs. More importantly, given
the current crisis in our financial markets, Lodgeworks
has already secured the needed financing for the
construction of Hotel Sierra.
So, any friction between the City Council and the
developer needs to be solved before the hotel is back up
for a vote this coming Tuesday night. If the City
Council (except for Councilmember Gary DeLong who
opposed any delays at the last City Council meeting)
tries to delay this project at all, it will solve
nothing but increase construction costs. And, that will
surely kill the project and we will miss yet another
opportunity to improve our local economy.
The bottom-line: this project must be approved this
coming Tuesday at City Council.
Also, in this climate of mass unemployment, the jobs
that will be created by building and operating Hotel
Sierra cannot be overstated. The construction industry
has been crippled by the economic crisis, but a
five-story hotel with 125 rooms will not build itself.
It will provide relief to many construction workers
looking for a project. Once built, the Hotel Sierra will
employ nearly 30 full-time employees who will be
provided with benefits, a 401(k) plan and life
insurance. Lodgeworks boasts an outstanding record of
providing competitive wages, and will provide excellent
career opportunities once up and running.
Then, of course, there’s the effect that the Hotel
Sierra will have on the City itself. Facing a $43
million deficit next year (and possibly as much as $60
million given recent news from our state leaders in
Sacramento), Long Beach is in need of a direct cash
injection. Hotel Sierra will provide an estimated
$650,000 per year in increased tax revenue, not to
mention parking revenue and any additional money that
hotel guests spend in local restaurants and shops.
The Hotel Sierra will be a Long Beach gem, a new
beginning for the Pike, and a benefit for workers and
city funds facing hard times. The project is currently
financed with a short window for a construction start.
So, let’s
fluff up the pillows and turn the light on for them…
…and that’s Strictly Business.
Randy Gordon
President and CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
July
14, 2009
Long Beach
Chamber
Statement on
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia’s
Decision to
Seek
Committee
Review of
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance
Randy
Gordon,
President
and CEO of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
released the
following
statement
today
regarding
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia’s
decision to
seek City
Council
committee
review of
the Equal
Benefits
Ordinance
tonight at
the City
Council
meeting:
“On July 8,
2009, the
Chamber
released the
following
statement
clearly
outlining
our position
on
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia's
proposed
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance:
‘The Chamber
supports
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia's
aggressive
action
relative to
his beliefs
so early in
his term.
However, we
understand
that an EBO
is a trend
in many
cities with
wide support
and also has
the needed
support of
Long Beach
City Council
to pass. The
Chamber
likewise
understands
that
business is
simply
unable to
sustain
increased
governmental
expense
requirements
in the
current
recessionary
environment.
Therefore,
the Chamber
will remain
neutral and
will not
take a
position on
Councilmember
Garcia's
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance.’
Today, after
many
conversations
with our
business
community,
elected
officials
and
Councilmember
Garcia, the
Chamber is
in full
support of
the
Councilmember’s
decision to
seek further
review of
this issue
by
introducing
it in the
Economic
Development
Committee of
the Long
Beach City
Council.
This process
allows the
Chamber and
other
interested
stakeholders
more time to
be a part of
the process
of the EBO’s
development.
The Chamber
reserves its
right to
take a
position on
the final
draft of the
EBO once it
is brought
back to City
Council for
consideration.”
July 8, 2009
Long Beach
Chamber
Releases
Statement on
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia
Proposed
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance
Randy
Gordon,
President
and CEO of
the Long
Beach Area
Chamber of
Commerce
released the
following
statement
today
regarding
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia’s
proposed
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance
(EBO) to be
considered
at the July
14, 2009
Long Beach
City Council
meeting:
"The Chamber
supports
Councilmember
Robert
Garcia's
aggressive
action
relative to
his beliefs
so early in
his term.
However, we
understand
that an EBO
is a trend
in many
cities with
wide support
and also has
the needed
support of
Long Beach
City Council
to pass. The
Chamber
likewise
understands
that
business is
simply
unable to
sustain
increased
governmental
expense
requirements
in the
current
recessionary
environment.
Therefore,
the Chamber
will remain
neutral and
will not
take a
position on
Councilmember
Garcia's
Equal
Benefits
Ordinance."
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