Campaign Sign Blight - or, "Hey, it's not me!"

People ask me where are all my yard signs . . . as if we don't have enough sign blight in this election cycle - with all the un-permitted oversize banners and who-knows-who taping signs to anything that is stationary.

I tell them I dislike yard sign clutter. I tell them that yard signs are for people who need name recognition. Besides, I have a banner on Ocean Blvd at the Bluff, where I live (it's under-sized BTW). You can't do much better than that prime location. But they kept bugging me about yard signs, so I ordered a few. Yes, just a few . . . very few.

But I ran out and people keep asking. I say, Hey, I've got one at Dexter's House! That's real classic real estate!

I've got one at my landlord's agent's house on a very high traffic corner near a competitor's "territory." (Hey, you gotta keep your landlord's agent happy!)

I've got one at The First Lady's house in Naples (okay, yes, it's Bob's house too).

So, I post pictures of these locations to really blow people away . . . maybe they'll think their front yard is downhill from there.

But, No luck. They still want yard signs. (do you know how much those silly things cost!?!?) OK, OK. If there's a runoff I'll think about buying more.

Besides, I'm counting on them becoming collectors items and getting rich! (kidding!) Hey, if I'm this frugal, think how much money I'll save the city as your next Councilman!

Closing the Barn Door

An Audit? The proverbial horse is already out of the barn, folks!

Tuesday night's Long Beach City Council vote to require an audit of the Marina Fund is too little too late. This Johnny-come-lately response to uncertain funding for the rebuild of the Alamitos Bay Marina is exactly my point on the lack of policy- making by the City Council. I have addressed it as a priority issue on my website and in community forums.

The recent calls for audits of several city departments are indicative of Council members who would rather manage after the fact---forensically investigating the wayward redirection of revenue---instead of being proactively responsible by setting clear policy and rigorously monitoring due diligence and staff outcomes. This is a basic element of policy governance.

The issue of Marina Fund spending is similar to a nonprofit's misuse of "designated funds." A board (i.e. council) policy should strictly limit staff from re-directing revenue by deviating from "donor intent" without getting prior Council approval. It's also an unethical practice.

Marina tenants have a right to be indignant that their fees have been redirected from their intended designation. Now we are looking at truncating this critical project prior to its completion, which will escalate the cost.

Marina funds redirected to Tidelands or elsewhere need to be restored immediately. The ongoing, regular monitoring of these revenue funds is called for.

That is policy making. That is a City Council's job. But for now it will be our City Auditor's job.

Former Palm Desert Mayors Endorse Jim Lewis for Council

NEWS RELEASE

Former Palm Desert Mayors Endorse Jim Lewis for Council

Long Beach, CA—Former Palm Desert, CA Mayors, Jean Benson, Cindy Finerty, and Jim Ferguson join the ranks of endorsements for Third District Candidate, Jim Lewis.

“I have known Jim Lewis for over 20 years and worked with him on many issues, including our city’s General Plan Revision, Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Homeless Task Force, and other issues.  Jim Believes strongly in community involvement and will be an asset to your city.  I heartily endorse Jim Lewis for Long Beach City Council.

–      Jean M. Benson, Councilmember & Former Mayor, Palm Desert, CA (Retired travel industry professional - Member of Palm Desert's first City Council, 1973-76; currently serving since 1984)

“Jim Lewis is a man of integrity filled with dedication, vision and commitment.”

–      Cindy Finerty, Former Mayor & Councilmember, City of Palm Desert; Principal at Grassman & Finerty Trust and Fiduciary Services.

Other Coachella Valley endorsements include:

-Palm Desert Attorney Jim Ferguson, former Councilman and Mayor, and former Press Secretary to Senator Barry Goldwater

-Hon. Glenn Miller, City Councilman and former Mayor of Indio, CA and current candidate for 28^th State Senate District

-Sam Hook, Former Executive Director of the College of the Desert Foundation

-Darla Burkett, Executive Director of Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

Lewis said he is humbled by these endorsements from those he worked closely with for 10 years on city and county issues. “These are special to me, as they saw me in leadership and recognize my contribution.”

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Jim Lewis for City Council District 3

Box 14422, Long Beach, CA 90853 Ÿ (562) 279-3143

www.JimLewisForCouncil.com Ÿ LewisforThird@gmail.com

FPPC #1361035

Policy is the Real Issue

The sole response of some candidates to current City Council related issues is a call for more public input. Although I see that as a real need, it’s merely an external symptom of a more critical internal issue.  Policy, or the lack of it, is the basis of all civic action. I will call for the reassessment of many current Council-approved policies such as those which reduced the level of our public safety personnel and services, and which opened the door for the potential destruction of a classic Shore home.  City policy must remain public and dynamic – not dormant and static. As your next Councilman, I will also champion policies that reestablish the foundations for a community that provides a safe environment in which all can prosper. Together, we can find solutions and build on our strengths. The Third District is truly diverse – from the Beach to CSULB, and everything in between; success means different things to each person and business. Successful solutions require compromise: Residents recognizing the importance of businesses providing revenue for services. Businesses that proactively mitigate the negative issues they create; recognizing that residents are their best source of income and sustainability. Both realizing they need each other, working collaboratively to find win-win solutions.  City leaders need to step-up and provide the vision for what we can become—together. Listen to what others say (link). I have the education and proven experience to lead beneficial community change, building consensus around what is in the best interest of the District and the City.  I humbly request your financial support now, and your vote on April 8. www.JimLewisForCouncil.com

Jim Lewis for Council Campaign Update

After the second campaign filings are in, I still have 100% funding from those who live and/or work in LB. More than 60% more than two candidates and 45% more than the highest fundraiser. I am blessed with a lot of people in Long Beach who trust me. This overwhelms me, knowing that I am truly connected with the community.

Thank you to those who are part of this campaign!

Here is the latest news release going out on endorsements:

Former Long Beach Chief of Police & Local Author Endorse Jim Lewis for Council

Long Beach, CA—Two respected local leaders provided unsolicited endorsements for Jim Lewis this week.

Former Long Beach Police Chief, Carl J. Calkins provided an endorsement for Jim Lewis in an e-mail on Sunday to close friends and residents of the Third Council District.

“I have known Jim from his work in Coachella Valley and Long Beach and he is a man of great integrity and holds these highest values of service to the community.  His experience of leadership with both Desert and Long Beach Rescue Missions makes him extremely qualified.” This is my unsolicited opinion, Carl J. Calkins.

Calkins, who served as Chief of Police, is also a part-time resident of Palm Desert, where Jim Lewis moved from in 2006 to serve as president and chief executive officer of Long Beach Rescue Mission.

Lewis was surprised to receive a copy of the unexpected e-mail from Calkins. “Unbeknownst to me, Calkins, a fellow resident of Palm Desert, watched my rise to leadership in the communities of the Coachella Valley over ten years, and then for the past seven years in Long Beach. I am humbled and appreciative of Chief Calkins’ trust in me and my leadership.”

Mick Ukleja, an author, President and CEO of LeadershipTraQ, and founder of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at CSULB also gave Lewis a wake-up e-mail today with his endorsement:  

“Passion without compassion is simply ambition. Jim is gifted with a passion to get things done, yet his passion is always fueled by his compassion to serve others. I have observed that Jim always adds value to people and projects. His insights, ability to cast a picture of the future that is easily bought into, and his gift of leveraging the strengths of his team, are qualities that transfer from one industry to another. I've experienced Jim doing this in the not for profit world, and I'm excited for his leadership to expand his influence in the public sector. Jim comes with my highest recommendation!”

Lewis said he is humbled by an endorsement from someone as noted a leader as Ukleja. “This encourages me in my abilities to lead. I’m thankful.”

Another recent notable endorsement came from former Third District candidate, Dr. Lionel Gatley, Educator, LBUSD Wilson High School, (retired).

Lewis states that what makes these more unexpected in that he makes it a practice not to ask outright for an endorsement, but suggests if someone feels he has earned their trust, to consider supporting his campaign.

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Will The Real Chamber Candidate Please Stand Up?

Here is additional data supporting my clarification at the Belmont Shore Business Association Forum that it was not the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce that endorsed one of the Third District Candidates, but the "Long Beach Chamber Jobs PAC" - and it does not include the Chamber's rank and file membership. 

If you want a truly Chamber-oriented candidate, that would be me. (LINK)

Making my point

–15 years combined chamber membership
–Co-founder & President of Palm Desert Area Chamber's Legislative Action Committee
–6-year member LB Chamber Government Affairs Council
–7-time delegate to CalChamber Legislative Summit, meeting with legislators to fight against bills.
–Delegate of nonprofit association CEOs to Wash DC to educate congress and their staff on bills.

I WILL fight against job-killer bills and city ordinances, not for them as LB Jobs PAC's candidate did at this forum. 

This is from a LBReport 2012 article (link)  "Long Beach Jobs PAC (Chamber PAC)"

The Chamber PAC is a separate entity, legally and fiscally, from the Chamber's dues-supported membership body; the Chamber says no membership or general fund revenue are used to fund the Chamber PAC and the Chamber PAC runs on campaign contributions.
Still a mystery to us: who is/are the Chamber PAC? Who are the individuals and what are the business affiliations of those who decide what candidates the Chamber PAC supports and opposes? Our inquiry on this emailed weeks ago to Chamber President/CEO Randy Gordon remains pending.
A final note: no matter how much money political action committees collect and spend, individual voters have the power in this process. At the end of the day, in the privacy of a voting booth or at home, voters decide whether to accept or reject the money, mailers and messages and vote as they please. Those decisions are taking place now with vote by mail ballots flying; polling place election day is April 10). The outcomes will determine who will have decision making powers on spending priorities, development decisions and policies impacting the City of Long Beach citywide." (end of quote - underlined is mine) 

A more recent story link: http://www.lbreport.com/news/jun13/jobspac.htm

It is YOU, not the special interests, who VOTE! -- Make yours count April 8th!

A Passion for Community

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I thought it timely to discuss passion . . . recalling Cupid’s arrow that infuses emotions very distinct from reason. People who fall passionately in love tend to take unreasonable risks.

Just as with love, there are risks in being passionate about community. Detrick Bonhoeffer wrote that those who are passionate about community can unintentionally harm their community. How it that so? When their passion ignores the present reality and they fail to have a reasoned strategy to accomplish the change they desire.

Becoming aware of the risks of change may help: 1. Many people have unrealistic expectations of needed change and how quickly change should take place. 2. Disruption of the status quo creates fear of a loss of order. 3. Change may expose biases some are not yet prepared to discuss. 4. Change disrupts the current perception of community – and triggers anger when the dream is left unrealized.

Our passion for community must be tempered with an objective vision that leads people to invest time and energy to bring it about. Positive change requires reasonable planning and action.

I ask you to join me in in my campaign to provide objective and reasoned leadership for the Third District and Long Beach. We can bring about change for the better – together.