DISQUS

lindaonline · 1 year ago

Maybe that is why they are all divorced. Her mother in law, the faux queen of ethics doesn’t have to worry about Alan or Evan and any conflicts since the whole gang isn’t married anymore.
Strange family.
Skirting the law but definitely flirting with unethical behavior.

Dave Wielenga · 1 year ago

Well, the law--or lack of one--applies (or doesn't) to everyone.

Dennis · 1 year ago

The City's official "Ethics Guide Long Beach City Officials and Employees" defines a conflict of interest as:

"You have a conflict of interest if your public actions as a City official, employee or board member affect your personal financial interests or the interests of your immediate family members."

(http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdl...)

There is no statement as to friends, partners or non-relatives. Which brings up the interesting aspect of definition of family as it relates to homosexual relationships. Legally Gerrie Schipske's partner is not her "family" as defined by law--federal at least and until they get married California law as well--therefore according to the code of ethics of the City of Long Beach Schipske would not have to recuse herself from any vote that benefits her partner (not that I am saying she would not--just according to the code of ethics and the letter of the law she would not); whereas Patrick O'Donnell would have to recuse himself from a vote that affects his wife.

Defining "friends" becomes a bit of a slippery slope for those who are in public life--an acquaitance, a friend of a friend, someone you know well but do not socialize with, someone with whom you have served on non-profit board or commission, paramour...

In the end we must define each individual on what their own code of ethics is and how they operate within that code. My code of ethics is different than Dave's in some ways, who has a different code than Suja or O'Donnell in some ways. This is why ethics commissions and committees for governments are a waste of time and money--rarely does anything every come of them and they are window dressing so the public can make believe their elected officials have some type of oversight--just ask Richardson who difficult her life is with the House Ethics Committee inquiry...yawn. The ethical standard can be flexible to accomodate those who may have crossed a line; as long as she personally or a member of her family did not benefit the suggested line in the city code of ethics has not been crossed--regardless of the relationship, speculative or otherwise.

Character, ethics, morals usually do not reveal themselves until they are tested, crossed or upheld in a public and perhaps courageous fashion--then they are judged and commented upon by those not needed to reveal their own.

For the record, if she, or any elected official, has a more than acquaintance type relationship with an individual who will benefit from a contract or vote then abstention is the best policy.

JuanPardell · 1 year ago

Its quite apparent, that Long Beach elected officials don't care about ethics. What's more apparent, is that Long Beach voters don't care if their elected officials have any ethics.

Sam_Lowry · 1 year ago

"What’s more apparent, is that Long Beach voters don’t care if their elected officials have any ethics."

Suja Lowenthal. Dee Andrews. Laura Richardson.

It's not just a Long Beach phenomenon . . . Gavin Newsom. Antonio Villaraigosa. Marion Barry. Bill Clinton. VOTERS DON'T CARE.

Let's be realistic; both the cab rate increase and the firefighters' contract were going to pass with or without Suja's vote. Yeah, there's gonna be some Sturm und Drang to this story, but it will end the same as the others, by the next election, Suja will still be in office, four years older and wiser, and celebrating her re-election.

Unless someone's ready to hold the accused accountable a la Mike Carona, it's all empty words.

Dave Wielenga · 1 year ago

I agree that the cab rate increase and the firefighters' contract were going to pass with or without any single council member's vote--and to reiterate, Suja is on the record saying she did not have a close relationship with John Rouse before her Aug 2007 vote to approve the cabbie contract. But there are two self-serving reasons councilmembers don't want to announce a conflict and abstain from a vote--one, because it will shine a light on that conflict; two, because when organizations consider their endorsements they look at a voting record. Not having a "yes" vote on the firefighters contract brights some political blowback--just ask Rae Gabelich, the only "no" voter on that contract. As for the cabbie thing ... well, more on that later.

Dave Wielenga · 1 year ago

One more thing: it was the OC Weekly that brought Mike Carona to accountability, with story after story, year after year by R. Scott Moxley--back when Will Swaim was publisher. People thought it was all empty words at the outset of that, too.

Sam_Lowry · 1 year ago

You're right, Dave. Scott Moxley is single-handedly responsible for bringing down Carona, because no one else had the journalistic courage or perseverance to see the story through to its logical end. Remember, however, that Mike Carona still managed to win reelection in the midst of all his scandal, and Scott's reporting thereof. You did a great job on this story, Dave, but all the writing in all the world means nothing unless people act.

You'll have your proof of that when Laura Richardson gets re-elected next November. Bet on it. It's not your fault . . . saving the herd from the wolves wouldn't be so damn hard if you didn't have to spend so much time waking up the sheep.

kelson · 1 year ago

Re #5: I don't recall Long Beach voters getting a chance to vote for or against Marion Barry. But I"m glad you only included those fiendish Democrats since no self-respecting Long Beach resident would ever have voted for Governer Harrassonator or President "I don't recall selling arms to Iran and I'll never do it again" Reagan. Perhaps if Long Beach residents weren't perpetually suffering under a mental recession, we'd all be voting with our heads.

Sam_Lowry · 1 year ago

I only included Democrats? Mike Carona is about as Republican as they come, no pun intended. Then there's Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Elliot Spitzer. The big difference is that all but one of these guys are out of office, except for Craig. Somehow Democrats get the pass, maybe for lack of a family-values-or-hellfire-and-damnation platform.

Andy · 1 year ago

"Democrats get a pass?" Then what would Fox News have to "report" on?

"Tonight on The Factor...Obama has 11 items in the 10 items or less line--Can he overcome this ethics problem?"

howardx · 1 year ago

sam,
larry craig is still in office.

D-Fan · 1 year ago

Dave or Will,
This is off topic but you publication comes out on Wednesday's and you put the issue to bed probably by tuesday night. Now in the web world people read stuff when the get in early in the AM at work, like 6 am- 10 am. Can't you update your site so its there for people to see Wed. AM ?
Your web traffic, I think would jump quite a bit and you might fill one of those empty ad boxes.

James · 1 year ago

Dave #6 - Do you know something I don't? The Firefighters have a terrific relationship with Rae Gabelich. The Firefighters have stated publicly that they understand and respect the vote she cast on the recent contract. There is no ill will whatsoever. Rae has been a staunch advocate of public safety issues in this City, and her position has not changed. The Firefighters have been staunch advocates of Rae, and that has not changed. I dismiss your comments as yet another attempt to try and stir the pot of emotion and sensationalize something that just is not there. With every post, you show just how disconnected you really are.

John Galt · 1 year ago

James,

In her first election, the Firefighters stuck with Webb and the Police went with Rae. She still holds a grudge against them for that.

JuanPardell · 1 year ago

Sam Lowry -----You're missing my point. Resorting to the argument of "don't talk about the pile in my front yard when your's is bigger", is not what I'm trying to achieve. I'm stating, whether its Long Beach or San Francisco, that we, as voters, have abandoned any high standards when it comes to electing someone to higher office. Granted, Suja Lowenthal, Gavin Newsom, Bill Clinton and Mike Carona are, like most of us, infallible human beings. However, when you agree to serve the public, you do so with the premise of conducting yourself in the most dignified and ethical manner. Is that too much to ask? The problem facing most voters, is the influence that special interests and party politics have in our elections. Most are now conditioned to believe what their party affiliation tells them.

wswaim · 1 year ago

D-Fan (13): Thanks for the note. What we're trying to do with the web is let people see some of our stories coming together as we get the information, without completely cannibalizing our print edition--which is where our advertisers hope we'll get most of our readers. I hope you can see our dilemma. Maybe you and others can help us figure out what no other publication has? We can continue this conversation off-line if you'll email me (will@thedistrictweekly.com).

lindaonline · 1 year ago

No Suja editions to be found anywhere. Someone scooped them up and we will probably find them in the trash somewhere. District, pls list your outlets where can we find them. None at city hall, none at my regular watering hole.
Thanks for the internet edition!

Chris Ziegler · 1 year ago

Current issues were at Acres this morning.

anonymous · 1 year ago

hey swaim:

oh man, you got rocked by the grunion gazette