DISQUS

LB Resident · 1 year ago

I think the City is just trying figure out where consensus is.

Generally folks on the Peninsula and in the immediate Bay Shore area like this project. There are a few specific groups that don't. The daycare group doesn't because they use the hockey rink. The basketball players don't because of sentimental reasons. And the folks by Granada are concerned about parking.

There are lots of folks who like the idea of making the area quieter and prettier so the City finds itself in a bit of a bind.

Sam_Lowry · 1 year ago

For those of us that have fought the city, this is no surprise. City staff has a vision, common sense and the neighborhood be damned. Now it's only a matter of wearing out the opposition by scheduling endless meetings/presentations/"outreach" sessions until people with jobs, families, and other time commitments can't show up. It's called management by attrition, and it's how we get results like the razing of Shoreline Park to make way for the Rainbow Harbor food-court-by-the-sea.

I've seen four city managers during my residence in Long Beach, and I'm still waiting . . . . waiting for City Hall to have it's Moment of Clarity when it realizes that it shouldn't make its residents have to fight for common-sense progress.

Dave Wielenga · 1 year ago

What he said ... except for the times when the "outreach" sessions are stocked exclusively with hand-picked supporters (beneficiaries) of the issue, as in SEADIP.

Russ Roca · 1 year ago

I think someone should start recording these sessions so there is no question about what questions are being asked, what "nuances" are getting lost....

Mike Ruehle · 1 year ago

I am president of the Belmont Shore Resident’s Association and presided over the BSRA meeting where Marine Bureau Manager Mr. Sandoval spoke for the city. I believe the most alarming aspect of this controversy is that city management feels it is acceptable to mislead the public. What Mr. Sandoval told the residents during the recent BSRA meeting is the opposite of what he told a group at the Long Beach Yacht Club, less than one week later. This is not second hand information. I attended both meetings.

City officials that talk out of both sides of their mouth are an issue that all residents should be concerned about. Taxpayers should demand that the people who work for them are upfront and honest. No matter how hard City Manager West works on transparency and cutting cost, it will mean nothing if normal residents can’t rely on his staff being honest.

LB Resident · 1 year ago

I think Mr. Sandoval jumped the gun. He got caught up at a meeting of about 50 people and pronounced the project dead when there was still more information needed. He didn't have the information to make the decision at that point and he didn't have the authority to kill it anyway.

Mike Ruehle · 1 year ago

The day after the BSRA meeting, I sent a thank-you email to Mr. Sandoval and confirmed in writing what I thought he had told the residents. I copied his boss, the City Manager, my Councilman and his entire staff. If Mr. Sandoval didn’t have the authority to make his statements to the residents, I don’t understand why the city didn’t make an attempt to communicate that to the residents?

Also, the Treasurer counted 80 residents when the BSRA meeting began at 6:00 pm. Residents continued to stream in afterwards and many had to stand in the hallway outside the meeting room because there was no room. If you don’t believe me, I suggest you ask Mr. Sandoval. He was one of them waiting in the hallway.

LB Resident · 1 year ago

I believe you. I was there too and was just estimating attendance. Still, even if it was 100 people, that is a small number. I think Mr. Sandavol should have said he didn't have the authority. I don't know his motives for not saying that. Maybe ego. Who knows.

Ultimately my point is there are thousands of people affected by this project and the city needs to find out what the majority of folks want. At the BSRA meeting you had small number of people there and the people who spoke mostly fell into the camps I describe above. I'm sure if I wanted to I could find 100 residents that support the move.

There are merits to both sides of the argument. I just think the conspiracy / city is a bunch of liars talk isn't helpful to finding the right decision.

Dave Wielenga · 1 year ago

LB Resident, I agree you could FIND 100 residents who support the move, but the BSRA meeting didn't go out to FIND 100 residents who oppose the move -- it was an open meeting, in which anybody (including whoever might support the move) could voice an opinion. A good question is why those people either weren't there or didn't speak up. But the greater point is that Mr. Sandoval said one thing to one group and another thing to another group. And if he was speaking out of turn, it is even worse -- especially for a veteran city staffer, who ought to know better. Mr. Sandoval was representing the city. Residents had no other option but to trust his word as official. But they do now. And that option is mistrust of the city...again. Personally, I don't care whether the courts stay or go. But residents deserve accountability and trustworthiness.

LB Resident · 1 year ago

When there is a city proposal of any kind, the folks against tend to be the ones to show up. That's why the meeting had that make up.

I agree with you. It's not good that he was speaking out of turn. The city needs to do better with communication.