DISQUS

lbresident · 10 months ago

I'm sure that this "townhall" will be totally unbiased. No agenda here folks...

Gordana · 10 months ago

Wouldn't it be nice to learn about these meetings with less than 24 hrs notice?! If it weren't for the DW how does anyone interested in this issue find out about the meeting? And please don't tell me that a notice was published in the PT.

Mike Ruehle · 10 months ago

I totally agree with you Gordana,

Why aren't resident and business groups notified about these meetings so they can get the word out? Where is that wonderful transparency that Mayor Foster always talks about?

John_B · 10 months ago

Mike, just a friendly advisal: This event is being organized, hosted and orchestrated entirely by the Long Beach Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Community’s...not the City.

Neither Mayor Foster nor our City Government had anything to do with putting it on.

If you're unhappy with the timing of the press release issued by The Coalition (dated 2/24/09), I would encourage you to take it up with them.

bruin fan · 10 months ago

why go? this so called group is a front for Unite Here who just wants to get their union into the downtown hotels. the same union that supports council members with heavy contributions in the form of independent expendtures. this report does nothing more than use misguided and misrepresented information to try and get elected officials to see the error of their ways. The only question i as a media member would ask if attending would be is what is the specific outcome you want from this report, otherwise it will just collect dust.

wrongbeachJohn · 10 months ago

bruin fan said:
"the same union that supports council members with heavy contributions in the form of independent expendtures. this report does nothing more than use misguided and misrepresented information to try and get elected officials to see the error of their ways. The only question i as a media member would ask if attending would be is what is the specific outcome you want from this report, otherwise it will just collect dust."

Sounds like he's talking about the chamber of commerce union.

Shea Shizzle · 10 months ago

All probably right about the outcome, I think I might check it out though... might be a good laugh! hehe

Juan Pardell · 10 months ago

Dave: How about a simple prose outline that responds to the title of this article?

a: Aquarium = FAILURE
b: Cityplace = FAILURE
c: The Pike = FAILURE
d: The Queen Mary= FAILURE

Dave Wielenga · 10 months ago

Hi Bruin Fan...I happen to have read the report, and as I wrote in my initial story about it, I was surprised by its lack of inflammatory language---although I agree that its information definitely supports the point of view that there ought to be some kind of better trickle-down of the city's massive investment to workers. Remember, it was because of the loss of highly paid, well-benefitted jobs that the city justified its investment in hotels and attractions. Even without reading the report, however, I think it's pretty obvious that much of what the city intended has not happened---and you only have to look at the red bottom lines of the Queen Mary, Aquarium and Pike to see it. As far as the hotels, yes, they do provide TOT (Temporary Occupancy Tax) but many times (as in the case of the new Residence Inn) those are waived or reduced or used to cover other debts. No matter what you think of unions or their agenda, perhaps an examination---a progress report---is a good idea, if for no other reason than to figure out how best to go forward. And there seems to be no political will or courage on the part of elected officials to do it on their own. See ya there!

Shea Shizzle · 10 months ago

well... I was right... just as I thought, another "Town Hall Meeting" where its most old windbags saying the same bullshit we have heard for 10 years... Try living the life of the "other 18%" and then tell me how you "feel their pain". Shit is weak and I am tired of business as usual in the LBC. When are people just going to say "FUCK YOU, STOP STEALING FROM US AND TREATING US LIKE SHIT BECAUSE WE ARE POOR" and not care if it is "politically correct".