Business Journal Position On City Charter

Ballot Measure BBB – Term Limits

The Business Journal is concerned about the wording used for ballot measure BBB regarding the city’s term limits for the mayor and city councilmembers. We find the wording misleading and feel it was done intentionally to confuse voters.

Years ago, Long Beach voters decided the mayor and city council should be allowed to serve two terms, however a termed-out elected official could seek reelection through the write-in process. A write-in effort is challenging and expensive, as it should be, and has been accomplished only a handful of times.

Think of it this way: If you are happy with the work the mayor or your councilmember is doing, and you want to see them remain in office, why eliminate that opportunity?

The current system works. You want options, not constraints. The power to decide who represents you is in your hands – where it should remain.

We say NO to BBB.

Port Of Long Beach Breaks Fiscal Year Cargo Record

The Port of Long Beach broke its record for containers moved in a fiscal year, handling 8,000,929 million twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo from October 1 of last year through September 30, 2018. This represents a 10.7% increase in cargo traffic compared to fiscal year 2017, according to the port. The port is also poised to break its record for cargo movement in a calendar year, according to Executive Director Mario Cordero. “Despite the tariffs imposed by Washington and Beijing, international trade is showing resilience, and at our port we are providing a conduit for commerce that’s efficient for our customers and getting their cargo to destinations faster, saving them money,” he stated.

California Exports Rise Despite Tariff Troubles

new analysis of domestic trade statistics by Beacon Economics shows California exports rising despite trade tensions between the United States and China. California merchandise exports for the June-August period totaled $44.6 billion, a gain of 3.4% over the same three months in 2017. Overall, California exports totaled $119.01 billion for the first eight months of 2018, up 6% from the $112.26 billion recorded through August of last year.

Apply To Serve On Long Beach Community

College District’s Citizens’ Oversight Committee

The Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) Citizens’ Oversight Committee is now accepting applications through October 29 for a new member to represent the community-at-large. Applicants must reside within the LBCCD boundary, which includes Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood and Avalon, and be at least 18 years of age. The committee oversees funds from bond measures used for construction, rehabilitation or replacement of LBCCD facilities.  The new appointed member would serve from November 13, 2018 to June 30, 2020. The application is available here.