Long Beach Residents Asked To Decide On Funding For Vector Control District
This week, Long Beach residents will receive mail-in ballots asking them to reject or approve new funding for the city’s vector control district. Managed by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, the district is tasked with keeping the population of disease-carrying insects and animals at bay. Vector control services are funded through the department’s budget, but according to a press release, the arrival of new mosquito species has increased the importance as well as the cost of the program. The ballot, which was mailed out on Friday, May 17, proposes an annual rate of $8.21 for most single-family homes in the area covered by the district, according to the release. Commercial, industrial and agricultural properties would be assessed by the parcel size and property type. If approved, the department estimated the new fee would raise $753,474 to be used exclusively for vector control in the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Property owners have until June 2 to mail in their ballots. A public hearing takes place on July 7 and results of the ballot initiative will be released on July 16.
Long Beach Vice Mayor Dee Andrews To Seek Re-Election In 2020
Vice Mayor and 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrews has announced his intention to run for re-election next year. Andrews, who has served on the city council for the past 12 years, stated in a press release: “Although we have been able to successfully create jobs for 6th District residents; promote programming in our city parks for children, adults, and seniors; improve public safety; create much needed public infrastructure improvements; and improve communication with our residents, there is still much work to do.” Andrews has received endorsements from the Long Beach police and fire associations as well as former Mayor Bob Foster, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell and Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey, among others. Andrews is running against Suely Saro, a member of the city’s citizen police complaint commission who announced her candidacy earlier this year. The primary election for city council seats takes place on March 3, 2020.
CenterCal Properties Releases List Of 20 New Tenants For 2nd & PCH
A new list of tenants for the forthcoming development at 2nd Street and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), dubbed 2nd & PCH, has been released by developer CenterCal Properties, LLC. These 20 tenants are grouped under four main categories: apparel retailers, services, food options, and fitness and beauty. The apparel retailers include Urban Outfitters, Free People and Linne’s Boutique. Services include Chase Bank, HSBC Bank and AT&T Mobility. Fitness and beauty tenants include Barry’s Bootcamp, Hawt Yoga, Motion Stretch Studio, Sephora, Holly and Hudson Nail Lounge, and The Solution. Food options include The Bungalow, Hungry Angelina, Shake Shack, Tocaya Organica, Mixt Greens, Ola Mexican Kitchen and Caffe Luxxe – as well as Whole Foods Market & Café, which is relocating from its nearby PCH address at the Marina Shores shopping center.
Local Neighborhood Organization Wins Top National Prize
The national nonprofit Neighborhoods U.S.A. (NUSA) awarded Long Beach’s AOC7 (Anaheim Street, Orange Avenue, Cherry Avenue, 7th Street) Neighborhood Group with its grand prize, the NUSA Neighborhood of the Year Award, at its annual conference in Palm Springs on May 17. AOC7 was recognized for its annual literacy fair, a free event held in May at MacArthur Park. According to a statement from AOC7, the neighborhood group has since 2013 distributed more than 35,000 new and used books to young Long Beach residents through its annual literacy fair.
Silissa Uriarte Smith Appointed Executive Director At Power 4 Youth
Power 4 Youth, a Long Beach-based youth mentoring organization, has appointed Silissa Uriarte Smith as its executive director. Smith has worked in Southern California’s non-profit and political sectors for more than two decades. “Silissa brings much to us including a track record of fundraising success and vast leadership experience,” Kelly M. Buck, Power 4 Youth board chair, stated. “Silissa is a long time Long Beach resident and local leader who has diverse relationships throughout Long Beach, Los Angeles County and our service areas.”