3:00pm | The Notable Speaker Series at California State Long Beach will kickoff tonight when Gazette Newspapers Executive Editor Harry Saltzgaver and former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill will discuss their joint project, a biography of O’Neill’s life, at 7:00pm in the College and Business Administration building.
The book, entitled “Passionately Positive: The Beverly O’Neill Story,” was written by Saltzgaver with help from O’Neill, and reveals the challenges in life that the former Mayor experienced and how she was able to overcome them with a positive attitude. They will make a presentation entitled “Overcoming Adversity: The Power of Positivity” and discuss the benefits of facilitative leadership. Saltzgaver has said that he decided to omit criticisms of O’Neill’s tenure in office in order to focus on her inspiring story and ability to achieve.
The event is the first in the Notable Speaker Series this Fall, which was established to provide students, faculty and the community with discussions offering local and professional background to their studies.
“A university’s stock in trade is developing ideas and knowledge,” said CBA Dean Michael Solt. “So, providing a platform for the exchange of thoughts and information is a natural extension of what we offer in the classroom and is a great way to give back to the community.”
O’Neill was first elected in 1994 and served until 2006. Her last term was the nation’s only successful write-in campaign for office of Mayor in a city as large as Long Beach. She is also the city’s only three-term Mayor in history. Saltzgaver has been the Executive Editor of the Gazette Newspapers for 19 years.
The event will begin at 7:00pm tonight and there is no cost, but anyone interested should contact Sweta Mohandos or Alexandra Jordan to make reservations. Parking is available in Lot 15 on Merriam Way and will cost $5 at one of the yellow kiosks nearby.