First I have to make a confession….when I began Political Soup it was always my intention to write about politics and food. Well….in case you have not noticed I have not written very much about food. Not that I don’t love food, I just have not been able to justify in my head why I should be writing about the delicious New York Pepper steak I had at the Madison Saturday night, over the important political issues facing Long Beach everyday.
So…for now it is going to be politics only…and maybe I will get to the food soon. Or maybe we’ll just have someone else cover LB restaurants. We’ll see…anyways, onto the politics!
As you may have seen on your TV, the City Council, without much fanfare or discussion, sent the Labor Peace Ordinance to the voters in a 5-3 vote last night. The council sent the issue to the voters after the Hospitality Alliance and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce provided the needed signatures to qualify the measure for an upcoming election.
The Council’s decision will place the issue before voters next February 5th. The cost to the city will be approx $525,000 to place the Labor Peace Ordinance and the Big-Box Ban on the statewide ballot.
In other political news, Councilmember Lerch’s proposal to make Veterans Day a paid city holiday was forwarded to the Council’s Personnel and Civil Service Committee for further review.
I also have to give a BIG congratulations to David Schipske. David was honored yesterday at the Long Beach Fire Department’s 35th Annual Meritorious Awards Luncheon. He was honored for his bravery in assisting residents to exit a burning building. David, who is Councilmember Schipske’s son, is also a former student of mine. Not only was David a great student, but he is obviously a great person.
Click here to read Councilmember Schipske’s comments on the award. And while you are at it, take a glance at the Councilmember’s other posts at her blog. There are some great reads in there.