Chief Batts’ departure will certainly be felt all through our entire City of Long Beach. His knowledge, versatility, and leadership skills will be difficult to replace. He is a true gentleman and outstanding leader, Oakland certainly bested Long Beach with his departure to become their new police chief.
Unfortunately, the march goes on and the continuing signs for our city do not look promising. Over the last two years, there has been a significant brain drain of top talent leaving the city for better times and places. It’s no secret that the atmosphere downtown is less than cordial in many areas, and it doesn’t look like it will be getting better any time soon.
One of the most conspicuous problems is the absence of any significant initiative coming from City Hall to energize the community at large. Pine Avenue is gradually becoming a no-man’s land, businesses are suffering from not only the national recession but a lack of energy and interest from our local leaders to rally our city’s populous to even feel a sense of putting Long Beach first, especially when it comes to spending even the limited amount of dollars to shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants.
We’re fortunate that some of our local business leaders – in spite of City Hall – have taken the helm and at least are trying to rally their local neighborhoods to remember that we should be looking to take care of home first, rather than running out of town to spend money. Bixby Knolls, my old neighborhood, needs a pat on the back, and Belmont Shore still remains a wonder to delight in with all its activity.
Are better times just around the corner? You be the judge.