The meaning of “power” is different to everyone.  This was proven in the comments section of our post a few weeks ago, when we asked for nominations in our 2008 Top Ten Most Powerful People in Long Beach list (which you can now find below).  The same issue also came up during nominations for our inaugural list, one year ago.  It’s a tricky thing to define.  We were not asking for the most powerful politicians in the city, or the people who wielded their power most, and certainly not the people who abused their power most.  We wanted to know who you believed to be the most powerful people in Long Beach in the past year, according to your own definitions.

From your nominations, a panel of our posters, and the managing editor, have put together a list of the past year’s most powerful people according to our staff and our readers.  Some fit the traditional definitions of power and others prove that you don’t have to be given power to have it. 

Have a look at our ten most powerful people from 2008 and, who knows, maybe you’ll make the list next year.

1. THE LONG BEACH VOTER

Congratulations!  You may be the most powerful person in Long Beach!  That’s right, every registered voter in the city who casts his/her ballot this November wields more power than anyone else in the city.  This year, Long Beach has historic choices to make in the voting booth.  Long Beach voters will have a direct effect on major decisions that will effect the city this November: City Measures I & K, County Measure R, Propositions 3 and 8, and the Assembly race between Gabriella Holt and Bonnie Lowenthal will greatly impact our city’s future.  It’s up to the voters whether Mayor Bob Foster’s Measure I infrastructure bond will be worth the investment, whether the Long Beach Unified School District deserves a $2 billion bond in Measure K, and whether a half-cent tax increase is justified by accelerated transportation construction in Measure R.  Long Beach voters may also hand Children’s Miller Hospital $98 million in Prop 3.  Proposition 8 will also greatly affect the large Gay & Lesbian population in the city.  All of this, on top of electing a new President!  Ultimately, the voter holds more power and influence than anyone else in the city!

2. ALAN LOWENTHAL

Last year’s Most Powerful Person in Long Beach (and likely the most popular politician in Long Beach) reclaims his spot on the list in ’08, after a successful year of service and his tenacity in pushing forward his Port Container Fee Bill.  Sen. Lowenthal’s ambitious bill aimed to collect funds in order to improve local infrastructure and create cleaner shipping methods to fight suffocating air pollution.  Though the bill was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, Lowenthal’s promise to “outlast” the Governor and push his bill again in the future was a powerful proclamation of things to come.  Alan Lowenthal is also the patriarch of the powerful Lowenthal family and has become a statewide leader in mobility and port issues.

3. BOB FOSTER

Entering his third year in office, the Mayor (and power-broker-in-chief) has increased his political influence in the city and flexed his legislative muscle with the proposal of Measure I.  The Mayor’s attempt to revamp a crumbling citywide infrastructure in one fell swoop is a move that only one person in the city could have made.  You’ll decide whether it’s successful or not this November.  But Foster’s influence has begun to expand beyond the International City, being appointed Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Environmental Committee, where he will oversee energy and environment legislature.  He is influential and a dominating figure in not only local, but also statewide politics.  His office also played a central role in bringing together Long Beach Studios and Boeing to turn former aircraft production plants into future movie studios, and in the development of the Clean Truck program at the Port of Long Beach.  Foster has built a reputation as determined, progressive and pro-business.

4. THE EDUCATORS

The city has always been renowned for its education system, and over the past year we’ve seen great strides made by the K-12, community college and university levels, and the leaders of all three deserve to be mentioned on the Power List. The past year saw the three institutions come together to form the College Promise, a program beginning as early as 6th grade aimed at guiding all Long Beach students into higher education.  Chris Steinhauser has guided the Long Beach Unified School District to yet another Broad Prize for Urban Education nomination, the highest honor of its kind and one that the District has received every time it has been eligible.  Long Beach City College President Eloy Oakley led efforts to pass Measure E, a $480 million bond measure to renovate and refurbish the college, as well as implementing new programs to address transfer and retention.  In the past year, CSULB President F. King Alexander has made a concerted effort to improve the university’s presence throughout the city with a Beach Store on 2nd Street, purchasing former Brooks College buildings on PCH and rumored plans to expand downtown.  It’s been a good year for Long Beach education.

5. BECKI AMES

As the Mayor’s influence has grown throughout the city, so has the power and influence of his Chief of Staff, Becki Ames.  Ames has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in city politics.  She controls access to the Mayor and is the gatekeeper, enforcer, strategist and chief advisor to the Mayor.  Never has a political staffer amassed so much influence and power in Long Beach.  When she speaks, she speaks with the weight and support of the Mayor behind her.  They make a dynamic team.  If Measure I passes in November, her status and a power player will increase dramatically.  She once again remains in the #5 position.

6. JOHN MOLINA & SKIP KEESAL

Two of the city’s most notorious shakers could probably have made the list on their own, but are included together here because of their partnership to develop the Golden Shore Master Plan on Ocean Boulevard, a massive residential/economic property that would distinctly change the Long Beach skyline.  Molina – head of Molina Healthcare and owner of Long Beach Magazine – and Keesal – founding partner of a massive, influential and worldwide law firm – unveiled the Golden Shore Master Plan in November, confirming long-existing rumors of the partnership and displaying their influence with the ambitious plan to expand the city’s skyline.


7. MISTY MAY-TREANOR

Four players competed in the Gold Medal beach volleyball game in the Beijing Olympics – only one had her professional resume broadcast around the world during the match.  The most decorated women’s volleyball player ever is also one of Long Beach State’s most famous alumna, and Misty never misses a chance to rep the school (or the city) when given the opportunity.  Her fun-loving personality and incredible success have made her a worldwide icon, and one who always points back to her roots at Long Beach State to explain her success.  Such is her angelic presence in the city that even the most old-fashioned sports fans gladly admitted to watching Dancing With The Stars when she competed.  Her #5 jersey that hangs from the rafters has convinced countless recruits to sign up for coach Brian Gimmillaro’s legendary program, and rumors have persisted for years that May will take the reigns when BG hangs ’em up.

8. JUSTIN RUDD

No community activist is more influential or powerful than Justin Rudd.  The Long Beach Post’s Person of the Year in 2007, Rudd uses his power to motivate, activate and create unique city events.  These events bring legitimate joy to so many people in the city.  If you don’t believe it, attend the next dog beauty contest or beach clean-up and see how many folks show up.  Or for that matter, the photo contests, spelling bees or 12-hour book reading that highlighted a local author.  Through his Community Action Team (CAT) non-profit Rudd has been able to bring happiness and self-confidence to those involved in any of his events – from the 5/10K runs to the Weight Loss Challenges.  Rudd’s events always have an underlying empowerment that make them more than simple events.  They’re emotionally powerful, and earn him a spot on the list.

9. THE ART ACTIVISTS

A thriving arts community has been Long Beach’s cultural heartbeat since Day One, but the past year has seen great advances in the city’s commitment to the arts.  The Arts, which has lost city funding in recent years, is revitalizing itself by connecting and communicating in new ways and raising awareness in both political and educational circles.  Antonio Pedro-Ruiz (left, above), co-founder of the local Creativity Network, has a hand dipped in nearly every event that goes on in the city, using his connections to bring people together.  He is a passionate arts advocate who is helping reform the Arts Council and working to bring artists together for new events.  Ryan Smolar (middle, above) and his team just recently held the 2nd Annual University By The Sea event, literally transforming downtown Long Beach into a living, breathing time machine that examined both our past and future.  Smolar is leading a group of young new urban activists with new programs and a new way of examining culture and the arts through activism.  Justin Hectus (right, above), the young, reform-minded President of the Long Beach Arts Council is providing leadership to the organization in a time of change.  His approach to the arts and his energy are infusing the arts council and community with new ideas and a fresh approach.  These three, along with a new crop of Art Activists are changing the Long Beach cultural landscape.

10. ELEANOR SCHMIDT & THE LIBRARY SUPPORTERS

It was controversial from the moment it hit the presses.  When the 2009 City Budget called for the Main Library to be closed and relocated to an undetermined location for renovations, the library community was up in arms.  Then the whole arts community. The Public Library Foundation mounted an aggressive campaign built on the enthusiasm expressed by library-goers, even running a blog titled “Save The Long Beach Public Library” that kept readers updated.  Soon, the plans had to be changed to keep the library open due to intense public pressure.  Long Beach Library Services Director Eleanor Schmidt was the silent leader in the fight, rounding up support to keep the Main Library’s doors open.  Capping off her impressive thirty-year career, Schmidt and supporters proved that it’s possible to fight for a cause with public protest and organization. 

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The one to watch out for….
 
RICH ARCHBOLD

The Long Beach Press-Telegram is going through change, as have all major print newspapers that are adapting to the changing face of media.  But Archbold, ultimately, still decides what ends up on our front porches every morning, and what news we ingest as we begin our day.  The Press-Telegram is still read by more people than all other news organizations both in print and online.  And while other publications grow and evolve, the PT’s front page is still where most people get their Long Beach news.  The past year has seen some infighting between management and staff, but also excellent local reporting like the P-T’s investigation into the teenage crime system, The Canalis Report column by John Canalis and Paul Eakin’s city hall coverage.  The Press-Telegram’s Executive Editor holds the reigns and the power, and it will be interesting to see where he guides the Press-Telegram over the course of the next year.