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OPINION
4 SIGNAL TRIBuNE
Thoughts from the Publisher
NOvEMBER 9, 2012
by Neena Strichart
For ose Who Served
As the famous song goes, “I love a parade!” Over the years I have attended nearly every one of the Long Beach Veterans Parades. Whether I was there to take pictures of those participating, or waving to the crowd while riding in a vehicle with hubby Steve, I have enjoyed every minute of each of the events. This year we will once more be part of the line-up with Steve behind the wheel of our fabulous Signal Tribune 1971 postal jeep. The event will take place this Saturday, November 10, starting at 10 am on Atlantic Avenue between Harding and 56th streets. After the parade, make sure you stick around for the Vets Fest sponsored by Long Beach’s 9th District Councilmember Steve Neal. That event will take place during and immediately following the parade at Houghton Park, located at the corner of Atlantic Avenue at Harding Street. We hope to see you there!
Those who fought through war and battled without a flinch or being rattled deserve our praise extended hand for making safe our beloved land.
They served on soil and sea and air to protect our country and all we deem fair. And now we bow our heads with tears to remember those through all the years. Written by Neena Strichart 2009
Me in my Signal Tribune 1971 postal jeep
LETTERS
Minding their business
In light of the recent burglaries along the business corridors, including the BKBIA [Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association] office being burglarized twice in one week, the BKBIA has hired a private security company, C.S.I. Patrol Service (a Bixby Knolls business), to patrol the entire district. Patrols include Atlantic Avenue from 33rd to 46th Street, San Antonio between Atlantic and Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach Boulevard from the 405 to 46th Street, and Wardlow between Atlantic and Long Beach Boulevard. All alleys are being patrolled too. Our goal is to have this extra set of eyes around the district as a deterrent for vandalism, burglaries and graffiti. C.S.I. Patrol Service investigates all suspicious behavior and activities each night. The activity log sheets are then shared with the BKBIA, LBPD North Division Commander, and the 7th and 8th council district offices in order to address the issues. We want to make sure the businesses and the neighborhood are safe. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@bixbyknollsinfo.com . Blair Cohn Executive Director Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association
Something on your mind? Visit signaltribune.com and leave a comment!
Steve Strichart/Signal Tribune
TO TH E ED I TO R
Moving forward
Today is a new day for America, our state, and our great city. We re-elected President Barack Obama, and whether you supported him or Governor Romney, we now need to unite and move our great country forward. We all love America, and I believe strongly that our best days are ahead. Diversity of people and opinions makes our country stronger, and we don’t always have to agree, but we should always support our country, and each other. I’m proud that we have elected local leaders who are committed to doing just that. Our outstanding new Congressional delegation of Representatives Alan Lowenthal and Janice Hahn, who are both friends and mentors of mine, will bring a strong voice to Washington, D.C. State Senator Ricardo Lara and Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal will also do a terrific job of representing Long Beach in Sacramento. I also want to congratulate my colleague Gary DeLong on his Congressional run. He and his family deserve our thanks for their service to our city, and I look forward to continuing to work together to make Long Beach the best city it can be. Meanwhile, we have so much to look forward to in Long Beach in the coming year. I will be especially focused on three areas:
Economic development Supporting economic development in our downtown and throughout the city, including the creation of an economic development officer, and working to attract high-tech business and green industries. We need to make Long Beach a leader in innovations and new technologies.
Fiscal discipline and pension reform Continuing fiscal discipline with smart budgeting and completing our pension reform process with the city’s largest union, which I am hopeful we will do by early 2013.
A safer city We need to continue enhancing, expanding and modernizing public safety services, including graduating a new academy class, modernizing fire stations, and restoring funding to public safety as much as possible.
Today is a day to put the past behind us and move our city, state and country forward. I’m proud to continue serving you by working to expand economic opportunity, keep our streets and neighborhoods safe, and make government more efficient and responsible. And I’m grateful to all of you for your continued love of our city and all your contributions to the community. Thank you! Robert Garcia vice Mayor Long Beach
ASSOCIATE PuBLISHER
PuBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MANAGING EDITOR
Stephen M. Strichart
Neena R. Strichart
ADvERTISING CONSuLTANTS
Jane Fallon
Sean Belk
Stephanie Raygoza STAFF wRITERS
CJ Dablo
COLuMNISTS
Nick Diamantides
Jennifer E. Beaver Carol Berg Sloan, RD
DESIGN EDITOR
Cory Bilicko
Leighanna Nierle
ADMINISTRATIvE ASSISTANT/wEBSITE MANAGER CuLTuRE wRITERS
Daniel Adams Vicki Paris Goodman Gregory Spooner
CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Matt Sun
EDITORIAL INTERN
Ariana Gastelum
Tanya Paz
CONTRIBuTING wRITER
Rachael Rifkin
DESIGN INTERN
Kaelyn Bruno
The Signal Tribune welcomes letters to the editor, which should be signed, dated and include a phone number to verify authenticity. Letters are due by noon on the Tuesday before desired publication date. The Signal Tribune reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, language and space requirements. The Signal Tribune does not print letters that refer substantially to articles in other publications and might not print those that have recently been printed in other publications or otherwise presented in a public forum. Letters to the editor and commentaries are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Signal Tribune or its staff. Although the editorial staff will attempt to verify and/or correct information when possible, letters to the editor and commentaries are opinions, and readers should not assume that they are statements of fact. Letter-writers will be identified by their professional titles or affiliations when, and only when, the editorial staff deems it relevant and/or to provide context to the letter. The Signal Tribune is published each Friday with a circulation of 25,000. Yearly subscriptions are available for $45.
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