Thank you to each one of you who took the time to join us last night at the city council meeting.  We are all aware of how busy life can be....especially during this holiday season.

We had a decent turnout and more speakers than there were speaker cards available!  Our message continues to ring clear for our elected officials.

"Our message is this....This (FIS) will be a major campaign issue for each council member.  Whether it is 2016 or 2018. It is in your best interest, in everyone's best interest, to educate yourselves on possible risks associated with further service enhancements at Long Beach Airport."

A special thanks is owed to Mayor Garcia who called for Public Comment period before they began the civic center hearing.  He recognized that there were a number of speakers to address airport concerns and allowed us to go ahead of the 2 hour presentation, discussion and vote.

Several of us did stay for that item and share concerns about what this debt could mean to Long Beach residents in the future.  We'll write about that next time.

 Again, thank you for taking part in civic engagement that can at times appear to be unfruitful.  What is important for us to remember is that each baby step forward moves us closer to our objective.  That objective is to keep our neighborhoods and quality of life standards high.

For now, we wish you all a very happy, blessed holiday season! 

                                   -See you in 2016-
 

This Tuesday, December 8th the city council and public will be presented with a study session on why LGB Director, Bryant Francis, is authorized to add 9 additional flight slots at our airport.

After speaking with Assistant City Attorney, Mike Mais I understand their rationale.  What I don't understand is the conflicting reports from previous years.

Several years back we were advised that IF there were ZERO noise violations LGB could add a maximum of 11 additional flights.  Now we know that is next to impossible because of delays due to weather and mechanicals.  We know because many 4th, 7th and 8th district residents have made those complaint calls in the early morning hours when their sleep or quiet time has been disrupted by an arrival or departure outside of the allowable time frames.  We know because of the fines that Jet Blue has paid to the Long Beach Library Foundation.  So, Tuesday's presentation will be interesting to hear. 

We are one of 5 cities in the nation that was allowed a noise ordinance when ANCA was created in the mid-90's.  It was blessed because Long Beach had an ordinance in place.  An ordinance that was being challenged in a 12 year court battle by dozens of commercial carriers!

The most recent threat was made by American Airlines. In 2002 AA demanded 4 additional slots because of the way that Jet Blue had been awarded 27 slots and then allowed to hold them without using them, as they ramped up their west coast services.  Through effective dialogue our city attorney was able to influence Jet Blue to relinquish those 4 flight slots and American Airlines dropped their threat.  This AA document will soon be added to our site for your review.

This noise ordinance is our thin veil of protection.  Protection for residents who live within the flight paths. Protection for property tax dollars that are the number one source of revenue for our general fund.  Protection for all of Long Beach who benefit from higher tax dollars generated from established neighborhood communities such as Bixby Knolls, Los Altos and Cal Heights. 

The loss of this coveted noise ordinance could result in the same consequences experienced by the Westchester, Vista del Mar neighborhoods  near LAX.  This is why it is critical that our elected mayor and council members clearly and accurately comprehend the implications of each one of their decisions relating to LGB.  The next decision that will  come before them will be whether or not to approve the Jet Blue request for international flights.  More on that soon..........

Check in later this week for your invitation to join us for the upcoming rally!