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Partly Cloudy Elect Guma, Nigro and Sofield
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After careful analysis of the many critical issues facing the City of Long Beach, we feel comfortable that it is moving in the right direction, but we think it could use an infusion of some fresh ideas and new energy.
A wholesale change of Long Beach's leadership and direction isn't needed. But a clear definition of that direction for the public from strong leaders is needed. We think Scott Nigro can be one of those leaders.
Nigro was the most publicly vocal member of a City Council that went to bat for high-rise tenants during landlords' attempts to end rent stabilization in Long Beach. We know he works hard in the background as well. He has done as much research on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposed beach project as any current member of the council. When the USACE makes its final proposal this winter, we expect him to be at the forefront of those asking the questions.
If he sees a project that is worth doing -- or one that is not in the best interests of the city -- then we expect him, as the potential senior council member, to take the lead. We value the knowledge and experience he has gained on many critical issues, and we see an opportunity for him to demonstrate the intellect we know he has and become a positive leader for Long Beach. We endorse Scott Nigro.
We have only five elected officials for 35,000 residents of Long Beach. Each of them should be a leader in his or her own right. Even a newcomer. Gina Guma may have six years of experience as a school board trustee, but there's no doubting that she's a novice at city government. That doesn't mean, however, that she shouldn't be given a shot.
A few months ago we did not envision writing those words, as reliable information about Guma's being the hand-picked appointee of the Democratic Party's leadership -- rather than the choice of the City Council after a diligent search -- rubbed us the wrong way. We also hoped to hear more from her on the issues facing the city despite her short time on the council. What impresses voters is concrete plans and fresh ideas.
Yet we believe that, given the chance, Guma will have those fresh ideas and be a good representative of the people. We expect her to be a council member who will not accept "We can't do that" for an answer. What is beyond question is the passion Guma will bring to the job. We believe she will fight for what she believes in and be one of the hardest-working officials in Long Beach. That, in and of itself, is leadership, and so we endorse Gina Guma.
While Guma is a fresh face for the city, she doesn't bring the bipartisanship we strongly believe in. Two years ago, we welcomed the GOP-backed "Coalition" ticket into the Long Beach political arena. Jim Hennessy and Tom Sofield, in particular, represented a new breed of young, passionate and idealistic Long Beach lifers. We endorsed Sofield and do not see any reason to steer away from that choice.
Our primary concern about Sofield's candidacy has to do with his two-man law firm's handling of a $20 million lawsuit filed by his father, Long Beach Police Lt. Tom Sofield, against the city. Shortly after the 2001 election, the elder Sofield fell victim to one of several changes in the department implemented by the new police commissioner, John Laffey. The move drew charges that it was rooted in political retribution.
Without passing judgment on the Sofield case, we felt that Laffey's track record as a top-ranking member of the NYPD earned him the benefit of the doubt as he put a new LBPD team in place, as is standard practice in larger cities. Yet the problem of one-party rule is that the perception of political influence is too difficult to disprove. We expressed concerns about Sofield's own potential for a conflict of interest, since his law partner is handling the suit, but candidate Sofield insists that he will play no role in the case. He also assures us that, as an elected councilman, his first responsibility would be to the people of Long Beach, and he would remove himself from the decision-making process on any issue where there could be a real or a perceived conflict.
In the end, we endorse Sofield for the same reasons we did two years ago: He has an ability to bring fresh ideas to the table, a desire to explore new and better ways of doing business, and a true genuineness in his concerns for Long Beach. We don't believe he will be afraid to cross party lines if it's in the best interests of the city.
So where does this all leave Council President Joel Crystal? It leaves him enjoying his retirement as a new generation of leaders take the helm of the city. Crystal has selflessly served the city for eight years, but we feel it's time for the new ideas and energy that a council of Guma, Nigro, Sofield, Lenny Remo and Denis Kelly will bring to the city.
As a new city council moves forward, we continue to support its efforts to bring a hotel to the Superblock. We back its plans to pursue the development of the bayfront area. And we applaud the due diligence the city has done with regard to the USACE beach project.
But with all the good come concerns. There are serious financial issues to address, and there is still development to be managed, a master plan that should be developed and a leadership void that must be filled. With these issues in mind, we endorse Guma, Nigro and Sofield for the City Council and call on them and their fellow council members to form a team that will work together to keep Long Beach on the right track. It's been a beautiful ride for the city so far. Let's keep our eyes on the road.
A wholesale change of Long Beach's leadership and direction isn't needed. But a clear definition of that direction for the public from strong leaders is needed. We think Scott Nigro can be one of those leaders.
Nigro was the most publicly vocal member of a City Council that went to bat for high-rise tenants during landlords' attempts to end rent stabilization in Long Beach. We know he works hard in the background as well. He has done as much research on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposed beach project as any current member of the council. When the USACE makes its final proposal this winter, we expect him to be at the forefront of those asking the questions.
If he sees a project that is worth doing -- or one that is not in the best interests of the city -- then we expect him, as the potential senior council member, to take the lead. We value the knowledge and experience he has gained on many critical issues, and we see an opportunity for him to demonstrate the intellect we know he has and become a positive leader for Long Beach. We endorse Scott Nigro.
We have only five elected officials for 35,000 residents of Long Beach. Each of them should be a leader in his or her own right. Even a newcomer. Gina Guma may have six years of experience as a school board trustee, but there's no doubting that she's a novice at city government. That doesn't mean, however, that she shouldn't be given a shot.
A few months ago we did not envision writing those words, as reliable information about Guma's being the hand-picked appointee of the Democratic Party's leadership -- rather than the choice of the City Council after a diligent search -- rubbed us the wrong way. We also hoped to hear more from her on the issues facing the city despite her short time on the council. What impresses voters is concrete plans and fresh ideas.
Yet we believe that, given the chance, Guma will have those fresh ideas and be a good representative of the people. We expect her to be a council member who will not accept "We can't do that" for an answer. What is beyond question is the passion Guma will bring to the job. We believe she will fight for what she believes in and be one of the hardest-working officials in Long Beach. That, in and of itself, is leadership, and so we endorse Gina Guma.
While Guma is a fresh face for the city, she doesn't bring the bipartisanship we strongly believe in. Two years ago, we welcomed the GOP-backed "Coalition" ticket into the Long Beach political arena. Jim Hennessy and Tom Sofield, in particular, represented a new breed of young, passionate and idealistic Long Beach lifers. We endorsed Sofield and do not see any reason to steer away from that choice.
Our primary concern about Sofield's candidacy has to do with his two-man law firm's handling of a $20 million lawsuit filed by his father, Long Beach Police Lt. Tom Sofield, against the city. Shortly after the 2001 election, the elder Sofield fell victim to one of several changes in the department implemented by the new police commissioner, John Laffey. The move drew charges that it was rooted in political retribution.
Without passing judgment on the Sofield case, we felt that Laffey's track record as a top-ranking member of the NYPD earned him the benefit of the doubt as he put a new LBPD team in place, as is standard practice in larger cities. Yet the problem of one-party rule is that the perception of political influence is too difficult to disprove. We expressed concerns about Sofield's own potential for a conflict of interest, since his law partner is handling the suit, but candidate Sofield insists that he will play no role in the case. He also assures us that, as an elected councilman, his first responsibility would be to the people of Long Beach, and he would remove himself from the decision-making process on any issue where there could be a real or a perceived conflict.
In the end, we endorse Sofield for the same reasons we did two years ago: He has an ability to bring fresh ideas to the table, a desire to explore new and better ways of doing business, and a true genuineness in his concerns for Long Beach. We don't believe he will be afraid to cross party lines if it's in the best interests of the city.
So where does this all leave Council President Joel Crystal? It leaves him enjoying his retirement as a new generation of leaders take the helm of the city. Crystal has selflessly served the city for eight years, but we feel it's time for the new ideas and energy that a council of Guma, Nigro, Sofield, Lenny Remo and Denis Kelly will bring to the city.
As a new city council moves forward, we continue to support its efforts to bring a hotel to the Superblock. We back its plans to pursue the development of the bayfront area. And we applaud the due diligence the city has done with regard to the USACE beach project.
But with all the good come concerns. There are serious financial issues to address, and there is still development to be managed, a master plan that should be developed and a leadership void that must be filled. With these issues in mind, we endorse Guma, Nigro and Sofield for the City Council and call on them and their fellow council members to form a team that will work together to keep Long Beach on the right track. It's been a beautiful ride for the city so far. Let's keep our eyes on the road.
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