In this corner, Councilwoman Gerrie "the tax-blocker" Schipske of the 5th District, and in the other corner, Mayor Bob "the infrastructure-izer" Foster.
Political sparring fans will enjoy not one, but two opportunities next week to watch these opposing city leaders square off.
First, Schipske will have a community meeting Monday to discuss the mayor's proposed infrastructure parcel tax and the city budget. Foster and City Manager Pat West have been invited to discuss their proposal, according to Schipske.
Schipske has been a critic of Foster's plan, and her reluctance to declare a fiscal emergency to get a necessary unanimous council vote prompted the mayor to change his initial proposal. The plan requires a parcel tax to finance $571 million in infrastructure bonds.
Check out that story here.
The community meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at the El Dorado Senior Center, 2800 Studebaker Road.
Then, on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in City Hall, the council will vote on Foster's proposal, which requires approval by two-thirds of the members to put it on the November ballot, and then two-thirds voter approval to put it into effect.
Both events should yield some new information, interesting exchanges between our elected leaders, and possibly a political throw-down.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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