The Long Beach Press Club, a professional and social organization of local media including several Press-Telegram reporters, has scheduled a series of candidate debates for the April 13 city elections. Called 'Debates at Da' Beach,' the debates will give candidates for City Council, city attorney and city prosecutor an opportunity to answer questions from a panel of reporters. This isn't your father's candidate forum -- we plan to have an engaging, lively and revealing discussion with the candidates.
The debates will be conducted in a style resembling a press conference. A panel of four journalists, plus moderator, from local media outlets -- a different panel for each debate -- will present questions to the candidates (I will be on several of the panels myself). Candidates will have two minutes to respond to each question, but panelists will be permitted to interject and/or ask followup questions if the candidates stray from the theme of the questions. Members of the public who feel an important issue is not being addressed may submit questions in writing to the moderator.
The debates are free and open to the public and will be conducted in eating-and-drinking establishments throughout the city. Debates among council candidates have been located in each of the council districts. A debate between Mayor Bob Foster and challenger Stevie Merino is still pending; in the absence of a debate, Merino will be provided with a press conference. City Auditor Laura Doud is running unopposed.
All debates begin at 7 p.m. and will last no longer than 90 minutes.
THE SCHEDULE:
- Monday, Feb. 22 - 7th District
Puka Bar, 710 W. Willow
Debate starts at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Bar service available - Wed Mar 3 - 9th District
El Ranchito, 5345 Long Beach Blvd.
Debate starts at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Full dinner menu and bar service available - Monday, March 8 - City Attorney
The Gaslamp, 6251 E. PCH
Debate starts at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Full dinner menu and bar service available - Monday, March 15 - City Prosecutor
Rooftop at Smooths, 144 Pine Ave.
Debate starts at 7 p.m.
Full kitchen and bar available downstairs, enjoy happy hour 5-7
Full bar service available rooftop - Monday, March 22 - 3rd District
The Gaslamp, 6251 E. PCH
Debate starts at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Full dinner menu and bar service available - Monday, March 29 - 5th District
El Dorado Restaurant, 3014 Studebaker Dr.
Debate starts at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Full dinner menu and bar service available
Food specials: $2 tacos; $16 prime rib dinner - April - 1st District
TO BE ANNOUNCED
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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