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A Question of Courage: Progressive report card slams local state legislators pg. 3 Former port commissioner’s business dealings get scrutinized pg. 5

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International City Theatre gets lost in the ‘Woods’ pg. 13 Mæry Queens sinks the ship before it sails pg. 15

The Local Publication You Actually Read

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Photo courtesy of Environmental Justice Foundation from its 2014 report, Slavery at Sea: The Continued Plight of Trafficked Migrants in Thailand’s Fishing Industry. www.ejfoundation.org

May 12 - 25, 2016

[See Slavery, page 10]

his past April, Associated Press journalists Margie Mason, Robin McDowell, Martha Mendoza and Esther Htusan won a Pulitzer Prize for stories that chronicled modern day slavery. Men from Myanmar and neighboring countries were tricked, captured and forced to work on fishing vessels.

During their 18-month investigation, AP journalists found men held in cages, tracked ships and stalked refrigerated trucks to expose the abusive practices of the fishing industry in Southeast Asia.

The Associated Press’ reporting led to the release of more than 2,000 slaves and traced the seafood to products sold in U.S. and European markets, including: Sea Best, Waterfront Bistro, Aqua Star, Chicken of the Sea and Fancy Feast. The San Pedro-based Tri-Marine Fish Company canned Chicken of the Sea tuna until its parent company sold its stake in the company in 2000.

The newswire service published 10 stories from March through December of 2015, weaving a gripping narrative that’s akin to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin or Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, except the characters in these stories are flesh and blood people.

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By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor and Christian Guzman, Community Reporter

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May 12 - 25, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

Community Announcements:

Harbor Area

Our Health, Our Climate, Our Communities

Angelenos interested in keeping California’s legacy as a global climate change leader are invited to join like-minded demonstrators and march through the heart of Los Angeles where the fossil fuel industry has gained a stronghold.

Time: 1 p.m. May 14 Venue: Downtown Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles

Pathways to Employment

Employment preparation and job opportunities will be available at Pathways to Employment at San Pedro High School’s Olguin Campus.

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 14 Cost: Free Details: nwsanpedro.org/pathways Venue: SPHS, Olguin Campus, 3210 S. Alma St., San Pedro

Paying the Freight

The Palos Verdes Democrats are hosting a talk on the topics entitled: “The Current Crisis in Transportation Finance and What to Do About It” and “Explaining the Water Replenishment District.”

Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 15 Cost: Free Details: (310) 377-7334 Venue: Palos Verdes Library District, Community Room, 701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates.

Shell Oil Terminal Notice of Preparation

The deadline for public comment on Shell Oil Terminal’s Notice of Preparation is 5 p.m. May 16.

Mail all public comment to the Port of Los Angeles at: Christopher Cannon, Director of Environmental Management Los Angeles Harbor Department 425 S. Palos Verdes St. San Pedro, CA 90731 Email Comments: ceqacomments@portla.org

10th Street Vision Plan Workshop

Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal’s Vision Plan includes a part of 10th Street that is in the Fourth District. Come out to the neighborhood workshop to share your ideas and learn more about the project.

Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 16 Cost: Free Venue: Royal Cup Café, 994 Redondo Ave., Long Beach South Coast Air Quality Management District is hosting a public hearing on Tesoro’s draft environmental impact report and Title V permits regarding its refinery merger of its Carson and Los Angeles refineries.

Time: 6 to 8 p.m. May 17 Venue: Carson Community Center, 801 E. Carson St., Carson

Wilmington Avenue Interchange Construction

Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council Selection

By Christian L. Guzman, Contributing Reporter

bad bills.”

InApril the Courage Campaign, But the Courage Campaign believes O’Donnell’s own focus is the numbers will enlighten representatives’ a nonprofit organization that on education. He introduced constituents on relevant issues. advocates for progressive laws in more than 10 bills this past California, ranked Harbor Area “The bills we looked at that Gipson and year to improve California’s O’Donnell abstained on either passed by assemblymen Mike Gipson and education system. He said he narrow margins, or failed,” Kurtz said. “The Patrick O’Donnell as severely out is working on securing more people of the Harbor Area are some of the most of line with constituents. money for schools and that he progressive in the state. They support those types The Courage Campaign wants to expand educational of measures.” highlighted both legislators’ opportunities for those who systematic failure to support such Kurtz is confident that constituents would do not think college is the have voted differently from Gipson and issues as the environment, health Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell’s right path. care expansions, racial profiling voting abstentions netted him O’Donnell because of ballot measure data a low score by the Courage “I practice reasonable and wages. the Courage Campaign examined. The Harbor Campaign. File photo. policies that move California Area consistently voted in favor of progressive Through one of Courage Campaign’s newer initiatives, Courage Score, forward,” O’Donnell said. “My record proves [See Courage Campaign, page 4] each member of the California Assembly and that.”

Senate was given a score—out of 100 points— on how closely they represented constituents and Now Open Under New Ownership supported specific bills. “[In choosing bills] we worked with groups including the [American Civil Liberties Union], [the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles], the Sierra Club, the Drug Policy Alliance and the Western Center on Law and Poverty,” said Eddie Kurtz, executive director of the Courage Campaign. “We were interested in UPSCALE CLOTHING finding where the key fights were.”

Gipson represents District 42, which is $ made up of Carson, parts of Long Beach $ and Wilmington. His Courage Score was 53.

O’Donnell represents District 70, which includes Excludes jewelry & accessories.

San Pedro and Long Beach. He received a 41.

With this ad Gipson abstained from votes on improving 2251 Lomita Blvd., Lomita the environment, protecting due process and Open Tues.-Sat. 10-5 310.782.5381 increased pay for workers on holidays. He voted Between Narbonne & Pennsylvania ‘no’ on expanding consumer protections for Medi-Cal recipients.

O’Donnell did not vote for bills on consumer protections, curbing climate change, health care, and racial profiling. He voted no on a due process bill.

Gipson’s and Donnell’s scores are low because of their abstentions. The Courage Campaign counted abstentions equal to a no vote when calculating the Courage Score.

“Abstaining does the same as voting “no” in the Assembly because absolute majorities are needed to pass bills,” Kurtz said.

He was particularly troubled with O’Donnell’s voting record.

“He abstained on more bills than any other representative,” he said. “He was once a teacher. Did he tell his students, ‘When you face something tough, just take a walk’?”

Although Gipson declined to comment on the Courage Campaign, O’Donnell responded to his Courage Score.

“I call it the Courageless Campaign,” O’Donnell said. “They picked and chose who got a score. The bills they looked at were different in each district.”

O’Donnell did not consider his abstentions on the bills mentioned above as a problem.

“I vote on about a thousand bills a year,” O’Donnell said. “[Legislators] don’t always understand the implications of their own bills.

It’s not just about offense … We have to stop the 3

5 OFF

Any 20 purchase

May 12 - 25, 2016

This neighborhood council is an advisory group of people who live, work, or own property in Coastal San Pedro. The council selection is an opportunity for stakeholders to choose who will make a difference in that neighborhood.

Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21 Details: www.cspnc.org Venue: Point Fermin Park, 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro

Progressive Report Card Slams State Legislators

Construction for 55 consecutive hours from May 20 to 23 and from June 3 to 6 will be taking place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., including pile driving at the intersection of Wilmington Avenue and E. 223rd Street.

The construction will result in noise and vibrations from the pile driving, back-up alarms, work crews and other construction related equipment and activities.

A Question of Courage:

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Tesoro Draft EIR, Title V Public Hearing

Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 30 Years

So Many U.S. Senate Candidates, So Little Viability

May 12 - 25, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

By Lyn Jensen, Reporter

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Voters may look at the 34 state’s redder regions. She also candidates for California’s caused controversy when she open U.S. Senate seat on the said, “I know what a criminal June 7 primary ballot and looks like and who’s committing wonder if the race will prove a crime. An undocumented as chaotic and unpredictable immigrant is not a criminal,” as the crowded Republican during an April 2015 interview presidential campaign. with TV station KCAL-9.

Only two candidates, Some right-wing conservregardless of party affiliation, atives called her statement, “in will advance to the Nov. direct contradiction to federal 8 general election. Eight law.”

Democrats, 11 Republicans, Blue Dog conservative Democrat Of the remaining DemRep. Loretta Sanchez. File photo. two Libertarians, one Green, ocrats, only four others even and one Peace and Freedom candidate make took the simple step of placing candidate up most of the field. Eleven candidates did not statements in the Official Voter Information Guide. One of them, Massie Monroe, writes declare a party preference.

Two of California’s most prominent she identified mind-control slavery by satellite Democratic women, Attorney General Kamala energy technology weapons.

The one Green candidate, Pamela Elizondo, Harris and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, are leading in has a candidate statement that the polls. Republicans are more lists only her Facebook page, likely preparing for the 2018 phone, email, and post office and 2020 election cycles. box—nothing about her views.

Three Republicans Two Libertarians—Mark showing some traction in Andrew Heard and repeat the polls debated Harris candidate Gail K. Lightfoot— and Sanchez on April 25 in do not have statements in the Stockton. One is Ron Unz, a Official Voter Information former candidate for governor.

Guide. Neither does the one The other two—Tom Del Peace and Freedom candidate Beccario and George “Duf” John Thompson Parker.

Sundheim—are former chairs Of the eleven candidates of the state Republican Party. State Attorney General Kamala who did not declare a party Sundheim boasts of overseeing Harris leads the race to replace preference, six have published Barbara Boxer.

File photo. the recall of Democratic Gov. statements in the official Grey Davis in 2003. guide.

On Jan. 7, 2015 Sen. Barbara Boxer announced her intention to retire [Courage Campaign, from page 3] when her term ends this election season. The next day, Harris launched her campaign. She quickly rallied Democratic leadership, largely shutting out other prospective candidates. She got the propositions such as Propositions 36, 39 and 47. party’s official endorsement in February 2016.

Kurtz also disputes the idea that the Despite Harris’ dominance, Sanchez Courage Campaign is biased. He noted that mounted a challenge within the party. A Blue state Sen. Isadore Hall III represents many of Dog Democrat, she’s represented a conservative the same people as Gipson and O’Donnell. Yet portion of Orange County in Congress since his Courage Score was 85.

“Frankly, [Hall] has a bad reputation in 1997. She and Harris are the only candidates of Sacramento,” Kurtz said. “We were surprised any affiliation who show considerable experience he got the score he did … since he takes a lot of in campaigning for and holding higher elected corporate money. But we’re not trying to cook office. the books. A ‘B’ is a ‘B.’” Both Harris and Sanchez have checkered Then there is Assembly Speaker Anthony records that may affect their popularity. Sanchez Rendon.

His district borders Gipson’s and voted to authorize George Bush to go to war O’Donnell’s.

So the people he represents share in 2001. Later, she voted against authorizing similar progressive values to District 64 and the invasion of Iraq, but consistently voted District 70.

Yet, his Courage Score was 100. He appropriations for it. She’s also taken no action supported every single piece of legislation that to close Guantanamo, even though she famously determined the Courage Score. blocked a Republican effort to fund it in Ultimately, the Courage Scores are a tool perpetuity. to help constituents, not elected officials.

More recently, she committed a pair of Kurtz said his organization’s purpose is to blunders that did not endear her to some voters. educate the people so that they can hold their She was caught on video making a stereotypical state representatives more accountable. The gesture associated with Native Americans, Courage Campaign does that by organizing slapping her mouth with her hand while saying, demonstrations, distributing petitions and “Woo-woo-woo!” She also gave an interview lobbying for legislation through the Internet. suggesting that “5 percent to 20 percent of “Other organizations make score cards that Muslims support a caliphate.” officials like, but we’re the ones getting through Harris’ liberal views on gun control and the the obfuscation and finding who’s up to no death penalty may make her vulnerable in the good,” Kurtz said.

Courage Campaign

A Question of Cronyism:

Business Dealings of Former Port Commissioner Tonsich Scrutinized

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

Former Harbor Commission president, Nicholas Tonsich, founded Clean Air Engineering-Maritime after he left the commission. File photo.

[See Tonsich, page 19]

Truckers Gain Landmark NLRB Ruling, POLA Drags Its Heels

to fire us is a retaliation for us fighting for a better workplace on city property,” Anthony Vallacio said.

“By firing us, the company is violating the Los Angeles service contractor worker retention ordinance,” said Fausto Torres. “They know that they have broken the law and don’t care.”

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka appeared to regress to his corporate roots as he echoed the company line.

“Some months ago, workers at the warehouse asked for a change in leadership and the company has responded,” he said. “There will be a transition between companies and the effort to bring back the workers who are capable of doing their jobs as appropriate through the interview process will continue.”

But Commissioner Patricia Castellano wasn’t buying it.

“I can’t imagine that their request for a transition was a request for them to be laid off,” Castellano said. “My understanding is that a number of these workers have been working there for a number of years, so that being deemed not capable is questionable.”

Celine Perez, co-director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, provided clarification.

“We have asked for the contract with the staff agency to be terminated, but for the workers to be made direct [hires], because of the issues that have been happening in terms of breaking the law,” Perez said. “We do feel that the switching of staff agencies is retaliation.”

She noted that those working at the staff agency were “the same people we have filed complaints against with the National Labor Relations Board.”

—Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

May 12 - 25, 2016

On April 20, just hours after launching their third unfair labor practice strike, port truckers at Intermodal Bridge Transport got news of a National Labor Relations Board complaint issued in their favor. The complaint alleged that misclassification was illegal and a violation of the National Labor Relations Act. “IBT has misclassified its employee drivers as independent contractors, thereby inhibiting them from engaging in Section 7 [union] activity and depriving them of the protections of the act,” the National Labor Relations Board ruled.

The Intermodal Bridge Transport truckers welcomed the ruling.

“The government has confirmed what we’ve felt all along: that these companies have been intentionally misclassifying us in order to divide us and silence us — to keep us as slaves,” said Eduardo Quintero, an Intermodal Bridge Transport trucker on strike.

“This proves what we have always believed: that misclassification is not just wage theft, misclassification deliberately robs workers of their right under the law to unite for a better future,” said Fred Potter, vice president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and director of the Teamsters Port Division.

“The complaint issued by the NLRB regional director represents a determination that misclassifying drivers in and of itself violates the NLRA,” said Teamster attorney Julie Gutman Dickinson.

The determination will lead to trial sometime in the future.

On a closely-related matter, more than 100 contract workers at Cal Cartage warehouse were laid off at the end of April, as one contract agency was replaced with another. Two of them testified in public comments to POLA’s board.

“This excuse of switching staffing agencies

concerns, primarily focused on port staff adhering to its own internal guidelines with respect to matters involving Tonsich, specifically, his ownership role in Clean Air EngineeringMaritime, which appears to have received favored treatment in receiving a $1.5 million grant in 2012. Tonsich had previously represented Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc., which developed the first prototype for capturing ship emissions while docked—a process which has been under way at the Port of Long Beach since 2006—but then formed Clean Air EngineeringMaritime to compete with Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc. Tonsich had claimed to be a part owner of ACTI, but the company claimed it rejected his ownership bid, and that afterward Tonsich formed Clean Air Engineering-Maritime to compete with them. As of 2012, ACTI had a working prototype, Tonsich’s company did not, yet his company got the $1.5 million grant without a competitive bid process.

In a comment letter, Marquez alleged that POLA failed to provide a “fair, objective selection process for all agreements and procurement opportunities,” failed to, “purchase without prejudice, seeking to obtain the maximum value for each dollar expended,” and failed to “avoid unfair practices, giving all qualified vendors equal opportunity.”

Random Lengths asked POLA to respond to specific aspects of his letter.

For example, Marquez wrote, “The Port of Los Angeles issued a $ 1.5 million Technology Advancement Program (TAP) contract to Clean Air Engineering-Maritime (CAEM) to build the Clean Air Engineering-Maritime/Tri-Mer ship emission treatment unit. Clean Air EngineeringMaritime had no previous experience in this technology or any clean air technology.”

When asked if POLA had any evidence to the contrary regarding CAEM’s experience, port spokesman Arley Baker replied, “Sure do. The CAE system is made by Tri-Mer. You can read about their experience in this technology at trimer.com.” However, Tri-Mer had previously worked (and is still working) with ACTI, who unlike CAEM had built and tested a series of units before CAEM contract was signed. It appears that Clean Air Engineering-Maritime’s “experience” was actually that of its competitor’s.

“The standard protocol for POLA Technology Advancement Program grants has been that a

AMECS-Advanced Maritime Emissions Control Systems technology and the only company that had a ship emission capture technology prototype immediately available for demonstration but was not invited to receive a TAP Grant or invited to bid,” Marquez further stated.

Baker disregarded the context of Marquez’s account, the $1.5 million contract in 2012.

“We did give them [ACTI] a TAP grant,” Baker said, directing to the 2015 TAP Annual Report, which lists a 2008 grant, which AQMD also participated in, for a demonstration project at the Port of Long Beach, which was obviously the lead agency involved. POLA’s share— $150,000—was only a fraction on of the 2012 contract.

POLB had begun working with ACTI in 2006, according to Heather Tomley, POLB’s director of environmental planning.

“It began with Metropolitan [Stevedore],” she said.

POLB got involved and drew in the rest of the funding team. There were a series of refinements. In 2013, POLB approved a little more than $2 million for a demonstration project, using a competitive two-fold selection process: a request for information followed by a request for proposal. POLA participated more actively in the early stages, Tomley noted. Only ACTI and Tonsich’s company were in the final running, and POLB selected ACTI.

The Local Publication You Actually Read

The Port of Los Angeles is anxiously trying to turn over a new leaf in light of the mitigation measures it failed to implement at China Shipping and TraPac. But, the port’s problems are deeper. Its problems are rooted in POLA’s corporate culture—a culture profoundly resistant to outside accountability. An old face has re-emerged as the new poster boy for this core institutional dysfunction: former Harbor Commission President Nick Tonsich.

His business dealings with port tenants and the port itself since leaving office have again raised serious questions, not just about him, but about the wider business culture. A pollutioncontrol company he founded received a $1.5 million grant in 2015 and he is in line to get millions more via his involvement in Pasha’s Green Omni Terminal. But community members are increasingly calling “foul.”

On Dec. 17, 2015, homeowner activists Kathleen Woodfield and Janet Gunter raised initial concerns to the Harbor Commission. They were joined by environmental justice activist Jesse Marquez on Feb. 17, and again on April 5, focusing on how port staff appears to have given Tonsich favored treatment.

As more concerns have been brought to light, the port’s response has begun to lag. While Woodfield’s initial request for information was mostly answered in less than a month, the port still has not replied to issues Marquez raised in February, despite Ambassador Vilma Martinez, president of the Harbor Commission, directing staff to “look into the serious allegations and report back.”

When Marquez noted this lack of response on April 5, Deputy Executive Director Doane Liu mistakenly confused the issues raised by Marquez with the earlier request, saying that staff had already replied in a memo, and he would “be happy to give you another copy.”

Woodfield kicked things off in December by referencing her own recent Los Angeles ethics training, saying that a former commissioner has to ask written permission from the city attorney to become involved in business related to their former post, and asking, under the public request act, for Tonsich’s letter and the city attorney’s response.

On Jan. 6, Liu responded to the commissioners’ request with a summary of information about Tonsich and a link to the city attorney’s letter to Tonsich in September 2009.

“You are subject to a permanent ban on receiving compensation to attempt to influence any City agency regarding matters in which you were personally and substantially involved,” the letter stated. “You are also subject to a permanent ban on receiving compensation to assist or advise a person who is attempting to influence action on those matters.”

It went on to specifically address his involvement with China Shipping, noting that the ban applied to him with respect to the lease agreement. It did not address a more fundamental concern shared by many: whether his involvement in developing the “No Net Increase” plan precludes his work on air quality mitigation, which he has since tried to capitalize on.

On Feb. 17, Jesse Marquez raised additional

company must have a prototype to demonstrate,” Marquez also wrote. “Clean Air EngineeringMaritime did not. POLA illegally waived this requirement.”

Baker said that POLA normally asks that the grant program go toward testing and verification of performance for the Technology Advancement Program.

“So, yes, a prototype is typically what we seek, though the two ports and the TAP advisory Board try to be flexible,” he said. “In this case, this was not a TAP grant. It was a TraPac EIR [environmental impact report] mitigation measure requirement that POLA, not the TAP, provide money to TraPac for development of such a system. TraPac selected CAE to develop the system.”

However, the port’s own documentation contradicts this explanation, referring to the $1.5 million as a “TAP grant,” even though it does not appear on a list of TAP grants. It was identified as a TAP grant in two separate staff documents included with the agenda item on May 17, 2012, when $1.5 million funding agreement was approved. In the compensation section of the “Agreement Between The City Of Los Angeles And TraPac Inc.,” it stated that “The TAP grant award is calculated based upon the estimated expenses of the PROJECT as reported

by GRANTEE in its application submitted to the TAP Committee.”

“ACTI is the original inventor of the

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Assembly District 64:

Gipson, Democrat, Battles Sanford, Republican

By Lyn Jensen, Reporter

Two candidates for the 64th Assembly District in the California will appear on the ballot in the June 7 primary and the Nov. 8 general election.

Democratic incumbent, Mike Gipson is seeking his second term. The other candidate is Republican challenger, Theresa Sanford, a teacher who chairs the 64th Assembly District Republican Party of Los Angeles County.

Mike Gipson

Although a heavy majority of voters in the 64th AD are registered with the Democrat Party, Gipson is mounting an extensive re-election campaign. He recently opened an office at 21809 Avalon Blvd., Carson, CA 90745. It’s shared with Isadore Hall, who is campaigning for the 44th Congressional District.

“I have spent the last two years serving

“an oil Democrat,” who accepts money from the oil industry. She said she may run in 2018.

“I believe that campaign contributions do not define a legislator,” Gipson responded. “I advise voters and prospective supporters to look at voting records, not donor lists, to see who the most qualified candidate is.”

According to Gipson’s staffer Christopher Wilson, speaking at the Progressive Democratic Club on Feb. 21, Gipson worked with the legislature to pass Fran Pavley’s 2012 bill to ban fracking (which failed) and has “worked with the [Air Quality Management District] in a comprehensive way.”

Wilson also said Gipson pushed through 19 bills, including the first state earned income credit in taxes. He added that Gipson introduced four bills that addressed student homelessness, hit-and-runs, healthcare and investment in education.

At press time, the votesmart.org site contains no information about Gipson’s funding. However,

it shows his ratings on the environment as follows: 82 percent from the League of Conservation Voters and 52 percent from the Sierra Club.

Some of Gipson’s other ratings provided by the votesmart.org site include zero from the National Rifle Association and 100 percent from Planned Parenthood on abortion and healthcare.

“These intimate healthcare decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor, not a group of Sacramento legislators—most of whom are men,” Gipson said. “I believe women need to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace and should not be punished or treated differently based on their gender. That is why I wholeheartedly support paid maternity leave as well as paid family leave.”

Before being elected to the Assembly, Gipson served on the Carson City Council from 2005 to 2014. He has worked for Mark Ridley-Thomas and Mervyn Dymally. He has also worked for labor groups including the Service Employees International Union and United Teachers Los

LB Took to the Streets on May Day

By Mike Botica, Editorial Intern

May 12 - 25, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

my community in the Assembly and I want to continue to give a voice to those without one,” Gipson said.

Marta Segura, a Democrat, announced in February that she was challenging Gipson. But she failed to qualify for the ballot. A former Los Angeles city commissioner, she complimented Gipson’s “pro-labor” stance but criticized him as

6

Diverse issues and causes were at the forefront of the May Day March & Rally, May 1, which began at MacArthur Park in Long Beach.

The event highlighted wage theft, deportation and police brutality through a unified effort by 19 local organizations. The groups also sought to bring about awareness of the rights of workers, immigrants and other marginalized community members.

“We’re here today for workers to unite to end wage theft, to struggle for their right to unionize, to organize for safer working conditions in our hotels, and to basically improve the lives of their families and the entire community,” said Nikole Cababa, community organizer for the Filipino Migrant Center. “We’re here because we’re one of the most diverse cities in the entire country, with thousands of migrants and refugees, so we thought it was right to create a space for folks to honor International Worker’s Day together.”

“More than 40 percent of workers in Long Beach have experienced wage theft, meaning that folks aren’t getting overtime pay, or when they’re paid, it’s in bounced checks,” said Celene Perez of the Long Beach Coalition. “And less than 9 percent are even able to get their money back, so it’s a huge problem.

“We’ve been pushing the city and the mayor, and they said that they’re in support, but they haven’t come out and passed an ordinance, and now they’re bringing up excuses of funding.”

Victor Ortiz, the son of José Álvarez, an immigrant who was deported by Long Beach Police Department in March 2016 for a broken taillight, agreed.

“We’re here today in protest against this [injustice], and to change how the system works,” Ortiz said.

Also speaking was Infa Ortíz, José’s wife.

She began tearing up while delivering her speech through an English translator.

“I don’t feel very good that they deported my husband just for a taillight,” Infa Ortíz said.

“The police did not have the right to bring him to immigration…. They didn’t even give him a chance to seek out a lawyer, to seek out bond; they just deported him.”

After the event’s first hour, the protesters gathered their signs and megaphones, and took to the streets in peaceful protest. The hundreds of protesters started the march towards city hall,

Angeles, and as a Maywood police officer. He was born in Watts, the son of a truck driver and a domestic worker.

Gipson’s campaign site: www.mikegipson. org

Theresa Sanford

Sanford lives in Gardena and teaches eighthgrade science. “I grew up in Harbor City and graduated from LAUSD schools. I now teach at the middle school I attended in my youth,” she recalls.

She earned her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential at California State University [See Assembly, page 19]

from Anaheim Street through downtown Long Beach and onto Ocean Boulevard.

The crowd booed heavily when marching by The Westin Long Beach Hotel, which has faced accusations of wage theft, racial discrimination and sexual assault from its employees.

Cars drove by and honked in support. Some drivers even stopped to pull out their cameras and record the march.

Among the protesters included members of the Black Lives Matter Movement, and trans rights movements, as well as other social and environmental justice groups.

“We stand in solidarity with the environmental movement; we also stand in support of the labor movement,” said Elliot Gonzales, of Stop Fracking Long Beach. “We’re here to create a vision for a sustainable economy—a just economy, one based on social equity and the uplift of society.”

On May 1, communities in Long Beach marched toward City Hall to bring light to several issues including workers’ rights, police brutality and immigration issues after the May Day Rally, which began at MacArthur Park in Long Beach. Photo by Mike Botica.

Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council Selects Board May 21

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Residents in the coastal neighborhoods of San Pedro will be selecting their next Neighborhood Council board on May 21. Thirty-five candidates are running for 17 seats. Of those 35 candidates, seven are attempting to return after serving last year.

As a selection, rather than an election, votes can only be cast in-person and in written form.

The selection process is a public meeting of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council and is subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act of the State of California which governs meetings of elected public officials. Because of that, only in-person, written, public ballots can be accepted.

Among the incumbents and returning candidates running for a seat are James Baeza, Adele Healy, George Palaziol, Louis Dominguez, Robert Gelfand, Lydia Gutierrez, Shannon Ross, Ray Medak, Richard Havenick, and Doug Epperhart.

Despite the bevy of candidates in this year’s race in Coastal San Pedro, there are two slates comprised of candidates combined. One slate includes incumbent vice president James Baeza and board members Adele Healy, George Palaziol. The other includes former Coastal president Doug Epperhart and vice president Robert Gelfand, and board members Louis Dominguez, Lydia Gutierrez, Shannon Ross, Ray Medak, Richard Havenick, Robert Brandin and Dean Pentcheff.

The most interesting change is that Coastal board President James Dimon is running for the Central Neighborhood Council board instead. He is part of a slate comprised of leaders that emerged during the reaction to the rise of homelessness at the edge of San Pedro’s downtown core.

Once the 17 board members are elected, the newly elected will select the board’s officers.

To vote, stakeholders must be at least 18 years old, provide proof of stakeholder status.

A stakeholder is one that lives, works or owns property in the neighborhood. A stakeholder, according to Coastal Neighborhood Council bylaws, is also “one who declares a stake in the neighborhood as a community interest stakeholder, defined as a person who affirms a substantial and ongoing participation within the neighborhood council’s boundaries and who may be in a community organization such as, but not limited to, educational, non-profit and/or religious organizations.”

Proof of stakeholder status for community interest stakeholders must be consistent with and substantially equivalent to the evidentiary proof required of stakeholders who live, work or own property.

DEMOCRACY STARTS WITH YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

The United Slate of Candidates is not a single-issue group.

We serve the many and varied interests and concerns of the diverse stakeholders in the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council District.

We live, work or own property and businesses here. Eleven of us call the CeSPNC District home, six of us own businesses or work for businesses located in the CeSPNC District.

Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council Elections

VOTE ON JUNE 7 VOTE FROM 4 - 8 PM AT:

Anderson Senior Center 828 S. Mesa St., San Pedro Cabrillo Street Elementary School 732 S. Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro Rancho San Pedro 275 W. 1st St., San Pedro

Time:11a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21 Venue: Point Fermin Park, 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro

vote for this SLATE of CANDIDATES —Current president, business 4 James Preston Allen ** † owner and Central SP resident

4 Frank Anderson—Current port chair, Central SP resident 4 Rachel Bruhnke—Teacher, POLA High School, Central SP resident

transportation, access and mobility specialist and Central SP resident

4 Carrie Scoville –Current board member, stakeholder, work force development director—transportation and logistics

4 Jane Castillo—Central SP resident, Neighborhood Watch

The Local Publication You Actually Read

4 Kenneth Collins—Math tutor, Central SP resident 4 Christian Guzman—Stakeholder 4 Alexander Hall —Community organizer, Central SP resident 4 Debra A. Hunter—Current board member, business owner,

block captain

4 Khixaan Obioma-Sakhu—Current secretary of board,.

Central SP resident

4 Ivan Sulic—Stakeholder, government representative, Central SP resident **

www.CentralSanPedroUnited.com

*Primary Election Day. Some precincts will have Central SP Neighborhood Council voting. **Endorsed by Congresswoman Janice Hahn. † Endorsed by Assemblyman Warren Furutani.

May 12 - 25, 2016

4 ARMY LINDERBORG—Central SP resident 4 Joe Lazo—Central SP resident

7

Saving San Pedro (or the Nation) From Itself For every human problem there is a humane solution James Preston Allen, Publisher

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

It’s happening across the country—a populist backlash from the right and the left—the flames of which are nipping at the heels of marginalized communities, whether they’re immigrants, Muslim, transgender or homeless or a part of the billionaire class or the corrupt Wall Street bankers and brokers. Both sides of this populist uprising can be heard via social media and other media outlets during this presidential election cycle.

The cacophony of narratives and counter narratives of conservative and progressive authenticity has become only slightly less chaotic with the elimination of 16 GOP rivals from our rather curious primary election system.

It has often been said that all politics is local and it can’t get any more local than at any of the 95 neighborhood councils in Los Angeles that are also having their elections this month and next.

There are 33 and 35 candidates respectively running for Central’s and Coastal’s Neighborhood Council’s 17 seats—vying for the privilege to donate hours of unpaid service to democratically represent stakeholders in a body that has no more than an “advisory” role in city politics.

In the interest of transparency, I am one of those candidates running for reelection to the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council. I have also been a target for some people who claim they are “Saving San Pedro.” This phrase sounds a similar note as Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again,” suggesting that San Pedro is in decline if not in some state of arrested development. In a political climate such as this, theirs is a great political slogan.

Slogans, however, are not platforms.

Nor are they an agenda that can accomplish anything. They are, at their root, a form of political propaganda intended to encapsulate an idea to motivate voters or to deceive them.

Yet, so much of what is behind both Trump and the creators of Saving San Pedro– a Facebook group that rose up against the San Pedro homeless advocates and then belatedly filed for non-profit status– is a fear of all the things they don’t understand, be it immigrants or the homeless.

Both the Trumpites and our local Savers are nativist, NIMBY reactions to serious

Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com

May 12 - 25, 2016

8

economic conditions that are more complex and harder to solve than building a wall on a border or deploying the police to evict homeless encampments from public spaces. Anyone who knows anything on either subject will tell you that you can’t arrest your way out of illegal immigration or homelessness.

Yet, that’s mostly what’s being done about the homeless in Los Angeles City Council District 15, with the exception of the work done by Harbor Interfaith Services’ workers and two LAPD quality of life officers.

Since last August, when our Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council brought the plight of our unsheltered neighbors to the attention of the community and all of Los Angeles, Councilman Joe Buscaino quickly held a community forum on the subject and appointed a taskforce.

Unfortunately, that task force held private meetings and didn’t include anyone from our neighborhood council and has yet to issue a report of its findings or even an action plan on dealing with our rather small, yet growing homeless population.

Despite Buscaino’s enforcement approach and the Los Angeles City Council promising but not producing $100 million to address homelessness, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced May 9 that the number of homeless in Council District 15 rose from 1,544 in 2015 to 1,773 this year.

Several of the San Pedro Savers are on Buscaino’s taskforce and as I’ve said before, they have yet to come up with a solution other than continued forced evictions and prohibiting the feeding of the homeless in public parks.

Are you serious, you might ask? Sure, a small number of homeless people have been given assistance yet it is obvious by the increase that this clearly isn’t enough.

The Savers have been very bold on shaming the homeless on their favorite medium, Facebook.

Shouting down anyone who challenges them there and confiscating unprotected shopping carts while claiming that “all the homeless are criminals or drug addicts.”

The statistics from the recent homeless count prove these allegations untrue, as mental illness tops the list and substance abuse comes in third just above domestic violence. Several of the Saving San Pedro folks, along with Buscaino are in the process of being sued for harassment and

Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya Managing Editor

“A newspaper is not just for reporting the news as it Terelle Jerricks is, but to make people mad enough to do someeditor@randomlengthsnews.com thing about it.”

—Mark Twain Senior Editor Vol. XXXVII : No. 10 Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson and Long Beach. Distributed at over 350 locations throughout the Harbor Area.

Paul Rosenberg Assistant Editor Zamná Ávila zamna@randomlengthsnews.com

one of them, Joanne Rallo, is due back in court May 20 on a restraining order.

While the challenge of homelessness has become a greater problem all across America, with Los Angeles County being the epicenter, it is not a singular problem solved with a simple solution especially with the decline in affordable housing, the loss of good middle class jobs, the pressure to gentrify neighborhoods and a flat-line growth in real wages for over three decades.

Yes, I hear that people are angry and I actually understand that anger. But I don’t go around blaming the victims just to make myself or my neighbors feel better.

I have said this before and I’ll say it again: Conflict precedes resolution. Only

after everybody is done yelling can there be any commitment to resolving a problem. I believe that for every human problem there is a humane solution.

As for now, the lines have been drawn between progressives and nativist populists, and the one solution we have come to embrace since the American Civil War is the ballot box. As you might well suspect, I endorse both the progressive slate at the Coastal and Central neighborhood councils, as well as Bernie Sanders for president. This is the point at which you connect your local interests to the national politics and then recognize that democracy only matters if you show up and vote.

Voting for Empire

The Sole Option for Democrats, Republicans

By Peter Phillips The presidential primaries offer a single choice for both Democrats and Republicans to vote for empire and permanent war.

This year’s entertainment spectacle, what we call Democratic elections, is a particularly gross circus of meaninglessness, misinformation, soundbites and lies. Both parties are in support in the continuation of the US/NATO global empire of permanent war and the protection of the capital of the global 1 percent. Even Bernie Sanders calls for drone strikes and continued war on ISIS and other evil terrorists.

Neo-fascists, racists and misogynistic people are finding new voice with Donald

Columnists/Reporters Lyn Jensen Reporter Christian Guzman Reporter Gina Ruccione Restaurant

Reviewer Andrea Serna Arts Writer Melina Paris Culture Writer Send Calendar Items to: 14days@randomlengthsnews.com Photographers Terelle Jerricks, Phillip Cooke

Design/Production Suzanne Matsumiya Advertising Representatives David S. Johnson rlnsales@randomlengthsnews.com Rich Hoogs sales1@randomlengthsnews.com Editorial Intern Arlo Tinsman-Kongshaug, Mike Botica

Contributors Greggory Moore, Joseph Baroud, Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Peter Phillips Classifieds (310) 519-1016 Cartoonists www.randomlengthsnews.com Ann Cleaves, Andy Singer, Matt Wuerker

Trump’s presidential bid. Neo-conservatives and fundamentalists found hope with Ted Cruz.

Moderates, liberals and women see Hillary Clinton as a chance for Supreme Court balance and gender equality, and left-leaning liberals are cheering for democratic socialist Sanders to save our economy by breaking up big banks and restoring trust in government.

The mobilization of millions of young people in support of Sanders offers them a hope of real change, similar to the false hope millions expressed eight years ago. None of the candidates above offer any solutions for the permanent war [See Empire, page 9]

Random Lengths News editorial office is located at 1300 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731, (310) 519-1016. Address correspondence regarding news items and news tips only to Random Lengths News, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733-0731, or email to editor @randomlengthsnews.com.

Send Letters to the Editor or requests for subscription information to james @ randomlengthsnews.com. To be considered for publication, all Letters to the Editor should be typewritten, must be signed, with address and phone number included (these will not be published, but for verification only) and be kept to about 250 words. To submit advertising copy email rlnsales@randomelengthsnews.com or reads@randomlengthsnews.com.

Extra copies and back issues are available by mail for $3 per copy while supplies last. Subscriptions are available for $36 per year for 27 issues.

Random Lengths News presents issues from an alternative perspective. We welcome articles and opinions from all people in the Harbor Area. While we may not agree with the opinions of contributing writers, we respect and support their 1st Amendment right to express those opinions. Random Lengths News is a member of Standard Rates and Data Reporting Services and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. (ISN #0891-6627). All contents Copyright 2016 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.

RANDOMLetters End the War on Drugs

If any progressive said “The war on drugs was manufactured to criminalize blacks and protesters”, the comment would have been greeted with scornful denials.

Please note that the source of the following quote is Nixon administration henchman John Ehrlichman. This is not a fantasy.

Ehrlichman actually said: “The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or blacks, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing

[Empire, from page 8]

Empire

on terror, US/NATO presence in 130 countries, massive wasteful spending on arms, neo-liberal economic policies, governmental austerity, global refugees and human rights for the three billion people living on less than $3 a day. None of the above suggests reinstatement of habeas corpus, an expanded Bill of Rights, complete electronic privacy, full governmental transparency, or the bail out of the $1 trillion student loan debt.

The US/NATO global empire is primarily in service to the Transnational Capitalist

Community Alerts

Bernie Sanders Comes to San Pedro May 19

Solar Panel Carport at 22nd Street Park

Alert to voters in the primary ballot. Proposition 50 authorizes to suspend without salaries or benefits.

It authorizes by two-thirds vote and to require member to forfeit salaries and benefits while suspended.

It prohibits suspended members from exercising rights, privileges, duties, or using any legislative privileges while on suspension.

Currently, the California Constitution does not make it clear that legislators can suspend its members without pay.

This issue came to light in 2014, when three state senators were all charged with criminal offenses.

Those members continued

Peter Phillips is a professor of political sociology at Sonoma State University and President of Media Freedom Foundation/ Project Censored.

All Americans should get behind the effort of Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan to keep us safe from foreign terrorists.

The “Social Media Screening for Terrorists Act” (HR 4301) is a common sense measure to require Homeland Security to check social media and the internet before allowing any foreigner to enter the United States. This procedure is even more important now that it has

been documented that the Islamic State planted terrorists among the refugees going to Europe.

With the Obama administration attempting to accelerate the flow of refugees from Syria to the US, we must make every effort to identify those who might be coming with the intent to do us harm.

Thoroughly checking social media should often turn up red flags for those whose beliefs and attitudes threaten our safety.

Peter J. Thomas Chairman, Americans for Constitutional Liberty Warrenton, VA

May 12 - 25, 2016

both their elite status and their increasing vulnerabilities to democracy movements and unrest from the bottom. As a result of these class insecurities, the Transnational Capitalist Class works to protect its structure of concentrated wealth with military might. Protection of capital is the prime reason that NATO countries now account for 85 percent of the world’s defense spending, with the United States spending more on military than the rest of the world combined.

Fears of rebellions motivated by inequality and other forms of unrest push the US/NATO global agenda in the war on terror. Mass media owned by the Transnational Capitalist Class continues to promote the fear of terrorism as a form of hegemonic mind control.

The concentration of global capital, permanent war, and deliberate destabilization of economies is designed to pit working people against each other and protect global capital.

The ultimate goal of capital is the building of a privatized neo-feudal police states, where individual countries are population containment zones and capital is free to go unrestricted anywhere in the world.

Democracy-occupy movements are emerging as a counter to centralized global capital. Knowing the war on terror is a fraud designed to keep us quiet is one step towards challenging the 1%. We need to collectively seek solidarity with working people worldwide in an unrelenting movement for democracy, human rights, peace and equality.

Background Checks Must Include Social Media

On May 19, the Harbor Commission will hosting a public hearing on permit for carport outfitted with solar panels at 22nd Street park.

Anyone who is interested in the item is invited to attend that board meeting and speak at the appropriate time. If for some reason the item comes off the Harbor Commission agenda, we will advise.

Time: 8:30a.m., May 19 Venue: Port Administrative Bldg, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro

Class not the people of the United State or the installed president in Washington. These few thousand people controlling global capital amount to less than 0.0001 percent of the world’s population. The Transnational Capitalist Class, as the capitalist elite of the world, dominate nation states through international treaty agreements and transnational state organizations such as the Work Bank, Bank for International Settlements and the International Monetary Fund.

The Transnational Capitalist Class communicates its policy requirements through global networks such as the G-7, G-20 and various non-governmental policy organizations like the Word Economic Forum, Trilateral Commission and the Bilderberger Group. Presidents and presidential candidates listen to the Transnational Capitalist Class or they will not be allowed into office. Rigged elections, assassinations and October surprises are in the tool kit of the Transnational Capitalist Class and deep state powers.

The Transnational Capitalist Class represents the interests of several hundred thousand millionaires and billionaires who comprise the richest people in the top one percent of the world’s wealth hierarchy.

A few thousand inside the Transnational Capitalist Class manage more than $100 trillion of capital. Ironically, this extreme accumulation of concentrated capital at the top creates a continuing problem for the TCC, who must continually scour the world for new investment opportunities that will yield adequate returns (7 to 10 percent).

The Transnational Capitalist Class are keenly aware of

Proposition 50

to receive their salaries of more than $95,000 per year because it was not clear that legislators had the authority that they had could suspend their pay and privileges.

This incident frustrated lawmakers and angered the public, who saw it as another way lawmakers are shielded from the consequences of their own actions and play by a different set of rules than everyone else.

Bonnie Christensen San Pedro

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is coming to San Pedro on May 19. The time has yet to be announced and those wishing to find out more information should stop by the Sanders headquarters on Sixth Street at the old Williams Book store for more information.

Venue: at the Harry Bridges monument at 5th street and Harbor Blvd., San Pedro.

both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

Sadly not much has changed since Nixon left office. Now the purpose of the: “war on drugs” is to meet the quotas of the “private (for profit) prisons” that demand a body count in their contracts.

It is as bogus now as it was decades ago. The horror is not only the tens of thousands of mostly brown and black men caught up in this scheme but also the MILLIONS of dollars spent on police, prosecutors and prisons instead of schools, healthcare and infrastructure.

END THE WAR ON DRUGS NOW! Diane Middleton San Pedro

9

[Slavery, from page 1]

AP REPORTS: SLAVERY ON THE HIGH SEAS

May 12 - 25, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

The AP identifies the Indonesian island village, Benjina, as a haven, and to a degree, the heart of a human trafficking ring in Southeast Asia. The crackdown by authorities made the ring scatter, extending the time it would take to free the remaining enslaved fishermen.

The journalists talked to more than 40 current and former slaves in Benjina, during the course of their investigation, revealing how entire supply lines are tainted by slave labor while major corporate beneficiaries wouldn’t comment on the record. They only issued statements condemning the labor abuses.

They also talked to escaped slaves living in the interior island’s dense forests. The runaways survived by foraging for food and collecting rain water, all the while living in constant fear of hired slave catchers.

The newswire service also talked to officials in law enforcement, the government and suppliers (at least the ones willing to speak) in Indonesia.

The AP also spoke with officials in the U.S. State Department.

Several independent seafood distributors, like Stavis Seafood and Santa Monica Seafood did comment, describing the costly and exhaustive steps taken to ensure their supplies are clear of slave labor.

The slaves who were interviewed recounted being forced to drink unclean water and work 20 to 22 hours shifts with no days off. Almost all of them reported that they had been kicked, whipped with toxic stingray tails or otherwise beaten if they complained or tried to rest.

Consisting of two small islands separated by

10

men fell asleep on the deck. As punishment, their captain used a motorbike to drive them to a hill above the port. They were handcuffed together and placed in front of an Indonesian flag. Then, they were punched in the face and kicked until they collapsed. The “enforcer” kept kicking them as they lay on the ground.

The rescue came after Indonesian officials interviewed the fishermen and confirmed the abuse reported in AP’s story—a story that also included video of eight men locked in a cage and a slave graveyard. Indonesian officials ultimately rescued 320 people.

Story Three

Fishermen slaves live and work in deplorable, unsafe conditions for years. Photo courtesy of Environmental Justice Foundation, www.ejfoundation.org

a 5-minute boat ride, the picture AP painted of Benjina was that of a regional Banana Republic in South East Asia with Pusaka Benjina Resources as the main villain, complete with a five-story office compound and slave-pen cages.

Story Two

In the second story of its series, the AP reported the rescue of 300 slaves from Benjina.

This was reported 11 days after their first story

was published, and included vivid detail of the experiences of three slaves, Win Win Ko, Saw Eail Htoo and Myo Naing.

Ko had four teeth missing, the result of a fish boat captain kicking him in the mouth.

Htoo and Naing recounted being abused and tormented by a man known as the “enforcer.”

During one particular incident, after Htoo and Naing were at sea for three months, working with only two to four hours of sleep a night, the two

The third story in the AP investigative series is a report on how the United States permits fish imports caught by slaves to come into the country, despite the law. The Associated Press found that the United States has not enforced a law banning the import of goods made with forced labor since 2000 because of significant loopholes.

The AP also found that the United States has not slapped Thailand with the same kind of sanctions that it has against other countries with similar records on human trafficking. This is due to a complicated political relationship that includes cooperation against terrorism.

Among the complications in U.S. regulatory policy: To start an investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection needs to receive a petition from anyone—a business, an agency, even a non-citizen—showing “reasonably but not conclusively” that imports were made, at least in part, with forced labor. A spokesman for the Customs department said they had only received [See Slavery, page 11]

means that even with the men located, bringing them to safety may prove elusive.

In the follow up story published three days later, the AP reported on the second attempted rescue of enslaved fishermen and the capture of other fishing boats using slave labor. Eight fishermen were set free while the remaining boats were forced to go on the run.

[Slavery from page 10]

Slavery

a handful of petitions and none pointing to seafood from Thailand.

Goods made with forced labor must be allowed into the United States if consumer demand cannot be met without them. Proving fish in a particular container is tainted by slave labor is nearly impossible, since different batches generally mix together at processing plants.

Thailand has been a U.S. ally dating back to the Vietnam War and is considered a critical ally in the war on terrorism. Thailand is an emerging regional counterweight to China.

In each story, the AP repeated the documentation of the conditions under which these enslaved fishermen lived: held in cages, beaten beyond human dignity and buried under fake names to ensure that the victims could never be found.

The AP also made sure to repeatedly document how the fishermen were enslaved [See Slavery, page 19]

Story Four

The fourth story in the AP’s investigative series could have been named “22 Years a Slave.” The story documented Myint Naing’s real life tale of hope, despair and redemption.

Naing, left home at the age of 18 to earn money for his poverty-stricken family. The journey took him thousands of miles away from his family.

This caused him to miss births, deaths, marriages and the unlikely transition of his country from a dictatorship to a democracy.

Naing’s story also links the vagaries of overfishing and its consequences with the labor abuse and human trafficking. It’s apparent that Naing is the cost paid for First World nation’s insatiable appetite for processed seafood.

Story Five

In the fifth story of its 10-part series, the Associated Press tracked down the fish trawlers that escaped the crackdown reported on in its second story to Papua New Guinea.

The AP accomplished the feat through the

Human trafficking and slave labor are a structural part of Thailand’s seafood industry. Photo courtesy of Environmental Justice Foundation, www.ejfoundation.org

accounts of returned slaves, satellite beacon tracking, government records, and interviews with business insiders and fishing licenses. Further confirmation was achieved through images taken by one of the world’s highest resolution satellite cameras.

Through the their reporting, AP documented how the trawlers were able evade detection, noting that even though skippers changed the names and flags of their ships, hiding in the world’s broad oceans is easy.

There, traffickers operate in an environment where boundaries are fluid, and laws are few and rarely enforced. The traffickers have depleted fish stocks, which have pushed boats farther out into the ungoverned seas.

The AP noted that this lack of regulation

The Local Publication You Actually Read

May 12 - 25, 2016

11

Sumo Star Hopes to Make His Mark in Long Beach

By Joseph Baroud, Contributing Writer

May 12 - 25, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

Roy Sims, hoping that his success will help propel sumo wrestling in the United States, will compete in the 16th Annual U.S. Sumo Open National Championships, May 21, at Walter Pyramid at Cal State University Long Beach.

With a couple of medals under his belt—or around his neck—you would think Sims has already been wrestling for many years. But Sims stepped into the sumo circle, which is called a dohyo, only two years ago and already has helped put the United States on the map.

At 34, Sims won a bronze medal at the Sumo U.S. Open in 2013 and a gold medal in his weight class—the heaviest one available—in 2015. It’s odd that someone would take up a sport at 34 and be dominant enough to take home medals at national championships. That is because he was an athlete preceding his sumo career.

Sims made up his mind about the sport he wanted to play because of his body type and 376pund frame—some being fat, a lot being muscle.

He couldn’t find another sport he would be able to excel in at his weight class.

“I wanted to continue to do sports,” Sims said. “ I’ve always thought about sumo being a really amazing, traditional sport.”

In the past, Sims played football and competed in mixed martial arts, judo and jiujitsu. He believes that football played the biggest part in his success as a sumo wrestler. Playing on the defensive line consisted of practicing and training that involved a lot of heavy pushing, pulling and moving opponents out of the way to eliminate. It was as if he had an early lead when he began, seeing that training for sumo wrestling

12

involved a similar workout.

Sumo is a big sport with a long history in Japan and Mongolia. It began in Japan as a form of martial arts. It was used as a trial of strength in combat and also has a tradition in Japan’s imperial courts. Representatives from each province were summoned to wrestle at the court. Sumo has also been used as a ritual dance where participants wrestle with a divine spirit and the ritual comes in the form of the individual’s movements.

Sumo’s origins go back at least 1,500 years. Sims said the sport’s tradition is one of the aspects that attracted him. If the U.S. sumo wrestling community continues its success, then it can build a rich and extensive tradition of its own and attract more Americans to it.

“We got all these great guys that people can start to get behind and I think that’s making it more popular here,” Sims said. “You got your own guys from your own country dominating a sport, that’s about 1,500 years old. Plus, you got people like Andrew, who’s really supporting us and because of that, people get an opportunity to look at [the sport]. And when you see it, you’re like, ‘Wow! This is a really fun sport to watch.’”

Andrew Freund is Sims’ manager. He helps with locating and signing him up for events and tournaments.

“For the longest time, the international community really dominated even the U.S. Open,” Sims said. “Last year was the first year an American, myself, won the U.S. Open category.”

Sumo wrestling lacks the major popularity in the United States that exists in other countries due

Ramy Elgazar, of Egypt, Roy Sims, an American, and Byambajav Ulambavar, of Mongolia, share the stage as the top three heavy division champions at the 2015 U.S. Sumo Open at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach. Photo courtesy of Libby Sims.

to financial reasons. Wrestlers have to spend time and energy raising money in order to compete.

The wrestler must work in order to sustain a living, while wrestling on the side.

That takes away from a wrestler’s energy and time to train. It also leaves them incapable of competing in some events because they lack the funds necessary to cover the registration costs and other costs related to competing in a tournament spanning a few days. This is contrary to wrestlers in some countries where they can focus only on competing.

“The hardest part is that it’s not a predominantly accepted sport in America,” Sims said. “So, financially, a lot of the burden gets placed on the athletes. Most athletes here [who] are sumo wrestlers are really paying their own way in and are competing at high levels against countries where that’s their job, that’s what they do.

“They don’t have normal jobs like us Americans, where we work 9 to 5, then we train.

They wake up and they’re doing sumo wrestling and we’re going against those guys. That’s probably the hardest thing.”

Sims has help in this area. He describes as being the toughest. Sims said he receives monetary support from people in his community of Hollister, Calif. Lacking proper sponsors and coaches renders Sims at a disadvantage compared with other international competitors. America loves rooting for the underdog though, especially if it’s one of their own.

“I have an amazing community where I come from,” Sims said. “And so, for the most part, my small community has sponsored me and allowed me to continue. There’s not major sponsorships, there’s not major companies coming into it.

Maybe on a small degree for the sumo open itself, but not on an athlete base, it’s just not there yet, here in the United States.”

Sims trains with other top wrestlers in absence of a coach. He said he’s developed good enough relationships to be able to get by without one, but would jump on the opportunity to have one.

It’s key to train with someone who understands the mechanics of the sport, to work with someone who knows the proper technique and who is familiar with the way you’re going to be moving your body when you’re wrestling.

Since he has began wrestling, his training has focused more on building muscle mass and less on cardio.

His training regimen for the tournament consists of judo once a week, yoga at least once a week and weight training five or six times a week. He also cross trains, consisting of various physical activities, such as playing basketball, hiking and even doing yard work. He exercises his mind and soul, spiritually, by meditating and paying homage to the sumo wrestling gods.

His wife, Libby, helps keep his life and career in order. She arranges his scheduling, sets up his appointments and manages all of the fundraising.

Sims couldn’t do that and maintain a top-notch, professional sumo wrestling career.

Sims has a bachelor’s degree in exercise psychology, from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., and is an information technology director. He enjoys the mentally stimulating pace that being an IT director involves. He said it helps him stay sharp in the dohyo. He wants to open his own gym, with a dohyo, one day and invite big name wrestlers and fighters that do grappling and sumo to spar and train.

Catch Sims competing in the U.S. Open at the Walter Pyramid, CSULB from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21. Admission ranges between $35 and $120. Almost 60 competitors will square off in more than 150 matches.

Lee Blessing’s A Walk in the Woods gets a stiff rendering

By Greggory Moore, Theater Columnist

In the 1960s fear and ideology brought the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics perilously close to nuclear war. But rather than responding to such brinksmanship by backing away from the precipice, both countries responded by raising the stakes, building up their arsenals to the point of being able destroy the entire planet many times over.

Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, both nations regularly

met to negotiate agreements, pacts and treaties meant to curb their mad arms race. A Walk in the Woods, Lee Blessing’s fictionalized account of four conversations between two lead negotiators early in the Mikhail Gorbachev era, posits the possibility that it was all for show.

John (David Nevell) is new to the negotiating table — at least on this level. He is eager to dig right in and make progress where his predecessors have failed. But Andrey (Tony Abatemarco) has been there and done that. He brought his American counterpart to a Swiss thicket to develop a friendship and admire the peaceful beauty that surrounds them. The difference [See Walk in the Woods, page 16]

NOW OPEN ON

SUNDAYS

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Tony Abatemarco and David Nevell in A Walk in the Woods at International City Theatre. Photo

by Tracey Roman

From 8 am to 8 pm

EST. 1988

LIVE MUSIC THURSDAYS If It’s Thursday, It’s Beach City Grill!

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 376 W. 6th St., San Pedro • (424) 287-0645 • www.BeachCityGrill.net Tues. & Wed. 6 am-8 pm • Thurs.-Sat. 6 am-9 pm • Sun. 8 am-8 pm • Mon. gone fishin’

May May12 12- -25, 25,2016 2016

The South Bay’s Premiere Cajun-Carribean-Cuban Restaurant

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L’Opera:

Fine Italian Dining in Long Beach

May12 12- 25, - 25,2016 2016 May

Serving the AND Seven Communities of Cuisine the Harbor Area INDEPENDENT FREE >> Arts • • Entertainment

By Gina Ruccione, Cuisine and Restaurant Writer

14

Wants, needs and cravings vacillate with varying moods, but one thing we can all agree upon is that service rules.

At L’Opera in downtown Long Beach, the service is extraordinary.

These are not young college students waiting tables between midterms. These are restaurant industry professionals and people who absolutely love what they do — not easy to find in any industry.

These people provide a heightened attention to detail and willingness to please. I have never experienced that in any other restaurant, ever.

I’m hardly a pretentious foodie, but when I go out to eat I bring expectations. When it comes to food and service there should be no room for error, especially not on Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach.

The area has essentially branded itself as restaurant row. There’s just too much competition to get away with subpar food or bad service.

L’Opera’s reputation precedes it: excellent food, amazing service and beautiful atmosphere.

With a staggering list of accolades from various publications and organizations, there’s a reason L’Opera is synonymous with fine dining and participates in events like the Long Beach Grand Cru— the annual wine competition and tasting event that caters to the upper echelon. Not to mention, many of the Long Beach Grand Prix race car drivers are piled in there before and after races.

Executive Chef Walter Cotta has been at L’Opera for more than 25 years, recreating traditional Northern Italian fare, with the same joie de vivre he’s had since the very beginning.

Unlike many chefs, Cotta is willing to go off menu to cater to his regulars—a rarity in the restaurant business. It’s more common to see a chef throw a plate at a wall than accommodate menu changes and substitutions.

Of course, I don’t recommend you order off menu. In fact, there are many dishes I would recommend like the butternut squash ravioli in a light but spicy marinara with fried sage. This is a well known dish in most Italian restaurants, but rarely do I see a butternut ravioli accompanied with anything other than a brown butter sauce.

I was skeptical at first, but I enjoyed it immensely. The daily specials shouldn’t be missed either. They might not all boast traditional Italian flavors, but they are crowd favorites and utilize seasonal ingredients. The octopus and scallop carpaccio was exceptional—think blood orange slices, basil oil, chili salt and crushed walnuts. This is not on the menu, but damn, it should be! It’s one

Top, L’Opera owner Terrence Antonelli and General Manager Nicole Lira. Photo by Phillip Cooke. Above, tomato, tofu and grilled eggplant entrée. File photo.

of those dishes you think about after the fact and days later still makes you smile.

Cotta isn’t the only permanent fixture at the restaurant. Most of the staff has been there for decades, not to be confused with bitter old servers shuffling around in orthopedic shoes as they pour lukewarm cups of decaf coffee. In true Italian [See L’Opera, page 17]

Mæry Queens Sinks the Ship before it Sails

By Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor

I love Long Beach! From its geographic and cultural diversity to its “chill” environment, Long Beach is the place I’ve called home for quite a long time.

It’s surprising to me that the beach city, so rich in stories, is so often eclipsed by the larger metropolis. This is especially true when it comes to Long Beach-centric media content. Most people only know Long Beach for its iconic Queen Mary.

Yet, the city offers much more than the big ship.

So, when I received a very well written press release about a webisode series that was to spotlight the gay life in Long Beach, I was ecstatic.

“Finally, someone decided to give Long Beach its due recognition,” I thought.

Mæry Queens (a wordplay on the mispronunciation of Queen Mary) promised to do just that by using the viewpoint of a foreigner to tell the stories of a local gay group. Mæry Queens bills itself as a dramedy, which the director, Henry Corzo, likened to Desperate Housewives.

“It’s a perfect feature for our Pride edition,” I pitched to my editor.

Well, not quite.

The producers and actors had good intentions when it came to this venture, but after reviewing a few of the 6-minute webisodes I came to the conclusion that Mæry Queens sunk the ship before it sailed. In its premise and storyline, character development and cinematography, the Web series fails to produce an authentic reflection of the city.

It does not bring me pleasure to give a bad review, especially when it comes to local independent works from good people. Moreover, when I attended the premiere of the series April 30 at the Silver Fox in Long Beach, I realized that some of the people involved in the project were

ENTERTAINMENT

old friends and acquaintances.

Like many low-budget productions, the cinematography is not exceptional. Some footage is shaky. And, because the director seemed to be using one camera to film footage in one day, scenes such as one by the pool lacked continuity and flow. This could have been circumvented by taking multiple shots. The better shots are in the flashback scenes, which you can tell took more effort. The music, which is reminiscent of 70s porn, also overwhelmed much of the footage. Yet, those details pale in comparison to the storyline’s shortcomings.

The plot, which tries to take on race, surrogacy and relationship issues, is built around a who dunnit kidnapping of … wait for it … a cat!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I think of my own pet as family and pet kidnappings have happened in Long Beach. The problem with this premise is that it uses the catnapping as an anchor for the side stories.

Mæry Queens also suffers from amateur bad acting. It’s so bad, I often wondered if it was a purposeful attempt at humor. I imagine that finding actors for an independent venture is not cost effective. One solution would be to seek out acting students from local colleges who would gladly work to primp up their resumes. One filmaker even suggested finding a casting director.

Beyond the excusable bad acting, the characters are cliché, stereotypical and a plastic representation of other (pardon my bias) communities — not Long Beach. The only way you knew this was a made-in- Long Beach product were the intro scenes with the Queen Mary, a flashback shot of the Silver Fox bar and dialogue [See Mæry Queens, page 16]

In the days leading up to 2016 Long Beach Pride, residents of every segment of the city are displaying solidarity and pride.

May 14

North Long Beach Pride Come out for a free celebration in North Long Beach in honor of Pride Month.

Time: 2 to 7 p.m. May 14 Cost: Free Details: www.centerlb.org Venue: Uptown Bar and Grill, 2421 E. Artesia Blvd., Long Beach

Pink Party Pink Party is the traditional kickoff event for Long Beach’s Pride festival. It’s a benefit for the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. It promises to be big, fabulous and full of pink fun.

Time: 7 to 10 p.m. May 20 Cost: $20 to $75 Details: www.centerlb.org/pinkparty Venue: WE Labs at the Packard, 205 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

May 21

Long Beach Pride Festival The annual Pride festival will feature Neon Trees, Ricky Rebel, Saxiual Deviants and Alexx Mack.

Time: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 21, and 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 22 Cost: $20 Details: www.longbeachpride.com/parade Venue: Shoreline Drive, Long Beach

Arturo Sandoval The trumpet legend can burn through an AfroCuban groove, tear up a bebop tune, soar over a Mozart concerto and sooth the soul with a luscious ballad.

Time: 8 p.m. May 14 Cost: $30 Details: www.carpenterarts.org Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach

Beth Rohde & Friends An intimate evening of jazz standards with noted South Bay vocalist Beth Rohde, the Alex Smith Trio and friends including additional vocals by Jamey Schrick.

Time: 8 p.m. May 21 Cost: $20 to $120 Details: www.grandvision.org Venue: 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

May 15

Michael Sessions Sextet Michael Sessions and his band play some jazz. So, don’t forget to bring your ears.

Time: 9 p.m. May 21 Cost: $7 Details: (562) 522-8488; http:// seabirdjazzloungelbc.com Venue: Roscoe’s Seabird Lounge, 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach

Hal Willis Band The band will feature musical guest Robin Fellows.

Time: 4 to 8 p.m. May 15 Cost: Free Details: (562) 522-8488; http:// seabirdjazzloungelbc.com Venue: Roscoe’s Seabird Lounge, 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach

Alphonse Mouzon Enjoy a night of all-star jazz and funk.

Time: 9 to 11 p.m. May 28 Cost: $20 to $30 Details: (562) 432-5240 Venue: Roscoe’s Seabird Lounge, 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach

Caveman Voicebox Emerging from the sunny streets of Los Angeles, Caveman Voicebox finds itself with just the right mix of car culture, stripper ethics and blue-collar fury to bring a smile to just about anyone’s face.

Time: 6 p.m. May 15 Cost: $5 Details: http://longbeach.harvelles.com Venue: Harvelles, 201 E. Broadway, Long Beach

May 17

Comedy, Burlesque Harvelle’s is striving to bring back the variety show format with a weekly comedy and burlesque night, putting together stand-up comedians and sultry striptease dancers in a vintage environment. If you come be at least 21.

Time: 8 p.m. May 17 Cost: $10 Details: http://longbeach.harvelles.com/ Venue: Harvelles, 201 E. Broadway, Long Beach

May 19

DSB: An American Journey This tribute to Journey has been called the “next best thing” to the well-remembered San Francisco Bay area band. DSB has captured the lush, signature voice of Steve Perry and his backing musicians in their prime.

Time: 8 p.m. May 19 Cost: $25 Details: www.grandvision.org Venue: 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro Rory Sheldon with Intercession Rory Sheldon is what you want, if you want something smooth and funky with some old school soul.

Time: 9 p.m. May 19 Cost: $10 Details: (562) 522-8488: http:// seabirdjazzloungelbc.com Venue: Roscoe’s Seabird Lounge, 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach

May 20

Hollywood Stones Turns out you actually can get some sa-tis-faction. Let Los Angeles’ premiere Rolling Stones Tribute band treat you right all night long. That is, unless you’re not at least 21 years old.

May 28

COMMUNITY May 14

5th Annual West Coast BBQ Classic The Queen Mary’s heritage may be tea and crumpets, but during the last few years the ol’ gal has become a well-regarded destination when you’ve got a hankerin’ for barbecue, at least when the West Coast BBQ Classic comes to Long Beach.

Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 14.

Cost: $25 to $40 Details: http://queenmary.com Venue: 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach Long Beach Lawn to Garden Tour Don’t miss this once-per-year free opportunity to visit more than 30 newly transformed California-friendly gardens. See a tremendous variety of beautiful plants and landscape designs, and speak with the “expert” homeowners about how they designed, installed and maintain their highly successful lawn-to-garden project.

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14 Cost: Free Details: http://tinyurl.com/lawntogarden Venue: 1800 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach Farmer’s Market Check out produce grown within 10 blocks of the market at The Corner Store.

Time: 10 to 12 p.m. May 14 Cost: Free Details: www.GreenGirlFarms.org Venue: The Corner Store, 1118 W. 37th St., San Pedro Endangered Species Day Learn about marine animals designated as endangered and how they are doing.

Time: 11 a.m. May 14 Cost: Free Details: (310) 548-7562; www.

CarbrilloMarineAquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro

May 18

New Long Beach Song Debuts On May 18, the Pacific Avenue Arts Colony will present The City of Long Beach, a [See Calendar, page 16]

May 12 - 25, 2016

May 20

Long Beach 4th Annual Dyke March The goal of a Dyke March is to increase lesbian visibility and support the rights of all women regardless of labels.

Time: 7 p.m. May 20

The After Party The After Party is a breast cancer benefit with all the proceeds going to the Los Angeles Pink Dragons.

The After Party will rock with the Doll Parts.

Time: 8 p.m. May 20 Cost: Free Details: denisepenn@aol.com Venue: Paradise Bar, 1800 E. Broadway, Long Beach

May 14

May 21

Pride Gospel Fest Enjoy of an evening of gospel music and join in the pride celebration at Grace United Methodist Church.

Time: 6 p.m. May 14 Cost: Free Details: http://longbeachpride.com/2016-prideweek-events Venue: Grace United Methodist Church, 2325 E. 3rd St., Long Beach

Cost: Free Details: www.facebook.com/ LongBeachDykeMarch Venue: Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., Long Beach

May 13

School of Rock Gary Wright and Grammy winning rockers Stone Temple Pilots: Robert DeLeo, Dean DeLeo and Eric Kretz play a one-night-only concert for the students of South Shores Magnet School.

Time: 7 p.m. May 13 Cost: $25 to $100 Details: www.grandvision.org Venue: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Time: 9 p.m. May 20 Cost: $10 Details: (310) 324-4384 ext. 239 Venue: The Alpine Village, 833 Torrance Blvd,, Torrance

The Local Publication You Actually Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment >> INDEPENDENT ANDRead FREE

Long Beach Pride 2016 Teen Pride Picnic Family and friends of all the rainbow’s colors are invited to spend are free day at Bixby Park.

Time: 1 to 5 p.m. May 14 Cost: Free Details: www.longbeachpride.com/parade Venue: Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., Long Beach

Arts Cuisine Entertainment May 12 - 25 • 2016

15

[Calendar, from page 15]

Arts Cuisine Entertainment May 12 - 25 • 2016

song written by Helene Weinberg, It is being performed by the city’s senior residents and students from the Renaissance School of the Arts. The performance will take place school’s art show reception, “A Stroke of Nature.”

Time: 5 to 7 p.m. May 18 Cost: Free Details: (310) 499-3288 Venue: Renaissance High School, 200 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

May 21

Sirens Welcomes LA Poet Laureate Los Angeles Poet Laureate, Luis Rodriguez, is set to visit San Pedro and share his poetry, life experiences and writing at Sirens Java and Tea. Rodriguez is a major figure in contemporary Chicano literature. He has received numerous awards. His best-known work, Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A., received the Carl Sandburg Literary Award, among others.

More details about Luis Rodriguez can be found at www.luisjrodriguez.com.

Time: 2 p.m. May 21 Cost: Free Details: (424) 477-5609 Venue: Sirens Java and Tea, 356 W. 7th St., San Pedro

Serving the Seven Communities Harbor INDEPENDENT AND FREE >> Artsof•the Cuisine • Area Entertainment

Wasteland World Car Show This is the world’s first all-post-apocalyptic car show, followed by a Wasteland after-party.

Time: 7 p.m. May 21 Cost: $8 Details: www.wastelandweekend.com/ carshow Venue: The Alpine Village, 833 Torrance Blvd., Torrance Waves ‘N’ Wheels Enjoy free Harbor boat tours at the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington and San Pedro.

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21 Cost: Free Details: www.portoflosangeles.org Venue 1: Banning’s Landing, 100 E. Water St., Wilmington Venue 2: Downtown Harbor, 504 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro Pet Parade Dress up your little sailors and head to the Wilmington Waterfront Park.

Time: 9 to 10 a.m. May 21 Cost: Free Details: www.portoflosangeles.org Venue: Wilmington Waterfront Park, Berths 136-147, Wilmington

May 26

The Queen Mary’s 80th Anniversary Celebration Launched on Scotland’s River Clyde in 1934, the most advanced passenger ship of the era endured more than two years ‘fitting out’ before her maiden voyage began on May 27, 1936. Come aboard and celebrate the Queen Mary’s 80th Maiden Voyage Anniversary.

Time: 6 p.m. May 26 Cost: $45 Details: queenmary.com Venue: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach

THEATER May 13

May May 12 12 -- 25, 25, 2016 2016

Lysistrata Lust, power struggles, and loyalty test both genders in this raucous trip into the past, proving some issues never change. Well, in ancient Greece, a young lady named Lysistrata devises a plan to do just that. Her solution?

Withhold the one thing men care about more than killing the enemy – sex.

Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays; runs through May 28 Cost: $27 Details: http://www.lbplayhouse.org/show/ lysistrata 16 Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E.

Anaheim St., Long Beach

May 14

...on Motherhood!

The Long Beach Community Theater invites you to an evening of real-life storytelling by 14 members. From amateurs to well-seasoned performers, each participant was given the same topic and five minutes (or less) to tell a story using any form of artistic expression they like.

Time: 8 p.m. May 14 Cost: $2 Details: http://tinyurl.com/OnMotherhood Venue: St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 5306 E. Arbor Road, Long Beach

May 15

Musical Theatre West’s Reiner Staged Reading Series The series returns in with On the 20th Century, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. The Reiner’s Reading Series productions are performed concert style, like radio theatre. The shows will be performed in their entirety with the scores performed by a live orchestra, provided

by Los Angeles Musicians Collective.

Time: 7 p.m., May 15, Cost: $32 Details: (562) 856-1999, ext. 4; www.musical.org.

Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach

May 20

The Boy Friend San Pedro youth theatre company, The Troupe, presents a revival of the 1954 musical comedy that was Julie Andrews’ American stage debut; The Boy Friend. Set at Mme. Dubonnet’s School for Young Ladies in the carefree world of the French Riviera, The Boy Friend is a comic pastiche of 1920s-era musicals.

Time: 7 p.m. May 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. May 21 and 22 Cost:$40 to $25 Details: www.troupescoop.com Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Arts

Surface Tension In May, Michael Stearns Studio 347 presents artist John Hillis Sanders in an exhibition titled Surface Tension. John Hillis Sanders’ original works reflect his movement within mediums spawned by necessity and concept. The work continues to grow and alter using space as inspiration. Sanders’ recent work is about using paint to develop a surface of color, tension, and texture on steel.

Time: 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays through May 21 Cost: Free Details: (562) 400-0544; http://johnhillissanders. com Venue: Michael Sterns Studio, 347 W. 7th St., San Pedro Skyline Using emerging patterns and silhouettes and lines curator Ben Zask creates a “skyline” at eyelevel of multi-media works from a large range of artists in the Main Gallery. In the Project Space is Connections by Michael Freitas Wood displays works that mirror the visual complexities of contemporary communications systems. In PET Tracey Weiss uses plastic bottles as a conscious effort to be environmentally responsible but also as a commentary on the plastic itself. Shows run through May 30.

Time: 1-5 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. or by appt.

Details: (310) 429- 0973, www.southbaycontemporary.com Venue: South Bay Contemporary at the LOFT, 401 S. Mesa St, 3rd floor, San Pedro,

[Walk, from page 13]

A Walk in the Woods

is that John believes they can actually make changes that matter. He even bristles at the use of the word “diplomats” to describe them.

“Even if we agree, do you think it will matter?”

Andrey responds. “You and I [may] die in midsentence…right between the words ‘arms’ and ‘control.’”

Unless you count talking, walking and sitting (and 10 seconds of Andrey chasing an unseen rabbit), A Walk in the Woods is devoid of action, so the dialog really needs to kill for the play to be compelling. More often than not, though, John and Andrey sound less like two flesh-and-blood humans than they do Blessing’s mouthpiece for the not exactly revelatory idea that nuclear weapons are dangerous and the world would be better off if Americans and Soviets got serious about peace.

This shortcoming is especially problematic because A Walk in the Woods is as much about the relationship between John and Andrey as it is about nuclear proliferation and its discontents. For the most part both characters lie there stiffly on the page, rather than coming to life on the stage.

At one point, John comments on his own stiffness, almost as if Blessing is apologizing for it.

While this condition is innate, unfortunately, Nevell and Abatemarco do little — or are given little chance by director John Henry Davis — to loosen its grip. Every line is given in the “I talk, you talk”

style, even when they both heat up. That is almost completely alien to real life. Once, the actors accidentally talked over each other; it was perhaps the freshest moment of the performance.

Spoiler alert: As A Walk in the Woods comes to a close, John is angered to find that Andrey was right all along. The negotiations are little more than a means to give people hope that the two countries are more interested in peace than in maintaining their superpower status.

“It is not always pleasing to discover what you are meant for,” Andrey consoles.

But the ending of the play is more thoughtprovoking today than it was in 1987, when Blessing finished it. During the past three decades the disintegration of the Soviet Union — whether or not Ronald Reagan was the real deal when it came to peacemaking, we know Gorbachev was — led to an easing of tensions between Washington and Moscow. These tensions have ramped up again in the Vladimir Putin era.

So here we are today, longing for the good old days of the 1990s, when the world’s great nuclear powers had differences. We can only hope that not only are there statesmen like John and Andrey around, but that there are statesmen who actually have the power to keep us from the madness.

Time: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.mm. Sundays, through May 22 Cost: $49 Details: (562) 436-4610; http://ictlongbeach.org Venue: Beverly O’Neil Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach

“business has been picking up.” The birthday boy responds by sardonically asking, “The pet-sitting thing? So, you’re calling it a business now?” in which one of the characters who claims to be I don’t know any of my Long Beach friends— born and raised the city mispronounces it, calling if I truly would call them friends and go to their it Loonng Beeach. Maybe it’s just me, but I have a parties—who would viciously put me down hard time grasping that there aren’t original stories and think it was funny. When I permanently that are Long Beach-based. Perhaps it would be moved to the city in my late 20s, I met a group of best not to not use the cat as an anchor and instead people who shared with me their friendships and independently theme each webisode. experiences. We laughed and cried in the midst of At the premiere, a couple of drunken school, careers, relationships and even such issues attendees, were so angry about the dealing with self-image and HIV in a kind way. I misrepresentation that one of them went about believe the biggest failure of the writers involved asking each of the actors where they live. While is not drawing on their own experiences. the filmmakers made an honest effort to get an “This is not Long Beach; this (pointing at the ethnically diverse cast, the characters are culturally actors) is West Hollywood,” said the drunken man homogenous—all in their mid 20s to early 30s, at the premiere. looking pretty in their tight-fitting clothing, As inappropriate as his remarks may have spewing the bitchy attitudes of diva queens. been, he had a point. In fact, his survey resulted Take the first scene: a pool party. Alex in finding that only one of the actors called Long Correa, who plays Jose, walks toward the host Beach home. with an entourage, while loud music plays in While the ship seems to have sunk, there still the background and guests obviously pretend to is a chance to rescue the crew and let the boat float converse and dance to the un-rhythmic sound. back to the surface. It just may require going back Jose apologizes for being late because he says, to the drawing board, recognizing and reassessing Mæry Queens’ pitfalls, starting with the script and editing, and ending with the critical eyes of non-friends to give producers an honest assessment of the venture.

May 19th, 3rd Thursday Long Beach is still worth Barry Anthony & featuring and this venture can give The Whalers New Orleans Jazz Fridays it the spotlight it deserves. Yet, it Saturdays Rob on the Piano— honestly needs attention to details.

Markus Carlton Jazz Guitar Great food, great music!

Watch the Season 1 of Mæry No cover, starts at 6:30 pm No cover, starts at 7 pm Queens at http://tinyurl.com/Mry-Queens-Season-1

[Mæry Queens, from page 15]

Mæry Queens

Live Music

G R A N D

V I S I O N

P R E S E N T S

BETH ROHDE & FRIENDS Saturday, May 21

7:30 pm Door • 8 pm Concert

An intimate evening of jazz from the great American songbook with Beth, the Alex Smith Trio & friends.

Tickets & Info:

310.833.4813 | GrandVision.org The Grand Annex | 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

[L’Opera, from page 14]

L’Opera Fine Italian Dining tradition, the staff is like family.

Scott Fisher, the sommelier, has worked at L’Opera longer than I’ve been alive. If you happen to be seated in his section,be prepared for a truly fine dining experience. Fisher’s knowledge of wine is almost unparalleled, but he is incredibly friendly, engaging and he approached the table with a “let’s play” attitude. Let him take the wheel and bring out his own recommendations for both food and wine Speaking of wine, L’Opera is known for its vast collection of high end, Old World Italian wines.

BEACH CITY GRILL

Let the culinary adventure begin anew—Beach City Grill has reopened featuring your favorites along with soon-tobe favorite new additions. Now serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. Famous for Caribbean, Cajun specials, fresh seafood, salads, vegetarian and world cuisine. Be sure to try the award-winning desserts by Chef Larry Hodgson. Beach City Grill, 376 W. 6th St., San Pedro • (310) 833-6345 www.beachcitygrill.net

Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria

A San Pedro landmark for over 40 years, famous for exceptional award-winning pizza baked in brick ovens. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-andtrue family recipes and hand-selected ingredients that are prepared fresh. Dine-in, take-out and catering. There are two locations in Long Beach. Hours: Sun.-Thurs.

11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. • Buono’s Pizzeria, 1432 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 547-0655 • www.buonospizza.com

Niko’s Pizzeria

An elegant pairing at L’Opera. Photo by Phillip Cooke.

A member of the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association, Gina Ruccione has traveled throughout Europe and Asia and has lived in almost every nook of Los Angeles County. You can visit her website at www.foodfashionfoolishfornication.com.

PHILIE B’S ON SIXTH

Owner Phil Buscemi welcomes you to Philie B’s on Sixth, where New York–style pizza, Sicilian rice balls and pizza by-the-slice are the specialties. Fresh hot or cold sandwiches, gourmet pizzas and fresh salads are also served. Try the “white pizza” made with smooth ricotta, mozzarella and sharp PecorinoRomano cheeses topped with torn fresh basil. Extended hours accommodate San Pedran’s unique work schedules. Catering and fast, local delivery ($15 min.) available. Philie B’s On Sixth, 347 W. 6th St., San Pedro • (310) 5142500 • www.philiebsonsixth.com

Walk into Pirozzi’s Italian Deli at Weymouth Corners and discover an ample selection of fine imported cheeses and salami, as well as a great assortment of imported prosciutto, pastas, sauces, olive oils and vinegars—all carefully selected by proprietor Vince Pirozzi. Best known for making fine homemade Italian sausages in five distinct flavors, Pirozzi’s also carries freshly prepared and frozen entrées and sauces available for take-out. Pirozzi’s Deli offers a full catering menu, made-to-order deli sandwiches, homemade Italian cookies and desserts. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 10 am-2 pm. Pirozzi’s Italian Deli, 1453 W. 8th St., San Pedro • (310) 548-0000 www.pirozzisdeli.com

San Pedro Brewing Company

A microbrewery and American grill, SPBC features handcrafted award-winning ales and lagers served with creative pastas, bbq, sandwiches, salads and burgers. A full bar with made-fromscratch margaritas and a martini menu all add fun to the warm and friendly atmosphere. Live music. Open from 11:30 a.m., daily. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro • (310) 831-5663 • www. sanpedrobrewing.com

Happy DineR AND HAPPY DELI

The Happy Diner isn’t your average diner. It’s the idea of fresh creative dishes in tow San Pedro locations, and now a third—the Happy Deli. The selections range from Italian- and Mexican-influenced entrées to American Continental. Happy Diner chefs are always creating something new—you can even find items normally found at curb side lonchera trucks. You can take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and vegetables prepared any way you like. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner: Happy Diner #1 • (310) 241-0917 • 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro • Happy Diner #2 • (310) 935-2933 • 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro • Open for breakfast and lunch: Happy Deli • (310) 424-0319 • 503 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro.

The Whale & Ale

San Pedro’s British gastro pub offers dining in an oak–paneled setting, featuring English fish & chips, roast prime rib, sea bass, rack of lamb, beef

Wellington, meat pies, s a l m o n , swordfish & vegetarian dishes. Open for lunch & dinner, 7days/ wk; great selection of wines; 14 British tap ales, & full bar. First Thursdays live band & special fixed price menu. Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri. 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sat. & Sun. 1-10 p.m. The Whale & Ale, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro • (310) 832-0363 www.whaleandale.com

Waterfront Dining

Boardwalk Grill

C a s u a l waterfront dining at its finest!

Famous for slabs of Chicago-style baby back ribs, fish-n-chips, rich clam chowder, cold beer on tap and wine. Full lunch menu also includes salads, sandwiches and burgers. Indoor and outdoor patio dining available. Proudly pouring Starbucks coffee.

Open 7 days a week. Free parking. Boardwalk Grill, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 519-7551

PORTS O’ CALL RESTAURANT

Since 1961 this landmark restaurant has extended a hearty welcome to visitors from around the globe.

Delight in an aweinspiring view of the dynamic LA Harbor while enjoying fresh California cuisine and varietals. Relax in the bar or patio for the best happy hour on the waterfront.

With each purchase of the award-winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, receive the first Spirit Cruises harbor cruise of the day free. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner. Free parking. Ports O’Call Waterfront Dining, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor, Berth 76, San Pedro • (310) 833-3553 • www.portsocalldining.com

SPIRIT CRUISES

An instant p a r t y — complete with all you need to relax and enjoy while the majesty of the harbor slips by.

Dinner cruise features a 3-course meal, full bar, unlimited cocktails and starlight dancing—the ultimate excursion for any occasion. Free parking. Spirit Cruises, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 548-8080, (562) 4955884 • www.spiritmarine.com

Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment >> INDEPENDENT AND Read FREE The Local Publication You Actually

For those who appreciate a history lesson, L’Opera used to be a bank building, so all wine is stored underneath the building in the vault. There’s actually a tunnel between L’Opera and what is now known as the Federal Bar directly across the street.

If anyone is interested in planning a wine heist, I’ve got a friend with a Toyota Prius for a clean getaway.

Details: (562) 491-0066, www.lopera.com Venue: L’Opera,101 Pine Street, Long Beach

One of downtown San Pedro’s signature restaurants features a full Italian menu, huge selection of pizzas, Greek specialties and a beer and wine bar featuring a wide selection of beers on tap and by the bottle. Watch sporting events on plasma TV screens throughout the restaurant. Delivery service to all of San Pedro, port locations and hotels. Niko’s Pizzeria, 399 W. 6th St., San Pedro (corner of Mesa and 6th sts.) • (310) 241-1400

PIROZZI’S ITALIAN DELI

Include Your Restaurant in the Dining Guide In Print & Online • (310) 519-1442

May May 12 12 -- 25, 25, 2016 2016

17

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FINANCIAL SERVICES

Real Estate SERVICES

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Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

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Please help!

The animals at the Harbor Animal Shelter have ongoing need for used blankets, comforters, pet beds.* Drop off at Harbor Animal Shelter, 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro.

888-452-7381, x 143 PLEASE SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PET! *In any condition. We will wash and mend.

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DBA/legal filings Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016064793 The following person is doing business as:(1) Sunshine Consulting, (2) INFI Systems, 302 N. 5th St., San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County.

Registered owners: Rajat Bhattacharya, 4309 Mesa St., San Pedro, CA 90731. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/.

Rajat Bhattacharya, owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Jan. 22, 2016. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920.

A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 where it expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 04/14/16, 04/28/16, 05/12/16, 05/26/16

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2016080084 The following person is doing business as: Palos Verdes Electric Company, 257 W. 13th Street,San Pedro,CA 90731. Los Angeles County.

Registered owners: Clay Binkley, 257 W. 13th Street,San Pedro,CA 90731. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 03/29/2016. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Clay Binkley, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 1, 2016. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 04/28/16, 05/12/16,

Order to Show Cause For Change of Name Case No. NS032050 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Petition of: Zakiya Said Alriyamyi for Change of Name To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Zakiya Said Alriyamyi filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Zakiya Said Alriyamyi to Zizi Said Riyamy The court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter i scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing: Date: June 2, 2016, Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept. 26 The address of the court is 275 Magnolia Ave. Long Beach, Ca 90802-4591. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in the county: Daily Journal Date: Sherri R. Carter Michael P. Vicencia Judge of the Superior Court

05/26/16, 06/09/16

It’s Easy! DBA Filing & Publishing $

135

310-519-1442

[Slavery, from page 11]

Seafood Slavery

in the first place. The stories were the same: desperate migrant workers, who were tricked by false promises of lucrative work to help them provide for their impoverished families.

Story Seven

The seventh story of AP’s investigative series was dedicated to the more than 2,000 fishermen who were freed since the newswire began publishing the series. In account after account, the newly freed fishermen talked about their enslavement, their struggles, their losses and their hope.

The AP also noted their reporting and lead to the shutting down of a multimillion-dollar Thai-Indonesian fishing business, the arrest of nine people and the seizure of two fishing cargo vessels.

In the United States, importers have demanded change, three class-action lawsuits are underway, new laws have been introduced and the Obama administration is pushing exporters to clean up their labor practices. The AP’s work was entered into the congressional record for a hearing.

Story Eight

In November 2015, AP reported on Nestle’s public disclosure, the conclusions of its year long internal investigation, which found that virtually all U.S. and European companies buying seafood from Thailand are exposed to the same risks of

being procured with slave labor.

Nestle hired the nonprofit organization that studies labor abuses, Verite, in December 2014 after reports from news outlets and nongovernmental organizations tied brutal and largely unregulated working conditions to their shrimp, prawns and Purina brand pet foods.

AP also reported that a class action lawsuit was filed against Nestle in August 2015, alleging Fancy Feast cat food was the product of slave labor. It’s one of several lawsuits filed in recent months against major U.S. retailers importing seafood from Thailand.

Nestle posted their reports online and said they would post a detailed yearlong solution strategy throughout 2016—as part of ongoing efforts to protect workers.

The final two stories exposed the use of slave labor in peeled shrimp—a story in which the AP recounted whole families with small children peeling shrimp destined for supermarkets around the world.

This story spurred calls on Americans to boycott seafood all together, which the AP reported in its final story.

The Associated Press concluded that seafood caught and processed with slave labor reached more than 100 markets and restaurants in the United States, including Wal-mart and Red Lobster.

The impact of slave labor on Harbor Area seafood consumption is unknown, but it has an obvious influence on the price of imported fish

Source: International Labour Orgainzation, International Organization for Migration, Fisheries Dept. Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, U.S .State Dept., Environmentl Jusitce Foundation, Raks Thai Fundation.

versus fish caught and processed domestically.

Steve Badger, a business agent for Teamster local 572 who also works with fisherman in the area, said none of them work with fishermen, or handle product from Southeast Asia. Hokkaido Seafood Buffet in Long Beach, and C-Food Co. in San Pedro, declined to comment on the sources of their seafood.

Tommy Amalfitano, manager of the San

Pedro Fish Market, said its barracuda and halibut are locally sourced when in season. The market’s other fish comes from the waters off Mexico and the Pacific Northwest. However, the contents of the “World Famous Shrimp Tray” come from throughout the world, including Thailand. More than 1 million residents and visitors a year eat seafood at the San Pedro Fish Market.

[Tonsich, from page 5]

Tonsich’s Port Dealings Scrutinized

[Assembly, from page 6]

Assembly District 65

the education section. Issues she’d like to work on, if elected, include, “measures that would allow out-of-state insurers to do business in California and provide our citizens with a variety of health plans that better meet their needs, rather than the current one-size-fits all approach.”

“I support equal pay for equal work within professions and industries,” she said about women’s issues. ”Although I am prolife and believe abortion should truly be rare, I do support the availability of affordable family planning products and prescriptions for those that cannot afford them. (I also would vote in support of a tax exemption for feminine hygiene products that are currently taxable goods). I would support limited paid maternity leave, which is utilized concurrently with paid illness leave such that it does not significantly impact businesses.”

Her campaign website: www. theresasanford.com 19

May 12 - 25, 2016

Dominguez Hills. She chairs the 64th AD Republican County Central Committee and is a delegate to the California Republican Party. She’s also a member of the California Teachers Association Republican Teachers’ Caucus and the United Teachers Los Angeles House of Representatives. She’s married with two adult children. Sanford said she’s running because she aspires to “be part of the conversation in Sacramento. I support cutting taxes to stimulate economic growth in the private sector and preserving tax credits for the working poor. I will fight to derail the bullet train project and divert funding for needed local transportation projects.” She will also vote to, she says, “protect Second Amendment and religious liberty rights,” and protect Prop. 13.

She believes the state Republican Party platform on the economy and jobs to be a top priority but would like to see a few revisions to

and test this type of technology; so to say we have ignored community input in terms of deploying the technology is a little disingenuous,” Baker responded.

But, as noted above, it’s actually Long Beach that has taken the lead.

In her April 5 testimony, Woodfield noted that the city attorney’s letter “indicates Mr. Tonsich cannot do business in China Shipping for life, due to his involvement in the settlement agreement, however the letter does not indicate a lack of conflict at other sites.”

In particular, TraPac’s EIR was certified in September 2007, long after Tonsich left the Commission.

“But it does not follow that there were no prerequisite discussions between Tonsich and TraPac that may be influencing the TraPac EIR,” Woodfield said. “In 2002, he was involved the West Basin Development Program, which involved extensive extensions and improvements to the TraPac terminal itself, and emission reduction strategies.”

Add to that Tonsich’s role in creating the clean air framework and the conflicts of interest that should bar him seem overwhelming.

Tonsich didn’t act alone, however. His actions reflect much broader problems of governance. In her December testimony, Gunter recalled that, in her audit reports, City Controller Laura Chick had said that the port was operating “more like the backroom than the boardroom,” and that it had “an open disdain for good government” and that Tonsich had responded to later by calling Chick “unqualified and politically motivated.”

But every few years brings new revelations of how past port decision making has been deeply flawed, and Chick’s observations still seem as apt as ever.

“This is a former port commissioner who had nothing but contempt for this community until he figured out a way to profit from it,” Gunter added. “This behavior needs to stop, now.”

The Local Publication You Actually Read

In October, the California Air Resources Board gave final approval to ACTI’s system for container ships.

“Our next phase of testing is for other classes of ships,” Tomley said. “We’re waiting for CARB to establish specifications.”

“This is the only TAP application ever received from either company, by the way,” added Baker. That contradicts the 2012 contract language identifying it as a TAP grant.

Scrambling the protocols relied on is part of POLA’s persistent dysfunctional culture.This calls into question how the program is being run and underscores the need for outside oversight.

“The service is ordered up by the shipping line or terminal operator, not POLA,” Baker said.

But diffusing a corrupt practice does not make it less corrupt. It simply involves more people in the corruption of good government.

Obviously, Tonsich has used his past position to create self-serving business relations— representing TraPac as an attorney, while creating his own pollution control company to do business with TraPac, funded by the port. His underlying friendliness to terminal operators and hostility to the general public made him an ideal candidate for terminal operators to hire and do business with — as TraPac and Pasha have done. While POLB’s Tomley said it was good to have more than one company competing to provide the technology, Clean Air Engineering-Maritime’s success so far seems limited to POLA, where all of Tonsich’s long-time connections lie.

“The public and environmental justice organizations have recommended the ACTI AMECS Technology for multiple POLA Project EIR Mitigation for the past 8 years,” Marquez also pointed out. “Why was such a long record of community input repeatedly ignored?”

“We’re the first port in the world to support

“Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for America’s working families.”

WE CALL ON UNION MEMBERS AND ALL WORKING PEOPLE TO UNITE BEHIND A CANDIDATE WHO PUTS WORKING FAMILIES FIRST!

May 12 - 25, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

—ILWU International President Robert McEllrath

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ILWU International President Robert McEllrath with presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. The ILWU’s International Executive Board endorsed Sanders on March 24th.

“Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for America’s working families,” said ILWU International President Robert McEllrath. “Bernie is best on the issues that matter most to American workers: better trade agreements, support for unions, fair wages, free tuition for students at public colleges, Medicare for all, fighting a corrupt campaign finance system and confronting the power of Wall Street that’s making life harder for most Americans.”

The ILWU represents women and men who work in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and Panama.

www.ilwu.org Paid for by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Political Action Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.