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SIGNAL TRIBUNE Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and Signal Hill

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

VOL. XXXVIII NO. 4

January 22, 2016

Upcoming LB election to decide who will fill four seats on city council Three incumbent, one potential and eight qualified candidates are in the running for Long Beach City Council. Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

Three incumbents and nine challengers thus far are vying to represent their respective districts by filling four vacant seats on the Long Beach City Council this year. Two incumbents will be on the ballot, and another is running as a write-in. One of the challengers, at press time, has not yet qualified but is nevertheless listed on the City’s election website as a potential candidate. The April 12 municipal primary nominating election will determine the councilmembers for the even-numbered of the city’s nine council districts. Those who garner 50 percent plus one vote will earn a spot on the council, according to Long Beach City Clerk Maria Garcia. Otherwise, candidates will enter a run-off election on June 7, Garcia said. Candidates who win the primary or run-off will take their seats on Tuesday, July 19. District 2 Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, who was first elected to represent the 2nd District in 2006, is now termed out and has not announced an intention to be a write-in candidate. That district includes parts of the Port of Long Beach, the downtown area and much of the city’s see CANDIDATES page 11

Screenshot of 2016 State of the Port address

The Port of Long Beach’s gas emissions are down, according to Chief Executive Officer Jon Slangerup’s presentation during the State of the Port address on Thursday, Jan. 21. The standout number is the decrease in sulfer oxides, which is down 97 percent.

Port officials claim biggest year since recession 2016 State of the Port address details story of achievements and objectives for the future.

That’s the phrase Chief Executive Officer Jon Slangerup used in acknowledgement of the Port of Long Beach’s “comeback year” in his presentation of its accomplishments and future objectives during the 2016 State of the Port address on Thursday, Jan. 21 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The event featured presenta-

Denny Cristales Editorial Assistant

What a difference a year can make.

tions from both Slangerup and Lori Ann Guzman, president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. They both detailed the Port of Long Beach’s achievements from the past year that include several awards and accolades, the rise of cargo volume and the continued efforts of community members and workers that “opened the door for rapid

recovery,” as Slangerup put it. Slangerup regularly referred to the port’s status during this time last year. Dubbing the situation as an “epic struggle” that led to a “painful and public meltdown,” the chief executive officer said that the Port of Long Beach was plagued with congestion probsee PORT page 10

What now, downtown?

Walmart’s hasty exit from Long Beach’s City Place will leave behind a vast retail hole. CJ Dablo Staff Writer

A long line of shopping carts were strategically placed like a barricade in front of the entrance of the downtown Long Beach Walmart late Monday night just after closing

Donate your tax-deductible clothing, furniture, appliances and vehicles to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and provide for the needy. Receive a tax deduction due to our 501 (c)(3)

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time. Standing watch near the wall of metal, a security officer turned away passersby as he confirmed to the Signal Tribune what most people already knew by then– that the store’s last day will be Jan. 28. The company headquarters announced last week that they will be closing 269 stores around the world around that same time, including the downtown store located at 151 E. Fifth St.

Weekly Weather Forecast Friday

Partly cloudy

68°

Lo 54°

Saturday

Partly cloudy

64° Lo 47°

Sunday

Monday

Doug McMillon, who serves as the president and CEO of Walmart Stores, Inc. noted in a press statement that his company made the decision after a “thorough review” of their portfolio of stores. McMillon named “financial performance” and “strategic alignment with long-term plans” among the factors that led to the announcement. “The decision to close stores is difficult, and we care about the

January 22 through January 26, 2016

Mostly sunny

Mostly sunny

66°

71°

73°

Lo 47°

Lo 45°

see WALMART page 7

“A Gourmet Gifting & Baking Company”

Tuesday

Partly cloudy

associates who will be impacted,” McMillon said. “We invested considerable time assessing our stores and clubs and don’t take this lightly. We are supporting those impacted with extra pay and support, and we will take all appropriate steps to ensure they are treated well.” The timing of the announcement took place just a couple of months

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