July 27, 2018 | Vol. XL | No. 31

Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and Signal Hill with 30,000 issues every Friday

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

VOL. XL NO. 31

www.signaltribune.com

The high cost of pot?

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS From buyer to receiver

FPPC dismisses complaint against LB mayor, two councilmembers

While Long Beach dispensaries apply for cannabis permit in compliance with recent ordinance, illegal markets take advantage of transition process.

Proposed bill that would redistribute online sales tax could have negative impact.

Councilmember Price still under investigation for misuse of city resources to promote Measure M.

Sebastian Echeverry

Page 3

Staff Writer

Zia, Malauulu to lead LBCC board

Sunny Zia elected president and Vivian Malauulu chosen as VP for college board.

Page 6

Portion of Pico closed off for bridge project Closure is last major one for connector ramp’s demolition.

T

he discussion of recreational marijuana throughout Long Beach reached another milestone on July 13, as Mayor Robert Garcia signed the adult-use cannabis business ordinance into law.

During a phone interview last week with the Signal Tribune, Ajay Kolluri, manager for the Long Beach Office of Cannabis Oversight (OCO), said the law will take effect 30 days after it has been signed.

“We will be accepting adultuse cannabis applications,” he said about the 30-day process.

“We expect that the medical businesses that are open right now will likely apply as soon as they can. It will take some time for us to process them.”

Adam Hijazi, co-owner of the Long Beach Green Room dispensary, said there are application fees and facility regulations under which they have

July 27, 2018

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

dispensaries are required to undergo facility inspections to determine if they qualify for the adult-use sales permit. The quality of laboratory testing, packaging and labeling of cannabis has drastically improved as well, according to Hijazi.

Despite those improvements and the City’s support, Hijazi said that until the 30 days required for the law to take effect have passed, illicit marijuana markets are in a more favorable position for consumers.

Several Long Beach officials appear to be off the hook from accusations of misuse of funds to promote a city measure last year, according to a letter this week from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

The letter– addressed to the four Long Beach residents who launched a sworn complaint against the City and to those officials named in the complaint– indicates that the FPPC’s Enforcement Division found insufficient evidence of violations

by Mayor Robert Garcia, 6th District Councilmember and now Vice Mayor Dee Andrews and 9th District Councilmember Rex Richardson. However, 3rd District Councilmember Suzie Price is still a “named respondent” in the investigation.

As previously reported in the

see MARIJUANA page 15

see COMPLAINT page 14

Photo illustration by Denny Cristales | Signal Tribune

On July 13, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia signed the adult-use cannabis law, which allows for the distribution of cannabis via licensed vendors. Adam Hijazi, co-owner of the Long Beach Green Room dispensary, expressed his concern to the Signal Tribune over the high costs for dispensaries to apply for adult-use cannabis permits.

to operate before citywide dispensaries are allowed to sell cannabis for adult use.

During a phone interview Monday afternoon with the Signal Tribune, Hijazi said that he was happy to see the City pass the new ordinance, but that the application process did come with some hefty costs.

“Definitely excited about this new law,” he said. “People have been losing their medicinal cards, so [it] was very essential to have [this] law because we were letting so many people out of our legal facilities back into wherever it is that they go.”

Under the newly adopted law, cannabis

SH City Council authorizes relocation of tenants from commercial building scheduled for demolition

Page 7

Signal Hill earns award for risk management CA Joint Powers Insurance Authority honors City for ‘Best Overall Performance.’

City also hopes to adopt new parks-and-recreation master plan by next summer.

Anita W. Harris Staff Writer

The Signal Hill City Council conducted a relatively short meeting July 24, during which it authorized a contract agreement with a consulting firm to help relocate tenants being displaced by the demolition of one of the City’s commercial buildings.

Following two months of reviewing and implementing a new fiscal-year budget at its previous meetings, the council also authorized City staff to issue a request-for-proposals (RFP) for creating a parks-and-recreation master plan over the next year.

Tenant relocation The council authorized a contract agree-

Page 5

see COUNCIL page 13

WEDNESDAYS AT 6:30 PM 2175 CHERRY AVENUE Join us from August 1 – August 15 for live music and family fun at the annual Concerts in the Park!

longbeach.gov

Cory Bilicko | Signal Tribune

As discussed at the July 24 Signal Hill City Council meeting, city officials will help relocate tenants from the above-pictured commercial property at 27002728 Cherry Ave. before they demolish the building.

The Historical Society of Long Beach presents a Public Oral History Evening with Councilwoman Renee Simon interviewed by Councilwoman Suzie Price August 16th, 2018 at Keesal, Young & Logan, 400 Oceangate, Long Beach, CA 90802

8/1 Woodie & The Longboards Hard Day’s Knights / (60s) FOOD TRUCKS

Top Shelf Tacos Chunk-N-Chip

Cocktail reception at 5:30pm Program from 6pm to 8pm Tickets are $80/$70 members Purchase tickets online at www.hslb.org

Third District Long Beach Councilmember Suzie Price is the focus of a sworn complaint by four residents who allege that she and other elected individuals violated the Political Reform Act by using taxpayer money to distribute messages that were persuasive rather than merely informational, in order to get voters to approve Measure M. A July 24 letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission to the complainants and the city officials indicates that all those named in the complaint have been dismissed from impending investigation, except for Price.

2

Signal Tribune

July 27, 2018

NEWS

July 27, 2018

Signal Tribune

3

From buyer to receiver Long-term solution to short-term rentals expected Proposed bill that would redistribute online sales taxes could negatively impact Signal Hill, city manager says.

Denny Cristales Online Editor

A potential constitutional amendment could negatively impact the quality of life of all Signal Hill residents, according to City Manager Charlie Honeycutt. The proposal of State Constitutional Amendment 20 (SCA 20) would change the way sales taxes from online purchases are distributed throughout the state, a change that could decrease Signal Hill’s tax revenue by 15 percent, Honeycutt said.

Currently, sales taxes are distributed to where an online order was made. SCA 20, authored by 7th District California Senator Steven Glazer, suggests reallocating the taxes from the point of sale to the point of delivery.

“So, somebody, let’s just say from Long Beach, they place an order through Amazon,” Honeycutt explained in a phone interview Tuesday with the Signal Tribune. “[...]

So, they call Amazon, and Amazon happens to be in Signal Hill. Under the current rules, the customer would pay sales tax, the sales tax would go to Signal Hill. Under what’s being proposed, the sales tax would go to Long Beach [where the delivery is being made].”

Honeycutt said the sales-tax change would also negatively affect the City’s budget. Nearly 70 percent of the City’s revenue that pays for services such as public safety, street and park maintenance and school programs, comes from sales tax, of which a significant portion is de-

rived from online sales.

“So, obviously, Signal Hill being only 2.2 square miles, and we only have about 12,600 residents, you have to make the assumption that most of the online sales being made in Signal Hill are not from Signal Hill,” he said. “What I estimated is that about 15 percent of our sales-tax revenue could be taken away from us and given to other cities.”

Honeycutt is part of a statewide working group– a team with the League of California Cities– that is tasked with developing policy recommendations to address the increase in online sales and how the sales taxes garnered from those purchases should be distributed to cities in the state.

The League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who research and exchange information to influence policy decisions that affect cities in the state.

The policy team was formed to learn more about the trends of online sales and SCA 20, the city manager said. The group will meet for a little more than a month on a weekly basis and then come up with a recommendation to present to the State Legislature. Honeycutt’s first meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 2.

SCA 20 is co-authored by California senators Benjamin Allen, John Moorlach and Scott Wiener, who represent the 26th, 37th and 11th districts, respectively. The constitutional amendment was proposed on March 22 and recently amended in see TAX page 9

before Long Beach City Council by fall

Residents, city officials convene for second community-input workshop to develop proposal for ordinance to regulate short-term rentals.

Paige Pelonis

“I still think [STRs] need to be regulated,” Johnson said. “I don’t know how, but I am not a city official– I don’t have to come up with that answer.”

City officials expect to have a proposal for an STR ordinance presented to Long Beach City Council

by November, and the community workshop series is intended to inform the direction of that proposal.

An STR is a property that is furnished and rented for short periods of time. The growth of home-sharing sites such as Airbnb and HomeAway prompted 2nd District Councilmember Jeannine Pearce to present an item to the city council in

March 2017, directing the City to review its STR regulations, according Contributing Writer to a press release from Long Beach The process for developing shortDevelopment Services. term rental (STR) regulations in Saturday’s presentation by that Long Beach will end this fall, and city department shared public-input participants remain uncertain as to findings from the first workshop, the best path forward. a subsequent online survey that After attending the first of three brought in responses from slightly community-input workshops on the less than 600 people, stakeholder topic, Long Beach resident Kevin interviews and case studies of surJohnson felt confident that STRs rounding cities. need to be regulated, but he was Nearly half of the online survey unsure of the best approach. Like participants submitted that they several others leaving the second support STRs in Long Beach with workshop at the Museum of Latin regulations. A little more than 35 American Art Saturday, Johnson percent were supportive without was still uncertain. regulations, approximately 15 percent oppose STRs with or without regulations and the remaining participants were unsure of their position. Additional findings of the online survey and the presentation slides are available online at lbds. info/lbshorttermrental.

Pearce, whose district is highly impacted, gave opening remarks and said she is hopeful that the process will help determine the “Long Beach way” to approach STRs. “We have to set a good path forward that fits for Long Beach,” Pearce said. “I’ve got eight other councilmembers, so we’ll see what takes shape, but from looking at the results today, I think people are pretty receptive to having STRs, which I think is great. I think having some good regulations – a process Paige Pelonis | Signal Tribune Airbnb host Julie Dean provides her comments regarding the process for de- for permitting, is all really important veloping a short-term rental ordinance for the City of Long Beach as part of a for making sure our neighborhoods community input workshop on Saturday, July 21. see ORDINANCE page 11

“

4

OPINION

Signal Tribune

July 27, 2018

LETTERS, EMAILS, WEBSITE COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS Honoring Angela

Angela Bowen

Courtesy Gonzalez’s office

Hot topic

Summer is here, and temperatures are on the rise! While you enjoy the great outdoors, we want you to be safe when a heat wave strikes. Whether you are at the beach or in a garden, here are a few important tips: • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of non-caffeinated fluids.

• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air-conditioning.

• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (3pm to 4:30pm).

• Download our “Emergency” app for severe weather alerts, including excessive heat watches, warnings and heat advisories.

Make safety your top priority this summer and share this checklist with family and friends to keep all your loved ones protected. It’s an easy step you can take to show how much you care.

Lauri Rhinehart Vice president Humanitarian Services American Red Cross

Down for the count?

A regional convening of the California 2020 Census is kicking off in Long Beach on Thursday, Aug. 2, which will be the start of planning activities for ensuring the accurate and complete counting of all State of California and Long Beach residents.

As we enter a new budget year for the City, I am meeting with neighbors to talk about their biggest budget priorities in 2019 and beyond. In order to tackle our biggest challenges, it is important to look at all opportunities for funding to help address what we care about most. The 2020 Census count plays a large role in this to help determine federal dollars that help fund citywide needs such as major street infrastructure projects and programs that address homelessness. Those allocations and our ability to champion for our causes are determined through data.

The Census count is performed every 10 years and, under current funding figures, for every person not counted in the 2020 Census, our City loses approximately $2,000 in federal funding annually.

Let’s galvanize as leaders in our community, whether through your church, school, nonprofit and business association, to make sure we do not lose out on this opportunity and that everyone counts.

For more information on the California Census 2020, [visit census.ca.gov/events] or contact the Mayor’s Office at (562) 570-6801.

Stacy Mungo Long Beach councilmember Fifth District

COMMENTARY

10 powerful ways to use Social Security online

By Jacqueline Zaragoza Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sierra West Area

Chances are good that you use the Internet or a cell phone app every day. Social Security has you covered.

We’ve created online tools to make the lives of millions of people easier. We’ve put together a top-10 list of easyto-use resources for you.

Want access to our latest news, retirement planning tips and helpful information? Social Security Matters is our blog at blog.socialsecurity.gov. There, you can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, where you can watch our popular videos.

Our online calculators, such as the Retirement Estimator, the Life Expectancy Calculator and the Early or Late Retirement Calculator, can be found at socialsecurity. gov/planners/calculators.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Neena R. Strichart

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Barbie Ellisen Katherine Green Sharon McLucas

Apply for Social Security benefits online. This is the fastest, most convenient way to apply for retirement, spouses, disability or Medicare benefits without visiting a local office or calling to speak to a representative; we can be found online at socialsecurity.gov/benefits.

Lost or missing your Social Security card? Find out how to get a new, replacement or corrected card at socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. In fact, you may be able to quickly request a replacement card online with a “my Social Security” account, if you meet certain qualifications, at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Verify your annual earnings and review estimates of see COMMENTARY page 5

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Stephen M. Strichart STAFF WRITERS

CJ Dablo Anita W. Harris

MANAGING EDITOR

Cory Bilicko

CULTURE WRITERS

Adam Buchsbaum Ava Homa Rachael Rifkin

Dr. Angela Bowen was an iconic dancer– owning and operating The Bowen/Peters School of Dance in New Haven, Connecticut, for nearly two decades. She was a professor in the English and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at Cal State Long Beach and was beloved by her students.

Angela was a staunch advocate and activist for queer rights– literally putting her own life on the line, fighting for equality. Angela and her wife Jennifer Abod were very supportive in my first campaign for councilwoman. I remember being invited to their home to sit on their porch– just to talk.

Dr. Angela Bowen fought Alzheimer’s disease and passed away on July 12, 2018, at 82. Angela is survived by two sisters, two daughters, a stepdaughter, a foster daughter, a granddaughter and, of course, her beautiful wife Jennifer Abod.

Angela, my dear friend, you will be greatly missed.

Lena Gonzalez Councilmember First District Long Beach

A care-less move?

The Trump Administration’s latest attack on unionized Medicaid home-care workers is completely unjustified and unnecessary. It seeks to hurt home-care workers and, in doing so, jeopardizes the health of vulnerable Americans who rely on them. Many aged, blind, disabled or infirm Americans would not be able to live at home without the services of home-care workers. The California Department of Justice will continue to fight to protect our vulnerable loved ones and the workers who make their living at home possible. We urge the administration to withdraw this rule.

Xavier Becerra Attorney General California

For a song?

I went to the Chorus America conference in June, and as I sat in a symposium on how to make our choruses open and inclusive for everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, it hit me– we’ll never be open to everyone if we have a large tuition. So then I thought, “Why not make tuition $0?”

In reality, that won’t work either, because if people pay zero for something, they won’t value it enough to stick it out every week.

We talked about the idea at our advisory board meeting last week and decided that we will reduce the minimum tuition to $100 for the entire 2018-19 season. If parents want to offer more because they have the means to do so, that’s great too. But we are specifically asking for nothing more than the $100. We are also going to offer shuttle/van service to and from rehearsal from a central location, one downtown and one in north Long Beach.

The bottom line is that we want to make the Long Beach Youth Chorus affordable and accessible for every child in the city of Long Beach and the surrounding communities. We will even be able to offer aid for children whose families have a struggle even paying the minimum. In addition, we will be expanding our vision statement this season to expressly state that we are seeking to become a chorus that promotes peace, love and justice through music.

This means that those of us behind the scenes have to work harder raising funds in order to make ends meet. We’ll be holding a few fundraising events this season, and we’ll be asking for your help when that time comes. But we all believe in this project and are not afraid to think outside the box to make it happen.

If you can help us get the word out about this, we would be greatly appreciative. Registration is at longbeachyouthchorus.org/registration.

Stan DeWitt Minister of Music Grace First Presbyterian Church

Mea culpa

The July 20, 2018 story “Saving for a rainy day: New water legislation takes long-term approach to combat drought” should have stated that new water legislation requires municipalities to establish average indoor water-use goals per person, not per household.

ONLINE EDITOR

Denny Cristales EDITORIAL INTERNS

Izzie Hallock Lissette Mendoza

DESIGN EDITOR

Sebastian Echeverry COLUMNISTS

Claudine Burnett Blair Cohn

The Signal Tribune welcomes letters to the editor, which should be signed, dated and include a phone number to verify authenticity. Letters are due by noon on the Wednesday before desired publication date. The Signal Tribune reserves the right to edit l­etters for grammar, language and space requirements. Letters must be 500 words or fewer. The Signal Tribune will publish no more than one “pro” letter and one “con” letter on a particular topic in a single issue. The Signal ­Tribune does not print letters that refer substantially to articles in other publications and might not print those that have recently been printed in other ­publications or otherwise presented in a public forum. Letters to the editor and commentaries are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Signal Tribune or its staff. Although the editorial staff will attempt to verify and/or correct i­nformation when possible, letters to the editor and commentaries are opinions, and readers should not assume that they are statements of fact. Letter-writers will be identified by their professional titles or affiliations when, and only when, the editorial staff deems it relevant and/or to provide context to the letter. We do not run letters to the editor submitted by individuals who have declared their candidacies for public office in upcoming races. This policy was put in place because, to be fair, if we publish one, we would have to publish all letters submitted by all candidates. The volume would no doubt eliminate space for letters submitted by other readers. Instead, we agree to interview candidates and print stories about political races in an objective manner and offer very reasonable advertising rates for those candidates who wish to purchase ads. The Signal Tribune is published each Friday with a circulation of 30,000. Yearly subscriptions are available for $50.

1399 E. 28th St., Signal Hill, CA 90755 (562) 595-7900 www.signaltribune.com newspaper@signaltribune.com

COMMUNITY

July 27, 2018

5

Patricia’s Mexican Restaurant

Dine In

TAKE OUT

$$16.00 Salmon Fish Fillet Dinner Order your holiday tamales now!

OFF Dinner Choose from beef, chicken, pork, pinapple, Choose from beef, chicken, pork, pineapple, +Medium +Medium Drink per dozenDrinksweetsweet corn, strawberry or cheese w/ jalepenos corn, or cheese w/jalapeños *Offer expires *Offer expires when you purchase 2 dinner plates & 2 drinks (with this ad)

JUST $12.99* Authentic

10/31/18

JUST $9.99*

Mexican Food

3626 Atlantic Ave. • Bixby Knolls 562-426-7547 • Fax: 562-426-0684 562-426-7547

10/31/18

Hours: HOURS: Hours: Mon-Sat: 99a.m. a.m.--10 10p.m. p.m.

Mon-Sat 8:30am-10:30pm Mon-Sat: Sun: a.m.

9 p.m.

Sunday 8:30am-9pm Sun:99a.m.

-- 9p.m.

- PATIO DINING

Open 7 Days aW eek 1/2 OFF*

nOW serving Dinner Monday through Friday 5pm - 9pm patiO Dining!

Breakfast & Lunch 7am - 3pm

Benedicts, Omelettes, Wraps, Salads, Chili & more.

Also... Bloody Marys, Mimosas, beer & wine.

DOgs WeLcOme!

3405 Orange Ave., Long Beach

562.490.2473

Facebook.com/BlackbirdCafeLB

$1

TACO TUESDAYS

Ground Beef or Shredded Beef (Dine in Only)

$2 Domestic Pints

T ry O ur H Ouse s pecials !

Lona’s Albondigas • Fajitas Supreme • Wings Border Burger • Nachos • Pork Sliders

16 BEERS

Karaoke

ON TAP! Wed–Sat 8 p.m.

Mexican & American-Style Food

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner served 6am-9pm 1174 Wardlow Rd., LB (West of Orange Ave.) 562-427-4630 us on Facebook!

Signal Tribune

5

AROUND TOWN

SEW WHAT? What Meeting Who Hosted by The Long Beach Chapter of the Embroiderers of America, Inc. When Friday, July 27 at 11am Where Long Beach City College, 1305 E. PCH More Info Frances Packer will be teaching the blackwork butterfly. Email Christa Barry at barrychen99@gmail.com.

When Sunday, July 29 from 8am to 11:30am Where 16426 Bellflower Blvd.

More Info The cost is $7 per person and includes eggs to order, full breakfast buffet, waffles with toppings, coffee, orange juice and drink specials at the bar.

BICYCLE DRIVE-IN What Outdoor movie Who Hosted by The Downtown Long Beach Alliance and Summer and Music When Saturday, Aug. 4 at 6pm Where Pine Avenue, between Fourth Street and Fifth Street More Info Attendees will have the opportunity to watch a free outdoor movie screening of Harold and Maude. The film begins at 8:20pm.

Free bike valet and two-hour parking in nearby garages will be available. Visit summerandmusic.com.

PINT FOR PINT What Camp Fire blood drive Who Hosted by The Camp Fire Long Beach Council When Saturday, July 28 from 9am to 3:30pm Where 7070 E. Carson St. More Info Donors will receive a T-shirt or a coupon for a pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream. Before donating, attendees are advised to check blood drive health requirements. Call (562) 843-3354.

CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS What Book club FARM-FRESH FEAST Who Hosted by Bixby Knolls LitWhat Fundraiser erary Society Who Hosted by Farm Lot 59 When Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 7pm When Saturday, July 28 from 3pm Where Elise’s Tea Room, 3924 Atto 7pm lantic Ave. Where 2714 California Ave. More Info Readers will discuss More Info Money raised will ben- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Reefit Farm Lot 59. The event will freshments will be provided. Email include music, food, refreshments info@bixbyknollsinfo.com. and ice cream. Visit farmlot59.org.

SIMON SAYS...

EGGS WITH THE ELKS What Evening with former CounWhat Monthly breakfast cilmember Renee Simon Who Hosted by Elks Lodge #888 Who Hosted by the Historical So-

ciety of Long Beach When Thursday, Aug. 16 from 5:30pm to 8pm Where Keesal, Young & Logan, 400 Oceangate More Info The cocktail reception begins at 5:30pm, and the program runs from 6pm to 8pm. Tickets cost $80 for non-members or $70 for HSLB members and can be purchased through hslb.org.

FUN RUN What 5k Run, Walk, Roll Who Hosted by Meals on Wheels When Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8am Where Veterans Memorial Stadium, 5000 E. Lew Davis St. More Info Free parking will be available at the south end of the stadium lot. Tickets cost $35 per runner and $25 for students and disabled individuals. Visit mowlb. org.

SCRIPT EQUIPPED What Introduction to Screenwriting workshop Who Hosted by the Long Beach Public Library When Saturday, Aug. 25 at 11am Where Long Beach Main Library, 101 Pacific Ave. More Info Long Beach filmmaker and author Steven Deeble will conduct a free introductory-level workshop on screenwriting in the Miller Special Collections Room.

To reserve a seat, email lauren. nguyen@lbpl.org.

City of Signal Hill receives Risk-Management Award The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA), a municipal self-insurance pool, honored the City of Signal Hill with a “Best Overall Performance” award for “Agencies with Police for the Liability Program” for the JPIA’s 2018 Risk-Management Awards.

It is the second year in a row that Signal Hill has won a Risk Management Award from the Authority. Last year, the City won the award in the category of “Agencies with Public Safety for the Workers’ Compensation Program.”

“The Risk Management Awards highlight dedicated efforts and achievements in risk management, recognizing Authority members that have demonstrated the best overall performance in the Liability Program and the Workers’ Compensation Program,” states a press release from the City. “To select the winners, Authority staff evaluated various factors that reflect an organization’s risk-management efforts, including the cost of claims and their progress towards completing action plan items.”

Signal Hill City Council Member Lori Woods and Director of Finance Scott Williams accepted the award on behalf of the City at the JPIA’s board of directors meeting on July 18 at the Authority’s La Palma campus.

“The Authority’s Risk Management Award is an important recognition of accomplishment for our members,” said Jonathan Shull, chief executive officer of the California JPIA. “Not only does it recognize the risk-management efforts of our winners, the award also serves to highlight the importance the California JPIA places on how good governance and effective management can benefit all Authority members.”

Source: City of SH

Courtesy City of SH

The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA), a municipal self-insurance pool, honored the City of Signal Hill with a “Best Overall Performance” award for “Agencies with Police for the Liability Program” for the JPIA’s 2018 Risk Management Awards on July 18. Pictured from left: JPIA Executive Committee President Curtis Morris; Signal Hill Director of Finance Scott Williams; Signal Hill Councilmember Lori Woods; and JPIA Liability Program Manager Paul Zeglovitch.

Commentary continued from page 4

The Signal Tribune distributes 30,000 copies door-to-door every Friday!

your future Social Security benefits when you access your Social Security Statement, one of the many services available with a “my Social Security” account at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Do you have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits? How do you apply for Social Security retirement benefits? What is your full retirement age? Discover the answers to your Social Security related questions at our Frequently Asked Questions page at socialsecurity.gov/ faq.

Do you own a business? The Business Services Online Suite of Services allows organizations, businesses, individuals, employers, attorneys, non-attorneys representing Social Security claimants and third-parties to exchange information with Social Security securely over the Internet. Find it at socialsecurity.gov/bso/services.htm.

Have you dreamed of moving abroad? Learn how Social Security makes international payments and how you can do business with us from around the world at socialsecurity.gov/foreign.

Are you a veteran? Are you at mid-career? Maybe you’re new to the workforce. Find out how we fulfill your needs through life’s journey on our People Like Me page at socialsecurity.gov/people.

If you like to read and prefer to know all the details, our publications webpage is a library of helpful information. Access it at socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

We make things simple, easy to use and beneficial.

And we’re always here to help you secure today and tomorrow, at socialsecurity.gov.

Jacqueline Zaragoza is Social Security Public Affairs specialist in the Sierra West area.

6

NEWS

Signal Tribune

Man shot, killed in LB park restroom

A man was shot and killed at a Long Beach park on the afternoon of Saturday, July 21, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

At 4:26pm that day, officers were dispatched to the shooting in the 5100 block of E. Centralia Street, where they located a male adult victim who had been shot by a male adult suspect, police said. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics responded and determined the victim was deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicates the victim was in the park restroom when the suspect shot him in the upper torso.

After the shooting, the suspect fled the park on foot. The motive for the shooting is unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.

Other media report that the victim was attending a family reunion when he was shot.

The identity of the victim is unknown at this time and will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Those who witnessed or have information regarding the incident are urged to call Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives M. Hubbard and A. Garcia at (562) 570-7244.

Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to a smartphone or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

Source: LBPD

Nearly 800K voter-registration transactions completed since April launch of California Motor Voter A total of 792,851 voter-registration transactions were completed through the Department of Motor Vehicles in the first two and half months since the launch of California Motor Voter, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced Wednesday. The activity includes new voter registrations, as well as re-registrations and updated address transactions.

The total includes: • 259,294 new voter registrations • 393,020 re-registrations • 120,016 updates to voter-registration address • 20,521 online voter registrations routed from DMV website and paper voter-registration cards mailed to the Secretary of State’s office.

“California Motor Voter is a game-changer for voter registration, and hundreds of thousands of Californians have already taken advantage of this new opportunity,” Padilla said. “By automatically registering and pre-registering to vote eligible Californians as they complete a driver license, state ID or change of address transaction at the DMV, we are making it easier than ever to participate in our democracy.

California Motor Voter is helping ensure hundreds of thousands of eligible Californians will be registered and ready to vote this November.”

The report reflects transactions from April 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. California Motor Voter launched April 23. Padilla’s office indicated that there is a clear spike in registration activity as California Motor Voter streamlined the voter registration process for eligible citizens who applied for or renewed a driver’s license or state ID at the DMV. There were nearly 300,000 more voter registration transactions at the DMV during the first three months of California Motor Voter than there were during the previous three months. Since the launch of California Motor Voter, there has been an over 54-percent increase in voter registrations through the DMV compared to the previous threemonth period.

“Our automatic registration program seems to be doing its job of registering new voters while also cleaning up our voter rolls with updated information,” Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher

said. “Kudos to Secretary of State Padilla for implementing this vital program.”

The report also includes statistics on the language preference selected by those registered through California Motor Voter and the outreach conducted by the Secretary of State’s office to eligible Californians who opted out of voter registration at the DMV. Source: Padilla’s office

Visit signaltribune.com and check out the new design layout for our website! All the stories of the July 27 print issue will be available online.

LBPD appoints new commander, makes changes in command-staff assignments Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Robert Luna has selected Lieutenant Patrick O’Dowd, a 25-year veteran of the department, for promotion to the rank of commander.

O’Dowd began his career with the LBPD in January 1993 as a clerk typist in the records division. He was promoted to records supervisor, a position he held until he was hired as a police recruit in 1995. He was promoted to sergeant in January 2011 and to lieutenant in September 2015.

O’Dowd has worked a variety of assignments throughout his career, including patrol, special enforcement section, gang detail, financial crimes, homicide and internal affairs. His most recent assignment has been as the ad-

ministrative lieutenant in the patrol bureau.

O’Dowd has both a bachelor’s of science and master’s of science degrees in business administration and finance from California State University, Long Beach. He will be assigned as the commander of the East Division.

Additionally, Luna has announced command staff assignment changes that will become effective on Saturday, Aug. 4. Commanders typically rotate every few years to provide them with increased opportunities for career development and community engagement, according to the LBPD. The new commander assignments are as follows: Commander Erik Herzog will be transferring from the East Division

Courtesy LBPD

Patrick O’Dowd

to the Office of the Chief of Police, where he will serve as the chief of staff; and Commander Paul LeBaron will be temporarily assigned to the investigations bureau as the commander of the detective division.

Source: LBPD

Zia, Malauulu to lead LBCC District Board Sunny Zia was elected president of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees and Vivian Malauulu was elected vice president at the board’s July 24 meeting.

In her role, Zia will preside over the meetings of the board and act as its chief spokesperson, among other duties. The positions are elected annually among the five board members, to a one-year term.

Zia represents Area 3 and was elected in 2014. A first-generation immigrant, she was the first woman to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Tehran. She later earned a master of science degree in civil engineering from the University of California, Irvine. She was sworn in for her second term during Tuesday’s meeting.

Malauulu is the first Latina elected to the LBCCD Board of Trustees to represent Area 2. She has: a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge; a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills; and four K-14 bilingual teaching credentials. She was first elected in 2016.

Dr. Virginia Baxter, representing Area 5, and new trustee Uduak-Joe Ntuk, representing Area 1, were also sworn in during the meeting.

Source: LBCC

Back to School Boutique

One Stop Shopping, Food & Fun!!

Date: August 5, 2018 Time: 12 - 4pm Location: 3703 Maine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806

Vendors to Include:

July 27, 2018

Pampered Chef, Scentsy, LuLaRoe, LipSense, Designer Ceramics, Thirty-One, Mary Kay & Doterra Oils

Courtesy LBCC

Long Beach 3rd District Councilmember Suzie Price (far left) swears in Sunny Zia (far right) as president of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees on July 24. Also pictured is Zia’s sister Granaz.

NEWS

July 27, 2018

Lowenthal, colleagues lead passage of bipartisan bill imposing sanctions on Cambodian officials attacking democracy Congressmember Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) this week joined with his colleagues Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Rep. Ed Royce (CA-39) and Rep. Ted Yoho (FL-03) to lead the successful bipartisan passage of legislation that will enact sanctions on Cambodian officials responsible for undermining democracy in the Southeast Asian nation, according to Lowenthal’s office.

Entitled the Cambodian Democracy Act of 2018, H.R.5754 would freeze all assets in the United States, restrict all financial transactions with the U.S. and deny entry to the U.S. of senior Cambodian government, military and security force officials whom the President of the United States determines has “directly and substantially undermined democracy in Cambodia.”

“The regime of Prime Minister Hun Sen has done everything in his power to destroy any hope of democracy in Cambodia,” Lowenthal said. “The Cambodian people were promised free and fair elections, but instead, this weekend’s contest will be a sham perpetrated by Hun Sen to further extend his control of Cambodia. The prime minister’s descent into authoritarianism will not go unchecked. This bill puts force to our warnings and makes it clear we will

Signal Tribune

Six-artist exhibit to present various styles Greenly Art Space, 2698 Junipero Ave #113 in Signal Hill, will host an opening reception on Aug. 4 for In Their Own Style, an exhibit that will include six artists from the Long Beach Creative Group (LBCG). Featured artists are Marka Burns, Donald Tiscareno, Robyn Feeley, Greg Fritsche, Michiel Daniel and Dorte Christjansen.

“The Long Beach Creative Group is dedicated to expanding the arts and making sure there is viable space for local artists to showcase their work,” according to a press release from Greenly.

“Through their organization, they spread awareness of the issue of lack of space available for artists to exhibit their particular art form.”

In the show, different styles, aesthetics and materials create multiple unique pieces. One of the artists, Marka Burns, with whom Greenly has been working to curate the show, is exhibiting her own work, which consists largely of digital imagery and mixed media to create a conversation about identity and disguise.

Tiscareno will be showing pieces that reference inspiration he has drawn from work he viewed in Paris in the early ‘60s.

Feeley creates pastel painting

Courtesy Greenly Art Space

“Curiosity,” watercolor on Arches paper by Dorte Chirstjansen

on velour board with images of lively sea creatures inspired by those found in the Long Beach

on the plein-air style.

Daniel’s work takes a surrealist approach by considering the distortion and digitation of electronic images.

Christjansen’s work consists mainly of watercolor paintings and batiks with lively colors that take inspiration from surrounding landscapes, her own garden and other locations.

“I have worked with many of these artists over the last five years for multiple group exhibits at Greenly,” said Kimberly Hocking, director of the nonprofit gallery. “I have been consistently impressed with each artist’s inspiration and artistic mastery in contemplating the multiple themes for these exhibits. We are excited to exhibit and share their work with the community.”

The opening will take place Saturday, Aug. 4 from 7pm to 9pm.

The exhibit will run through Sept.

29 and can be viewed by appointment at (562) 533-4020 or during regular gallery hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 11am to 2pm. Visit greenlyartspace.org.

Source: Greenly Art Space

area.

Fritsche is an impressionist painter from California who takes

see LOWENTHAL page 14

WITH

When:

Thursday, August 9th, 2018

Time:

5:30pm – 7:00pm

Jennifer Sawday, TLD Law

Hosted by:

Where:

Farmers & Merchants Bank 4545 California Ave. (at E 45th St.) Long Beach, CA 90807

Topics of Discussion: • The importance of setting up a Trust

BIXBY KNOLLS

Refreshments will be served Behind

Atlantic Ave.

• Update on tax laws impacting estate plans 710 405

SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP BY AUGUST 1ST. (866) 874-0472 | FMB.com/TrustSeminar

E. 45th Wy. E. Carson St.

Orange Ave.

California Ave.

W. Del Amo Blvd.

• Ensuring that your assets are properly vested

7

8

NEWS

Signal Tribune

July 27, 2018

Board of Harbor Commissioners elect president, VP and secretary

Photos courtesy Port of LB

Tracy Egoscue

Courtesy City of LB

The Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commission voted last week to approve a recommendation to the city manager for the installation of playground equipment at Jenni Rivera Memorial Park, 2001 Walnut Ave. The project is one of several new playgrounds in the city that are being implemented with Measure A funds.

Jenni Rivera Memorial Park getting new playground equipment The Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commission voted on July 19 to approve a recommendation to City Manager Patrick West for the installation of playground equipment at the existing Jenni Rivera Memorial Park, 2001 Walnut Ave. The project is one of several new playgrounds in Long Beach that are being implemented with Measure A funds.

“We are actively working to improve public recreation within the city,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Community investment in Measure A makes projects like these possible.”

The Jenni Rivera Memorial Park playground will be located across from the mural dedicated to the late singer.

The playground will be accessible from multiple neighborhood access points, including Orange and Walnut Avenues, and 21st Street, East Wesley Drive and E Smith Place, by the existing bike and pedestrian path that runs the length of Jenni Rivera Memorial Park.

“Soon, children in our community will have a new and safe place to play and explore the outdoors,” said Vice Mayor Dee Andrews. “The Jenni Rivera Memorial Park is a significant landmark that is deserving of this much needed improvement, and I am glad we can be a part of bringing this project to life.”

The project includes site preparation and installation of a play structure with

a slide and climbing pieces, along with rubberized safety surfacing. The playground is designed for children of various age groups and will feature bright colors to complement the vibrant mural across the park, officials said.

The project is made possible through $250,000 in Measure A funds and $10,000 in “Divide-by-Nine” funds from City Council District 6, totaling $260,000. Funds are budgeted in the Capital Projects Fund in the Public Works Department.

The project is currently in the design phase, and construction is anticipated to begin in the fall.

Source: City of LB

Harbor Commissioner Tracy Egoscue was elected as board president Monday to lead the body that oversees the Port of Long Beach.

The five-member Board of Harbor Commissioners also selected Bonnie Lowenthal as vice president and Frank Colonna as secretary. Each July, the commission selects a president and other board officers for one-year terms.

Egoscue, an attorney, is the owner and founder of the Long Beach-based environmental law firm the Egoscue Law Group Inc. and a former deputy attorney general for the State of California. She was appointed to her first six-year term in September 2014. In 2017, the board elected her to a oneyear term as vice president.

“I am honored to be afforded this opportunity by my fellow commissioners,” Egoscue said. “I look forward to working with each individually as well as collectively as we pursue what is best for the port and the city of Long Beach.”

Under the city charter, the board is

Bonnie Lowenthal

Frank Colonna

responsible for setting policy for the port and managing the Harbor Department. Commissioners also direct the port’s executive director, who in turn manages the more than 500-person staff in the development and promotion of the Port of Long Beach.

Source: Port of LB

NEWS

July 27, 2018

Signal Tribune

Getting away with murder?

Expires 8-10-18

45

Two weeks after Dave Gross, 51, a California Heights resident, was struck by a vehicle while crossing Orange Avenue and then stabbed to death by the driver, a memorial still stands near the place where he was killed, asking the public to contact police if they have information about the murder. On Wednesday, July 11, at approximately 9:25pm, Long Beach police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Wardlow Road and Orange Avenue, where they encountered Gross

9

with stab wounds. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter. The investigation determined the suspect vehicle may have struck Gross as he was crossing the street, after which he became involved in a dispute with the driver, who then stabbed Gross and fled northbound on Orange Avenue in a white vehicle.

Those who witnessed or have information regarding the incident are urged to contact homicide detectives Todd Johnson and Donald Collier at (562) 5707244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to a smartphone or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

Source: LBPD

Cory Bilicko | Signal Tribune

Tax

continued from page 3

the Senate on April 23, according to the California Legislative Information website at bit.ly/2v46i7d.

Glazer agreed to give the League of California Cities more time to analyze the effects of the proposal. As a result, SCA 20 is currently on hold.

In a phone interview Tuesday, a representative with Glazer’s Sacramento office, who chose to not publicly disclose his name, said a majority of the cities that are opposed to the amendment are those who have sales-tax rebate deals with warehouses or retailers who ship products. The retailers could have the option to attribute a certain amount of sales taxes to a specific location, he said.

“If the city doesn’t have that, chances are they would actually benefit from the bill, because the cities that only have people who are ordering online products and are receiving them now see that sales tax being diverted elsewhere,” Glazer’s representative said. “Since there’s only a handful of these warehouses, and the sales tax that’s collected gets concentrated in those cities, most of the cities in the state would benefit from the bill, because the sales tax would be distributed more evenly and equitably.”

The representative cited information from the League of California Cities and said 10 percent of the cities in California– 40 incorporated cities out of a total of 400– have sales-tax rebate deals with warehouses or retailers.

In an emailed response to the Signal Tribune about whether the City has any sales-tax rebate deals with retailers, Honeycutt said Signal Hill has had a partnership with Office Depot since 1996.

“At that time, Office Depot was needing to expand and looking to relocate to another county,” he wrote.

“The agreement was necessary to retain Office Depot in Signal Hill and enable them to expand their facilities. During this period, the Long Beach-Signal Hill area was suffering from job losses created by the closure of the Long Beach Naval Base and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 airplane plant. The agreement retained 700 existing jobs plus added 125 jobs as part of the Office Depot expansion.”

Glazer’s representative confirmed that the League of California Cities

is on-record as saying that it intends to reform the way SCA 20 works, because officials think the online sales-tax distribution will not be equitable.

The results of a state audit a year ago motivated Glazer to introduce SCA 20 with his Senate colleagues.

In analyzing last year’s information, he received a recommendation from a nonpartisan independent auditor to pitch the idea to the State Legislature of redistributing internet sales taxes in an attempt to balance revenue evenly.

The Constitution establishes the way sales tax is allocated, and it would be the responsibility of California voters to choose whether or not to finalize SCA 20 if it makes onto a ballot.

Glazer’s representative said the soonest SCA 20 would be on the California ballot is 2020 because of time constraints.

“More than likely is that the bill will die when the current session ends in September,” he said, “and then we’ll have to bring a new version of it next year.”

Honeycutt explained that SCA 20 would require a two-thirds approval of the State Legislature to be placed on the California ballot, and then it would require a two-thirds voter approval because the bill is a constitutional amendment.

“The law, I believe, is well intended,” he said. “It’s trying to catch up with the current marketplace. [...]

It’s kind of this big, messy, complicated thing– sales tax. They’re trying to clean it up and, again, I think that’s well intended, but I believe that it needs a more in-depth analysis before any real law is passed by the Legislature.”

Glazer’s representative affirmed that the senator is brainstorming solutions for his proposal with his colleagues that could benefit everybody, such as a potential 10-year phase-in of the law for cities, perhaps like Signal Hill, that would need time to adjust to the new system.

“The senator is working very closely with the League of Cities and his colleagues to try to find a way to do this,” he said. “A way that kind of puts the state on a new path without pulling the rug out from the handful of cities that currently rely on this revenue.” ✦

10

Signal Tribune

NEWS

July 27, 2018

Portion of Pico Avenue to be closed this weekend for bridge project Closure will be last major one for demolition of northbound 710 connector ramp.

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor

Beach city attorney and councilmember, has served the port and city since its construction, but officials say increased traffic volume and time have taken their toll.

With nearly 15 percent of the country’s waterborne cargo transported across the bridge, it is an important access route for the port, and the 200-plus-foot clearance will welcome some of the largest ships to ever pass through the channel, officials say.

The new bridge is expected to be fully open in about a year.

Updates on the construction of the bridge are available at newgdbridge.com. The project can also be followed on Instagram or Twitter @newgdbridge or on Facebook at newgdbridge. ✦

This weekend will mark the final significant closure related to the demolition of the northbound 710 connector ramp for the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project.

Beginning at 9pm on Friday, July 27 and lasting through the weekend, a portion of Pico Avenue directly under the old ramp and the southbound Pico off-ramp next to it will be closed. It will reopen at 5am on Monday.

During the closure, motorists traveling west on Ocean Boulevard toward Terminal Island and San Pedro will not be impacted. Both northbound and southbound traffic on Harbor Scenic Drive will also remain open.

However, those traveling east over the bridge will exit on the Pico northbound off-ramp, then turn left heading north. At 9th Street, they can: turn left onto the 710 north on-ramp; turn right, continue onto 10th Street and take the downtown on-ramp to head into the city; or turn right, remain on 9th Street up to Anaheim Street, turn right, then take the southbound on-ramp onto the 710 to travel to the Queen Mary area.

Trucks with oversized loads will not be allowed to travel on Pico Avenue through the affected area while the closure is in effect.

The replacement project, which is a joint effort of Caltrans and the port, with additional funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, will result in a new cable-stayed bridge with 205 feet of clearance over the channel.

“Thank you again for everyone’s patience and understanding during this closure and during the entirety of this significant infrastructure improvement project,” states the latest weekly emailed update from the project’s officials. “We are pleased to announce we are heading into the final stretch towards completion of the new bridge, which will offer vastly improved traffic flow and additional safety lanes.”

The undertaking to replace the original 1.5-mile-span Desmond Bridge, which was completed in the late 1960s, is currently the second-largest construction project in California. The new bridge will provide three lanes in each direction to improve traffic flow, emergency lanes Courtesy Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project on both sides to reduce traffic delays and safety hazards, Beginning at 9pm on Friday, July 27, a portion of Pico Aveand 205 feet of vertical clearance to accommodate the nue directly under the old ramp and the southbound Pico offworld’s largest, “greener” vessels, according to officials.

The old bridge, which was named after a former Long ramp next to it will be closed until 5am the following Monday.

Izzie Hallock | Signal Tribune

‘Facebook for fish’ Izzie Hallock Editorial Intern

The Aquarium of the Pacific is the first public aquarium to successfully raise a giant sea bass, and on Thursday, July 26, the fish was seen swimming around in its new tank after nearly tripling in size, prompting the move to a larger exhibit. Yutaka, the giant sea bass, hatched on Oct. 4, 2016, and its parents have been residents of the Blue Cavern exhibit at the aquarium since 1998. In addition to showcasing the giant sea bass, Sandy Trautwein, vice president of animal husbandry at the aquarium, announced the launch of the newest marine program, Spotting Giant Sea Bass. Representatives from the aquarium teamed up with researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) to initiate the program. Douglas McCauley, professor of marine biology at UCSB, explained what the new program entails.

“The project serves to sort of deputize ocean enthusiasts and scientists– anybody who likes to dive, snorkel, fish and whatever,” McCauley said. “In the process of doing research, it becomes a [...] portal where they send their pictures [...] goes up on this site, and then we can make matches for these individuals over time, over space, as people see them in different places and see them over different periods of time. [...] The site operates a little bit like a Facebook for fish, which is to say when you submit a picture and you make a match, you then get a notification that somebody else spots that fish in a new place at a different time. So, you connect to the research, and you connect to the story of these fish, which is special and meaningful for us as researchers that are looking to get these stories out into the community better.” Although the giant sea bass is a critically endangered species, Trautwein discussed how the program will help conserve the fish’s population. “Once again,” Trautwein said, “the Aquarium of the Pacific is very proud to be partnering with this project, and we encourage all divers to go out and check out the website, put your photos in, so that we can learn more about where these animals are going, so we can better conserve them.”

The best bank for you?

The one that won’t make you shudder when you see your car payment.

THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN BEING STUCK IN TRAFFIC is being stuck with a high interest rate auto loan. So now’s the time to refinance to a great low rate. Check us out to see how much you can save over the life of your car loan when you open a Wescom account.

Anyone living in the seven Southern California counties can open an account online at Wescom.org, or any of our 22 branches, including: SIGNAL HILL

2600 Cherry Ave. Signal Hill, CA 90755

Federally Insured by the NCUA.

@Liz_Wescom

1-888-8WESCOM

/WescomCreditUnion

(1-888-893-7266)

@Liz_Wescom

wescom.org

The best bank for you may not be a bank at all.

Loan approval subject to credit and income evaluation. Account opening and Visa® Debit Card subject to verification by ChexSystems, a consumer reporting agency; Primary Payment Systems, an independent verification service; and Credit Union approval. A $1 deposit to a Regular Savings Account is required. Certain conditions and restrictions apply.

COMMUNITY

July 27, 2018

Ordinance

Signal Tribune

11

continued from page 3

are safe.”

Long Beach has more than 1,300 active STR units, which Long Beach Development Services indicates is approximately three quarters of the city’s housing stock.

“We don’t have 10,000 STRs– we’ve got about 1,500,” Pearce said.

“So what I’m looking for, hopefully, is to get a recommendation around using some of the fees to go into maintaining our existing housing stock. We know we have old housing stock, particularly in central Long Beach and the west side and in my district, so is there a fund we can use to help landlords upkeep those before they start kicking people out to redo them completely? We want to make sure that we find the right model for us and not set our goals too high that we can’t reach them.”

After the presentation, attendees received a paper survey, not available online, to review a specific set of six key themes: Sense of Community; Enforcement; Housing Supply and Housing Affordability; Parking; Noise and Parties; and Safety and Liability.

Comments were mixed, ranging from full support of STRs to total opposition. The latter included noise complaints and parking issues at STRs where property owners do not live in the rented units.

“I do not want my cardiologist up all night long before he performs a triple bypass in the morning,” Naples Island resident Beverly Butters wrote.

Butters is a HomeAway host, and she emphasized safety concerns in situations with “absentee hosts” who live too far away from their units to be present in the case of a problem.

The City’s code allows STRs with specific limitations, for example the owner must live on the premises and loud parties are prohibited.

“I am a responsible host,” But-

Photos by Paige Pelonis | Signal Tribune

Participants of a community workshop regarding short-term rental regulations in Long Beach on Saturday, July 21, share their opinions on the issue.

ters said. “I know how to screen my people. We can’t have party houses, and, sadly, there is no way to police it. It is a double-edged sword.”

Other comments expressed support for STRs and their positive impact on the Long Beach economy.

Long Beach has 960 Airbnb hosts, according to an Airbnb report of the guest economic impact on the city.

The report indicates that, from 2017 to 2018, 70,000 guests spent an estimate of $42 million on food, shopping, transportation, entertainment, etc. in Long Beach.

Julie Dean, a member of the Bel-

Notice regarding State Farm California Personal Property Depreciation Decision

mont Shore Residents Association and an Airbnb host, gives credit for the economic boost to hosts who make recommendations to their guests.

“Hosts recommend Long Beach businesses, restaurants, shops, entertainment, stores […] and that is increasing that money for the city,” Dean said. “And the other thing […] is that [hosts] have improved their landscaping and their homes, therefore increasing the value. And a lot of times, when they improve their landscaping, then other people in the neighborhood start doing it as well.

I think there are a lot of positives for the city and for our neighborhood.”

Dean said she has loved the over-

all hosting experience, but she understands the perspectives of those who want STR regulations. She shared a story about one problem she experienced as a host, when she was able to intervene because she lives in her unit and rents out two of the rooms.

“They were like freshmen in college, and I couldn’t tell by their picture how young they were,” she said.

“And I smelled pot. I texted them and I was like, ‘Are you guys smoking?’ He goes, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. My friend forgot to read the rules.’ I’m like, ‘OK, but you read the rules.

And you’re in the room with him.’

So they stopped, and that was that.”

Johnson left the workshop with

The case regarding State Farm’s method of depreciating personal property in California was tried in Santa Clara County Superior Court in November and December of 2015. After hearing the evidence and arguments presented by both sides, the Court issued its decision on April 20, 2016. The Court held that for certain claims State Farm did not calculate depreciation according to the requirements of California law and also failed to adequately notify its policyholders, in writing, of the basis or reasoning for its calculation of depreciation.

Since this lawsuit was filed, State Farm has changed its claim adjustment practices.

State Farm now asks policyholders who make a personal property claim to rate the condition of each item of lost or damaged personal property they claim.

State Farm then factors condition into its calculation of depreciation. The full text of the Court’s Decision is available at statefarmpersonalpropertysettlement.com.

statefarmpersonalpropertysettlement.com

MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

AIRLINE CAREERS START HERE

Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician.

Financial aid for qualified students.

Job placement assistance.

Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance

877-205-4138

One participant of the community-input workshop regarding short-term rentals in Long Beach on Saturday, July 21, commented on the need for flexibility on short- and long-term renting.

the impression that three community workshops and the level of community involvement are “good enough,” given the range of opinions, the limited number of people participating in the process and his own persisting uncertainty of the best direction for STR regulations. “[The first workshop] was a lot more crowded– there were a lot more people there,” Johnson said.

“Airbnb showed their support last time, and then this time there were not as many people there. I mean, they had 600 people respond via email, and there’s half a million people in Long Beach. So not very many people are involved.”

Approximately 200 people attended the workshop, and the majority wore sky-blue T-shirts with the words “We Share Long Beach” and hashtag Airbnb written on the back.

“I think each part of the city has a different turn-out, a different issue that is important to them,” Pearce said regarding the number of people in attendance. “I am still looking for some more community outreach, making sure all the stakeholders are being heard. The best outcome is one where everyone has a seat at the table.” ✦

12

Signal Tribune

TST5720 / Case No. NS034486 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 275 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802.

PETITION OF Alain Daniel Castillo Chimbo.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: ALAIN DANIEL CASTILLO CHIMBO has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing his name as follows: Present Name: ALAIN DANIEL CASTILLO CHIMBO to Proposed Name: ALAIN DANIEL CHIMBO. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 17, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept.

S27, Room 5400. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018 ___//ss//___ Patrick T. Madden, Judge of the Superior Court Dated July 2, 2018 TST5721 / Case No. NS034409 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 275 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802.

PETITION OF Pandora Denise Williams.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: PANDORA DENISE WILLIAMS has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her name as follows: Present Name: PANDORA DENISE WILLIAMS to Proposed Name: PANDORA DENISE GIBSON. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 31, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept.

27. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018 ___//ss//___ Patrick T. Madden, Judge of the Superior Court Dated May 8, 2018

TST5722 / Case No. VS030943 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 12720 Norwalk Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 PETITION OF Julie Villalobos on behalf of Ariel Oliva.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: Julie Villalobos on behalf of Ariel Oliva has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her daughter’s name as follows: Present Name: ARIEL JANE OLIVA to Proposed Name: ARIEL JANE OLIVA VILLALOBOS. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 29, 2018; Time: 1:30A M; Dept. C, Room 312. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 13, 20, 27, August 3, 2018 ___//ss//___ Margaret M. Bernal, Judge of the Superior Court Dated July 5, 2018 TST5723 / Case No. NS034492 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 275 Magnolia, Long Beach, CA 90802 PETITION OF Quelin Rojas Martinez by her mother, Maria Isabel Martinez de Jesus.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: Quelin Rojas Martinez by her mother, Maria Isabel Martinez de Jesus has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her daughter’s name as follows: Present Name: QUELIN ROJAS MARTINEZ to Proposed Name: KELLY ROJAS MARTINEZ. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons

PUBLIC NOTICES interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 16, 2018; Time: 1:30A M; Dept. S26, Room 5500. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 13, 20, 27, August 3, 2018 ___//ss//___ Michael P. Vicencia, Judge of the Superior Court Dated July 5, 2018

involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property.

You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.

TST5724 / 2018 164561 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: STRIVE PROTECTIVE SERVICES, 5491 N. Paramount Blvd., Apt. 204, Long Beach, CA 90805. Registrant: DESHAWN R. CLEVELAND, 5491 N. Paramount Blvd., Apt. 204, Long Beach, CA 90805. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Deshawn R. Cleveland. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in July, 2018. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 5, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date.

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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: July,13, 20, 27 & August 3, 2018.

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale.

If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (800) 7588052 or visit this Internet Web site www. homesearch.com, using the file number assigned to this case 15-37130. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

TST5725 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 12/14/2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale.

Trustor: UCHE P. RODRIGUEZ, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN Duly Appointed Trustee: LAW OFFICES OF LES ZIEVE Deed of Trust recorded 12/22/2006 as Instrument No. 20062851899 in book , page of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, Date of Sale:8/15/2018 at 11:00 AM Place of Sale: By the fountain located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 Estimated amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $614,674.46 Note: Because the Beneficiary reserves the right to bid less than the total debt owed, it is possible that at the time of the sale the opening bid may be less than the total debt owed.

Street Address or other common designation of real property: 1934 CHERRY AVE SIGNAL HILL, California 90755 Described as follows: Please see attached Exhibit “A” Legal Description.

A.P.N #.: 7216-014-059 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks

Dated: 7/12/2018 LAW OFFICES OF LES ZIEVE, as Trustee 30 Corporate Park, Suite 450 Irvine, CA 92606 For Non-Automated Sale Information, call: (714) 848-7920 For Sale Information: (800) 758-8052 www.homesearch.com _________________________________ Andrew Buckelew, Trustee Sale Assistant THIS FIRM IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE EPP 26025 Pub Dates 07/20, 07/27, 08/03/2018 TST5729 / Case No. NS034507 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, 275 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802.

PETITION OF Randy Cannon.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: RANDY CANNON has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing his name as follows: Present Name: RANDY CANNON to Proposed Name: TECHNO CANNON. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 31, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept. S27, Room 5400. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 20, 27, & August 3, 10, 2018 ___//ss//___ Patrick T. Madden, Judge of the Superior Court Dated July 17, 2018 TST5728 / 2018 173185 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: LUCY’S BOUDOIR, 3925 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: LOS CERRITOS ENTERPRISES, LLC, 3553 Atlantic Avenue, Ste 617, Long Beach, CA 90807. This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Taiwan Rogers. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in January 2017. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 13, 2018.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: July 20, 27 & August 3, 10, 2018.

TST5727 / 2018 173038 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: IMWELL, 135 E. Pepper Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: NOVOSOL GROUP, LLC, 135 E. Pepper Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807.

This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Jaime S. Kamei, President. The registrant has not begun to use this fictitious business name.

This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 13, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: July 20, 27 & August 3, 10, 2018.

TST5735 SUMMONS CASE NO. 18NWLC01258 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: Justin Brock Gerber, DOES 1 to 10 YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: Fion lp NOTICE: You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days.

Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case.

There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

The name and address of the court is: LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT , NORWALK COURTHOUSE, 12720 Norwalk Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney is STEPHEN M. DENNING, ESQ., The Law Offices of Stephen M. Denning, a P.C., 6067 N. Fresno St., Ste. 107, Fresno, CA 93710 (559) 438-5600.

Date: January 16, 2018. Judicial Officer, Sherri R. Carter, Clerk, C. Nash, Deputy Published in the Signal Tribune Newspaper on July 27 & August 3, 10, 17, 2018.

TST5732 / Case No. YS030354 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, TORRANCE COURTHOUSE, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503.

PETITION OF Maryjade Villoria Connor by her father Joel Macaraeg Bedania.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: MARYJADE VILLORIA CONNOR by her father Joel Macaraeg Bedania has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing his daughter’s name as follows: Present Name: MARYJADE VILLORIA CONNOR to Proposed Name: MARYJADE VILLORIA BEDANIA. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: September 7, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept. B. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 27, & August 3, 10, 17, 2018 ___//ss//___ Eric C. Taylor, Judge of the Superior Court Dated July 16, 2018 TST5733 / Case No. YS030359 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, TORRANCE COURTHOUSE, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503.

PETITION OF Kitaro Cory Takesue Webb.

July 27, 2018 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: KITARO CORY TAKESUE WEBB has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing his name as follows: Present Name: KITARO CORY TAKESUE WEBB to Proposed Name: KITARO CORY TAKESUE. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: September 7, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept. M, Room 350. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 27, & August 3, 10, 17, 2018 ___//ss//___ Eric C. Taylor, Judge of the Superior Court Dated July 19, 2018 TST5734 / Case No. YS030360 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, TORRANCE COURTHOUSE, 825 Maple Ave., Torrance, CA 90503.

PETITION OF Aisha Christie Webb.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner: AISHA CHRISTIE WEBB has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her name as follows: Present Name: AISHA CHRISTIE WEBB to Proposed Name: AISHA CHRISTIE TAKESUE. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: September 14, 2018; Time: 8:30A M; Dept. B, Room 340. The address of the court is the same as above. 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 this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1399 E. 28th, Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: July 27, & August 3, 10, 17, 2018 ___//ss//___ Eric C. Taylor, Judge of the Superior Court Dated July 19, 2018 TST5730 / 2018 178861 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: SEREY SOPHORN, 2418 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804. Registrant: WILLIAM REATTHANAK SONG, 2418 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: William Reatthanak Song. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name.

The registrant began using this fictitious business name in July, 2018. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on July 19, 2018. NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: July 27 & August 3, 10, 17, 2018.

TST5736 / 2018 182229 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: BUILDER BOY, 1819 Redondo Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: BUILDER BOY INC., 1819 Redondo Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Jereme James, President. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in July, 2018. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on (date) . NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: July 27 & August 3, 10, 17, 2018.

TST5731 / 2018 178861 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME The following person has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: SEREY SOPHORN, located at 2418 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804.

The fictitious business name(s) referred to above were filed on November 24, 2015, original File No. 2015298563, in the County of Los Angeles. Registrant(S): MILLEENA SONG, 12549 Rose St., Cerritos, CA 90703. This business was conducted by an Individual. Signed: Milleena Song. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on July 19, 2018. Pub. The Signal Tribune: July 27, & August 3, 10, 17 2018.

NEWS

July 27, 2018

EYE ON CRIME CRIMES REPORTED BY THE SIGNAL HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Thursday, July 19 1:06pm Auto burglary 1500 block E. Burnett St. 3:30pm Grand theft– motor vehicle 1500 block E. Spring St. Friday, July 20 1:14pm Grand theft 2800 block California Ave. 1:36pm Possessing paraphernalia; possessing controlled substance; receiving known stolen property ($400 or less); three misdemeanor warrants 3300 block Gundry Ave. (Two suspect arrested) 2:42pm Identity theft 2800 block Temple Ave. 2:51pm Elder abuse 2100 block Gaviota Ave. 6:19pm Grand theft - motor vehicle 1800 block E. Spring St. 8:07pm Burglary 2100 block Ridge View Terrace 8:27pm Battery 2300 block Orange Ave. Sunday, July 22 11:44am Customer dispute/disturbance 3200 block E. PCH

12:44pm Customer dispute/disturbance 2700 block E. PCH Monday, July 23 6:17am Burglary 1700 block E. Hill St. 7:36am Burglary 1700 block E. Hill St. 10:22am Vandalism ($400 or more) 3300 block E. PCH (suspect arrested) 8:13pm Misdemeanor warrant 1600 block E. Willow St. (suspect arrested) Tuesday, July 24 1:54pm Identity theft 900 block E. 33rd St. Wednesday, July 25 12:25pm Forgery 2500 block Cherry Ave. 4:38pm Forgery 2500 block Cherry Ave. 6:05pm Spousal abuse Skyline Dr./Dawson Ave. 11:20pm Spousal abuse 2500 block E. 21st St.

Signal Tribune

Council

13

continued from page 1

ment with consulting firm Overland, Pacific & Cutler (OPC) to help relocate six tenants from one of the City’s commercial office buildings that it will soon demolish.

Elise McCaleb, economic development manager, said the former Signal Hill Redevelopment Agency (RA) had purchased the property, located at 2700-2728 Cherry Ave., in 2010. The successor to the RA, for which the council serves as board members, is seeking to sell that property, along with some adjacent properties totaling 2.3 acres, for auto-dealership use such as a new dealership.

The successor agency had recently entered into exclusive-right-to-negotiate (ERN) agreements with Timmons Subaru and Long Beach Mercedes-Benz to develop that area.

However, for negotiations to proceed, the City must demolish the commercial building to discover the condition of two abandoned oil wells located underneath it and determine whether there are leaks, McCaleb said.

The tenants, including a law office, design firm and landscape business, had already been leasing space in the building when the RA purchased it in 2010.

Per State law, the City must help relocate them. OPC will handle all aspects of that relocation, including issuing 90-day notices to evacuate, meeting with tenants to determine their needs and assisting and advising them on relocation options, which the City hopes it will complete within 180 days.

“Several years ago, we used [OPC] to relocate tenants at 1500 E. Hill St. and 2170 Gundry for the affordable-housing development,” McCaleb said.

According to the staff report, the estimated cost of $140,000 to complete the relocation consists of $26,000 for consulting fees, $109,000 for relocation and $5,000 to determine fixture-and-equipment values.

Since the economic-development

TAX SEASON EXTENSION?

budget includes only $100,000 for relocation services, the council also agreed to move $50,000 from the economic-development reserve fund to the operating budget to cover the rest.

In answer to a question by Vice Mayor Larry Forester, McCaleb said she doesn’t foresee too much difficulty in relocating the tenants.

“These aren’t particularly complicated businesses as far as equipment and installation,” she said. “They’re very comfortable with their trade area, though, and they’ve indicated they want to stay very close to where they are so the challenge will be finding available space that fits their needs.”

Parks plan Aly Mancini, community services director, explained that the City last completed a parks-and-recreation master plan in 1989. Resulting park improvements included Hilltop Park, Discovery Well Park, Panorama Promenade, Sunset View Park, Raymond Arbor Park and the trail system.

“The goal of a [new] parks-and-recreation master plan is to provide a roadmap for the future development of parks, recreational facilities and trails to meet the changing needs of the community,” Mancini said.

She recounted how the City had conducted other needs-assessments to guide its planning. These included a 2008 assessment that identified the need for a larger library (currently under construction), a 2015 fiveyear strategic plan that identified a need to update the parks master plan and a 2016 community-recreation needs-assessment update.

The master plan will include cost estimates for identified park-related capital improvement projects and potential funding sources, Mancini said. The budgeted cost for developing the plan is $100,000, according to the staff report.

As a first step, the council approved releasing an RFP to find a

qualified consultant to complete the plan.

It also chose Mayor Tina Hansen to represent the council on the RFP review committee, which also includes a parks-and-recreation commissioner and the directors of community services, public works and community development.

Mancini said she hopes the council would be able to award a contract

by September, with the chosen firm completing the plan by next summer.

In answer to a question by Councilmember Lori Woods, Mancini said the consultants wouldn’t start from scratch but instead utilize the City’s previous planning work.

“One of the requirements is for the consultant to not only review the most recent document but the others,” she said. “We aren’t starting a process all over again but we’re actually building on the foundation that we’ve already established over the last many years, not just with the needs-assessment but our strategic plan.”

Business spotlight Dan Gilboa, owner of Age of Aquariums, located at 2642 Cherry Ave., presented about his business during the council’s “small-business spotlight.”

“We are a full-service retail store and aquarium design-and-maintenance company,” he said. “I have a fleet of 10 vans that are on the road five days a week, maintaining aquariums ranging in size from five to 5,000 gallons.”

Gilboa, a marine biologist, said he has appreciated creating aquariums that include coral reefs, sharks and jellyfish in Signal Hill since 2007.

“All the building trades, fabricators [and] retail opportunities,” he said, “make Signal Hill the ideal place to run a business.”

The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 7pm in the council chamber at 2175 Cherry Ave.

LIVES LIVED Lily

Lily makes the most amazing eye contact! That’s what the staff at Long Beach Animal Care Services say, and you can see that for yourself! Lily, a 5-year-old tricolor, was left at the shelter because her owner moved. What a shame, because she has the majority of her nine lives to still live out, and she loves people and would make an affectionate companion Meet Lily on the shelter side of the Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570PETS. Ask for ID#A606697.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Mary Buchanan 90 Reba Ball 88 Donald Conner 62 Charles Marra 50 Eva Hower 94 Barbara Barteld 89 Teresa Curtis 89 John Monigold Sr. 82 Frances Deutsch 95 Erik Miller 62 Sambean Thaing 82 Joseph Sanders 78

The families were assisted

by McKenzie Mortuary.

For more details on service dates and times, contact (562) 961-9301.

14

NEWS

Signal Tribune

July 27, 2018

Complaint

continued from page 1

Signal Tribune, four Long Beach taxpayer advocates– Diana Lejins, Gerrie Schipske, Tom Stout and Joe Weinstein– filed a complaint with the FPPC alleging the City misused public funds to campaign for the passage of Measure M, an amendment that, according to city officials, explicitly authorizes and affirms the transfer of surplus city utility revenues to the city’s general fund to support services such as police, fire and 9-1-1 paramedic and other general government services, with a cap of 12 percent of each utility’s annual gross revenue.

In June, Measure M passed with 35,651 votes (53.76 percent of voters) approving it and 30,659 (46.24 percent) voting against it.

Leading up to the June 5 election, city officials put noticeable effort into persuading residents that the measure would not be a tax increase.

After the measure was approved, however, Lejins, Schipske– who is a former 5th District councilmember– Stout and Weinstein submitted their complaint to the commission, on July 11. In it, they allege that the four officials violated the Political Reform Act by using government resources– and, in effect, taxpayer money– to distribute several direct-mail pieces that were clearly not “informational” but rather campaign materials.

The complainants also claimed the mayor and councilmembers used city-paid cellphones and computers to send misleading messages to constituents urging them to vote for Measure M. “These messages told constituents: that Measure M was ‘not a tax,’ when in fact it is; that the transfers would be taken only from ‘surplus,’ which is false; and that constituent utility rates would not be increased, which is also false, as they are being currently raised because of Measure M,” states a June 11 press release from the complainants, who also say state law allows the City to only

spend public money to provide “informational” materials that must be in the “style, tone and timing” that make them indeed informational and not forms of advocacy.

One example the complainants provided to the Signal Tribune was an email blast from Price– sent from the email address suzie@suzieaprice.com and with a subject line of “Reminder to Support Measure M on June 5th.” Although the email from Price does not feature her official city letterhead and was not sent from her government email address, it does identify her as 3rd District Councilwoman Suzie Price.

Attempts to reach Price for comment were unsuccessful by press time Thursday afternoon.

The residents who filed the complaint issued another press release this week announcing that the FPPC is continuing its investigation into the matter.

“We are pleased to announce that today the chief of the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission [Galen West] informed us that an investigation will go forward on our complaint that the City of Long Beach illegally used public money to campaign for the passage of Measure M,” the statement reads. “Measure M is a tax Courtesy Diana Lejins allowing the transfer of up to 12 A July 24 letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission indicates that all those named in four Long Beach resipercent of the gross revenues of the dents’ recent sworn complaint have been dismissed from impending investigation, except for 3rd District Councilmemwater, sewer and gas utilities to the ber Suzie Price.

City general fund and further allows the city council to raise utility rates to pay for the transfers.”

Regardless of whether or not the FPPC finds sufficient evidence of any misdoing by Price, the four complainants say they want city officials to heed a message.

“We hope that, because the FPPC is moving forward, the City of Long Beach gets the message for the upcoming election,” the statement reads, “that the Political Reform Act is clear: government cannot use public resources to campaign– for a tax measure or for a charter change.” ✦

Lowenthal

continued from page 10

not stand by and quietly let this happen. These sanctions are the price Hun Sen and his regime must pay for their assault on the freedom of the Cambodian people.”

The sanctions and travel restrictions would go into effect within 180 days of the bill being signed into law by the President.

The passage in the House of the legislation comes just days before a national general election is scheduled to take place in Cambodia. The main opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), which secured nearly 50 percent of the vote in the last general election in 2013, was dissolved by Cambodia’s court controlled by the Hun Sen regime earlier this year.

Source: Lowenthal’s office

July 27, 2018

NEWS

Signal Tribune

15

Marijuana

continued from page 1

“Right now, it’s in a really weird place. It kind of is hard to compete with that market,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that have two jobs, work hard at it every single day, and now what they usually get for $40 or $50– now they are getting it for $65 or $75, so it does make a difference.”

During a phone interview Tuesday afternoon with the Signal Tribune, Taylor Anderson, Long Beach City attorney, said the City echoes the dispensaries’ concerns about the illicit cannabis market.

The City is working on enforcement strategies as far as attempting to identify and shut down the unlicensed businesses.

“It is a tall order,” she said. “We have been working since 2016 to shut down illegal businesses as they’re reported to us, or as we are able to proactively find them as well.”

Anderson said the shutting down of the illicit cannabis market citywide and statewide is going to be an ongoing effort.

She added that the Green Light Long Beach program is used to help educate the public about legal and illegal cannabis products.

“A big problem is that consumers don’t realize– those [illicit] products aren’t tested,” Anderson said.

“More times than not, when sheriff departments up north have to break down an illegal grow, they have to wear full hazmat suits because of the kinds of pesticides being used at these illegal grows. People are taking that into their lungs. It’s not be-

ing tested for mold. Yes, it might be more expensive for now, but hopefully, as more people [buy] from licensed dispensaries, the cost will go down.”

Ultimately, Hijazi said, consumers buying from legal dispensaries are paying for better quality. This includes the testing, sourcing and packaging of cannabis.

On July 1, the State mandated that licensees may only sell cannabis goods that have been tested, according to cannabis.ca.gov.

Hijazi said this state requirement and the cost to apply for the adultuse cannabis sales permit has caused some dispensaries to “lose business overnight.”

He said that, according to the city manager’s office, it costs roughly $6,000 yearly to comply with all of the City’s regulations.

On Tuesday evening, the city council met to discuss a resolution amending the master fee and charges schedule for the adult-use cannabis business application fees– which allow the City to charge businesses directly for services. Without it, the City cannot take in applications for adult-use permits because there would be no fee to charge.

The council unanimously passed the resolution.

According to the City’s financial management web page, licensed adult-use cannabis businesses are charged an annual fee of $2,840 per license to recover the cost of oversight and regulatory services the City provides registered dispensaries. There is also a $1,000 penalty fee for illegal cultivation.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Ivan Jimenez, Gold Rush Farms representative and Long Beach resident, said that his colleagues in the marijuana industry are moving to other cities, such as Whittier, because the cannabis-permit fees are cheaper.

Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin said that Long Beach has “fair” application fees, and he added that the City of San Jose charges a $131,000 yearly operating fee.

With the master fee and charges schedule adopted, city officials can begin to process the adult-use cannabis applications.

“We hope there will be more help citywide and statewide to help legal operators turn this market around and bring all the users into the light,” Hijazi said.

He added that adult-use cannabis sales will likely take place in late August once the 30 days have passed. ✦

Did you know that, in addition to Signal Hill, we also serve Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley, Wrigley Heights, Virginia Country Club and Memorial Heights?

16

CREATE YOUR PERFECT STRESSLESS. Signal Tribune

J

Choose your size: Most recliners come in small, medium or large.

HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY SAVE 500 ON SELECT RECLINERS PLUS SCORE TO SAVE ON STRESSLESS. A FREE ACCESSORY. 4.

Choose your cover and finish: Over 50 leather colors, 14 fabric grades Store Name and eight wood finishes.

$

3.

Choose your recliner base: Four uly recliner bases for enhanced comfort.

2.

1.

Choose your model: 17 recliners and over 15 sofas.

5.

Choose your tables and accessories.

27, 2018

6.

Enjoy a Stressless tailor-made for you.

Street Address City, State, Zip Phone

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL

Local SAVE $500 on all Signature Base and LegComfort recliners!

Postal Customer PLUS, take home a FREE Accessory wtih qualifying seating purchase.

We are the true innovators of comfort, which allows us to chase our passion of making seating so comfortable, it brings people together. The secret behind our superiority is our Norwegian craftsmanship and innovative Plus™, Glide ™ and LegComfort ™ comfort technologies. Sit in a Stressless and feel the difference.

*See your sales associate for complete details. June 22 - August 6, 2018. www.stressless.com Ends

EKP3BasePlusEDDM18 Stressless.indd 2

5/1/18 11:58 AM

CREATE YOUR PERFECT STRESSLESS. 1.

Choose your model: 17 recliners and over 15 sofas.

2.

Choose your size: Most recliners come in small, medium or large.

3.

Choose your recliner base: Four recliner bases for enhanced comfort.

4.

Choose your cover and finish: Over 50 leather colors, 14 fabric grades and eight wood finishes.

5.

Choose your tables and accessories.

6.

Enjoy a Stressless tailor-made for you.

SAVE $500 on all Signature Base and LegComfort recliners!

FROM OUR FJORD PLUS, take home a FREE Accessory wtih qualifying seating purchase.

TO YOUR HOME RETAILER LOGO *See your sales associate for complete details. June 22 - August 6, 2018. www.stressless.com

Crafting furniture is wound deeply in our Nordic roots and tells the story of who we are. Fine furniture is an art passed down from generation to EKP3BasePlusEDDM18 Stressless.indd 2

generation with a rich history of trials and tribulations. The design, the craftsmanship and the attention to detail has evolved and grown to

00000 Retailer Ave City, State 00000

5/1/18 11:58 AM