In most cases, sums contributed in California election races are publicly disclosed so one can at least "follow the money" and see who spent how much and for whom.

On July 11, Mayor-elect Garcia sent a mass emailing indicating that $270,000 has been raised for an entirely new event, an inaugural celebration, leaving a basic journalistic "who" unanswered: who gave the money and how much did they give?

Sponsor levels (from a publicly published solicitation): $20,000 as a "Gold Cabana Sponsor" (a premiere 10’ x 20’ area limited to four sponsors). As LBREPORT.com reported on June 30 (coverage here), the Port of Long Beach will be spending $20,000 in public Tidelands money for a "Gold Cabana" (which includes hosted wine, recognition as a major event sponsor and full page ad in a commemorative program), approved on a 4-0 vote (Wise absent) of LB's Harbor Commissioners

Other offered sponsor levels: $10,000 for a "Silver Cabana" (limited to ten sponsors, no hosted wine but a full page ad); $5,000 for a "Bronze Cabana" (shared with lounge seating, sponsor recognition and a half page ad). $2,000 buys a full page ad. $1,000 buys a half page ad.

Only the most naive would believe this generosity springs from some sudden desire to help the non-profit beneficiary, Children Today. We believe it's more realistic to presume those spending such large sums may have reasons unrelated to charity to praise incoming Long Beach politicians.

Yes, it's free and open to the public and portrayed by some as a "people's" event but we think it's more likely that those who bought cabanas will have more influence after the party's over than those who just nibbled hors d'oeuvres...and what the monied donors may want may or may not be in the public's interest.

In our opinion, the event organizers should disclose who gave the money and the amounts given. They may not have to do so but since they're benefiting from an event with overwhelming political overtones, in the interest of transparency and openness, we believe disclosure is the right thing to do. When private groups organized inaugural events for Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, press outlets asked to see who paid for them...and the organizers released the information. LBREPORT.com is publicly requesting that information here...and when it's received, we'll share it with our readers.

We stand by our editorial opinion that it sets a poor example for LB elected officials to celebrate themselves when City Hall contends it can't provide core services for taxpayers at levels it previously did and other cities do. Governor Jerry Brown took office in 2010 with a thrifty event catered by Whole Foods for roughly 1,800 invited guests, costing no more than $64,000. We believe LB elected officials should lead by example and show frugality, not ostentatiousness.

When money is invited to glorify politicians, there ought to be unity in expecting openness, transparency and disclosure of the sources of that money.

And when the Council votes to restore police and fire services for taxpayers, that will be a good reason for taxpayers to celebrate.

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