(April 15, 2009) -- Roughly 45 people showed up for a noon-hour April 15 "Tea Party" at LB's Bixby Park, one of several in the area (another was in Seal Beach) that were part of a national campaign ("Taxed Enough Already") opposing increasing taxes at local, state and federal levels.

Photo credit: Tom Stout, LB Taxpayers Ass'n

Among those attending was Tom Stout, co-founder of the LB Taxpayers Association. Mr. Stout says he captured the photos on this page witnin the first twenty minutes; other attendees (including NLB's Dan Pressburg) showed up closer to 1 p.m.

Photo credit: Tom Stout, LB Taxpayers Ass'n

A larger demonstration took place in Seal Beach; another was also slated for the South Bay...and a major event took place in Sacramento.

At the LB group, grassroots activists discussed at what level they should focus (local, state, federal)...including starting an organization.

Photo credit: Tom Stout, LB Taxpayers Ass'n

Mr. Stout noted that the LB Taxapayers Association had successfully helped defeat a $700,000+ campaign (backed by LB Mayor Bob Foster) to enact a November 2008 City Hall property parcel tax ballot measure...but he said some present weren't familiar with his group...and the event helped him network with new supporters.

He said the mood was similar to views he heard expressed at the John & Ken (KFI radio) taxpayer rally in Fullerton a few weeks ago. Mr. Stout said the basic sentiments were: we're overtaxed and under-represented.

Photo credit: Tom Stout, LB Taxpayers Ass'n

Rosemary, who organized the LB "Tea Party," told LBReport.com earlier by email that she was moved to action on learning about the mortgage bailouts.

Photo credit: Tom Stout, LB Taxpayers Ass'n

She said she doesn't consider himself a Republican anymore. "I am a Conservative and when the party elite stops listening to the people they represent, there is a problem," she said.