(March 1, 2008) -- The battle for LB School Board is heating up.

The campaign to re-elect incumbent School Boardmember/current Board President Dr. Felton Williams in LB's WLB/Central area has sent a fundraising letter, co-signed by [titles used in letter for identification] former Governor George Deukmejian, former Mayor Beverly O'Neill, Nat'l Ass'n of Realtors President Dick Gaylord and past President of the LB Education Foundation Steve Chesser [separate from the campaign letter, prominent LB Boeing spokesman], accusing "aggressive members" of the Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB) of "trying to take over the LBUSD School Board."

Their letter, dated Feb. 16, continues: "If they succeed, you can expect a TALB-controlled Board would replace the superintendent and other administrators with people hand-picked by the union" (further below).

The four co-signers seek Platinum sponsor donations of $1,000 or co-host donations of $250 for a March 4 fundraiser at the home of former School Boardmember Jim Choura...who lost his ELB/Lakewood reelection bid two years ago to TALB-backed candidate Dr. David Barton.

In an early February audio interview with LBReport.com, challenger Rosa Diaz, a teacher in the Central/WLB area district, acknowledges that she's a TALB-member [all LBUSD teachers are required to be TALB-members] but said [paraphrase] that doesn't mean she'll automatically support what TALB wants. In a separate audio interview, School Board President Williams dismissed Ms. Diaz's denial, saying "follow the money."

Boardmember Dr. Felton Williams [Campaign photo] Launch Williams audio

Challenger Rosa Diaz [On-scene photo] Launch Diaz audio

The Williams fundraising letter doesn't mention Ms. Diaz by name and the letter's co-signers don't live in the WLB/Central district; the text focuses on the winner's ability to affect LBUSD policies districtwide:

If you have children or grandchildren attending LBUSD schools, a TALB-takeover would mean dramatic, negative consequences -- and it could impact everyone who lives, works or does business in the Long Beach area since the quality of education directly impacts home values, worker incomes and the pool of qualified employees.

Board President Williams and challenger Rosa Diaz are scheduled to face off in a March 3 candidate forum sponsored by the Wrigley Association at the Veterans Park social hall, 101 E. 28th St., 7:00 p.m.

The April 8 election for the WLB/Central School Board seat is one of two chances in the 2008 election cycle for TALB-backed candidates to gain a potential working majority on the five-member board. In SE LB, TALB has endorsed Paul Crost in a three way contest in which incumbent School Boardmember Jon Meyer is also faces challenger Karen Thomas Hilburn.

Although the SE LB race could go to a June runoff (if no candidate receives over 50%), the WLB/Central race will be conclusively decided on April 8.

SE LB schoolboard candidate Hilburn will appear at the Wrigley forum; SE LB Boardmember Meyer and challenger Crost conveyed regrets.

The March 3 Wrigley candidate forum, to be moderated by Alan Tolkoff, will also feature 6th district Councilman Dee Andrews who's facing a challenge from Ahmed Carl Saafir.