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4th Dist. Council Candidate Supernaw Says Possible Utility Users Tax Increase Came Up In LB Firefighters Union PAC's Endorsement Interview; Supernaw Gave Definitive "No" At EASBA Canidate Forum; Chico Left Door Open To Tax Hike, Has Union PAC's Endorsement


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(Feb. 25, 2015) -- Responding to an inquiry from LBREPORT.com, 4th Council district candidate Daryl Supernaw summarized what took place in his endorsement interview with the Long Beach Firefighters Association PAC.

We publish his emailed description below.

[Scroll down for further]


[Mr. Supernaw's description] I met with the LBFFA Board on the morning of February 17th. I had no conversations with any of the union members prior to that time. In my opening remarks, I mentioned that my father had been a proud member of their organization while serving as a Long Beach firefighter from 1947 to 1976. I even brought along the Letter of Commendation he received for heroism during has 28th year on the job, at age 56.

I then talked about my own support of the LBFD over the years, and I shared copies of articles I had written in support of restoring fire services. I also pointed out that they had shared one of my articles on their own LBFFA Facebook site on 11/21/14, and it had received 199 "likes".

At one point, the interview turned to funding. I talked about the formal presentations I had made to city staff regarding new revenue streams including corporate sponsorships and naming rights. To the best of my recollection, Rex Pritchard then indicated new revenue streams would be inadequate, and the city would have to increase the utility users tax.

I responded by stating that the 4th council district is economically diverse, and it did not sit well with me to increase taxes on our low income residents and fixed income seniors. I don't recall exactly how I worded it, but I attempted to explain that the UUT was a "regressive" tax. I also indicated I would like the opportunity to use my business skills to scrutinize the city budget prior to anyone deciding that taxes needed to be raised.

That afternoon (2/17), I received a call indicating the endorsement decision would be delayed for a week. During Tuesday's (2/24) candidate forum [by EASBA], I received a voicemail from Rex Pritchard. He indicated the union would not be supporting me...

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Asked at the Feb. 24 East Anaheim Street candidate forum if he supports a utility tax increase, Mr. Supernaw stated "a definitive no." and said LB voters had spoken with their votes in 2000 (cutting LB's utility users tax from 10% to 5% over several years.) At the same candidate forum, Ms. Chico said she doesn't favor a tax increase but considers it a "last resort," leaving open the possibility that she might support, or acquiescence in a utility tax increase [which would ultimately require a vote of the people.]

To hear the exact responses of Mr. Supernaw and Ms. Chico's at the EASBA candidate forum regarding a utility users tax, click here.

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The LB Business Journal has separately reported that Ms. Chico told that publication a few weeks earlier: "I don't like austerity programs -- saving your way out of an economic crisis -- but this is where you have to get into the books and take a look. I don't want to speculate, but it doesn't look good...What is the best way to deal with this? We're going have to look at options like bringing back the utility users tax. Or maybe a half-cent sales tax."

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On Feb. 25, the LB Firefighters Ass'n PAC announced that it has endorsed Herlinda Chico in the 4th dist. Council race. The LB Police Officers Ass'n PAC endorsed Ms. Chico on Jan. 27.

For several years, LBREPORT.com has routinely requested, and LBPOA's PAC has routinely declined to release, its recordings of what its endorsees said in its endorsement interviews. LBREPORT.com urges LBFFA's PAC to release its recording of what it asked Ms. Chico and what she said in response, during its endorsement interview.



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