(July 8, 2008) -- LBReport.com has learned that names for possible Mayoral nomination (subject to Council approval) to LB's Board of Harbor Commissioners include the following individuals. We list them below in no particular order and with perspective entirely our own, not implying or inviting the inference of any Mayoral preference.

The Harbor Commission vacancy results from the completion of Harbor Commissioner (former 6th district Councilmember) Doris Topsy-Elvord's term of office:

• Al Austin, who finished a close second to now-6th district Councilman Dee Andrews in a May 2007 special election (to succeed Assembly-ascendent Councilwoman Laura Richardson). Mr. Austin was endorsed for Council by Mayor Foster and by multiple Dem LB Councilmembers and is a business Rep/field staffer for the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employes (AFSCME) District Council 36 (includes L.A., OC, SD). AFSCME doesn't represent any LB bargaining units (i.e. no direct conflicts of interest) and is independent of the ILWU or the Teamsters (Port-related unions). His labor credentials come at a time when Mayor Foster and LB's Port have been criticized by labor groups (and others) over the Port of LB's "cleaner truck program" which doesn't include labor-union favored components included in Port of L.A.'s "cleaner truck" program. He's also a former legislative staff member, a boardmember of the Fairfield YMCA and Academic UpRise, Inc...and a 2003 appointee by former Mayor O'Neill to LB's Citizen Police Complaint Commission (CPCC) (elected chair in 2004).

• Thomas Fields, outgoing chair/retiring member of LB's Redevelopment Agency governing Board, who completed a four year RDA term last year and is now completing an additional one year RDA term at the request of Mayor Bob Foster. Prior to the RDA, Mr. Fields was a member of LB's Planning Commission and LB's Economic Development Commission appointed by Mayor O'Neill. His service on these City Commissions spans over a decade. He's also Managing Director of downtown LB's "Vault 350" Pine Ave. nightspot/concert venue...which was the site of a mid-April fundraiser for then-candidate (now presumptive Dem nominee) Sen. Barack Obama...an event prominently attended by Mayor Foster.

• Charles Parks, a retired LBPD Commander who served two terms as a member of LB's Water Commission (including Board president) before being named to the 2004-2005 L.A. County Civil Grand Jury (served as Foreperson at direction of the Supervising Judge). In 2005, he was appointed to the County's Economy & Efficiency Commission, whose website lists his multiple civic/volunteer involvements including work with LB Memorial Hospital, St. Mary Hospital of Long Beach, Exchange Club of LB, LB Police Command Officers Association, Int'l Police Management Association, Int'l Footprint Ass'n, Seniors' University at CSULB and Food Finders of Long Beach.

LBReport.com has learned that each of the foregoing individuals has submitted applications to fill the coming Harbor Commission vacancy.

LBReport.com has also learned that former LB Vice Mayor/two-term 3rd district Councilman Frank Colonna is also among those being discussed. Mr. Colonna hasn't filed a current application for the Harbor position but one remains on file from some time ago.

In addition to being re-appointed in 2007 by Governor Schwarzenegger as a member of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers & Mountains Conservancy, Mr. Colonna served in a key Port-related positions during his two Council terms. He was a member (and for a period was chair) of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (including the period when ACTA made its significant decision to expand its mission eastward to inland areas). He also co-chaired the I710 Oversight Policy Committee, a key Gateway Council of Governments position that effectively decided what aspects of the I710 freeway project would be advanced and was the Gateway COG's Special Liason to the Ports of LB and L.A.

Asked by LBReport.com about the mention of his name by our sources, Mr. Colonna expressed surprise, indicated he was flattered at the possibility, would be happy to talk to the Mayor or the current 3rd dist. Councilmember (Gary DeLong) but indicated that "at this point we haven't got anything finalized." Mr. Colonna, who finished second to candidate Foster in the 2006 Mayor's race, now chairs LB's Lincoln Club (Republican organization) and continues to operate his successful Belmont Shore-based real estate firm.

Caveat: our compilation of potential appointees isn't official and may not be all of the potential nominees (we may not have heard of all of them).

Under LB's City Charter, the Mayor appoints Harbor Commissioners subject to the voted approval of the City Council. The procedure differs in other cities. In Seattle-Tacoma, WA and Port Hueneme, CA, Harbor Commissioners are elected by the people (and in CA, thus recallable by the people). Such a change here would require a City Charter amendment approved by a majority vote of the people.

In May 2007, LB voters approved an amendment to LB's 1980s era City Charter that lets the Mayor with the approval of a Council majority remove Harbor Commissioners (and other LB Commission members) for virtually any reason (not just for "cause").

Further as we learn it on LBReport.com.