June 25, 2009

Honorable Mayor:

I write to give my enthusiastic recommendation to Evan Braude as a candidate for Harbor Commissioner. Mr. Braude’s experience in both the public and private sectors and his passionate dedication to the betterment of Long Beach make him an ideal candidate for this post.

The Harbor Commission has never had a member from the downtown area, despite the fact that downtown is the district most impacted by the port. Mr. Braude is not only a resident of downtown, but also an advocate for the neighborhoods and its residents and other stakeholders. Further, Mr. Braude’s valuable experience as a MTA Director, city attorney, and Long Beach councilmember will certainly inform his service and provide invaluable skills to the Harbor Commission.

Again, I strongly recommend Mr. Braude's appointment, and I thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Robert Garcia
Councilmember -- First District

LBReport.com first reported yesterday (June 29) that former Councilman Braude (1986-94), has applied for the Commission vacancy created by the retirement of immediate-past Harbor Commission President Jim Hankla...who was City Manager for much of the period when Braude was LB's 1st dist. Councilman.

Mr. Braude, an attorney and long-time 1st dist. resident, finished second to Garcia in an April 2009 winner-take-all special election to fill the Council vacancy created when Bonnie Lowenthal was elected to the state Assembly. Mr. Braude is Ms. Lowenthal's long-time significant-other.

As LBReport.com reported on June 25 [via our "Deep Throat"...actually comprised of multiple sources], former LB-area state Senator/Assemblymember Betty Karnette (a Wrigley area resident) has also submitted an application for the LB Harbor Commission position.

LBReport.com was also first to report [again via our "Deep Throat" and now also confirmed] that former LB Fire Chief (and 5th dist. resident) Harold Omel has applied for the position, now confirmed in a dispatch on 5th dist. Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske's non-taxpayer-paid blog. "Because of Harold's long-time experience in public safety I thought that would be a great addition to the current Board. Also it would be great to get another 5th District resident on the Board," Councilwoman Schipske wrote.

LBReport.com's "Deep Throat" also indicated that Leo VanderLans, a third district resident, is reportedly also in the running. He's a lawyer/mediator, former Water Replenishment District Director and former LB Water Commissioner who is website-listed as vice-chair of the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation.

[PressTelegram.com reporter Kris Hanson speculates in his "On the Waterfront" column that ILWU Local 13 leader Mike Mitre has also applied.]

Under LB's City Charter, Mayor Foster "appoints" (actually nominates) Harbor Commissioners...and the City Council votes to approve (or not approve) the Mayor's choice.

Mayor Foster's most recent Harbor Commission choice was LB attorney Susan Wise (a third district resident)...whose spouse (also a LB attorney but for a different lawfirm) represented shipping interests in litigation that overturned clean-air rules by the CA Air Resources Board that required ships to use clean fuels within a certain distance from LB. (The City of LB had sided with the CA Air Resources Board in urging the Court to uphold those rules.)