The political event invitation, obtained by LBREPORT.com, tells recipients that Garcia is "the pro-business candidate, and wants Long Beach to strengthen it's [sic] name, 'The International City,' by making it an economically booming, world-class city that businesses want to be a part of."

The Coastal Commission, to which Garcia was appointed by the state Senate Rules Committee in a proceeding closed to the public and the press, controls land use along the CA coast, meaning its Commissioners' decisions can impact coastal area developers, property and business interests.

The fundraiser, scheduled at the San Fernando Valley residence of Coastal Commission member Wendy Mitchell, is described in the invitation as a "cocktail reception" for Garcia's Long Beach Mayoral campaign and seeks contributions of $750 (LB ordinance maximum, "co-host"), $500 ("supporter") and $250 ("friend.")

The names, titles, amounts and cities of those giving the Garcia campaign those sums can be withheld from public disclosure under a state statute until Jan. 31, 2014. Vice Mayor Garcia in the current reporting period, like Mayoral candidate Damon Dunn in the previous reporting period, has refused a request by LBREPORT.com to disclose the information sooner than state law requires.

[Disclosure: To promote greater transparency, LBREPORT.com is drafting a measure for potential City Council consideration -- applicable to all candidates for Long Beach elective offices -- requiring disclosure on their campaign websites -- updated and current to within ten days -- the information routinely collected from contributors (including names, amounts, titles and cities.) Under the measure, the information above would be publicly visible within ten days. For details, click here.]

The San Fernando Valley event for Garcia's Mayoral bid tells recipients in pertinent part:

[from invitation text] Long Beach's once budget deficit has become a budget surplus since Robert Garcia has served as Vice Mayor

Robert's district has the most parks in all of Long Beach

Crime rates have dropped to a historic low for Long Beach

Robert is the pro-business candidate, and wants Long Beach to strengthen it's [sic] name, 'The International City,' by making it an economically booming, world-class city that businesses want to be a part of.

As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, Long Beach city management forecasts manageable deficits in the upcoming fiscal years plus uncertain PERS pension consequences, and has indicated that the Council's voted actions (budget cuts and pension changes) by themselves wouldn't have produced a surplus if Sacramento hadn't given City Hall a cash windfall by dissolving Redevelopment [an action LB City Hall opposed.] An analysis of Long Beach Police Department crime data by LBREPORT.com earlier this year indicated that in 2012, Garcia's 1st Council district had the highest total of violent crimes in the city (comparative Council district coverage, click here)

Residents outside of Long Beach can't vote in Long Beach elections but can contribute money in an effort to sway the outcome of elections that will affect Long Beach residents.