I missed the first session as it was in conflict on the calendar with the Chamber of Commerce annual dinner banquet, their big event of the year. I had previously committed myself to be present at the Chamber banquet as the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc community center (in which I have been involved) was being featured among other non-profits which were being honored.

First of all, I believe I am in a position to comment on the series of interviews because I was the only Mayor present at all of them, except the first. I was interested in the Historical Society of Long Beach timely project from the time the series was announced.

The Historical Society extended a warm welcome to all the guests at the facility with refreshments and a time to get acquainted or network. The interviews were well attended. At three of the sessions, the meeting room was filled with eager listeners wall to wall.

Questions by community people at the end was a good format.

My next thought is that the success or value of the interview depended upon who was conducting the interview and by the scheduling. By far, I believe the last one with the current Mayor, Bob Foster, and Supervisor Don Knabe as the interviewer, was the most effective.

Supervisor Knabe asked questions in an organized and chronological order, making it easier for the audience to follow and hear about the life, thoughts and accomplishments of the interviewee.

Personally, I did not feel comfortable with the approach I was faced with during the hour-plus questioning. There didn't seem to be much order or pattern. Even the physical setting wasn't the best arrangement. By the last session, "kinks" of the room-arrangement were worked out and the microphone was working without any problem.

On one occasion, my position on a city-issue was challenged. (I opposed Council disrict elections, saying that in my view, they create nine kingdoms). In my opinion, this was not a proper place or time for that.

At any rate, I probably did the least effective job because of the unsettled state of the facilities and the manner of questions asked. I felt like a butterfly flying around aimlessly.

As a final comment, no one should conclude that the five interviews give a complete and balanced picture of the five Mayors and their contributions over the last forty years. There's apt to be more of a subjective basis rather than an objective view of their time as Mayor.

It can all sound or appear good, but if differing negative or opposite views are not included, the whole situation can be distorted. When only one position is presented, it may sound good, but without all positions or views being consided (presentations with no opposing view) the best decisions may not really be the best.

There must be transparency and honesty. Ethical decisions are necessary if the best answer to a problem is to be made.

It will be interesting to see how the cable company does its editing.