The Battle for Long Beach's Youth - Meyer & Williams vs. TALB & Ellis

My last post discussed the issue we have with finding more Republicans to take on the special interests of Long Beach, such as the SEIU and the teacher's union, or TALB. On Thursday, your local central committee got together at Francelli's Restaurant on 4th Street in Long Beach to discuss these issues, endorsement recommendations & long-term strategies for sparking the Republican resurgence. The foundation is there with both LBARP & the LB Lincoln Club, but the responsibility for getting more Republicans into office in Long Beach still rests with this committee.

Our meeting kicked off with an introduction to these issues by Long Beach City Council member Gary DeLong from the 3rd District, which has historically been the standard bearers of Republican activity in Long Beach. Mr. DeLong gave a thorough and straight-forward analysis of the current political climate in Long Beach, including the challenges that the Long Beach Unified School District board is facing from TALB. The three primary recommendations from our committee were: 1) Forwarding an endorsement recommendation for incumbent Jon Meyer to the County Executive Committee; 2) Recommending non-partisan support for incumbent Felton Williams; and 3) Encouraging all local Republicans to get involved with the recall effort of TALB loyalist Michael Ellis. Currently, the composition of the LBUSD board includes 2 of the 5 members loyal and devoted to the TALB agenda. One of these members is censured board member Michael Ellis, who has been asked publicly by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Long Beach Press-Telegram and by both incumbent board members up for re-election to resign. Despite the public outcry from parents, teachers and civic leaders for Ellis' resignation, TALB has not yet (as of this post) concurred with the desires of the citizens of Long Beach. My analysis of the reason that follows is purely my own, but I think most of you will agree it a solid one.

Both incumbents up for re-election, Mr. Jon Meyer (Republican) & Dr. Felton Williams (Democrat), have joined with fellow board member Mary Stanton in holding back the liberal influence of TALB, and have been targeted in April's election by two candidates that have proven to be TALB puppets, "mediator" TALB lawyer Paul Crost & "teacher" TALB activist Rosa E. Diaz. Both were recruited by TALB to specifically go after Meyer & Williams in order to hopefully take over the LBUSD board. With TALB loyalist David Barton safely in place for two more years, TALB needs one of two things to happen: 1) Both TALB candidates defeat their incumbent opponents; or 2) if only one does, they need to defend Ellis' seat. So if both TALB candidates become strong contenders, they can then join the popular movement to call for Ellis' resignation and preserve their image. If only one of the candidates mounts a strong challenger, then they need to sugar-coat the Ellis situation in hopes of still achieving their majority.

But what if...both LBUSD incumbents mount strong campaigns and defend their seats well? THIS poses a great challenge for TALB that I hope motivates Republicans throughout Long Beach, regardless of their district, to action.

If the TALB is unable to gather traction for either of their candidates, they will then have to decide how to defend their hold on the LBUSD 5th District seat. Do they continue supporting Ellis to keep the vote but possibly damage their chances of defending either of their two seats in 2010? Do they quickly urge Ellis to resign, or join the recall effort, in hopes of finding a new TALB loyalist to fill the vacancy before parents & free-thinking teachers do? Even TALB loyalist board member Barton joined with the other three members in the vote supporting the censure motion against Ellis, indicating that even TALB will soon have to cut ties if they stand any chance of gaining its desired majority.

Rumors have already surfaced about possible candidates to run for Ellis' seat, but I'd like to table that posting until the rumors become a little more viable. For now, the best news about the recall effort has been the great support that recall signature gatherers have been getting within the 5th District. There's no doubt in my mind that the minimum number of signatures will be exceeded by a solid 15%-20%, ensuring this makes the November ballot for Long Beach residents of the LBUSD 5th district. Then TALB will definitely have their political hands full trying to decide what to do.

I've got a recommendation for TALB: How about starting a new practice of representing what's best for the students & parents of Long Beach? How about finding better representatives of your organization than drunk-driving, money-hiding candidates like Ellis. So what happens when Meyer and Williams are re-elected and Michael "Shane" Ellis is recalled (or finally wises up and resigns)?

It's up to all of us to make sure that TALB has to deal with that very question. Links to the two election campaigns & the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, leading the recall effort, are in my "Relevant Websites" column at left. Please get involved where you can!

The hearts & minds of the youth of Long Beach are at stake - we can't let them down!