Tom Modica Appointed Interim Director Of Development Services
City Manager Pat West is appointing Assistant City Manager Tom Modica to the position of interim director of development services effective January 8. Modica will concurrently continue serving as assistant city manager. The current director of development services, Amy Bodek, recently accepted a position overseeing regional planning for the County of Los Angeles, and is planning to leave her role at the city on January 19. In a press release, West indicated that the city will undertake a national search to recruit a replacement for Bodek.
Net Neutrality Rules Repealed
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to repeal net neutrality rules earlier today. Chairman Ajit Pai, who championed the repeal, argued that it would roll back “heavy-handed micromanagement” and restore Internet freedom. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted against the proposal, said in her dissenting statement that net neutrality equates to Internet freedom, and that the ruling “puts the Federal Communications Commission on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of the law, and the wrong side of the American public.”
Survey Shows Reliance Upon Community Medical Center
An initial community assessment survey conducted by the Community Hospital Long Beach Foundation has found that 89% of 2,000 respondents “believe that close proximity to acute care medical services is extremely important.” The survey also found that 64% of respondents accessed Community Medical Center Long Beach (formerly named Community Hospital) three to five times during the past five years. MemorialCare Health System recently announced it would have to shutter acute care services at the hospital in June 2019 due to an inability to meet state-mandated seismic requirements. Click here to view other results of the survey.
City To Hold 2018 Primary Election Candidate Workshop
On Monday, December 18, the Long Beach City Clerk’s office is hosting a candidate workshop for those seeking to run in the 2018 primary election for the office of mayor, city attorney, city auditor, city prosecutor or the odd-numbered city council districts. Information regarding nomination guidelines, candidate’s statements, campaigning regulations, campaign finance, vote-by-mail and Long Beach laws will be provided. The candidate handbook will be available at the event, at the city clerk counter and on the city clerk website. The event takes place at 10 a.m., council chambers, City Hall.
Port Of Los Angeles Project Wins Award
The American Public Works Association Southern California Chapter has awarded the Port of Los Angeles with its Building Excellence Shaping Tomorrow (B.E.S.T.) Award for a project to improve I-110 Freeway ramps at John S. Gibson Boulevard. The $46 million project, which involved widening the Seaside Freeway connector to the Harbor Freeway and modifying freeway ramps, was completed in 2016. Bike lanes and sidewalks were also added to John S. Gibson Boulevard, a sound wall was constructed, railroad tracks were realigned and two bridges were widened.
Aquarium Of The Pacific To Host Educational Winter Camps
This winter, the Aquarium of the Pacific is holding three day camps: the Sea Squirt Winter Day Camp, Winter Day Camp and Winter Teen Overnight, which cater to kids of different age rages. The Sea Squirt Winter Day Camp, which takes place on January 2-4 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., is geared toward kids ages five and six. The Winter Day Camp takes place December 27-29, 8 a.m. to noon, for kids ages 7 to 12. The overnight for teens takes place from December 27 at 5:00 p.m., ending the next day at 7:30 a.m. Click here for pricing and other information.