Concerned about business consultant
Recently City Council voted on hiring a business consultant and paying them by using the 1 percent sales tax rebate from the state to the city for sales originating in Seal Beach or from a Seal Beach merchant.
They recently hired a “consulting” company that claims they will bring business to Seal Beach in exchange for a commission.
Payable without review or approval up to $25,000.
This commission will come from that 1 percent kick back. In reviewing the company that was hired, I am unable to find the company filing on the Secretary of State website.
They list themselves as a LLC in the item on the agenda and the contract but they aren’t filed with the state under their name.
The item also has a provision that allows the city to visit the consultant’s place of business during normal business hours, unannounced and inspect their books.
The address listed goes to a shipping store that sells mailboxes with physical addresses. Where would we go to make sure the consultant is doing what they say if they are operating out of a mailbox and don’t actually have a physical place of business?
Their phone number is a cell phone that goes to Diana Ripley, a known lobbyist with a clear history of ignoring the rules.
I don’t feel the city really searched for reputable business consultants.
And if they did, their vetting process for this one is obviously subpar.
In searching for Diana by name I found more than a couple of unfavorable links online.This deal smells like a kickback. That 1 percent should be going back into the business community or to a better consultant. Please do some digging on this for us. We are all for business development with the best intentions. This item wouldn’t concern the community if it didn’t have so many red flags.
Cheers,
Marcelo D. Mills
Seal Beach
Safety first at Pride event
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. as the producers of the Annual Pride Celebration considers the safety of those in attendance as a priority.
With an event of this magnitude come many responsibilities and at the top of the list is a responsible alcohol distribution practice.
In a press release by the Long Beach Police Department dated 5/20/2014, subject titled “Over 60 Cited In Undercover Operation” it mentioned citations issued related to alcohol related crimes.
It made reference that a “Minor Decoy” operation was conducted at the Pride Festival May 17 and 18, 2014. This may have mislead those reading the press release to think all of these citations were issued inside the Pride Celebration, when in fact they were issued to persons in the adjacent parking structures, along the parade route and city streets.
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. was informed by an Alcohol Beverage Control representative that no citations were issued inside this year’s Pride Celebration.
Long Beach Pride has always been proactive in addressing concerns by City Agencies and ABC.
This year, in order to add another layer of security Long Beach Pride contracted guards that were trained in the Responsible Beverage Service program approved by ABC.
These guards completed the RBS training and staffed all the 21 and over wrist banding stations at this year’s Pride Celebration.
The beverage stations that failed in the decoy operation are of great concern to our leadership team and will be discussed further in the post event meeting with city agencies and ABC where all details will be made available to us.
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. has and will continue to work with City and Federal Agencies to ensure that the laws governing alcohol sales and consumption are strictly enforced.
We look forward to working closely with the City of Long Beach, Federal Agencies and Alcohol Beverage Control to insure that next year’s Pride Celebration meets the required regulations.
We will continue to seek the advice and participate in all training from Alcohol Beverage Control and the City of Long Beach to have responsible alcoholic beverage service systems in place.
Frank Rubio, Pride Festival Vice President
Long Beach
Re Poll Question: Should Seal Beach City Council have a prayer or invocation at the start of each meeting?
Let’s see. .. the House of Representatives and the Senate always start with a prayer—how’s that been working out?
Cathy Goldberg
I believe we will benefit from Gods direction in all areas of our life, including our city.
Cheryl Campbell
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Shops At Rossmoor Activities
The following activities are shceduled at the Shops at Rossmoor, located at12501 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach.
Sugar Beet Festival
Saturday, June 7 -Toss on your running shoes or just join in the fun at the Sugarbeet Festival.
The run starts next to HomeGoods. Sign-up today at sugarbeetfestival.com.
There will be food, drinks, booths, entertainment, games, a 5k Adventure/Fun Race, and contests. Raise money for your favorite non-profit cause.
To register and for more information visit the website at www.sugarbeetfestival.com.
Kids’ Summer Cooking Camps
Kids’ Summer Cooking Camps start in June and run through August.
Kids learn about recipes, ingredients, cooking techniques, kitchen safety and healthy eating all in a 100 percent hands-on learning environment.
Camps run Mondays – Thursdays from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mention The Shops when you sign up and receive a free kid chef’s apron.
