Writing Shotgun

TEXT OF E-MAIL FROM “CHILDREN TODAY’S THERESA BIXBY AND JOSH LOWENTHAL” SUPPORTING GARCIA’S CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN

The District WeeklyTue. December 30
 

Reaction has been passionate to the District Weekly’s news story about the e-mail sent by Josh Lowenthal and Theresa Bixby—who identified themselves as executive board members of the non-profit organization Children Today, but insisted they were writing as individuals—seeking campaign contributions for fellow board member Robert Garcia in his race for the First District seat on the Long Beach city council.

The story wondered whether Lowenthal and Bixby might be dancing in a dangerous mine field—the place where the Internal Revenue Service exempts non-profits from paying taxes in exchange for their promise not to participate in political campaigns. According to the IRS Website, federal law says non-profits “are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.”

People have differed strongly over whether or not Lowenthal and Bixby violated the spirit, if not the letter, of that law—mostly without actually reading the e-mail, which the District Weekly only quoted in segments. Here, then, is the complete text of that e-mail from Lowenthal and Bixby, beginning with their shared address and subject line:

From: Theresa Bixby and Josh Lowenthal <Theresa_Bixby_and_Josh_Lowenthal@mail.vresp.com>
Reply-To: Theresa Bixby and Josh Lowenthal <reply-b5075cbe39-9b49f28dcf-57f6@u.cts.vresp.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008
Subject: Children Today’s Theresa Bixby and Josh Lowenthal

Dear Friends,

We’re writing to ask for your support for Robert Garcia, a candidate for the vacant 1st District city council seat in Long Beach. We write this as individuals and do not represent the Board of Directors of Children Today (Children Today is apolitical; as an organization it does not endorse candidates seeking office). However, we would both like to share our personal experiences working with Robert as a fellow member of the Children Today Executive Committee over the past few years in hopes you’ll support Robert as well.

Robert has served as the chair of the marketing committee for Children Today, creating links with CSULB, establishing a presence with local press, rebranding us, and built a committee of big names in the local marketing/advertising world. During his tenure our organization’s size and mandate doubled, and he very effectively helped us expand our footprint so that fundraising efforts could match our million dollar annual budget. If you know Robert, you’ll agree he’s intelligent, compassionate, selfless, dependable, and full of ideas. We need more people like Robert in public office

The District that Robert seeks to represent houses our city’s poorest – the largest percentage of homelessness, as well as the Playhouse West itself. Having an advocate such as Robert on the city council will be a phenomenal boost to current and future operations of Children Today. With this economy, we expect homelessness to rise, and resources to dwindle. Robert understands firsthand the tremendous value we bring to the community, and will be our greatest ally in elected office. As an elected he will remain on the Board of Directors of the organization, and will wield tremendous influence in the policymaking process.

We invite you to join us in supporting Robert Garcia’s candidacy for Long Beach City Council. We are co-hosting a cocktail reception fundraiser this Monday evening and ask you to join.

Monday, December 15, 2008
5:30 PM 7:30 PM

Ristorante Da Vinci Restaurant,
2801 East Spring Street, 3rd Floor
Long Beach, CA 90806

Host (Raise $5,000)
Friend (Raise $2,500)
Supporter $1,000
Ticket $100 

Please call Stephanie Graves/SG CONSULTING at (949) 399-0304 or e-mail at stephanie@stephgraves.com [mailto:stephanie@stephgraves.com] for more information, or to contribute directly to Robert’s campaign if you are unable to attend on Monday.

Sincerely,

Josh Lowenthal and Theresa Bixby

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  • anonymous
    It's not about Robert Garcia. He's a good guy. It's about supporters linking a noble cause with an individual citizen's name repeatedly in a message about that candidate. Why even mention Children today? What was the intent of it even being in the subject line so people will open it? Subliminal politics have arrived. People in the nonprofit world have made an agreement with the government that to receive tax exempt privileges they agree to steer clear of political campaigns and endorsements. This means the future to an agency which won't get donations when foundations and individuals no longer receive a tax deduction for their gift. It's not just got to be right, it's got to look right.

    It is an important point. Campaign for who you believe in. Use your own reputation. Don't risk the future of an agency who must remain neutral. It does matter.

    Now, everybody settle down. Give Wielenga a break.
  • name withheld
    Interesting article - I wonder why Josh and Bonnie Lowenthal are endorsing different people. That sounds like a more interesting story than intentional or accidental confusion about the homeless children's organization endorsing Robert Garcia over Josh's step father.

    Is Evan Braude even eligible to run? With the term limits, I didn't think he was able to run for more city council terms.
  • Term limits were enacted in Long Beach during the middle of Braude's second 4-year term. This means that neither his 1st term nor the 1st two years of his 2nd term can be counted against him for the purposes of term limits.

    Thus Braude is eligible to serve out the remaining 2 years of Lowenthal's term and then serve one additional 4-year term.

    Further, had the City Clerk certified Braude in violation of our term limits law he, personally, would have been in violation of City Charter Article II, Section 214(a)(1). This is not a position in which he would intentionally place himself, or his office.

    There is an exception to our term limits law, of course, for write-in candidates and this is how Mrs. O'Neill was able to serve an unprecedented 3rd 4-year term as Mayor.
  • Disappointed w/ The District
    I am continuing to see that The District is becoming a "No News, Post Anything" kind of publication. This is not a "news worthy" story, it seems more like someone has vendetta against Robert and is using this platform to attack his candidacy. Of all 8 people that are in the race, I have only seen negative articles about Mr. Garcia and nothing about any of the other candidates.
  • Dave Wielenga
    Hello Tecumseh. The full text of the e-mail is published here so that everyone can understand precisely what the story was based on, rather than the snippets that were included in the original story. The idea is to clear away confusion, not to create scandal.
  • howardx
    add dave wielenga's penchant for deleting posts he doesnt like to the obvious shills for various long beach political figures and the district has become damn near unreadable.
  • Dave doesn't delete posts...it's discus that takes FOREVER to post them.
  • Dave Wielenga
    I don't delete posts.
  • tecumseh
    An individual cant violate this law; a 501c3 can. Lowenthal and Bixby clearly acted as individuals, not in their capacity as CT directors. Therefore, prima facie, they cannot have violated the law. This is obvious. Why is the DW trying to create a scandal? it's clear you guys just dont understand the law. This is a nonstarter. They did NOTHING wrong. There is no problem identifying themselves
    so they can explain who they know RG. There is no law saying that has to be kept secret. Get over it.
  • DWR
    Whatever its legality, it's clear the Bixby-Lowenthal name machine is gambling Children Today's exemption status by soliciticing contributions for Robert Garcia's campaign. Since Garcia endorses a gay marriage movement that is calling for the revocation of the Mormon Church's exemption status, it's only fair that calls be made for the revocation of Children Today's exemption status.







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