MORE-A LAURA
Laura Richardson’s campaign website shows three issues: Iraq (surrender), education (more money, not accountability) and health care (socialized), which I presume is what she ran on. Then, when elected, she declares her focus will be civil rights (this from a woman who says she looks forward to her next 20 to 30 years in Congress). Bait and switch? The parade funding should have given us a clue [Theo Douglas’ “Must…Find…Money!” Dec. 5]. Welcome to one-term Richardson; just another one putting the “con” in Congress.

LBREZ Via thedistrictweekly.com

I think we need to figure out a way to help the Sixth District, not demean the council member who had little to do with the problem [Theo Douglas’ “A Day in the Life,” Nov. 28]. Perhaps a fundraiser might be in order and Congresswoman Richardson could be the draw to a luncheon or something like that. After all, she is off to a great start—introducing new legislation that will benefit all of us—and she could help pay that bill off. Everyone wins.

PAT TOWNER Via thedistrictweekly.com

Here’s my problem with Laura Richardson’s MLK Day Parade: The parade had little to do with Martin Luther King and his radical Christian dissent. At the lead-up to war, the parade was full of armed soldiers waving flags. King opposed war, period. So this parade is an exercise in whitewashing and hypocrisy. Want a solution? Let churches and community groups, not politicians, run the parade.

DANIEL B Via the districtweekly.com

LISTEN UP
I attended Chris Schlarb’s listening party at {open} and it was fantastic [Chris Ziegler’s “Ah I Exist,” Dec. 5]. It was unlike any musical event I’d participated in. It was like sharing a meaningful, intimate moment with a motley group of friends and strangers. Very intriguing. I bought the CD right away and have been listening to it in my car ever since. Thank you, Mr. Schlarb, for this amazing creation, which truly moves me and gives me hope for my own creative projects. I’m grateful {open} exists and continues to host these types of events.

MEL Via thedistrictweekly.com

KEEP IT COMING
I moved here to Long Beach a few years ago from my hometown of Boston, where my favorite publication was called The Improper Bostonian. I waited every Monday for the new issue to come out so I could read the biting commentary and tongue-in-cheek editorials of the shenanigans going on with the locals and the politicians. I also enjoyed the reviews of the places to dine and nightclub offerings. So, how pleased I was to find The District magazine here in Long Beach, where we are all kept honest by your witty and creative staff. It feels like I am back home again, except without the snow and the endless parade of drunken Kennedys. Keep up the good work!

BRIAN PFORR & JEFF WILKINS Inkeepers, Turret House Inn Long Beach

FROM THEDISTRICTWEEKLY.COM
In response to Theo Douglas’ Dec. 6 article “Yacht Club Employees Face Contract Doldrums,” about labor negotiations at the Long Beach Yacht Club, where City Council members are automatically made members upon election.  The city charges the Long Beach Yacht Club $11,007 rent per year—$917.25 per month—for some of the most primo waterfront land in Long Beach. See for yourself at http://clblegistar.longbeach.gov/attachments/ef. This agreement is good through 2050. There are provisions for nominal yearly rent increases (capped at 5 percent), contract extension fees, and an agreement by the Yacht Club to improve their own building and the dock in front of it, but this is largely a sweetheart deal from the city to a private entity.

SAM LOWRY Via thedistrictweekly.com