COMMUNITY PROFILE : LONG BEACH : Politics

FOCUS

Mayoral Debate For most of its 98 years, Long Beach has been governed by a part-time City Council but run day-to-day by a professional city manager. Council members were elected citywide until 1976, when district elections were imposed. That, arguably, gave a stronger voice to the city’s many distinct neighborhoods. But during the last decade, a number of business and community leaders have seen a need for a leader elected citywide. In spring, 1986, a city task force recommended creation of a full-time mayoralty, rather than the current ceremonial mayor, who is picked from among the council members. That proposal could be the first step toward a full-time council and mayor, and a movement away from present “strong manager” form of government. Opponents say the changes are costly and unnecessary. Voters will decide in November.

CITY SERVICES City Hall 590-6555

333 W. Ocean Blvd.

Police (business) 435-6711

400 W. Broadway

Fire (business) 436-2219

400 W. Broadway, No. 261

Post Office 494-2300

2300 Redondo Ave.

Main Library 437-2949

101 Pacific Ave.

In Emergency, Dial 911 GOVERNMENT City Council: Ernie Kell, District 5 (mayor); Edd Tuttle, District 8 (vice mayor); Evan Anderson Braude, District 1; Wallace Edgerton, District 2; Jan Hall, District 3; Thomas J. Clark, District 4; Clarence Smith, District 6; Ray Grabinski, District 7, Warren Harwood, District 9.

City Manager: John Dever

Fire Chief: James B. Souders

Police Chief: Charles B. Ussery

AREA LAWMAKERS Congress: Glenn M. Anderson, Democrat, 32nd District; 300 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach 90801; (213) 437-7665

Congress: Daniel E. Lungren, Republican, 42nd District; 555 E. Ocean Blvd., No. 505, Long Beach 90802; (213) 436-9133

State Assembly: Dave Elder, Democrat, 57th District; 245 W. Broadway, No. 300, Long Beach 90802; (213) 590-5009

State Assembly: Dennis Brown, Republican, 58th District; 1945 Palo Verde Ave., No. 203, Long Beach 90815; (213) 493-5514

State Senate: Robert G. Beverly, Republican, District 29; 1611 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., No. 102, Redondo Beach 90277; (213) 540-1611

State Senate: Ralph C. Dills, Democrat, 30th District; 16921 S. Western Ave., No. 201, Gardena 90247; (213) 324-4969

County Supervisor: Deane Dana, District 4; Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St., No. 822, Los Angeles 90012; (213) 974-4444

STATISTICS Population: 391,250

Area: 49.80 square miles

Incorporation: Jan. 30, 1888

Median household income: $20,147

Median age: 33.2 years

Voter registration: (total registered, 176,584); Democrat, 91,146 (51.6%); Republican, 66,998 (37.9%); American Independent, 2,170 (1.2%); Peace and Freedom, 1,001 (0.6%); Libertarian, 856 (0.5%); declined to state, 14,193 (8.0%); miscellaneous 220 (0.1%) (source: county registrar of voters)

Race: white, 70.5%; Latino, 14.0%; black, 14.7%; other, 14.8%

(Total is more than 100% because racial/ethnic breakdowns overlap) POLITICAL GROUPS Downtown L.B. Associates: 436-4259

LAMBDA Democratic Club: 438-1234

L. B. Area Citizens Involved: 439-7271

NAACP, local chapter: 599-3320

Statistics: Donnelley Demographics (1985 estimates) Map shows council district boundaries as of October.