Long Beach Post: Police and Fire Unions Endorse Patrick O�Donnell, Al Austin for City Council

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Police and Fire Unions Endorse Patrick O�Donnell, Al Austin for City Council

by Long Beach Post | Staff Reports | 01.24.12 |

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5:00pm |�Today, the Long Beach Firefighters Association and the Long Beach Police Officers Association announced their endorsements of Patrick O'Donnell for the 4th District, and Al Austin for the 8th District City Council seats.

�Patrick O�Donnell is the candidate firefighters trust to give us the tools and support we need to keep Long Beach safe,� said Rex Pritchard, President of the Long Beach Firefighters Association. �He makes the tough decisions to keep our city�s budget balanced while protecting vital services like public safety. We don�t just need Patrick O�Donnell on the council, we need more leaders like Patrick O�Donnell.�

Long Beach Police Officers

Association's President Steve James said, �Patrick O�Donnell has the vision and the backbone to keep our city�s finances in order without sacrificing the safety of our neighborhoods. Even in tough times, Patrick brought our city together to improve our community. We need his leadership on the council.�

O'Donnell, who is running as a write-in candidate for a 3rd term in City Council, is facing Daryl Supernaw and retired police officer John Watkins in the race for the 4th district Council seat.�
�
�Al Austin has the right ideas and skills to keep Long Beach safe,� said Rex Pritchard, President of the Long Beach Firefighters Association. �We need leaders like him working for our city and neighborhoods on the Council.

�Al Austin is the candidate Long Beach Police Officers trust to help protect our neighborhoods,� said Steve James, President of the Long Beach Police Officers Association. �Al Austin understands that safe neighborhoods are better neighborhoods, and he has the backbone to make the tough decisions to keep our city on track.�

Al Austin is running against�Gustavo Rivera�and�Lillian Kawasaki to represent the 8th Council district.

Comments

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41 Comments so far.

Mike
Austin ran in the 6th and loss...now he is in the 8th,,,he is a classic carpetbagger.

@John B. Greet
So did I miss something or did you say John Watkins never collected disability while training for or competing in a triathlon.

I wonder what he told you when you asked him about it?

Nice Choices
Congratulations gentlemen !

Mr O'Donnell deserves this support and one must see the wisdom in the POA not endorsing an ex cop who is in the Tea Party. He is probably a nice guy but without the support of his ex employer, good luck.

And a big thumbs up to big Al Austin, an extremely nice man too.

This says a lot about the Mayor who hand picked Kawasaki to get rid of an independent vote like Gabelich we keep hearing.
If Austin can prove that he will remain independent, that might be nice.
So why no endorsement in the 2nd? Has somebody got de funk on dem?

Vision and backbone
That obviously excludes ex LBPD sargeants(plural).

Self Serving
Used to be that I looked at the Fire and Police endorsements as valuable, now I just see it as 'Hey vote for the one that will continue to sell the future of our city down the river, so that we can continue to be overpaid'

Wonk Z
What? The POA did not bow to the demands of J Greet? They did not see the Supreme, self evident (self proclaimed)logic of his pitch analysis?

Even the POA disagrees with Mr Greet? Imagine that.

Maybe we can still strike a deal for O'Donnell to endorse Wadkins, just to keep Greet happy. And end up the office boy, brilliant??? Not.

Hope Greet puts this in his politics 101 file. It will be on the Test.

Nice work Mr O'Donnell, and Mr Austin. We support you !

LB 90813
Pat Odonnell is the anti-Suja: nice, warm, and down to earth. Good luck Pat.

Jean Randolph
"@John B. Greet
So did I miss something or did you say John Watkins never collected disability while training for or competing in a triathlon.

I wonder what he told you when you asked him about it?"

Isn't this the third time someone has asked this question? Curious, indeed.

@Mike
Learn how to spell. It's lost not loss. And stop calling names genius. Vote Pat and Al.

Laurence B. Goodhue
O'Donnell is a good man.More often
right than not.He has the right DNA;
good sense of the community,

Were the Third District fortunate
enough to have him as our Council
Person,it would would not be on the
De Long fast track to become Venice Beach/Marina Del Rey South.
Marina Del Rey South!!!

TERM LIMITS overturned ha
Several city elections back the voters were awe over the continuous re-election of a long termed councilmember who appeared to serve a life-long chain of re-elections. Term limits were born unto the Long Beach voters and people smiled thinking at least at the end the second term a new face will emerge to represent them in their city council district. Yet it was a school teacher found the first loophole in the policy and sent us all pencils and told of the write-phenomenon aspect to circumvent this policy that had been voted in by the voters.
Nothing bad to say about Councilmember O'Donnell, however, if anyone has observed there is a voter apathy issue with large numbers of registered voters who do not bother to vote because they feel that government electees are going to do whatever the hell they please and their measly little vote doesn't really mean a thing and consequently they do not vote.
"So what?" The politicians smirk. The issue of a quorum or adequate number of votes to even count is at hand and this is ailment of our democracy when people quit voting. All issues aside against any present elected official seeking to cicumvent the law here, but you are doing our electoral process a big disservice by doing it and being allowed to succeed upon doing it. Something to consider before thowing your into the ring for a 3rd time. Give someone new a chance. Let's see if a virgin-candidate can undo the mess left by the predescessors. Its worth a try.

The Man
Great job Al. You got my support man.

Austin isn't a carpetbagger at all. Maybe sit down with him over coffee and get to know him. He's a real community guy and is a good fit for the 8th District, where he's been living there for years.

This is a great endorsement for both men.

Rich
@Self Serving. Well said. I agree that a union endorsement is not usually a vote for what is best for the community. I am not impressed with Pat. Well, I am, but not in a positive way.

Interesting
Interesting the POA backed O'Donnell rather than Watkins. That's almost a slap in the face to Watkins, isn't it? Like your former co-workers won't even give you the thumbs up?

O'Donnell has served us well, seems like there's a good chance he will continue to do so.

John B. Greet
Never demanded the POA endorse Watkins. Nope.

Never claimed that Watkins never collected disability, while training for a triathalon or otherwise. I do not know whether he did or not. Does anyone else believe they know? If they do, can they offer any proof?

A recent column at Greater Long Beach directly refutes the current myth that Watkins is or over was a member of the Tea Party Patriots movement.

I am not interested in working in politics, as an appointee or otherwise. I do not believe myself to be qualified. Also, I haven't the stomach for the games most politicians sometimes have to play to get even the simplest things accomplished or (often more important) to prevent some of the more foolish things from occurring.

I have a lot of respect for Pat because I think he has been a fine City Councilman. I simply think he has served his two statutory terms and should step down. Were there no qualified candidates offering to replace him, I would be endorsing him. There are, however, two qualified candidates so offering and of them I think Watkins is the more so. Some disagree. That's great.

I think they should argue the *facts* that support their position and leave the offerings of insult, sarcasm, and snide rhetoric aside.

Sincerely trying to elevate the dialog and discourse here. Anyone else interested in joining me?

@Jean Randolph
I think the way Greet handled that question cost him the campaign manager's job.

We never got an answer from either John re: Has John Watkins ever collected disability while training for or competing in a triathlon?

Maybe someone in personnel would know?

Cities in fiscal crisis
POAs and firefighter unions are finally becoming identified as part of the problem. Their endorsement sends me looking to vote for anyone they oppose.

8th Res
So if Austin loses this race does he move his family to the 5th for the 2014 elections or the 3rd? His campaign literature is nicely nuanced saying "my wife and I have owned our home in the 8th for 10 years..." Sure, but you love the district so much you "moved" to the 6th to try to grab that council seat. Carpetbagger or opportunist or Desparately Seeking Public Office for Lifetime Security on Taxpayer Dime?

@John B. Greet
You wormed your way around the disability issue again, John. You said John Watkins is a close friend from LBPD. You were wholeheartedly endorsing him. Someone stated there might a problem with John's character, i.e., insurance fraud.

Being a friend, naturally you would want to contact him with a question, right?

Well? Did you say he never collected disability while training for or competing in a triathlon?

What did he say when you asked him about it?

John B. Greet
Poster Jean Randolph *then*:

"Yes, Mr. Watkins is such an honorable man, so concerned with Tea Party values like minimal government. Guess that's why he collects a full pension PLUS disability for a condition that allows him to run in triathlons. Doesn't sound like someone who will work to reduce spending and reform pensions. He sounds more to me like a fiscal leach."

Poster Jean Randolph *now*:

"We never got an answer from either John re: Has John Watkins ever collected disability while training for or competing in a triathlon? Maybe someone in personnel would know?"

I think the difference between thse two posts is pretty remarkable. Hasn't Randolph known the answer to this question all along? If not, why did Randolph assert this information as factual to begin with?

Googled?
When I googled Al Austin there was a picture of him running for the 6TH District, not the 8TH.

Does he plan to run for 8TH then represent the 6TH or vice versa?

John B. Greet
@@John: If someone (in this case poster Jean Randolph) is going to state something as a fact (as that person quite clearly did), I think they should offer proof to support it. If they have no proof, they should not make such statements.

I am not worming my way around anything. I did not raise the issue and it is not my statement to either prove or disprove.

You asked: "Being a friend, naturally you would want to contact him with a question, right?

Nope. I didn't make the assertion or pose the question in the first place and I will not presume to speak for those who did. They must stand (or fall) by their own assertions and they must demonstrate the responsibility and the maturity required to ask their own questions...not passively and indirectly in the form of an accusation, on a public access website, but actively and directly, to the candidate himself. Goodness knows Watkins is making himself extremely available to anyone who cares to ask him just about anything. My advice to those who are truly concerned about this question: "Go ask him."

You asked: "Well? Did you say he never collected disability while training for or competing in a triathlon?"

Nope. I never said that. I *wouldn't* say that, because I do not have that information. Unlike some here, and elsewhere, I do not assert things as fact if I cannot prove them to be true.

You asked: "What did he say when you asked him about it?"

I haven't asked him. Have you? Perhaps more importantly, has Randolph? I think the answer to those two questions are pretty obvious.

not a lawyer, buy
There is no "loophole" or circumventing of the term limits law. The law simply says you cannot be on the ballot in the primary if you served two full terms. That's what the voters approved. If they'd wanted an outright ban on running, they could have drafted and voted for that. They didn't. Pat is following the law - just as Mayor Oneill did when getting re-elected, and as MR Lerch and Mr Reyes-Uranga did when failing to get re-elected. Get over it - both the letter and spirit of the law contemplate running as a write in for a third term.

@ John B. Greet
Here's your chance to truly help your friend. Just ask him. You're friends,right? Are you afraid to ask your friend a pointed question? Do you think he is an honest man? Or maybe I missed something.

Did you say John Watkins never collected disability while training or competing in a triathlon?

Just ask him. If he says no, you can tell us. Issue put to rest. If he says yes, you can tell us, I "never claimed that Watkins never collected disability, while training for a triathlon, or otherwise".

It sounds like you're hiding something.

4th Res
What's all this who-ha about insurance fraud. If it's true, that's serious business.

Mr. Greet, are you really a friend if his? What's going on? I couldn't vote for someone like that.

John B. Greet
@@John: Sorry. Like anyone else, it is I, and not others, who gets to decide how I assist my friends.

You, Randolph, and anyone else who likes are entirely free to ask Watkins this question and any others that concern you.

I think you should do so and not keep trying to have someone else ask your questions for you.

Again you have asked: "Did you say John Watkins never collected disability while training or competing in a triathlon?"

Again, I answer: "Nope". But I think you know that answer, because my words on the subect are quite clear for you to read.

So why do you keep wasting time asking that question of *me*, rather than asking Watkins the questions you have for *him*?

@John B. Greet
Thank you. Now you're on record as saying "Nope" John Watkins did not collect disability while training for or competing in a triathlon.

It's only your credibility on the line.

But if you say "Nope", I guess you mean "Nope". Is that what Watkins told you?

Rob Webb
I rarely comment here and will probably regret it, but here it goes:

First, congratulations to Al Austin and Patrick O’Donnell for the Firefighter and POA endorsements. This is a big deal in LB politics. I have known both for many years and believe they are both honest and honorable men.

I have endorsed Al Austin in the 8th District and he has my full support. This has surprised some in our community as I am a Republican that leans toward supporting conservative candidates and Al is a Democrat with ties to labor unions.

Well, politics make strange bedfellows. I had the opportunity to work with Al Austin when I was on the City Council and I found out he is interested in the same things I am, public safety, economic development (jobs) and our neighborhoods. He has been actively involved in our community and Los Cerritos School for many years and has earned his place as a leader in the Eighth District.

I will never agree with Al Austin, (or any of my elected representatives), 100% of the time. What I do know is that I can work with Al Austin and he will listen to my concerns. He understands that we need to work together to finds solutions to our problems instead of the partisan (or sometimes personal) gridlock and multiple surprise substitute motions our City Council meetings now endure. The bottom line is that I have worked with Al when he was on the other side and I trust him. I can't say that about everyone on my side of the isle.

OK someone here called Al a carpetbagger. I grew up in the 3rd District and served on the City Council in the 8th District. Was I a carpetbagger?

OK second, I am glad LB Post did not exists when I was on the City Council. I believe in government transparency but my skin is not thick enough for some of this crap. I will fight to my death for everyone to post what they want here, but some of it is just crap.

Of all the posts below I only know John Greet and Larry Goodhue personally. I have known John Greet for almost 20 years. I know him to be honest and ethical. If a cop pulls over my child, I hope John Greet trained him. I have known Larry Goodhue for almost 20 years as well. I see Larry rowing around Alamitos Bay regularly. I like him and respect his opinion but rarely agree with him.

I do not know Jean Randolph but respect that you use your real name. I do however think it is irresponsible for you to repeatedly accuse a City Council candidate of fraud without providing any proof. I respect your right to trash whoever you want online but be responsible for what you say.

I have only met John Watkins one time and he impressed me as a smart and astute person that would make a good City Councilman. He seemed like a "middle of the road" Republican and I liked him.

What I do know is I trust John Greet. If he was ever aware of anyone (especially a cop) committing a crime or fraud, he would be the first person to cry foul and do it very loudly. I also think John is very qualified to serve on the Long Beach City Council despite his own claims here that he is not. If he shows the kind of patience and understanding of others opinions like he does here on LB Post, he might be one of our best Councilmembers in a long time!

John B. Greet
@ Mr. Webb: Thank you very much for your kind comments.

@@John: I think it is unfortunate that you have failed to accept my open invitation to join me in attempting to elevate the dialog and discourse here and, instead, seem to prefer to play rhetorical games.

I have consistently shown you the respect of giving you *direct answers* to every question you asked me. I have done my best to deal with you honestly and fairly here, despite that you persist in failing to offer me the same basic level of courtesy and respect.

I think that is very unfortunate.

I think we must begin to take our responsibility to elect our government representatives (at all levels) far more seriously than we often do. Conduct such as yours, however, unfortunately does not serve that purpose.

Be well.

@@John B. Greet
I read both latest comments and I don't think Greet is denying John Watkins fraudulently collected disability payments.
I"m reading it to say 'Nope, I'm not answering the question'.

Maybe you should look again.

Humored
So now John Greet needs a big brother to stick up for him?

Birds of a feather stick together?

Analysis
If the POA does not support one of it's own, Mr Wadkins in the 4th,that says a lot ? Good work Mr O'Donnell. Very nice man.

Why was Suja Lowenthal left out of this endorsement process? Is that a No Endorsement call for the 2nd?

To Rob Webb
Honest and ethical? John Greet? Obviously you don't know him very well.

Here's a guy that put in for 5-15 hours OT every month(That's about $10,000 a year) while spending many more hours than that blogging.

If John Watkins did do a triathlon while collecting disability I understand why they both would be hush-hush about it.

As far as Greet training anybody, he is the LBPD poster boy for the Peter Principle. He rose to the level of incompetence.

All on the tax payers dime, while complaining about how the taxpayers dime is spent. If that makes any sense? It doesn't to me.

Johnny Blogovich
It is true, Greet blogged and blogged while on duty, we figured that out when he used to dwell and dwell, and troll and troll, day and night on another blog.

He got away with this for years ! Some crime fighter?

Sarg Blogs A Lot billed the town up the wazzoo too! What a less government, Tea Party Patriot !

Phoney Tea Bagger.

He should donate the misappropriated funds back....fat chance.

John 8th Dist Resident
To call Al Austin a "carpetbagger" in the 8th District is really just plain wrong.

I have known Al Austin for 15 years. I was at Al's housewarming party for his house (in the 8th District) ten years ago. Al's children and my children go to Los Cerritos Elementary (in the 8th District). Al regularly volunteers at Los Cerritos, and helps organize PTA reading days for the children. Al is also an active member of the Fairfield YMCA Board (located in the 8th District).

As opposed to the typical name calling negativity, how about a political dialogue on the issues for a change? Or, if politics should be personal, how about asking Al Austin's neighbors what they think of him? I am sure we all agree that we would be very fortunate to have Al (a family man who has put his commitment to our community into action in our community) represent us on the city council.

Mike Ruehle
Patrick O'Donnell and the rest of Long Beach City Council have asked justices to overturn a Superior Court ruling that the city of Long Beach must provide the names of officers involved in shootings as requested by a Los Angeles Times Public Records Act information request.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-police-officer-names-20120127,0,7553910.story?track=rss

An attorney for The Times contends the City of Long Beach and the Police union, although separate parties to the lawsuit, were "colluding" to skirt the city's obligation under public records laws and indefinitely keep secret the identities of law enforcement officers who had exercised lethal force.

What this means is Councilman O'Donnell approved continuing to spend TAXPAYERS MONEY to withhold the names of police officers who kill Long Beach TAXPAYERS. What are they hiding?????

At a time when city services are being cut left and right, why is O'Donnell and City Council spending OUR MONEY to hide the identity of trigger-happy police officers???????

John B. Greet
@ Ruehle: Unnecessary name-calling aside, do you accept that violent retaliation against police officers can sometimes be a valid concern in these cases? If so, do you think it is reasonable that we try to guard against that as far as possible? If so, how would you propose we do so, if not by withholding names, even temporarily?

Do you agree that LBPD does not keep this information entirely secret and that we have elected people to represent us in government (City Councilmembers and a Mayor) who have access to these names?

I do not think violent retaliation against police officers should be considered a valid concern in *all* such cases cases. Perhaps we can develop some sort of compromise method for making determinations about whether officers names shall be released to the general public and, if so, when.

Johnny BlogOvitch
@ToRWEBB and J Greet

Thanks for shedding more light on the real J Greet. Several of us found similar evidence.

What does Mr greet have to say about these damning allegations?

Probably nothing...

So was the larceny John? A tresspassory taking and carrying away of the personal property of another? Close enough, you may have stolen resources

Fraud? By billing for blogging, that was a Material Misrepresentation? The stolen money supports damages?

Embezzlement? Theft from a position of trust by an agent? Sounds good.

Let's recall a prior post;

To Rob Webb
Honest and ethical? John Greet? Obviously you don't know him very well.

Here's a guy that put in for 5-15 hours OT every month(That's about $10,000 a year) while spending many more hours than that blogging.

BUSTED-WE HAVE A WITNESS-HA HA HA !

If John Watkins did do a triathlon while collecting disability I understand why they both would be hush-hush about it.

As far as Greet training anybody, he is the LBPD poster boy for the Peter Principle. He rose to the level of incompetence.

All on the tax payers dime, while complaining about how the taxpayers dime is spent. If that makes any sense? It doesn't to me.

YOU HAVE TO LOVE THOSE ALWAYS WHINING FOR LESS GOVERNMENT DESPITE SUCKING THE PUBLIC TEET DRY AS LONG AS THEY CAN DO SO QUIETLY???

SO EXPLAIN THIS JOHNNY ???

Busted BLOG o vitch !

$10,000 a year for Tea Party propaganda and right wing BS....vomitous

Goodie
I think Druehle is alluding to the number of police misconduct incidents that are swept under the carpet when identities are not made public. If the public was privy to these names, a 'pattern' of unacceptable behavior would be less likely overlooked and action more likely taken. That would help clear out the bad eggs. Agreed.

At the same time, we are all innocent until proven guilty and our officers should not be subject to vigilantes, which would be the case if their names were released.

They're people out there who will stop at nothing for revenge. While most of these officers are family men, there families don't deserve to live in fear at every accusation.

I think there jobs warrant this policy.

@Mike- Get your facts str
Al lived in the Eighth District longer than both of his opponents COMBINED!

John B. Greet
@Johnny: I think it is foolish to make accusations without offering proof.

Perhaps you disagree.

Some here have accused Watkins of collecting "...a full pension PLUS disability.." Yet offer *no proof** to support this and then fail to retract it when called on it.

Similarly, some here have lodged all sorts of personal attacks and baseless acccusations against me and apparently for no reason other than that I have demonstrated the temerity to exercise my right (just as they have) to publicly support a qualified candidate for one of our Council seats.

I think some need to be more responsible in their citizenship.

I think that some should learn that just because the *can* say a thing, doesn't mean they always should.

I think some need to take their approach to, and participation in, our form of self-goverment far more seriously than they seem to.

Baseless accusations serve no constructive purpose. Unproven allegations are just that...unproven...and, so, entirely unworthy of serious consideration.

I think Watkins is a highly-qualified candidate for City Council. Those who would choose to dispute this should make a relevant argument based upon facts, and not mud-sling just because they can.