Questions, Suggestions Voiced at Year-End 'Good and Welfare' Session

The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday held its last good and welfare session before the transition of administrations next month, and some residents used the time to offer their appreciation, inquire about pending issues and make suggestions.

“Thank you for the opportunity, on behalf of all residents in the West End, to be able to sit with you guys and bring our issues to you and work for solutions to the problems that were brought forth,” Rick Hoffman, president of the West End Neighbors Civic Association, told the outgoing members of the Republican administration, President Thomas Sofield, Vice President Mona Goodman and City Manager Charles Theofan.

Held at the first of the council’s two monthly meetings, good and welfare sessions allows residents to address the council on any government-related issues. And during the three-minutes allotted to each speaker, Hoffman thanked the administration for their efforts in helping the civic association address their issues, even those that remain outstanding, like the refurbishment of Georgia Street Park. Hoffman said he looks forward to working with the new Democratic administration.

“We ... hope to work hand in hand with them as well to continue that work that needs to be done,” he said. “We all know that plenty needs to be done, and if everybody sits together with an open mind and works together, I feel that we can make things happen and move the city in the right direction.”

Mindy Williams, a North Park resident, thanked all the council members for the work that they've done, but she also wanted to know about the status of a certain request. Since last year, she has called on the council to consider establishing a civilian complaint review board after two police-related incidents that some believe involved officers using excessive force, charges of which the police department denied.

“And I would like to also ask for the things that have not still been addressed,” Williams said. “Will we still have that opportunity to address them, Mr. Theofan?”

Theofan informed Williams that the city has created a “very extensive” research analysis file on the issue. “It’s all there,” Theofan told Williams. “It’s all ready. And I guess the new administration will take the ball and run with it. Now it’s just a matter of doing it.”

The incoming city council consists of four Democrats, Len Torres, Michael Fagen, Fran Adelson and Scott Mandel, and lone Republican John McLaughlin.

Resident Ruth Bernstein-Banschick wondered whether the outgoing Republicans would continue to attend council meetings, or move on to other pursuits. She said that some Long Beach Republicans are reportedly expecting the Democrats to flop, and she asked that they support the new administration.

“I would just like to ask everyone to try and work for the success of this city, rather than to try and undermine the Democrats coming in, or wait for them to mess up,” she said.

Last month, Bernstein-Banschick, a Long Beach attorney who monitored the polling site at City Hall for Democrats on Election Day, filed a complaint with the Nassau County D.A. of attempted voter intimidation based on certain activities of Long Beach police officers.

After her three minutes expired during good and welfare, Theofan asked her if she would keep watch of the new administration to make sure they “do the right thing.”

Said Bernstein-Banschick: “Oh, Mr. Theofan, absolutely.”

The next council meeting is Dec. 20 at City Hall, and the next meeting with good and welfare is Jan. 3.