League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA April 11, 2006 Election
	Jackie Kell Answers Questions Candidate for Member, City Council; City of Long Beach; District 5

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Do you think the proposed LNG facility should be built in Long Beach Harbor? If elected, what actions would you take to support your position?

I share concerns that both our Police and Fire Departments have expressed over the safety of placing the LNG plant near our heavily populated downtown area. When the final EIR is released, I will confer with our first-responders to see if these issues have been resolved before making a final decision. Any definitive position or decision reached by a Councilmember before the final EIR is issued could show a predetermination on the issue and possibly lead to legal challenges.

2. Should Long Beach airport be expanded? If so, to what degree, and what improvements and enhancements would be essential? Under what circumstances, if any, should the number of available flight slots be increased?

The proposed Airport Terminal and Parking project should be structured to accommodate the mandated noise limits. Without accommodating the flights allowed under those limits the City's Noise Ordinance would be significantly more prone to successful litigation, which could ultimately increase flights. Preliminary evidence regarding the proposed parking structure shows that pollution from vehicle trip could be reduced if properly planned and adding additional parking spaces for planes on the runway side would reduce pollution caused by jet craft having to idle on waiting to load/unload. The Terminal size it self should only accommodate comfortably the number of passengers possible under the current flight restrictions (Again, anything less creates possible openings for successful legal challenges). I would not approve one "improvement" or change that would create additional flights beyond those allowed by the Noise Ordinance.

3. What should Long Beach be doing to improve air quality?

Over my terms in office, we have changed the make-up, and more importantly the attitude of the City's Harbor Commission. Now we are all working with a "Green Port" policy aimed towards removing air pollution generated by ships and trucks. The City is making substantial investments in solar-powered buildings and improvements. We are quickly moving the City's fleet of vehicles to alternate, less polluting fuels as well as hybrid vehicles. I brought forward the Council agenda item creating a Citizen's Commission on the Environment. We are positioning ourselves to become the environmental hub of the region.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: March 29, 2006 20:22
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