thumbs_up APPRECIATING RICH ARCHBOLD WHERE IT COUNTS MOST—AS A HUMAN BEING [ By Louise Cunningham ]

Love the article on Rich; he is a very special person and so happy that you did this. I, too, many times use the “Once when I was at the PT … ” / KATHY BERRY

At least Archbold was nice to ONE of his former employees. During the gut-wrenching, salary-slashing, re-apply-for-your-job days of late 1997 when Singleton took over the P-T, I always thought Rich was out of touch with all that was going on around him. Carolyn Ruszkiewicz couldn’t have been nicer when I left after 30-plus years for another job. Archbold? He never took a moment to acknowledge my contributions or wish me luck. It’s the “human moments” you remember most about a person. / FORMER P-T EMPLOYEE

Rich is an amazing man from a professional and personal standpoint. He cares deeply and is enormously loyal. I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with Rich on projects such as advertising sections. It is RARE to find a newsman who helps support other departments with their key projects and works to help make those projects successful if it is within his power. I have worked for four papers and most editors I have come in contact with do not have this same regard and passion for the overall product—not just the newsroom. Long Beach has a gift in Rich Archbold and the Press-Telegram has been blessed to have him at the center. / DIANE STUMP

SHE’S BAAACK!! CERVANTES RETURNS TO COMPTON COUNCIL, MAD AS EVER [ By Cheryl Scott / Compton Bulletin ]

Once Cervantes used the “R” word she was exposed for the ignorant person that she is. She’s the one that deserves the tongue lashing. / THE COMMISH

MAYOR FOSTER SAYS LONG BEACH CAN BE A SAFER CITY WITH FEWER COPS [ Bill Pearl / LBReport.com ]

“Run the risk of being an “Armed Camp?” What is the Mayor talking about? He knows that the Council has accepted too much crime as a fact of life for too long. He promised 100 more police officers on the street. We know that still is not enough. He did not come through with the officers and reopened the contract for further raises when a few officers left, rather than standing up for what is right. Crime and our inability to fight it because of union concerns is our biggest and most serious problem that holds back the potential of our city and creates untold misery and grief. We need zero crime pledges and actions by Bob and all of our council people. Most have already signed pledges to the police union that show their true concerns. Perhaps they all need to leave office for people who have not compromised their character and commitment to the citizens of this city. / PAUL DE JUNG

 SLOT MACHINES IN A 98-CENT STORE [ By Eric Pierce / The Downey Patriot ]

 Sounds like a country and western song! “Slot machines in a 98-cent store / Something-something the local whore.” Yeah! / HOWARD X

LA SANTA CECILIA: A MUSICAL MISSION GUIDED BY A SAINT AND LED BY A DIVA [ By Melissa Henderson ]

This article literally brought tears to my eyes! It is written so well, I can picture myself being a fly on the wall as everything is being explained with colorful descriptions. Knowing LSC as friends, I can hear everything they are quoted in their own voice – it’s quite amusing. But the best part is the reflection. Almost three years ago, my husband had a vision. My father built the bones (out of 2×4s) and our Bohemian artist community family gave the altar a personality. LSC gave it a soul and La Marisoul gave it a voice. It was one of the most extraordinary, surreal experiences of my life. Melissa, I wish I would have read this before I met you at the Pasadena show. I would have hugged you and thanked you for writing such beautiful piece. / CARLOS AGUAS, JR.

 MORE QUESTIONS SURROUND PROBE OF MISSING DRUGS AT COMPTON PD [ The Compton Bulletin ]

The revisiting of that 95-page report is more important today than it ever was. Mayor Perrodin, a former Compton Police Department officer, is trying to bring back CPD, but the citizens of Compton are demanding answers before that will happen. Since that report was written, many, many more questions have surfaced including incidents involving two murders that were never prosecuted that involved members of the former CPD. I can’t wait to see the whole can of worms spread out for everyone to see. / ROBERT RAY