thumbs_up DAVE WIELENGA’S “BEVERLY O’NEILL TO SIGN AND DISCUSS HER BIOGRAPHY SATURDAY AT BORDERS,” JULY 29

“The Beverly O’Neill Story!” That title style is as antiquated as an IBM Selectric typewriter. Anyone remember “The Lou Gehrig Story” or “The Duke Ellington Story”? Here’s my idea for a more contemporary title: “Big-Box Bev!” / DWR

I’m thinking about penning a book as well.I’m considering this for its title:”Nominally Negative: The Long Beach Economic Story.” / JUAN PARDELL

Perhaps before we get our knickers in a knot and start taking snarky potshots at former Mayor Beverly O’Neill we should first read the book and then post our comments. / DWIGHT K. SNIDER

RACHEL POWERS’ “EAT, PRAY, LOVE: INSIDE THE OTHER PROTEST AT THE LB HYATT,” JULY 23

Thanks for the great coverage of this national event. It really shows how much the community stands together. Over 86 percent of the hotel workers in Long Beach live here, too. We need to have responsible corporate community members that promote a healthy community, not add to the poverty rates, injustices, injuries and take more from the taxpayers than is rightfully owed to them. Hyatt is one of the worst. Millions have been paid to them—millions more given by the city, considering they are on public land. If the Hyatt sells we can only hope that people like [Patrick] O’Donnell and others on council will make sure the next buyer pays their rent and treats our community with the respect and dignity any human being deserves, despite race, class or creed. Thank you to the community for standing up to the Hyatt and to the council members who continually support and draw attention to the ways we can make Long Beach a more livable city for everyone. And to you, Rachel, for going inside with them and covering this great action. / SECOND DISTRICT RESIDENT

Rachel, I liked your story a lot—thanks for the humorous view from behind the lines! / KC

DAVE WIELENGA’S “GARCIA’S GOT HIS REASONS: FIRST NATURE CALLED, THEN HIS FAMILY,” JULY 28

Ridiculous excuses. This guy is a total disappointment. / HOWARD X

I’m with Councilman Garcia on this one. All of the interest in his absence during the Vice Mayor vote was (and is) much ado about nothing. He’s on record supporting the selection of Councilwoman Lowenthal for the position and he has publicly congratulated her since she received the appointment. It’s done; move on, already. Surely the Council has some profitable and legal marketing concept to ban (a la Big Box), some lucrative and legal enterprise to enact moratoria against (a la check cashing businesses), some federally unlawful enterprise to tax (a la Medpot) or some lawfully-operating contractor to restrain from doing businsess with the city (a la the Equal Benefits Ordinance.) / JOHN B. GREET

Councilman Garcia made a motion to reconsider the vote that occurred without him, was his motion entered into the record? Also, why is Garcia asking the Mayor’s permission whether he can make such a motion? As a Councilperson, isn’t it his right and responsibility to do so? If anyone should have been asked whether he could make such a motion, shouldn’t it have been the City Attorney and not the Mayor? Moreover, why would Councilman Garcia use the criteria of WHO TALKED TO HIM FIRST for selecting his position on an issue? In his position, shouldn’t Garcia be selecting the alternative that would BEST SERVE the public? / MIKE RUEHLE

RACHEL POWERS’ “ALL AROUND THE TOP O’ THE TOWN ON A FAREWELL TOUR WITH VAL LERCH,” JULY 21

North Long Beach has some of the greatest neighborhoods in town—good places for young children to grow up. Not everyone north of Del Amo is living in poverty; most are not hoodlums and gang-bangers. What would happen if someone moved to North Long Beach? They would find some of the finest neighbors in the whole of our city, neighbors who really care about living in peace and harmony with one another. Open your minds. Accept everyone at face value. Life is too short not to. / MARTHA THUENTE

Some friends and I would like to venture up to North Long Beach for dinner. Anyone care to make some recommendations? Thanks in advance. / HEATHER ALTMAN