Letters to the Editor

Steve Downing Passes

Always a favorite, a gem to find: the Stephen Downing byline. His perspective on things, his fearlessness, directness and to-the-point righteousness aren’t to be found in very many places, especially in the hometown orbit. “Sorely missed” doesn’t cover things adequately, but it’ll have to do for now.

Gary Shelton

I am so sad about Stephen’s passing. He embodied the core values of responsibility, accountability, transparency and hard work shining the light on corruption and governance idiocy. He touched us all through his work. If you’re still around here though invisible to us, thank you so much for your caring about truth and facts, Stephen.

Linda Scholl

He was a bright glowing light of truth, common sense, legal brilliance and staunch supporter of the people.

Robert Fox

We’ve lost our best truth tellers between Bill Pearl and Stephen Downing.

Glennis Dolce

This is a crushing loss. Loved the guy. Still absorbing the news. Such a loss for Long Beach.

Ian Sean Patton

So sad. He was a wonderful investigative reporter and excellent writer. I will truly miss him. Condolences to his beloved family.

Ann Cantrell

Steve and I discussed many of his stories behind the scenes. He was dedicated to telling the truth and I am so grateful to have known him.

Gerrie Schipske

A good cop 100%. An honest interrogating journalist who brought the monopolized establishment media to shame. He spoke relentlessly against corruption with embarrassing truths revealed for crooked Democrats and Republicans alike.

He published truth telling mud-raking journalism in a bleak media landscape. His loss is a loss to us all; then may his life serve as an inspiration to us all as well.

Elliot Gonzales

Remove Breakwater

I was born and raised in Philadelphia and spent my childhood summers in Wildwood at the Jersey shore. Our days were filled with building elaborate sandcastles in the warm white sand, collecting seashells, jumping in the waves of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and learning to bodysurf. I became the queen of the body surfers.

Wildwood was then and still is now a thriving tourist destination, with people traveling from as far away as Canada to enjoy its main attraction, the beach, and then stay and frequent the restaurants, hotels and other attractions.

Then my brother moved to Long Beach and convinced me that I had to live here too. He promised it would be just like when we were kids at the Jersey Shore. He convinced me and I came.

The first thing I did upon my arrival was to check out the beach. What? It was empty: there was no one there, no children playing, no sandcastles being built, and the only things collectible as I attempted a stroll were drug paraphernalia, empty food containers, cigarette butts, cans and bottles and condoms! And the ocean? There were no waves, none! It smelled awful and looked stagnant, with floating trash and warning signs saying not to go in the water! Not quite the “Monaco of the West,” as the Long Beach Grand Prix broadcasters have dubbed it.

I was later informed of the breakwater that exists to protect ships during the war. That war ended 80 years ago! I remember how sad I felt seeing that, I actually cried. Needless to say, I was really mad at my brother! I still find it difficult to look at the beach knowing what it once was and what it could be again, so I just avoid it.

It is past time to remove the breakwater and free the bound-up ocean waves to crash to shore and be once again what God intended oceans to be. To allow children to run and splash and play in those waves and to be able to stroll along a clean beach and collect shells and other gifts from the sea.

It is time to restore this city to its original condition – a beautiful and bustling seaside resort – and allow it to thrive once more. City officials keep dancing around this issue, but pretty soon the music is going to stop.

Merry Colvin