While serving on the Long Beach City Council. Gerrie Schipske accomplished more than most who are elected. (Click here to view a video of some of her work on behalf of her constituents.)
Open Up Long Beach a monthly behind-the-scenes look at how Long Beach operates. Residents received behind-the-scenes briefings about the city's internet technology, the emergency dispatch center, the oil islands, waste management, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Port of Long Beach, and the public health department and laboratory.
Additionally, Gerrie sent out numerous emails and posts City documents so that residents know what is happening in our City. Gerrie also frequently surveys her residents on the issues facing the City. Her blog was considered to be one of the most informative sites for local news and information, which is why she was honored by the White House in 2013 as one of only seven "Champions of Change for Open Government."
Gerrie Schipske established several important task forces and invited the public to provide input and direction on the issues facing Long Beach. Her task forces included: Infrastructure Advisory, Solar Energy and Sustainability, Lake, Ponds and Wetlands, Solar Grand Prix, Small Business Advisory, Library Services, Youth Council, Ready Long Beach, Rosie the Riveter Park, and Interpretive Center.
Gerrie also hosted numerous public meetings on traffic, library services, police and fire services, budgeting, public safety, school issues, and animal issues such as coyotes and vicious dogs.
Shaping Up the Fifth was a model program assisting the City and residents to inventory the things that need repair. Gerrie and residents walked designated neighborhoods, filling out inventory checklists that are given to Public Works and Code Enforcement for follow-up. Street signs were replaced, streets and sidewalks scheduled for repair, problem properties are cited, and trees are scheduled for inspection, removal, and replacement. Gerrie and residents also painted, landscaped, and improved local park facilities and alleys.
Gerrie was the first councilperson to put a 24/7 contact form on her website so that residents can report what needs fixing in their neighborhood. It later became Go Beach!
Solar Grand Prix became the most popular annual event for middle and high school students across the City has been the Solar Grand Prix started by Gerrie Schipske. Student teams from public and private schools designed and built solar cars from solar panels donated by local business sponsors.
Students and their coaches attended a mandatory orientation on solar energy and car building and were given the opportunity to work with CSULB engineering students and local professionals to get their solar cars ready for the races in April.
Races were held on two wooden tracks designed and built by the Southwest Regional Carpenters. Awards were given for the fastest times and best-designed cars.
Community Assistance was initiated because Gerrie Schipske is a Registered Nurse Practitioner and is ever mindful that when bad economic times hit a community, everyone suffers. That's why she help start Long Beach Cares, a nonprofit that assisted our local health department.
She also launched the Community Baby Shower, an annual drive for diapers and clothing and other baby items for those most in need.
To help Long Beach residents find free and very low-cost prescription medicine, Gerrie Schipske launched a website that linked to thousands of patient assistance programs offered by the pharmaceutical industry.
V.I.A.L. of Life was developed to assist paramedics who are called for a medical emergency. They need critical information about the patient right away. That's why Gerrie Schipske partnered with local hospitals -- St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and Community Hospital (when it was operating) -- to bring VIAL of L.I.F.E. to Long Beach.
The program is simple and it can save your life. Simply fill out a medical information form and put it inside the vial. Place the vial in your refrigerator and a magnet on the front to tell paramedics that you have a Vial of LIFE inside. Paramedics use the information to tell the local hospital about what medications they are taking and any current medical conditions.
Saluting Our Military -- Honoring Our History was a top priority of Gerrie. She believes that we are blessed to have so many men and women willing to serve our country in the military. She also believes that we need to do what we can to support and to remember their service. So she launched a number of efforts to involve residents in saluting our military:
Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center is located at Clark Avenue and Conant Street and is one of Gerrie Schipske's biggest accomplishments. The 3.2-acre park is one of only two parks in the United States which honors the contributions of women and men who served both on the home front and on the battlefield during WWII. The park is designed to provide an interactive experience for the visitor -- a walking path is inscribed with the history of Long Beach during WWII and includes recycled 1940's light poles that display signage and photographs of the era. There are also signs which provide additional facts so that local schools can use the park as a learning resource. At the north end is a compass rose which duplicates the one from the former US Naval Shipyard and is surrounded by a rose garden and military memorial that features a replica of the National WWII Memorial bas relief showing women assembly airplanes as they did at Douglas Aircraft just steps away. A cellphone guide tour provides a narrative and 1940s music. Also displayed on the light poles are the banners from the Long Beach Home Town Heroes Project. A memorial wall displays plaques purchased by families. At the south end of the park is another compass rose and "landing field". The compass rose was painted by women pilots who are members of the local Ninety-Nine flying group. Gerrie has worked diligently to raise funds from the County of Los Angeles and local businesses to bring these enhancements to this park. She is the founder and President of the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation, a nonprofit which raises funds for park enhancements.
Building Community means bringing residents together through a number of regular events:
- Good Neighbor Festival and Picnic was an annual event in September on National Good Neighbor Day which honors local residents and organizations for being "good neighbors." Attended by more than 1,000, the day featured music, food, games, and displays by dozens of nonprofit organizations.
TEDx-SoCAL has put Long Beach on the map as a creative, innovative city (and even generated some convention business). This annual event was brought to the City by Gerrie Schipske and involves diverse participants who give brief presentations on thought-provoking themes.
Prime Time for Business is an effort promoted by Gerrie Schipske which allowed each Council member to invite a business in their district to make a presentation at a City Council meeting. This gives the Council and the public the opportunity to listen to businesses.
Library Round-Up was an annual effort started in the 5th Council District to ask residents to round up their spare change and contribute it to this project which in turn is given to the Friends of the Public Libraries and donated to local branches who purchase books and other materials.
