VICTORY !     

Long Beach has never had an abundance of ground squirrels. About 200 of the affable little critters set up housekeeping in a network of burrows downtown, on the hillside & bluffs, at Ocean Blvd. & Linden Ave, where now stands residential condominium building. There were no plans for relocating the squirrels before the construction begins. After the construction project done, it wouldn't be no way for those squirrels to re-establish their habitat on their own. For months we unsuccessfully tried to contact the developer or get attention from the city officials, in fact the developer never contacted us although we were promises to do so by their attorney. We got only one official letter from the City side.

The condominium project had all required approvals when I noticed that there was no mention of the squirrels at all in the development plans. It took months of persistent emails, meetings, phone calls, and finally, with the help of Vice-Mayor Dan Baker, developer George Medak of Gordon LP Genesis Real Estate Group, was impressed to finance the relocation. It wasn't at all easy to find people who could do the job. For unknown reasons, we wasn't told about the exact grading timing & the exact new location for squirrels in the El Dorado Park, which previously rejected our plea for taking them. Also for un-known reasons, we couldn't get in contact with the hired trappers, neither with the city people supervising the relocation process. However, as we were confident of, Vice Mayor Baker & Mr. Medak kept their words to relocate the squirrels in March ('02). Thought community residents cooperation, we found the relocation timing, trappers, and we unofficially supervised the moving process.

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Brief history:
The squirrel relocation campaign began in June 2000, when I first noticed the developer signs and after reviewing the developing plans I found no mention of the squirrels whatsoever. I quickly realized that this would not be an easy issue to overcome for number of reasons: 1) it's local case, 2) squirrels aren't an endangered or threatened species, 3)may carry viruses, 4) the staunchest environmentalists or conservationists wouldn't consider the protection of those squirrels as worth their time, and 5) I couldn't fund a campaign by myself for long. But every time I went by the park & saw these little creatures living blissfully unaware of their fate, I knew I had to whatever I could.

Fortunately, in this helpless situation, I found some Greens & animal lovers in Long Beach to back the relocation issue. It isn't possible to mention all, since many helped us once, others did so anonymously, some supported the issue without our knowledge, and about 50% aren't active activists.
Special thank you to: Brannister Reggie, Gajczak Agata, Gasket Steve, Gaver Shann, Harmon Linda, Mann Diana, Marie, Olaf, Shelton Gary, Skye Coby, Slabosevski Tom, Szaszor Vojtek, Wheeler Ted. Thank you to everyone else who took part (spiritually, financially, passing flyers, showing up at the official meetings , calling/emailing, sending memos & letters) in our -from today's point of view- successful campaign.

Even in this strong force of residents, seldom having different opinion on others issues, months past as we unsuccessfully tried to contact the developer or get attention from the city officials. It change, when Long Beach Greens drafted a letter to the 2nd Dis. Councilmen Mr. Dan Baker, whose district the park belongs to. Later, Mr. Baker met with them & me, and we agreed to contact the developer in an effort to resolve this issue in a fair way. Soon after, we were told that the money for the relocation can be found (however, the relocation campaign -flyers, faxes, documentation mailing etc- is still "financed" from our private pockets). This was truly a god news after nearly 1 and half year of efforts to solve this situation. It left us with 2 issues to solve: 1) finding a group capable of safely capturing & relocating the squirrels, and 2) finding a safe location to move them to. After couple more months, we finally got an official letter from Vice Mayor Dan Baker stating, the situation is under control, and sort of promising the squirrels will be relocate before the real construction begins (there was a symbolic ground breaking in 2001). El Dorado Park, which previously rejected our proposition of suiting relocated squirrels, has now agreed to do so. It left us with one issue still to be solve: finding a group capable of safely capturing & relocating the squirrels. In February 27th 2002, I received call from Mr. Baker office that the developer hired trappers and the squirrels are being moved. I checked it myself and with people working across the street from squirrels but didn't find no trappers. Info provided to Vice Mayor Baker by the developer, wasn't accurate regarding the timing, however, squirrels were moved in March. I still don't understand why it was so difficult to tell us the exact time and new squirrel's place, I don't know why no one seemed to knew that. But I know (we found the necessary info on our own), nearly 200 squirrels were saved! The squirrels issue was un-officially named the most successful Long Beach Greens campaign for the time being.



For up to date info contact:

Squirrels Campaign
PO BOX 21128
Long Beach, Ca 90801
tel: (562) 208 0393
bobi2000@hotmail.com

Thanks to all who in different ways (including organizing picnics for squirrels) took part in our Squirrels Campaign, some anonymously. Many thanx to the Long Beach businesses who put campaign posters at the windows, stands, counters... It hasn't come easily, since it was a very local issue, and over all squirrels aren't an important part of the big environmental protection picture. When several grassroots & park groups indicated they couldn't help, many -mostly downtown- residents didn't give up looking for ways to move the squirrels, where to moved them, and trying to work with the city to make sure everything gets done right. Thank you all!
P. Bob Sobanski http://www.bobsob.com

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Letter to the City August 28, 2001 (text friendly version)

Vice-Mayor Dan Baker
333 W. Ocean Boulevard. 14th floor
Long Beach, California 90802

Dear Vice-Mayor Baker,
The Long Beach Greens, by unanimous decision, have decided to ask for your assistance in protecting a one of the few remaining open spaces in your district.
Next to the Long Beach Arena--between Ocean Boulevard & Seaside Way and Linden & Elm Avenues--is all that remains of a park: a few trees and a barren site (formerly owned by Arizona based Investment Property Center) awaiting the construction of a residential condominium building by Gordon LP and Genesis Real Estate Group.
Besides other wildlife, a family of 40 or more squirrels occupies this area listed as 350 East Ocean Boulevard. Some local residents help to feed them, including an elderly pair that has been bringing nuts and water for six years. The elderly couple has no children and cares for the squirrels as if they were their own kids. However, the couple is helpless in protecting the animals' survival. There are no plans for protecting this area or relocating any of the wildlife if construction moves forward.
Please feel free to contact me at the number below or Mr. Bob Sobanski at (562) 628-1545 to discuss what solutions we can reach together. We look forward to working with your office in the future.
Sincerely,
Coby Skye
Long Beach Greens

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Here is the only official letter we received from the City officials. In all this time, we met with the officials once as a scheduled meeting and few times for the short conversations in the City Hall hallway, we exchanged couple emails and phone calls. We didn't get any response directly from the developer side, although their attorney told us we will.

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