Dear Friends and Supports,

Unfortunately we did not win the race but we did run a great campaign and brought to light many of the important issues facing our schools.

The aspect of the campaign that I enjoyed the most was meeting so many of you and discussing your ideas regarding education and ways to improve our community.

I would like to thank all of the people who volunteered and supported me during the campaign. Please know that I will always appreciate your help and friendship.

Happy New Year and best wishes to you and your family. I hope I can count on you to continue to support education in our community.

Sincerely,

Richard

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Today is Election Day and I need your vote to make the positive changes that we have discussed during the campaign.

Polls are open today from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. If you are unsure of your polling location you can find it at http://www.lavote.net/locator/.

I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to each and every one of you that have taken the time to discuss the important issues facing our schools with me.

I would also like to publicly thank all of you who volunteered for my campaign. I would not have been able to do it without your help.

I hope after voting today, you will join us at Gladstone’s Long Beach from 6:00 to 8:30 pm to await the election results.

Getting elected is the first step. We have important work to do to ensure that all of our children get the education that they deserve. I truly believe that good schools make great neighborhoods!

Yours in education,

Richard Lewis

I have received the support of the Association of Long Beach Educational Managers (ALBEM). The group represents Long Beach school Principals, Supervisors and Counselors. This endorsement comes on the heels of a public candidate’s debate at Stevenson Elementary school, sponsored by ALBEM.

I’m honored to have the support of Long Beach’s hard working principals, school supervisors and counselors, who address the issues in our schools on a daily basis and know what’s best for our students.

I am so pleased to announce that I have received the support of local teachers, nurses and librarians in my bid for the school board!

I’m honored that the Teacher’s Association of Long Beach, the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, and a majority of the Long Beach City Council have reviewed my experience, my education platform and my fiscal expertise, and decided that I am the best candidate to serve the children and families of the 3rd district.

“Richard is a parent of two young children, has a solid business background and strong ties to the community.  The teachers association is confident that Richard Lewis will ensure that we continue investing our education dollars in the classroom while creating innovative partnerships to improve academic achievement and serve the children of Long Beach.” Stated Michael Day, President of the Teachers Association of Long Beach.

This endorsement is especially meaningful because it really highlights the broad coalition that is building in support of my candidacy.  I believe these endorsements speak to my proven track record of building coalitions and taking a common sense approach to tackling difficult issues.

If you are an absentee voter you should be receiving your ballot this week, I would like to ask for your support and that your mail your ballot back as soon as possible.

You can request your absentee ballot by mailing in the request form on your sample ballot that you received last week.

Dear Friends,

I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.  The students of today are the workforce of tomorrow, and I look forward to working with the Chamber and with Long Beach businesses to create innovative partnerships to better serve our students and the families in the 3rd district, while keeping student achievement at the top of our priorities.  I will bring my expertise in financial management to the table over the next few years, as the district faces what is likely to be the most difficult budget period in its history.

For the complete press release visit www.longbeachadvocacy.biz.

Dear Friends,

Our community was attacked last Friday night when an unknown gunman fatally shot Melody Ross, a 16-year-old AP student and track athlete following a football game at Wilson High School.

My sympathy and thoughts go out to her family and friends and the entire Wilson High School community.

We must work together to stop these acts of violence against our children.

In response to this tragic event the Superintendent of Schools and the Long Beach Education Foundation have established the Melody Ross Memorial Trust Account.

If you would like to learn more about the Melody Ross Memorial Trust, or to make a donation, please click here.

Dear Friends,

I am honored to have the endorsement of Vice Mayor Lerch. As a resident of Long Beach for the past 13 years, I’ve seen the great work that the Vice Mayor has done in his district, and as the next School Board Member, I plan to work with the Council to ensure that education remains our top priority during these difficult budget times

The Vice Mayor issued a statement, “I am proud to endorse Richard Lewis for Long Beach Unified School Board. Richard has worked tirelessly for more than 10 years to make Long Beach a better community, not only as a businessman but also as Chair of the Human Relations Commission for the City.  As a longtime resident of Downtown Long Beach and the parent of two school-aged children, Richard has been involved in numerous efforts to revitalize the area, and is clearly committed to ensuring that the children and families of the 3rd District continue to thrive and excel academically.”

These endorsements are important for my campaign, but your support and endorsement is equally important to me.

To get involved in my campaign, please click here and submit/update your information.

With your partnership, we will continue building the momentum necessary to win this election.

Thank you for your friendship and support,

Richard Lewis