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| Floridians got scammed on their "Train to Nowhere." Just ask Ex-Governor Charlie Christ.... |
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www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
November 7, 2010
2 p.m.
Cerritos, CA
Speaking of a massive waste of taxpayer money.
How many decades and how many millions of REAL public dollars have already been spent to "study" and "plan" and "coordinate" this so-called "Orange Line" transportation system here in Southern California.
$10 million? $50 million? Who really knows. All I know is that the "train to nowhere" road show is coming to Cerritos on Tuesday, November 23rd, and everyone needs to attend this "dog and pony show."
Here is a release that was posted on the City of Cerritos website, that I want to make sure everyone gets a change to gaze at. See my comments at the below the "official meeting details."
"A community meeting for the Pacific Electric Corridor Alternatives Analysis will be held on Tuesday, November 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cerritos Park East Community Center.
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is leading a collaborative study on ways to use the historic Pacific Electric right-of-way to connect downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and communities in between. The collaboration involves 21 cities and several county and regional agencies. The community meetings are being held to obtain area residents' input on the following issues:
- Which mode of transit matches the local community's travel needs, desires and values?
- How will a new transit system stimulate local economic development?
- How will engineering and environmental challenges be met?
- Where should stations be located?
At this time, the following transportation alternatives have been identified and are being evaluated based on community values and concerns:
- No build: complete only the transportation improvements that have available funding;
- Transportation systems management: maximize the use of existing transportation options and complete minor improvements;
- Bus rapid transit: provide high-speed bus service in dedicated lanes along the former Pacific Electric right-of-way between Los Angeles and Orange counties, and connecting north to Downtown Los Angeles on city streets with signal priority or within freeway carpool lanes;
- Streetcar: build a light rail-like system similar to the one being considered by the City of Santa Ana;
- Light rail transit: build a rail system similar to the Metro Gold and Blue lines in Los Angeles County that would serve local and regional trips;
- Multiple unit: build a self-powered rail system similar to the Sprinter service in northern San Diego County that would serve local and regional trips; and
- High speed rail: build a grade-separated high-speed rail system similar to Amtrak or Maglev that would serve regional trips.
My opine:
Okay, here is the DEAL. This project has been a political boondoggle for more than 20 years. Our local elected city council members and city staffers have traveled on our dime all over the world in luxury trips to "study" this for eons. Time for accountability. Some people have made Millions on this ONE project and nothing will ever come from it. This is a "pipe dream" and now we need to start calling those elected officials on the carpet who have foisted this on us for decades.
I hope my friends at NBC 4 News, and the Los Angeles Times, and Eyewitness News can attend this meeting, and every government "watchdog" also needs to suit-up and show up. I want everyone to attend this meeting, and start holding our "local elected officials" accountable. Ask the tough questions. Enough of this "gravy train."
The next round of local campaigns begin in a week. Wake up Taxpayers!
rRe
1 comment:
You are quite mistaken that this is a train to nowhere. I would encourage anybody who has such negative opinions on this line to please consider:
Small business is flourishing in both downtown LA and Santa Ana, in spite of a tough economy. Fact is, a lot of jobs have left the area, and likely they aren't coming back. The potential for southern California is there, in that our sheer population count is able to sustain our economy.
The recession is bad, but it's not permanent. This line would create opportunities for people to commute to and from LA seamlessly and without having to pollute and pay for ever increasing fuel prices. small businesses near these pockets of population and employment centers would benefit greatly.
Further, people may forget that a large portion of our economies is tourism based. Universal studios and Hollywood are along the red line. Disneyland is a mile away from where the line crosses harbor blvd. LAX is near the terminus of the green line (soon to be connected by the proposed Crenshaw Line).
This line would directly tie in to the ever-expanding metro rail network, and to a metrolink/amtrak facility. Currently the cities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Anaheim are pitching ideas for a streetcar system to connect it's tourism, employment and residential centers. This line could pave the way for this to become a reality.
As for the communities located along the line: Note how in orange county the line runs through a freeway no-man's land. The line is right smack down the middle of OC between 2 congested freeways. All of the cities on the line would have the potential for re-development in a transit-friendly environment. One where you may ride your bike to the nearest station (they allow bikes to be taken on the train) and get to your destination while getting exercise.
For the residence of Cerritos and La Palma. I ask that you allow this to be completed so that job opportunities can be opened up for the new generation of southern Californians. A new generation of people who want to socialize on their way to work and play. People who like to explore different parts of our community, and not from the shelter of our vehicle (hello, we have the best weather in the world). Please allow the next generation to have access to the many trade schools, community colleges, universities, museums, shopping districts (downtown paramount, cerritos mall) that are along the right of way.
I ask that the communities along the path participate in this discussion in a reasonable, and compassionate manner. Orange County needs to have access to low and middle-wage service-sector jobs because, frankly, that's all that are available at the moment.
I firmly believe that this line, in operation would be of substantial benefit with few drawbacks.
I believe that sound mitigation is possible to provide minimal disruption to the lives of the people along the way (perhaps less air pollution would be an even trade-off).
If this debate is to take place, I would hope that it would take place on an even playing field.
I'm aware that the one of the biggest opponents of this project is an elected official with ties to a local auto center. And that is deeply disappointing to me. Judging by the gold rings on this gentleman's hand he has never had to consider that the communities of Los Angeles and Orange County are full of working-class citizens who would like a cleaner, greener future, and would like to explore and support the local economy.
Please accept that the prior generation let mass transit die, and the new generation would like to revive it.
Please feel free to contact me via email to mediaxpuppet@gmail.com. Thank you for your time.
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