San Gabriel Valley Tribune opposes Measure R

Elected officials in the San Gabriel Valley have been among the most vocal of those opposed to Measure R and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, in an editorial published Sunday, picked up on that theme and came out against Measure R. The editorial also ran in the Pasadena Star News, which like the Tribune is owned by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group.

Some excerpts:

The measure would raise $40 billion over 30 years to fund new transportation projects and relieve traffic congestion. A quick glance at the spending plan, however, reveals that the money would be spent disproportionately on projects in metro Los Angeles and on the Westside, while projects in the east and southeast areas of the county would suffer.

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension, for example, would get only $735 million. ... In contrast, the Westside Exposition Boulevard Light Rail Transit would get $925 million from the new sales tax.

The "Subway to the Sea," an expensive, all-underground project that would probably end at UCLA, would get a "minimum" of $900 million with an "additional" $3.1 billion for a total of more than $4 billion.

It's estimated that projects in the San Gabriel Valley would get just 86 percent of the funding we'd be paying for, whereas some Westside areas would be seeing a 142 percent return on their money. That's just unfair.

In fact, the funding picture is so skewed toward future Westside projects that almost every elected official outside the city of Los Angeles is opposed to it.

When three of the five elected members of the Board of Supervisors who run the county -- people of quite different political stripes -- oppose it, you can be fairly sure there are good reasons for voters to oppose it as well.

And when one of the most widely respected eminently fair and moderate political figures in Southern California, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, has signed the ballot argument against the measure, as he did in opposing Measure R, you can again be sure it's a measure with real problems. (Other opposing signers include supervisors Mike Antonovich, Don Knabe and Gloria Molina, MTA Director and Duarte Councilman John Fasana, El Monte Councilman Juventino Gomez, MTA Director and Glendale Councilman Ara Najarian and Long Beach Councilman Gary Delong.)

Najarian, by the way, voted for Measure R at the MTA Board, but later flip-flopped after being pressured by other Republicans in the area.

The editorial overlooks one of the best arguments against Measure R in the San Gabriel Valley: What happens to the more than $700 million set aside for the 710 freeway gap closure if that project doesn't get built? Does it sit around in Measure R coffers for years and years waiting to get spent? Can it be diverted to other parts of the county? And is the 710 gap closure even a project that most of the San Gabriel Valley wants?

In fact, the 710 gap closure was funded with more than $700 million in the sales tax spending plan to win the support of State Sen. Gil Cedillo, who could have helped block the sales tax legislation in the Senate's appropriations committee.

There are a still few editorials out there from daily newspapers I need to post excerpts from in the next couple days. So far, The Times, Daily News and Daily Breeze are for it and the Press-Telegram and Tribune are against. If there's a paper I missed, please send me an e-mail or post the link on the comment board.

-- Steve Hymon

Comments

[Tribune = Dreier Press Secretary]

I'm from the San Gabriel Valley and I voted against Measure R, but not for the reasons people are providing.

This why I voted no:

1) Raising sales taxes instead of a more equitable form of taxation (say residential or commercial property) is a completely unfair means to fund these projects. It is apparent to everyone that housing prices are declining in the middle and working class portions of the county. It is time for the affluent parts (Westside, Pasadena, West SF Valley) of LA County to pay their fair share, especially when those parts of town are going to receive the lions share of the benefit from this measure.

2) Why aren't other counties (especially Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside) not contributing to these projects? Many of the people who will be using the proposed Purple Line, Gold Line Extension, 710 Extension and the like will not be from LA County. Why should we be subsidizing commuters from Irvine and Corona and Rancho Cucamonga?

I'm just not satisfied with the argument the Mayor Villaraigosa provided, by essentially saying that this is the best we can do. This is the future of the Greater LA Area here. We can and must do better.

[forgotten citizen]

John von Kerczek |

I agree that lines to Alhambra, along Valley Blvd, extension of the the busway to West Covina, and extension of the Gold line to Monterrey Park via Atlantic Blvd is more useful than current foothill gold line extension. I don't know why no one fight for that one. of course something has to be done in gold line extension cities (Glendora to ontario) because public transit is even worst which makes other part of SGV like paradise of public transit (and it stinks)

[LA Mom]

The San Gabriel Valley originally wanted $80 million from Metro so that the rest of the money for the Gold Line extension would "magically" appear from Washington. Now, Measure R secures $735 million for that project all in local funds, without having to compete for federal dollars.

Exactly what is it about Measure R that the San Gabriel Valley is upset about?

[John von Kerczek]

It is pointless to argue the obvious importance of the Purple line compared the the absolute uselessness of the Foothill extension because the truth is none of these people opposing Measure R really care. Antonovich is the county's Grover Norquist, a ideological conservative who would be perfectly happy seeing infrastructure in the LA he hates so much deteriorate Katrina-style. Molina is nothing but a raging ego-maniac desperate for the political juice she would get from steering transit funding to her district regardless of the wastefulness. Knabe seems to be following the two other supervisors' lead. And none of the other SGV pols care one whit about smart effective transit investment. All they see is a money train that can prop up their cities' real estate, promote further development, further swell their cities' tax bases, and burnish their political reputations via ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

The battle to improve public transit in LA unfortunately will not be won based on the virtues of individual projects. Instead, its going to be won on PR and political grandstanding. So far, Antonovich and Molina can play these political games at no cost to themselves or their political careers. They've successfully framed the debate in terms of "equity", despite the fact that the Foothill extension would run through some of the wealthiest, whitest, and lowest-density areas of the San Gabriel Valley. Subway proponents need to publicly hang the albatross of LA's worsening traffic around the neck of obstructionists like Antonovich, Molina, and Knabe. Forget niceties about protecting the environment and creating livable cities. People are pissed off about stewing in traffic, either in their cars or in crowded buses.

None of this will happen before the vote of course. But if Metro must go back to the drawing board, they should explore a range of more worthy alternatives to the Foothill extension, such as lines to Alhambra, along Valley Blvd, extension of the the busway to West Covina, and extension of the Gold line to Monterrey Park via Atlantic Blvd. Any one of those alternatives would expose just how hollow and disingenuous the current arguments of equity are. Rail proponents should drive this point home by exposing the Foothill Line (aka "the Sprawl Line" or "the Light rail to Nowhere") as nothing but the pork barrel project that it is.

Finally, if Measure R fails, the Westside cities (Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, LA) should seriously consider taking matters into their own hands and begin evaluating their own needs as a unified entity independent of either the SGV or the SFV. Why should their fates be left in the hands of hostile Eastside politicians?

[ubrayj02]

This Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 7 p.m. I'm hosting a debate over Measure R at my bike shop in Highland Park.

The address is 5711 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042.

With all the controversy and emotion around this issue, it is going to be on heck of an evening. Free movie screening afterwards w. refreshments.

For more info call: 310-902-5439

[John]

LA absolutely amazes me. 20 years ago, transit projects were being crippled because people didn’t want them built in their communities. Today, transit projects are being crippled because people want them built in their communities. You just can’t win here.

[Ed Greenberg]

Gold-line to sea-subway is going to open up employment in westwood to many more SGV folks. Pretty short-sighted if you ask me (which nobody did :)

[Rob]

Am surprised the Mayor screwed this up so bad. How hard would it have been to cut a deal with the San Gabriel Valley? He needed that 20% of the vote. I would blame the Mayor for this one.

[forgotten citizen]

I wish people could stop deminize SGV people. For plitiician, yes, feel free to do so. They have done almost 0 to help public transit in SGV. The only thing they promote is foot hill gold line extension. It serves only partial population in SGV, and those idiot politicians don't care how people can get to those rail stations. I agree Expo is important because everyone use (in theory). However, without Expo, people can still hop into bus 33 or 320, and SM transit to get to SM and beach. I know people hate bus. Traffic is bad in WLA. However, SGV does not even have those buses and rapid transit. It could be so much population that made WLA with more public transit than SGV. SGV public transit has been porrly designed. people kept mentioning the we can use the Expo. I agree. Probably during the weekend when our travelling schedule is more flexible. Even after gold line extension is built, many of us will still have problem connecting to Expo easily. Metro link and many buses simply don't operate or operate limited service after 7pm. Therefore, for many SGV, using the expo to get to work to WLA is still risky move. there is a big chance we will miss the bus. Many people think that how bad the bus is. I agree. However, there is no way we are going to build rail system to connect everywhere. The solution is to make bus more accessible and frequently, so everyone can utilize the Expo and other rail. I know that. I used to live in Mar vista. That was the only time i don't afraid of the dark because the bus is still available after 7 or 8 pm. Not in SGV. Problem with measure R is it still has a lot projects to encourage people to drive (I am talking abt car pool lanes) such as freeway expansion. Isn't that defeated the purpose. The problem with Measure R is not inequal distribution. it is poor planning with lack of connection to get to anywhere. Only people live and work closer to rapid transit and rail will benefit. Of course, people can still drive to rail station to take rail. It is 100% unfair to bus riders. People have mentioned 20% on the bus. That is not enough. It is not even enough for WLA. To utilize Expo, more bus services have to be utlized in WLA. That is not happening. If there is not enough money to improve bus in WLA, what about SGV. I think the people (along their families and friends) who design the proposal should give up cars for 6 months and try to use the public transit to do everything. Once they do it, they will come up better plan with budget allowed. This applies to those idiot SGV politicians also

[jeremy]

"The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension, for example, would get only $735 million. ... In contrast, the Westside Exposition Boulevard Light Rail Transit would get $925 million from the new sales tax."

they have got to be kidding right? does anyone writing for the sgv tribune even know what wilshire looks like throughout the day?

how about how arcadia looks at the same time?

this is beyond ignorance.

[RB]

What happened to helping out your neighbors? The West Side is choking to death because people from all over the county, including the San Gabriel Valley, come in every day to work, play, shop, visit the beaches, etc. This subway isn't just for westsiders to ride, it's for everyone to use and enjoy. Does the SGV Tribune think for a second that the people who live in the SGV wouldn't enjoy an alternative method of getting to other parts of the city they work in? This shouldn't be an "us vs. them" issue. It's regional, and it needs regional support.

[CS]

Lets make a list.

SGV
- Gold Line to Pasadena.
- Three carpools lane 10, 210, 605, with a fourth one
being built on the 60, although I understand that the 10
and 60 still have gaps on their network.
- Plus two metrolink lines, SB Line and Riverside Line.

Westside
- Carpool lane on the 405 but again gaps.
- A light rail line that is being built to Culver City.
- An unfinished subway that is oh so close to the
westside but now stop in mid-city.

Gee and how long has westside been helping the SGV build their mass transit?

When its time for the westside to get a project they deserve, everybody starts attack them while they sat quietly looking at projects being built it other area of the county. GROW UP and let give the county more option to move around, other than a car.

[BillG]

I do not understand.

The point of transportation is to MOVE not stay where you are. This editorial assumes no one from the San Gabriel Valley wants to go to the Westside of LA, and vice versa.

The Westside is perhaps the most populated area in the city underserved by public transportation. It is also, perhaps the wealthiest area of the city. If no one outside of the westside wants our money, so be it. I'm more than happy with the shopping options I have, it would just be nice to be able to occasionally travel without driving.

[Mike]

Jeez! People in the SGV are so selfish! Maybe the reason that the Expo line has more money allocated towards it than the Gold Line extension is that they already have light rail transit going out there (that has the lowest ridership of any line in the Metro system.) Currently, there are no mass transit options going to the West LA at all. Also, the population density and amount of jobs in the Westside is much higher than the SGV as well. All these people who cry that it's not fair sound like children. Don't they realize that many, many people live outside the Westside, but still commute there for work? Even more importantly, if you take people off the roads (and get them into trains) then it will benefit everyone in LA county by lowering traffic everywhere. Yes Measure R might not be perfect, but it is the best option that has come forward in many decades. We are the second largest city in the country and have one of the worst transportation infrastructures in the developed world. We all need it.