The Transportation Corridor Agencies, whose Foothill-South (241) toll road extension was recently vetoed by the California Coastal Commission, sent out the following letter to its supporters. My edits are in italicized bold.
Dear Supporter:
Thank you for your ongoing support for the completion of the 241 Toll Road. Such willful ignorance is to be commended. Special appreciation goes to all those who attended the February 6 Coastal Commission hearing in Del Mar. Sorry we only paid you for half the day. Hundreds of supporters showed up to take a stand against the traffic congestion that hurts the quality of life of all Southern Californians. We weren't quite dwarfed by the thousands of opponents who fought the road, making it by far the most widely-attended Coastal Commission hearing ever. More than 1,000 letters, 2,000 postcards and 7,600 emails were sent to the Coastal Commission in support of the project. We have lots of computers here at TCA.
While the outcome of the hearing was not what we were hoping for, in that the Commission said there was no legal way they could possibly approve the project,TCA’s Board of Directors and staff are committed to completing the 241 Toll Road and have filed an appeal to the Secretary of Commerce requesting that the Coastal Commission vote be overturned. Otherwise we can't make our projected budget, which depends on the 241 extension revenue, and we're pretty much screwed. This is not a simple process but we feel strongly that years of analysis have lead to a project alignment that best meets the need for an alternative to Interstate 5 in south Orange County. We choose to ignore the Coastal Commission's directly contrary contention that it was difficult to imagine a more environmentally damaging alternative. We only think in terms of urban environment.
After the hearing, local newspapers weighed in with their disappointment (exuberance) in the vote:
Orange County Register (Los Angeles Times)
San Diego Union Tribune (New York Times)
San Diego Union Tribune (San Diego Union Tribune)
If you’re wondering what you can do to help, we suggest sending a thank you note to some officials who have publicly taken a stand for this project because now we know which politicians are stupid, careless, misinformed and/or easily bought:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dr. William A. Burke
California Coastal Commissioner
11110 West Ohio Ave., Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Steven Kram
California Coastal Commissioner
10877 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 603
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Michael Chrisman
Secretary
Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Room 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814-5570
Will Kempton
Director
California Department of Transportation
1120 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Sincerely,
Transportation Corridor Agencies
More Information: www.RelieveTraffic.org
February 22, 2008 00:53
It wasn't just the TCA who got slapped down. The Building Industry Association, the OC Republican Party, and the wealthy business interests which support this county's on-going addiction to growth and the money-high it brings, all got a cold turkey shock.
To say they're "disappointed" is understatement. They're pissed and they're planning. This defeat throws a wrench into Rancho Mission Viejo's plans for 14,000 homes on Ortega, already festering in the economic slump.
And that's the real issue: OC's power elite have created a business and government alliance that fosters lame business models like Toll Ways Surrounded by a Network of Freeways, the Subprime Lending Industry-- founded in this county, and which collapse has created a global depression-- and Canonized Sprawl built on the premise that "the California Dream" can spread unlimited stucco, forever, with no environmental or economic downside.
It's no coincidence OC has the distinction of being the only large county ever to face bankruptcy, or that our twice elected sheriff could wallow in corruption and still not earn rebuke from the Supes, or that a hustler like Chris Street would become Treasurer and triple our investment in risky SIVs, or that so many city councils support desalination proposals designed primarily to perpetuate real estate growth at the expense of citizens who already live here.
I doubt OC Republicans, or the brain dead voters who elect them, have learned anything from their defeat. But the truth is there's little public support for the Toll Roads and only vague ideological support for Red politics in general. Those pompous politicians may finally have an inkling that the tide is turning. Let's remind 'em of that fact, loudly and often.
February 22, 2008 12:00
The TCA is committed to completing the road, and the builders are 100% behind them. The plots are ready to begin construction at the top of the planned toll road... Oops. It will be years before La Pata is connected..they're obviously waiting for the next decision on the toll road. "If we build it they will come" - they will come to buy houses along side the toll road! But, until then, the city will drag its feet and hope everyone who is against the monster of a toll road will change their minds! Nope, sorry folks, No Toll Road through a State Park!