Quotes from Elected Officials who are
Against the SR-710 Extension
Federal Congressman
Adam Schiff U.S. Congressman, 29th District. District Map
Source: Letter to Metro Board on 710 Options. Spetember 20, 2012
Quote: "The environmental review process Metro is
engaged in has been excessively focused on the tunnel option. I have
expressed my concern over Metro's apparent rush to judgment on a tunnel
option many times, but without success. This has only confirmed what
many in the community suspected, that Metro was once again starting with
the conclusion it wished to reach and working backwards.
I urge Metro to give full and serious consideration as
to how funds for a tunnel project could be better spent. I suspect that
for less than the actual cost of a tunnel, Metro would have the funds
necessary to undertake all of the remaining options under consideration
-- combined. These options, transportation system management, bus rapid
transit and light-rail would help move people in an environmentally
friendly manner without disrupting our long-established neighborhoods.
We can and we must pursue better options than
constructing a tunnel for meeting our future transportation needs. I
look forward to continuing our work on this vital issue, and appreciate
your consideration of my thoughts on the way forward.
Source: Letter to Metro Board on 710 Options. Spetember 20, 2012
State Senate
Carol Liu State Senator, 21st District, District Map (PDF)
Source: Letter to Metro Board(PDF). September 25th, 2012
Quote: To summarize, the tunnel option is not feasible,
not now, not ever, for several reasons. It is too expensive, it is too
disruptive, it does not solve the problem of growing truck traffic, it
would open at an already congested and unacceptable operating level, and
it would divert money from many more worthy transportation projects
that have broad-based public support.
Source: Letter to Metro Board(PDF). September 25th, 2012
State Assemblymembers
Anthony Portantino, Assemblymember, 44th District. District Map
Source: Portantino Demands that State Transportation Officials Stop 710 Extension. Press Release,
Official website of Assemblymember Anthony Portantino August 22, 2012
Quote: “When you have a project of this magnitude,
with this many unanswered questions, manipulations and false
information, one has to wonder why decision makers aren’t immediately
putting a halt to this insanity. It’s a fraud being perpetrated upon the
taxpayers of California at the expense of taxpayers and the quality of
life of those neighborhoods in Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley
which will be devastated by a project that is unwelcome and disastrous.”
Source: Portantino Demands that State Transportation Officials Stop 710 Extension. Press Release,
Official website of Assemblymember Anthony Portantino August 22, 2012
Greg Krikorian Candidate for the Assembly 43rd District seat District Map
Quote: "The increased air pollution and the
disruption to local neighborhoods will cause much more harm than good.
The SR-710 extension is simply unnecessary, and its continued study is
another example of mismanagement at the state level. I am committed to
representing constituents, not special interests, and I oppose the
proposed extension of the 710 Freeway."
Source: Outcry Against 710 Tunnel Plan for Southern California. Azbarez Armenian News.
September 20, 2012
Mike Gatto Assemblymember and Candidate for the Assembly 43rd District District Map
Quote: "A recent article ("Leader: Stop 710-gap
plans," Aug. 23) implied my support of the 710 extension. Nothing could
be further from the truth. I have been, and continue to be, opposed to
the extension of the Long Beach (710) Freeway in any form."
Source: Gatto does not support 710 extension. La Cañada Valley Sun. Opinion Page. August 29, 2012
City Council Members
Glendale
Ara Najarian Metro Board Member & Council member, City of Glendale
Quote: “The purpose of this letter is to reiterate the
position of the City of Glendale vis-a-vis the SR710 gap closure
project. The City of Glendale remains consistent with Resolution No.
09-111 as approved by the Glendale City Council on July 28, 2009, which
addresses the tunnel feasibility specifically and the general subject of
“gap closure” alternatives for the SR 710 freeway from I-10 to SR
134/I-210. On behalf of my colleagues and the citizens of Glendale I
want to reiterate our opposition to the SR 710 tunnel alternative or any
“gap closure” alternative that has or could be developed. I would like
to express our opposition as well to the continued effort and
expenditure of tax payer monies in exploring, studying or developing any
type of “gap closure” project. We do not believe that any type of “gap
closure” alternative is in the best interest of the City or the region.
We would like to express our belief and desire to instead look at other
alternatives to addressing the concerns of mobility, congestion and the
movement of freight from our ports. These alternatives would include the
expansion of mass transit systems, upgrades and improvements to
existing infrastructure and limiting the long distance movement of
cargo/freight from our ports to only rail.
Again, the position of the City of Glendale is clear in
this matter and we remain opposed to any other gap closure
alternatives.”
Source: Letter from Ara Najarian to Doug Failing of Metro. October 8, 2010
La Canada Flintridge
Stephen Del Guercio, Laura Olhasso, Dave Spence, Don Voss Council members, City of La Cañada Flintridge
Quote: “Among the challenges is the health threat
presented to our community by the proposed northward extension of the
710 Freeway, which I have vigorously opposed.”
Source: The Race Is On for City Council. La Canada Outlook. February, 24, 2011
and
along with Dave Spence, Stephen Del Guercio and Laura Olhasso, members of La Canada Flintridge City Council, participated in a unanimous decision to adopt Resolution 10-12.
Quote from Resolution 12-12: “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the City of La Canada Flintridge opposes any approval or
expenditure of funds related to the proposed SR-710 tunnel project and
the state adopted surface alternative, neither of which have passed CEQA
review, and finds that both alternatives are ineffective, 20th-century
solutions for the existing regional congestion problems, which require
21st-century solutions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of La Cañada Flintridge calls on Metro, Caltrans and SCAG to find other new, effective alternatives to these projects, including those alternatives using rail as the mode of transportation, which will truly solve the region's congestion problems.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 29th Day of March, 2010.”
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of La Cañada Flintridge calls on Metro, Caltrans and SCAG to find other new, effective alternatives to these projects, including those alternatives using rail as the mode of transportation, which will truly solve the region's congestion problems.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 29th Day of March, 2010.”
Source: City of La Cañada Flintridge website. March 28, 2010
Los Angeles
Jose Gardea, Candidate for Highland Park and Mount Washington region District Map
Source: Candidate Jose Gardea Answers Questions at Mount Washington
Association Meeting
Quote: "I'm absolutely against it. When you look at a
project like the tunnel project and the alternatives that are proposed,
you're looking at bad planning. You're not working with community;
you're not working with neighborhoods. It's just contrary to what we
believe in in terms of good planning. It's easy for for me to say I'm
opposed to it. You can talk about job creation, you can talk about
moving cargo, but it doesn't replace good planning. So, I'm against it,
and I'll do whatever I can in my power to fight any other "good ideas"
they may have."
Source: Candidate Jose Gardea Answers Questions at Mount Washington
Association Meeting
Pasadena
Steve Madison Pasadena City Council member, District 6, District Map
Source: District 6: Council member Steve Madison webpage. City of Pasadena website. July 19, 2012
Quote: “Many of you have contacted me about the
appalling 710 Freeway routes that METRO/Caltrans has proposed. As you
know, back in 2000, I proposed and achieved passage of a resolution by
the City Council opposing the completion of the 710 in Pasadena.
Thereafter, in March 2001, the residents of Pasadena voted on a local
ballot initiative reversing the Council’s resolution, and proposing
instead that the policy of the City be to support the completion of the
710. At that time the a surface route along Pasadena Avenue was the
option being proposed. Since then, Caltrans proposed a tunnel project
and now METRO and Caltrans have proposed several options that would have
a devastating impact on our neighborhoods and our quality on life in
West Pasadena. Let me be clear: I vigorously oppose all of the
METRO/Caltrans routes.”
Source: District 6: Council member Steve Madison webpage. City of Pasadena website. July 19, 2012
South Pasadena
Bob Joe South Pasadena City Council Member
Quote: “No 710—surface or tunnel. When I was on the 710
Tunnel Technical Advisory Committee, I was very concerned with the
potential health impacts from the emission ventilation towers and the
very expensive cost estimate to do the tunnel. There are others
alternatives to consider that are more viable and a lot less expensive
to the tunnel options: expand the light rail line; improve the bus
system; and distribute the containers from the ports by rail”
Source: Candidate Q&A: The 710 Freeway. South Pasadena Patch. November 2, 2011
Marina Khubesrian, M.D. South Pasadena City Council Member
Quote: “To clarify, I am strongly opposed to a 710
tunnel in this region, and have compared it to an invasive, costly, and
dangerous medical procedure that will make symptoms (more surface and
truck traffic) worse. There should be no doubts as to my commitment to
defeat attempts from CalTrans or Metro to shove a 710 tunnel freeway
beneath our city.”
Source: Metro Awards $37.3 Million for 710 Environmental Study (Response to reader comment). South Pasadena Patch. October 27, 2011
Richard Schneider, M.D. South Pasadena City Council Member
Quote: “My position is unequivocal, NO EXTENSION OF THE
710 IN ANY FORM! I have always opposed the freeway in any form for some
of the following reasons: It will not solve the traffic problem in the
corridor; it would, in fact, increase the traffic and pollution; it
would be an environmental disaster for South Pasadena and our neighbors;
it would produce serious health hazards for everyone, and for seniors
and children in particular; the cost for construction, operation and
maintenance are prohibitive.
Light rail for commuters and heavy rail for goods
movement from the ports are more cost effective, efficient and
environmentally responsible. For the billions a tunnel would cost, light
rail lines could be constructed throughout L.A. County, providing
seamless connectivity that commuters want.”
Source: Candidate Q&A: The 710 Freeway. South Pasadena Patch. November 2, 2011