South Pasadena Council votes to support Measure J
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_21857522/south-pasadena-council-votes-support-measure-j
By
Posted:
10/25/2012 07:11:14 PM PDT
Updated:
10/25/2012 09:06:22 PM PDT
SOUTH PASADENA - The City
Council this week took an official stance in support of Measure J,
despite opposition from many other 710 protesters to the extension of
Measure R's half-cent sales tax.
The resolution passed unanimously at a special council meeting Tuesday, just two weeks before the measure is up for vote.
South Pasadena Mayor Michael Cacciotti said he and other city
leaders opposed to the 710 Freeway extension agree that Measure J is
worth a vote because it will provide needed funds for public
transportation.
"There are concerns of course with the measure ... but those
aside and weighing the pros and cons I really support this effort by
Metro to really invest in our transportation infrastructure future for a
21st century transportation system," Cacciotti said.
In recent weeks, members of groups such as the No 710 Action
Committee and No 710 on Avenue 64 have taken a stance against the
measure, claiming that voting for it would mean supporting the extension
project, which is under an environmental impact review.
Among the five remaining options under consideration by the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority are light rail, bus, traffic
management technology, "no build" and a twin-bore underground freeway
tunnel.
Opponents to the measure have called it a "blank check" for Metro, an agency they say can't be trusted.
No 710 Action Committee member Bill Sherman said he thinks South Pasadena's decision to support it was the
"politically correct" option, keeping alliances with members of the
Metro board who also oppose the 710 extension.
Although Cacciotti agreed that there's "no guarantee" about where
the money will go, he's confident that attitudes are changing on the
Metro board toward a more transit-oriented transportation future.
"I think the trend is now people are realizing we can't just keep building freeways," Cacciotti said.
South Pasadena is not the lone freeway fighter to advocate for
Measure J, as the Glendale and La Canada Flintridge councils both
passed resolutions this month in support of Metro's ballot initiative.
Ann Wilson, with La Canada Flintridge, said Mayor Stephen A.
Del Guercio sent a letter to Metro last week supporting the tax, but
opposing the 710 extension.
Wilson agreed with Cacciotti that the measure would benefit
important transit projects, and supporting it "doesn't have to be" a
vote of support for the 710.
"It's unusual for a city council to endorse any kind of tax
measure but recognizing the opportunity to support these worthwhile
transportation projects we felt it was important to do that," Wilson
said. "The city's position all along has been to resolve transportation
issues in the region, and you can't have resolution if you're not
building transportation."
The resolution passed unanimously at a special council meeting Tuesday, just two weeks before the measure is up for vote.
South Pasadena Mayor Michael Cacciotti said he and other city leaders opposed to the 710 Freeway extension agree that Measure J is worth a vote because it will provide needed funds for public transportation.
"There are concerns of course with the measure ... but those aside and weighing the pros and cons I really support this effort by Metro to really invest in our transportation infrastructure future for a 21st century transportation system," Cacciotti said.
In recent weeks, members of groups such as the No 710 Action Committee and No 710 on Avenue 64 have taken a stance against the measure, claiming that voting for it would mean supporting the extension project, which is under an environmental impact review.
Among the five remaining options under consideration by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are light rail, bus, traffic management technology, "no build" and a twin-bore underground freeway tunnel.
Opponents to the measure have called it a "blank check" for Metro, an agency they say can't be trusted.
No 710 Action Committee member Bill Sherman said he thinks South Pasadena's decision to support it was the "politically correct" option, keeping alliances with members of the Metro board who also oppose the 710 extension.
Although Cacciotti agreed that there's "no guarantee" about where the money will go, he's confident that attitudes are changing on the Metro board toward a more transit-oriented transportation future.
"I think the trend is now people are realizing we can't just keep building freeways," Cacciotti said.
South Pasadena is not the lone freeway fighter to advocate for Measure J, as the Glendale and La Canada Flintridge councils both passed resolutions this month in support of Metro's ballot initiative.
Ann Wilson, with La Canada Flintridge, said Mayor Stephen A. Del Guercio sent a letter to Metro last week supporting the tax, but opposing the 710 extension.
Wilson agreed with Cacciotti that the measure would benefit important transit projects, and supporting it "doesn't have to be" a vote of support for the 710.
"It's unusual for a city council to endorse any kind of tax measure but recognizing the opportunity to support these worthwhile transportation projects we felt it was important to do that," Wilson said. "The city's position all along has been to resolve transportation issues in the region, and you can't have resolution if you're not building transportation."