In a decision regarding the Expo Line Construction Authority's proposed street-level crossing next to Dorsey HS, the judge has ruled MTA's crossing unsafe and the community and LAUSD's safety concerns valid. The decision is a tentative decision that will either be adopted or amended by the full PUC commission on November 21, but it is a major milestone in the construction of the Expo Rail Line and struggle between a vocal South LA community group and their elected leaders and MTA.
"This is a major battle victory in a long and unfortunate war," said Damien Goodmon, the Chair of United Community Associations, who's project is the Citizens' Campaign to Fix the Expo Rail Line (Fix Expo).
"We are pleased that the Judge heard the safety concerns of the rail safety experts, traffic experts, LAUSD and the community. And we are regretful that the Commission didn't allow hearings on many of the other crossings. We believe that as the evidentiary hearings on Farmdale and Harvard revealed, the evidence used by the Expo Authority to support their assertions that they are building a safe project is both unfounded and has been manipulated."
"We believe it is now incumbent upon our elected officials from the council members to the congressional leaders, to do the responsible thing and listen to the experts and Judge's concerns about the safety of this crossing, and take into account the impacts to the community and schools of the grade separated options. This is a transportation project that will impact this community for 100 years. It is important we have a safe light rail line that is a compliment and a good neighbor to the South LA communities that it passes through."
"Our intent is to now go back to the community and discuss this further, but for now we are relieved that the street-level crossing has been taken off the table."
Russ Quimby international rail safety testified in the hearing that the street-level crossing left a high risk of catastrophic accident http://fixexpo.blogspot.com/2008/10/international-rail-safety-expert-russ.html
As proposed, the Farmdale Avenue crossing creates a high risk that students will be injured and killed because the proposed safety mitigation measures essentially put the burden on students to maintain their own safety. The proposed crossing also creates a higher risk of a catastrophic accident. [....]
By "catastrophic accident," I mean an accident involving fatalities and/or injuries to a large number of people. As proposed, the at-grade Farmdale Avenue crossing creates the notable risk that a catastrophic accident may well occur under one of several different scenarios. For example:
First, that a train will collide with a vehicle with sufficient force to either derail the train into and/or push the vehicle into the proposed "holding pens" where several hundred students are trapped inside, killing or seriously injuring scores of students in a single accident.
Second, that a train will collide with a vehicle (particularly a truck or bus) rupturing and igniting a fuel tank which would engulf students in the holding pen in flaming diesel or gasoline.
Third, a combination of the above two scenarios where the students are crushed and burned simultaneously by vehicles and/or a derailed train.
Regarding the possible delay the changes to the project may require:
"Since when is building something more quickly more important than building it safely? Additionally, MTA's own documents show that from the inception of this project, 15 years ago, the community has been said the crossings near our schools were not safe. But out of bureaucratic arrogance and political indifference, MTA and our political leaders have fought us at every turn. So if there is a delay to the project, the delay is of MTA's own making and the failure of political leadership to address legitimate community concerns."
References to the history of community comments documented in MTA's own studies on the Expo Line.
Regarding impacts the project could have on the Expo Line budget:
"In 2004, MTA pulled this project out of the federal New Starts Program, in the process walking away from $320 million federal dollars, saying they'd spend the local money instead because they wanted to speed up construction of the project. That doesn't sound like a broke agency to me. That sounds like an agency with plenty of financial options. In the past year alone, MTA has appropriated $222 million extra dollars to the project, including $54 million to add an overpass in Culver City. And they appropriated these funds while telling us with a straight face that there's no money for grade separation in South LA. It is insulting to the intelligence of people that have followed this issue to suggest this $3 billion agency, that has engaged in these actions, doesn't have the money to make the Expo Line safe in our community - particularly right next to our large urban schools. MTA has the resources, MTA has many options, but MTA has always and continues to lack a concern for safety in South LA."
Some excerpts from Koss' ruling, which is available on the web here.
"A.07-05-013, for authority to construct an at-grade crossing at Farmdale Ave. in the City of Los Angeles, should be denied. "
"Authorization to construct a light rail line over an existing pedestrian tunnel crossing at Harvard Blvd., in the City of Los Angeles, requested in A.06-12-020, should be denied."
"Expo Authority proposed a state-of-the-art system of gates and other warning devices at the Farmdale crossing, including swing gates to allow pedestrians to exit the rail right-of-way when all other gates are down. All of these gates, however, can be avoided easily by pedestrians. Considering the large number of crossings during peak periods, and the student populations using the crossing, we find that any system of gates or other warning devices at-grade would not eliminate all potential safety hazards."
"The parties discussed several other crossings at or near school sites along other light-rail lines. However, none of these cases presented the unique characteristics of the proposed Farmdale crossing at Dorsey. This issue, therefore, provided little or no weight in our determination of practicability."
Contact:
Damien Goodmon
323.845.2003
Showing posts with label public forum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public forum. Show all posts
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Expo Light Rail Workshop
Good Afternoon,
The California Public Utilities Commission is holding a Public Workshop on the Exposition Construction Authority's grade crossing application for the Harvard Avenue grade crossing near Foshay Learning Center. The workshop is designed to provide the public an opportunity to appear and be heard on issues related to this proposed grade crossing for the Exposition Light Rail project, portions of which are currently under construction.
Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008,
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Foshay Learning Center
Student Auditorium
3751 S. Harvard Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90018
To view the complete announcement, please click here.
Have a good day.
Greg Starosky
Government/Community Relations Representative
Exposition Construction Authority
213.243.5534
The California Public Utilities Commission is holding a Public Workshop on the Exposition Construction Authority's grade crossing application for the Harvard Avenue grade crossing near Foshay Learning Center. The workshop is designed to provide the public an opportunity to appear and be heard on issues related to this proposed grade crossing for the Exposition Light Rail project, portions of which are currently under construction.
Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008,
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Foshay Learning Center
Student Auditorium
3751 S. Harvard Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90018
To view the complete announcement, please click here.
Have a good day.
Greg Starosky
Government/Community Relations Representative
Exposition Construction Authority
213.243.5534
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Let's Talk about Iraq
Iraq & Middle East Peace Forum at Cal State L.A.
Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Cal State Los Angeles
Golden Eagle Building, 3rd Floor, Ballroom
5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032
Moderated by Sonali Kolhatkar of KPFK 90.7 FM, and "Afghan Women's Mission"
Speakers Include:
Raed Jarrar is an Iraqi political analyst and consultant to American Friends Service Committee's Iraq Program currently based in Washington, D.C. After the U.S.-led invasion, Jarrar became the country director for CIVIC Worldwide, the only door-to-door casualty survey group in post-war Iraq. He then established Emaar, (meaning "reconstruction" in Arabic); a grassroots organization that provided humanitarian and political aid to Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs). Emaar delivered medicine and food as well as helped initiate micro-enterprise projects for IDPs. Additionally, Emaar engaged in political advocacy on behalf of displaced populations.
Ann Wright resigned from the U.S. Foreign Service on March 19, 2003, while serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Mongolia. She resigned due to her disagreement with the Bush administration's decision to go to war in Iraq without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the lack of effort in resolving the Israel-Palestinian situation, the lack of policy on North Korea and unnecessary curtailment of civil liberties in the United States. Ms. Wright joined the Foreign Service in 1987 and served as Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassies in Sierra Leone, Micronesia and briefly in Afghanistan. Before entering the Foreign Service, she served in the Army and has a combined regular Army/Army Reserve service time of 29 years. She served primarily in special operations units and attained the rank of Colonel. Ann Wright will also have her book for sale at the event, called "Dissent Voices of Conscience" about how government insiders speak out against the Iraq War.
Edgar Cuevas was stationed in Germany for three years as a Cavalry Scout for the United States Army. Twelve days before his contract was about to expire he was Stop Lossed and forced to serve in Iraq for a year and a half. He served in Iraq from February of 2004 through March of 2005. He was stationed in Tikrit and witnessed innocent people being mishandled and tortured. He is a member of 'Iraq Veterans Against the War" in Los Angeles.
Sponsored by the "Student Friends Service Committee of CSULA". Co-sponsored by the Humanist Association at CSULA. For more info call 310-795-2235.
Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Cal State Los Angeles
Golden Eagle Building, 3rd Floor, Ballroom
5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032
Moderated by Sonali Kolhatkar of KPFK 90.7 FM, and "Afghan Women's Mission"
Speakers Include:
Raed Jarrar is an Iraqi political analyst and consultant to American Friends Service Committee's Iraq Program currently based in Washington, D.C. After the U.S.-led invasion, Jarrar became the country director for CIVIC Worldwide, the only door-to-door casualty survey group in post-war Iraq. He then established Emaar, (meaning "reconstruction" in Arabic); a grassroots organization that provided humanitarian and political aid to Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs). Emaar delivered medicine and food as well as helped initiate micro-enterprise projects for IDPs. Additionally, Emaar engaged in political advocacy on behalf of displaced populations.
Ann Wright resigned from the U.S. Foreign Service on March 19, 2003, while serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Mongolia. She resigned due to her disagreement with the Bush administration's decision to go to war in Iraq without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the lack of effort in resolving the Israel-Palestinian situation, the lack of policy on North Korea and unnecessary curtailment of civil liberties in the United States. Ms. Wright joined the Foreign Service in 1987 and served as Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassies in Sierra Leone, Micronesia and briefly in Afghanistan. Before entering the Foreign Service, she served in the Army and has a combined regular Army/Army Reserve service time of 29 years. She served primarily in special operations units and attained the rank of Colonel. Ann Wright will also have her book for sale at the event, called "Dissent Voices of Conscience" about how government insiders speak out against the Iraq War.
Edgar Cuevas was stationed in Germany for three years as a Cavalry Scout for the United States Army. Twelve days before his contract was about to expire he was Stop Lossed and forced to serve in Iraq for a year and a half. He served in Iraq from February of 2004 through March of 2005. He was stationed in Tikrit and witnessed innocent people being mishandled and tortured. He is a member of 'Iraq Veterans Against the War" in Los Angeles.
Sponsored by the "Student Friends Service Committee of CSULA". Co-sponsored by the Humanist Association at CSULA. For more info call 310-795-2235.
Voices of the Comminty - Voces De La Communidad
The Figueroa Corridor Community Land Trust, in conjunction with other local organizations and neighborhood residents, invites to you participate in:
VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY - VOCES DE LA COMUNIDAD
When: Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am to 12:00 noon
Where: Auditorium of St. Vincent's School
(on the west side of Figueroa, halfway between 23rd Street and Adams)
Councilmember Jan Perry, Councilmember Ed Reyes, and staff from the Planning Department will be there to hear presentations from community residents about issues of concern.
Our focus has been on two neighborhoods: Estrella neighborhood (bounded by Washington/Hoover/Adams/Figueroa) and MLK/South Main (bounded by Jefferson/Broadway/Vernon/Avalon).
Over the past six months, we have been gathering information about these neighborhoods (through our March 1st Community Walks, and a Fall 2007 Community Health Survey). We look forward to this opportunity to present these findings to the City, and to dialogue with the Councilmembers and other City staff about solutions.
WE INVITE ALL NEIGHBORS AND OTHER INTERESTED FOLKS TO JOIN US!
Registration at 8:30am. Breakfast, childcare and simultaneous translation (English/Spanish) provided.
To RSVP or for information, contact Blanca Rivera or Tafarai Bayne at 213-784-4140 ext 103 or 102.
VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY - VOCES DE LA COMUNIDAD
When: Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am to 12:00 noon
Where: Auditorium of St. Vincent's School
(on the west side of Figueroa, halfway between 23rd Street and Adams)
Councilmember Jan Perry, Councilmember Ed Reyes, and staff from the Planning Department will be there to hear presentations from community residents about issues of concern.
Our focus has been on two neighborhoods: Estrella neighborhood (bounded by Washington/Hoover/Adams/Figueroa) and MLK/South Main (bounded by Jefferson/Broadway/Vernon/Avalon).
Over the past six months, we have been gathering information about these neighborhoods (through our March 1st Community Walks, and a Fall 2007 Community Health Survey). We look forward to this opportunity to present these findings to the City, and to dialogue with the Councilmembers and other City staff about solutions.
WE INVITE ALL NEIGHBORS AND OTHER INTERESTED FOLKS TO JOIN US!
Registration at 8:30am. Breakfast, childcare and simultaneous translation (English/Spanish) provided.
To RSVP or for information, contact Blanca Rivera or Tafarai Bayne at 213-784-4140 ext 103 or 102.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in L.A.
Please call today. Space is limited! Please Join Us!
When: Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
Time:6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Exposition Park Intergenerational
Community Center, Inc. (EPICC)
3980 S. Menlo Ave.
Los Angeles,CA 90037
Why: The Commission on the Status of Women wants to hear about the issues that are most important to women in the City of Los Angeles. Download Agenda at here.
A resource table will be available for organizations interested in providing
information about their community programs and services. If you are interested in providing information, please contact Veronica Hendrix at the Commission office (213) 978-0300.
The Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women is a City department that was established by ordinance by the City Council and Mayor in 1975. In 1980, the Commission was made a permanent department. The Commission is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all women have full and equal participation in the affairs of City Government and promotes the general welfare of women and girls in the Los Angeles Community.
Reasonable accommodations as well as information in alternative formats are available upon request. Sign language interpreters, assisted-listening devices, other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. For additional information, please call (213) 978-0300 Voice or (213) 978-2197 TDD.
Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women
200 North Spring Street, Room 2111
Los Angeles, California 90012
Phone: (213) 978-0300
Fax: (213) 978-0309
E-mail: laccsw@lacity.org
When: Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
Time:6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Exposition Park Intergenerational
Community Center, Inc. (EPICC)
3980 S. Menlo Ave.
Los Angeles,CA 90037
Why: The Commission on the Status of Women wants to hear about the issues that are most important to women in the City of Los Angeles. Download Agenda at here.
A resource table will be available for organizations interested in providing
information about their community programs and services. If you are interested in providing information, please contact Veronica Hendrix at the Commission office (213) 978-0300.
The Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women is a City department that was established by ordinance by the City Council and Mayor in 1975. In 1980, the Commission was made a permanent department. The Commission is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all women have full and equal participation in the affairs of City Government and promotes the general welfare of women and girls in the Los Angeles Community.
Reasonable accommodations as well as information in alternative formats are available upon request. Sign language interpreters, assisted-listening devices, other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. For additional information, please call (213) 978-0300 Voice or (213) 978-2197 TDD.
Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women
200 North Spring Street, Room 2111
Los Angeles, California 90012
Phone: (213) 978-0300
Fax: (213) 978-0309
E-mail: laccsw@lacity.org
Monday, May 5, 2008
Expo Line Forum
In response to community concerns, the neighborhood councils and community organizations have decided to organize two community forums on the Expo Line for the upcoming month of May.
The Expo Line community forum at Dorsey HS will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday May 22, 2008.
The Expo Line community forum at Foshay Learning Center Auditorium will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday May 29, 2008.
The format will be as follows:
-Expo Authority Presentation & Statement (20 mins)
-LAUSD OEHS Statement (5 mins)
-Parent Collaborative Statement (5 mins)
-UTLA Statement (5 mins)
-School Principal/Teacher Representative on this issue Statement (5 mins)
-Fix Expo Group Presentation & Statement (20 mins)
-Elected Officials Statement (20 mins)
-Open Public Forum with Question & Answer Period (40 mins)
The format and date of the meetings are locked.
Hard copy invitations will be mailed on Thursday, May 1 to the expected presenters, and the local elected representatives, all of whom are members of the Expo Authority Board of Directors and/or the MTA Board of Directors:
-Expo Chair & Council Member Jan Perry
-Expo Vice Chair & Council Member Herb Wesson
-Expo Board Member & Supervisor Yvonne Burke
-Expo Board Member & Council Member Bernard Parks
-MTA Incoming Chair & Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
-Expo Authority CEO Rick Thorpe
-LAUSD School Board Member Marguerite LaMotte
-Ed Morelan for LAUSD OEHS
-Mary Johnson of the Parent Collaborative
-Elaine LeBoeuf of the UTLA
Invitations will be sent to the state and federal legislators as well. Since their work place is far outside the area, Sacramento and Washington D.C. respectively, for them and only for them, written correspondence will be accepted if they are not personally able to attend:
-Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass
-Assembly Member Mike Davis
-State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas
-Congresswoman Diane Watson
-Senator Diane Feinstein
-Senator Barbara Boxer
We look forward to your attendance.
Sincerely,
Damien Goodmon
damienwg@gmail.com
The Expo Line community forum at Dorsey HS will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday May 22, 2008.
The Expo Line community forum at Foshay Learning Center Auditorium will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday May 29, 2008.
The format will be as follows:
-Expo Authority Presentation & Statement (20 mins)
-LAUSD OEHS Statement (5 mins)
-Parent Collaborative Statement (5 mins)
-UTLA Statement (5 mins)
-School Principal/Teacher Representative on this issue Statement (5 mins)
-Fix Expo Group Presentation & Statement (20 mins)
-Elected Officials Statement (20 mins)
-Open Public Forum with Question & Answer Period (40 mins)
The format and date of the meetings are locked.
Hard copy invitations will be mailed on Thursday, May 1 to the expected presenters, and the local elected representatives, all of whom are members of the Expo Authority Board of Directors and/or the MTA Board of Directors:
-Expo Chair & Council Member Jan Perry
-Expo Vice Chair & Council Member Herb Wesson
-Expo Board Member & Supervisor Yvonne Burke
-Expo Board Member & Council Member Bernard Parks
-MTA Incoming Chair & Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
-Expo Authority CEO Rick Thorpe
-LAUSD School Board Member Marguerite LaMotte
-Ed Morelan for LAUSD OEHS
-Mary Johnson of the Parent Collaborative
-Elaine LeBoeuf of the UTLA
Invitations will be sent to the state and federal legislators as well. Since their work place is far outside the area, Sacramento and Washington D.C. respectively, for them and only for them, written correspondence will be accepted if they are not personally able to attend:
-Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass
-Assembly Member Mike Davis
-State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas
-Congresswoman Diane Watson
-Senator Diane Feinstein
-Senator Barbara Boxer
We look forward to your attendance.
Sincerely,
Damien Goodmon
damienwg@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
DWP Rate Hike
LADWP's Proposed Rate Increase.
This event is hosted by
Councilmembers Jan Perry and Bernard C. Parks
February 16, 2008
10:00am to 12:00pm
at
The Constituent Service Center
8475 S. Vermont Ave.
LA, CA 90044
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