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Post by Gokhan on Aug 4, 2010 11:47:01 GMT -8
There were lots of illegal traffic maneuvers going on, including jaywalking, double parking, and even parking in mid-intersection. That sort of thing wouldn't fly in my neighborhood, the cops would be handing out tickets left and right. But the students at Dorsey seemed to be doing whatever they felt like, without an administrator or police officer in sight. The further south you go, the more strict the cops get. In Huntington Beach they will ticket you for accidentally stepping off the sidewalk. You live in Long Beach, I believe. Everything goes in LA and no one cares. That's why we need fences on Exposition between Vermont and Gramercy. Otherwise people, especially kids, will keep jaywalking as they do now and they will keep dumping couches and such on the tracks as usual, even with the trains running. We do not want a train derailed by a couch. LOL
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 4, 2010 12:06:06 GMT -8
Speaking of taking pictures, could someone take the picture of inside the trench for the sewer construction? It's covered with steel plates in the evening but during the day the construction workers are putting some pipes in the trench. This way we can actually see what is in there and perhaps even get a glimpse of the large storm drain under Farmdale!
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 5, 2010 14:20:19 GMT -8
A desperate Fix Expo clearly showed that he has now completely run out of ammunition and he focused his vicious attacks on Bernard Parks. Here is the audio of the public comments.
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Post by spokker on Aug 5, 2010 17:08:55 GMT -8
The opposition has said that because the kids do whatever they want, including public intoxication, we should bend over backwards to accommodate that behavior. No, that only encourages the behavior. No pedestrian bridge because the kids will do God knows what up there. No at grade crossing because the kids are drunk or high. It doesn't make any sense. How about addressing the root problem?
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Post by jamesinclair on Aug 5, 2010 20:42:13 GMT -8
Dont build a fence. Either let things be, or build a midblock crosswalk and make the track crossing flat. If people frequently cross there, it's because there's demand. This demand isnt going away, it will only increase as the area gets new development. Encourage it. People have no business on private railroad rights-of-way at any time. Unlike city streets this is not a public property but MTA property and when they step there, they are trespassing, which simultaneously breaks several laws. Besides, that's how most light-rail accidents happen. This is rail, ties, and ballast, along with crossovers and various electromechanical equipment that we are talking about and nothing is supposed to be there other than the trains. If someone enters the private railroad right-of-way, he/she not only endangers his/her own life but also those on the train as well as those in the vehicles around the train. The rail, ballast etc is exactly why I said there should be an official mid block crossing. Something like this maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=02215&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.681389,90.263672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Boston,+Suffolk,+Massachusetts+02215&ll=42.350437,-71.127969&spn=0.001162,0.003777&t=k&z=19 (Boston example). Heres another one down the line maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=02215&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.681389,90.263672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Boston,+Suffolk,+Massachusetts+02215&ll=42.349327,-71.132537&spn=0.001162,0.003777&t=k&z=19 No signals. No lights. No stop signs. Pedestrians cross lots of roads and the cars stop because the law says they must stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The light rail doesnt have to stop for the pedestrians (obviously due to the different braking distance) and yet no one ever gets killed. People in LA arent dumb. Also, "People have no business on private railroad rights-of-way at any time." Thats complete bull. The rail line is not an impenetrable force field. People and autos cross it at multiple points, as they should. What Im saying, is if people are frequently jaywalking at point x, then there is demand to cross there. Dont put a wall in peoples paths, facilitate the crossing and make it safe. Paint a crosswalk in the street and grade the crossing of the rail.
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Post by jeisenbe on Aug 5, 2010 23:03:32 GMT -8
The rail line is not an impenetrable force field. People and autos cross it at multiple points, as they should. It's illegal to be on private railroad rights-of-way. Where people and cars can cross, there is a rail crossing, approved by CPUC. ... Yup, but if there are no fences it will be hard for people to recognize the difference between street-running rail and the private right-of-way. At least the ballast and overhead wires say "trains will be passing here, frequently and fast", but without fences many people will assume it is legal to cross. With a fence in the middle, the vast majority of people walking or driving will know go to a crossing without a fence (though a few teenagers will still hop over). 6 foot fences or a combination of concrete barrier and fence on both sides of the right-of-way gives an even more clear message.
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 6, 2010 8:47:14 GMT -8
without fences many people will assume it is legal to cross. I think most people know that it's illegal to cross the ROW, but many will try it anyway because they figure they can do it without getting hit. If there is fence, most will not cross: in order to cross, these people would need to actively reject the warning. This not only will dissuade most people from crossing, but will also provide better legal cover for Metro should somebody hop the fence. It's the same thing with fare gates. Without fare gates, many normal folks will sometimes take the train without paying their fare. If they get caught, they can claim ignorance. Now if you add fare gates, most of those people will not try such a thing, because you can't claim ignorance if you have to hop over the gates. It will thus reduce fare evasion to almost zero, because only the most delinquent and nimble kids will still try to evade fares.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 6, 2010 9:04:13 GMT -8
The rail line is not an impenetrable force field. People and autos cross it at multiple points, as they should. It's illegal to be on private railroad rights-of-way. Where people and cars can cross, there is a rail crossing, approved by CPUC. In this segment there is Vermont, Raymond, Halldale, Denker, Western, and Gramercy at-grade crossings, and the Harvard grade-separated crossing. If it was OK to cross wherever you wanted, there wouldn't be a need for CPUC approvals for the grade crossings. Not to mention that without a grade crossing, cars would get stuck in the almost-8-inch-high rail and people could trip and fall in front of a train. It's against the law to be on a private railroad right-of-way, whether it's freight or light-rail, and it's considered trespassing private property. The grade crossings are not part of the private right-of-way. You must be thinking of street-running light-rail where there is no private rail right-of-way. That said fences are a good way to dramatically reduce the number of incidents where people cross on the ballast and tie between the approved and installed grade crossings, which are covered with grade-crossing panels and are signalized. Also note that in the sections where the speed is greater than 35 MPH, fences are required by CPUC.
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Post by jeisenbe on Aug 6, 2010 22:31:35 GMT -8
It's the same thing with fare gates. Without fare gates, many normal folks will sometimes take the train without paying their fare. If they get caught, they can claim ignorance. Now if you add fare gates, most of those people will not try such a thing, because you can't claim ignorance if you have to hop over the gates. It will thus reduce fare evasion to almost zero, because only the most delinquent and nimble kids will still try to evade fares. I'm not sure that fare gates reduce evasion to "almost zero." I've read stories about fare evasion in Paris (which has fare gates almost everywhere) and New York (where the fare gates are high enough to make jumping over them problematic). There are two problems to be "solved" by fare gates: 1) income lose and 2) perception transit riders don't pay. The cost of fare gates is high enought that the money saved may not be worth-while (at least if Metro had to pay the full cost, rather than getting a federal "security" grant), but the PERCEPTION of rampant fare evasion may be worth something as well. Personally, I don't think fare gates will be that helpful in our system, which is mostly light rail, and I believe they will not save enough money to pay for themselves. Proof-of-payment works great, if the fines and enforcement are strong, and having the sheriffs around is a good thing; I don't think fare gates could be a replacement in our system. Anyway, back to Farmdale
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Post by Justin Walker on Aug 6, 2010 22:46:59 GMT -8
I'm not sure that fare gates reduce evasion to "almost zero." I've read stories about fare evasion in Paris (which has fare gates almost everywhere) and New York (where the fare gates are high enough to make jumping over them problematic). As you probably read in the LA Times, Parisian fare evaders have even grouped together to refuse to pay Metro fares on principle. Thankfully, fare evasion has not become a political cause in LA...
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 7, 2010 8:47:53 GMT -8
I'm not sure that fare gates reduce evasion to "almost zero." I've read stories about fare evasion in Paris (which has fare gates almost everywhere) and New York (where the fare gates are high enough to make jumping over them problematic). Who knows, I have no statistics. My point was: although there are some people who are going to hop the fences/fare gates anyway, for the vast majority of people it will be enough of a deterrent to make a big difference.
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Post by jamesinclair on Aug 7, 2010 14:37:25 GMT -8
I'm not sure that fare gates reduce evasion to "almost zero." I've read stories about fare evasion in Paris (which has fare gates almost everywhere) and New York (where the fare gates are high enough to make jumping over them problematic). Who knows, I have no statistics. My point was: although there are some people who are going to hop the fences/fare gates anyway, for the vast majority of people it will be enough of a deterrent to make a big difference. For the vast majority of people, their own morales are enough to not steal a ride. For the rest, fare enforcement/fines are enough.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 7, 2010 15:10:26 GMT -8
although there are some people who are going to hop the fences Not if you electrify the fences. 10,000 volts like in Jurassic Park. It's electric trains anyway. At USC when I first came in 1992, many jaywalking students were being killed at Jefferson and Orchard. They put a six-foot-high fence in the Jefferson median at Orchard and it solved the problem for good. Fences save lives.
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Post by spokker on Aug 7, 2010 17:40:12 GMT -8
They might be, depending on who you believe. A study commissioned by Metro back in 1998 cited literacy and language deficiencies as factors contributing to Blue Line pedestrian accidents. I would recommend that whoever the hell is in charge in these areas address the issues related to poverty and education, but in the meantime residents should probably be herded like cattle, according to Metro's own study. Remember, I didn't say it, Booz-Hamilton did, the consultants Damien Goodmon is so fond of quoting. In any case, I don't think we are going to be tunneling or elevating structures in these areas because they are so poor and crime ridden. The tunnel is expensive and the elevated sections become instant play areas for unsavory types. Grade separation isn't done because these areas don't attract development, and therefore don't attract the traffic levels that would justify grade separation. I would advocate for personal responsibility, but that is a racist thing to say these days. I keep my more conservative, racist views to myself People jaywalk 100 feet from a crosswalk. Perhaps streets should resemble zebras.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 9, 2010 16:47:18 GMT -8
Track installation may come next on August 14 (this weekend).
What: Temporary intersection closure at Farmdale Avenue and Exposition Boulevard for sewer line installation
When: Continuous Work Hours
9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 through 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 13, 2010
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Post by darrell on Aug 9, 2010 23:10:50 GMT -8
Cross-posting this view from this afternoon of utility work on the west side of Farmdale, with one more view of the old PE rails.
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Post by roadtrainer on Aug 10, 2010 10:25:28 GMT -8
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 10, 2010 10:30:00 GMT -8
Cross-posting this view from this afternoon of utility work on the west side of Farmdale, with one more view of the old PE rails. Still no photograph of inside the hole.
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Post by bobdavis on Aug 10, 2010 17:11:32 GMT -8
Things that Charlie Crocker didn't have to worry about when his crews were building the Central Pacific.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 10, 2010 17:32:23 GMT -8
Things that Charlie Crocker didn't have to worry about when his crews were building the Central Pacific. Certainly if you are building rail or roads in open fields, as it was the case in 1850s, you don't have to worry about underground utilities. They have to do this because if the seventy-year-old sewer line broke when the line is operating, they would have to shut down the line for a week to repair it.
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Post by spokker on Aug 10, 2010 17:47:31 GMT -8
And what makes Booz-Hamilton the standard to build Light Rail Lines? and who said so? FixExpo, I guess. My problem with that study has been that literacy issues are not specific only to rail lines. If people are having trouble crossing train tracks because of literacy issues, then they'll have trouble crossing intersections, filling out a job application or any number of things that require, well, reading skills. Check out this 2004 article: articles.latimes.com/2004/sep/09/local/me-literacy9The solution, then, is to not build at-grade rail? This is a problem that you don't accommodate by restructuring society for illiterate people. This is a problem you have to get to the core of and fix. God only knows how you fix that. Low-literacy rate was 84% in South Los Angeles in 2004. That is a staggering statistic. I wouldn't even know where to start. However, I read another article that says illiteracy in Los Angeles is greatly exaggerated. So maybe FixExpo was using exaggerated figures to advocate for grade separated light rail on the grounds that trains kill illiterate people because they can't read signs.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 11, 2010 11:25:16 GMT -8
The Farmdale issue is behind us and Fix Expo is history but these news about the arrest of Fix Expo has just emerged:Monday, August 09, 2010Betty Pleasant and her Shady FriendsWe've documented many times that "journo" Betty Pleasant has a major obsession with Councilman Bernard Parks who she view as responsible for all the troubles in the 8th District. Betty is a classy sport who once told Phil Jennerjahn to tell me that she said "He can kiss my ass." Practicing the old adage that the enemy of my enemy is my friend Betty has offered kudos to two potentially questionable figures whose only merit for Classy Betty is that they are somehow opposing Parks. First off Betty is quite excited that Forescee Hogan-Rowles has filed to run against Parks as he seeks re-election next year. Hogan-Rowles is the President and CEO of Community Financial Resource Center, another one of those connected "non-profits" we hear so much about. A check of City records shows that CFRC has received many City contracts some of which are in the seven figure range and because the City has not made available contract documents it is hard to determine what the money is being spent on. Betty might also want to check City of LA Ethics Commission records from the last time Hogan-Rowles ran for the Eight Council District seat. Hogan-Rowles was found by the Commission to have violated City campaign rules that would have required her to pay over $50,000 in fines but because she settled with the Commission Hogan-Rowles received an administrative penalty of $1,650.00. But if Betty's friend Hogan-Rowles raises eyebrows another longtime Parks critic that Pleasant has pulled to her maternal bosom potentially comes with even bigger baggage.
Damien Goodman is an activist who has fought for several years against construction of the Expo Light Rail Line in South Central. Frequently Goodman emails us his screeds about the rail line and often critical of Parks. His latest such diatribe, a point by point refutation of a Parks email blast, caught the eye of Betty who loved it.
Betty referred to Goodman as her "baby brother in kick-butt activism."
Betty may have been even more correct in that statement than she thought. Especially the "kick-butt" part.
The Sister City has come into information that on May 9th of this year Goodman was arrested by the LAPD on charges of domestic abuse. His live in girlfriend claims that Goodman had asked her for $20 for food which she did not have. Later, apparently still upset at the woman (even after she had brought him a plate of food from a church function) she alleges that Goodman spit in the woman's face, calling her a "bitch," grabbing her wrists and eventually punching her in the face.
The woman said that Goodman attempted to keep her in their house and took away her phone and computer to keep her from contacting police or her family. She was able to get away and return to her family. Later the woman, who claims to have been dating Goodman for three years, returned with police to retrieve her belongings from his home. Shortly thereafter police received a tip as to Goodman's whereabouts. The tipster put Goodman on the phone after which he told police where he was. The girlfriend identified him and he was arrested and booked for cohabitant abuse.
We tried to reach Goodman to get his side of the story but he has yet to respond to our request. If and when he does, we'll bring it to you.Labels: bernard parks, betty pleasant, damien goodman, expo line, Forescee Hogan-Rowles
Posted by Michael Higby @ 8/09/2010 09:00:00 AM
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Post by rajacobs on Aug 11, 2010 12:02:04 GMT -8
Perhaps a lack of control over one's mouth belies a yen for physical abuse, especially with those who are even closer...
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 11, 2010 12:17:28 GMT -8
For the record, the source cited by Gokhan is mayorsam.blogspot.com, full story here. The alleged domestic abuse, if true, is very unfortunate. Damien's a smart guy with lots of energy (if somewhat misdirected), but he needs to learn that life isn't all about confrontation. Anger can be a difficult beast to tame. I hope the woman is safe and Damien will learn to calm down. Anyway, I have to admit I'm surprised. When I first read about the arrest, I assumed he had handcuffed himself to a pole in protest, or something like that.
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Post by spokker on Aug 11, 2010 14:21:11 GMT -8
Haha I heard about this the other day and I burst out laughing as I am now. It was only a matter of time before it got out.
I'm sure it's some kind of argumentative fallacy to use his arrest to invalidate his opinion of Expo, but it's going to happen anyway. Besides, wasn't he accusing someone else of assault? Haha.
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Post by jdrcrasher on Aug 11, 2010 15:13:37 GMT -8
Hopefully for Damien the fallout will help finally sink in that he's lost, and LA's first line to the westside in decades is moving forward.
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Post by masonite on Aug 11, 2010 16:31:54 GMT -8
Hopefully for Damien the fallout will help finally sink in that he's lost, and LA's first line to the westside in decades is moving forward. It is sad to see someone self-destruct like this, especially someone so bright and passionate. I think it was pretty obvious he had anger management issues. My overall problem with Damien is that he wasn't much of a consensus builder and overall was pretty negative about most everything and eventually people just tune you out when you are like that. If you weren't advocating undergrounding the Crenshaw and Expo Lines in that 2-3 mile radius of where he lived then you were biased and maybe even a racist. Heck, he even turned against grade separated projects like the Wilshire Subway and the Vermont Subway, because somehow they might threaten what happened in that 2-3 mile zone.
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Post by spokker on Aug 11, 2010 18:37:45 GMT -8
Damien told us he was going to unleash the nuclear option. What he didn't say was that he was unleashing it on a woman.
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Post by rajacobs on Aug 11, 2010 19:54:47 GMT -8
...And on himself.
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Post by darrell on Aug 12, 2010 16:58:38 GMT -8
Here are two views this morning of utility construction that's closed the intersection of Exposition and Farmdale. Looking south, from the Expo Inn on the left to a parked car on the right. Looking west you can also see the La Brea ramp right of the "Road Closed" sign. Forms for the ballast walls are also being built west of Farmdale.
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