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Post by saltire08 on Aug 11, 2010 2:04:16 GMT -8
The NFSR version reminds me of Grand Theft Auto (the pedestrians being run over) and one of those first person shooters you always see.
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 11, 2010 9:30:14 GMT -8
I think it's kind of funny. But if this is supposed to make the case against Expo, I would change "funny" to "laughable".
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Aug 11, 2010 12:05:09 GMT -8
It's down now. I thought it was pretty funny too, but my lawyer advised me that I have to pursue it if I want any hope of claiming copyright in the future. So be it. I wrote a note to NFSR and their attorney as well. I sure hope they don't re-post as I have no interest or time for legal wrangling but, my grandfather told me a long time ago: "Do whatever your lawyer says - without question" - and his advice so far has been pretty good!
If anyone sees it again, please let me know.
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Post by rajacobs on Aug 11, 2010 12:06:48 GMT -8
Someone took a lot of time to re-edit that video; the result illustrated a point believed by the opposition, that we're "railroading" (excuse the pun) over the issues. If I were so pre-disposed in my beliefs or close to having real concern, I'd say that the re-editor did well! ...I'm glad it's been removed and hope not to see it again.
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Post by spokker on Aug 11, 2010 14:25:25 GMT -8
Well, they can certainly express that opinion, but they'll have to go out and record their own footage. I'd they were smart they would only use snippets of the video and claim fair use.
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Post by redwings105th on Aug 11, 2010 18:51:04 GMT -8
From the YouTube comments under the NFSR video. Haha. All I said was that the Gold Line incident at Del Mar was ruled a suicide by police. In any case, Alex could file a complaint with YouTube and get it taken down. They don't just use snippets of his video, but the entire thing. They also fail to give him credit. Here's the link where he can review the process to submit a complaint: www.youtube.com/t/dmca_policySo all our comments were removed, how "mature" lol
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Post by bluelineshawn on Aug 11, 2010 22:17:12 GMT -8
Hi everyone, I'm new around here, been lurking on the website for months . Welcome!
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 12, 2010 9:42:10 GMT -8
Hi everyone, I'm new around here, been lurking on the website for months . I'm excited for this line to come in, especially since I'm looking into moving to either DT LA or Santa Monica in the new couple of years. It will be great to take a train to either areas without my car! Any updates as to when NFSR and Metro go to court? I'm anxious to see this nipped in the bud for good. These Nimby's are really boiling my blood, as well as the soon to be Nimby's of Beverly Hills that will try and block the subway to Century City (My current work area). Ugh. BTW, I saw the above video on Youtube the other day. The soundtrack is hilarious, and I can't see anyone taking this seriously! Welcome aboard! Don't worry about the NFSR and Beverly Hills NIMBY clowns who oppose light-rail and subway. Metro and its construction authorities conduct their environmental studies perfectly and these satisfy all legal requirements. There is nothing to challenge. Moreover, every passing day, NIMBYs are being ignored more as public see their true faces. They are humiliating themselves with their hysteria and their scandals are erupting in the news. And the value of light-rail and subway is being realized more everyday. In fact Expo NIMBYs, especially the Phase 1 Fix Expo NIMBYs, have helped us a lot to learn how to build light-rail. With the lessons learned and preemptive measures taken, Phase 2 will be a walk in the park -- as it should always have been. A far better and more beautiful Los Angeles will be here in ten years.
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Post by saltire08 on Aug 12, 2010 16:29:20 GMT -8
Couple of questions for the legal/law experts:
Will the Phase 2 lawsuit results set any sort of precedent that Metro will be able to use to it's advantage?
What are the laws regarding going below-grade under private property?
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Post by azndevil97 on Aug 13, 2010 9:11:15 GMT -8
Hi everyone, I'm new around here, been lurking on the website for months . I'm excited for this line to come in, especially since I'm looking into moving to either DT LA or Santa Monica in the new couple of years. It will be great to take a train to either areas without my car! Any updates as to when NFSR and Metro go to court? I'm anxious to see this nipped in the bud for good. These Nimby's are really boiling my blood, as well as the soon to be Nimby's of Beverly Hills that will try and block the subway to Century City (My current work area). Ugh. BTW, I saw the above video on Youtube the other day. The soundtrack is hilarious, and I can't see anyone taking this seriously! Welcome aboard! Don't worry about the NFSR and Beverly Hills NIMBY clowns who oppose light-rail and subway. Metro and its construction authorities conduct their environmental studies perfectly and these satisfy all legal requirements. There is nothing to challenge. Moreover, every passing day, NIMBYs are being ignored more as public see their true faces. They are humiliating themselves with their hysteria and their scandals are erupting in the news. And the value of light-rail and subway is being realized more everyday. In fact Expo NIMBYs, especially the Phase 1 Fix Expo NIMBYs, have helped us a lot to learn how to build light-rail. With the lessons learned and preemptive measures taken, Phase 2 will be a walk in the park -- as it should always have been. A far better and more beautiful Los Angeles will be here in ten years. Thank you everyone for the welcome! Yes, I really believe Nimby's of the westside have no real basis for anything. I just want to see it in writing that it's been rejected! Bu yes, Nothing should stop us now, and the more rail/subway we have, the more demand we will have for them. I'd love to see subway lines on all main arteries (Vermont, Western, Santa Monica, Sunset) someday, but it's going to be a very very slow process!
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 23, 2010 14:32:09 GMT -8
NFSR is in desperate need for money to pay their lawyer's fees so that they can make it to the trial on December 14.
From: WOWHOA <wowhoa@verizon.net> Organization: West Of Westwood Homeowner's Assoc Reply-To: WOWHOA <wowhoa@verizon.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:39:49 -0700 To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;> Subject: Fw: Expo Authority knocking On Doors
Several have called and emailed that Expo Authority representatives are knocking their doors trying to convince us that having the train run through here every 2 1/2 minutes during rush hour will not impact this community. The traffic won't back up, the bells, horns and whistles won't bother us, traffic patterns won't change even though they have not studied any traffic east of Overland, are adding red light left turn only arrows and other new traffic restriction.
The Expo Phase 2 Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) Build Expo voted to approve on February 4, 210 cannot be changed. They cannot add or change mitigations without studying the impact those changes will have on the environment. So why do they need to go door to door NOW trying to get your support for Expo when there are no more votes to be taken, no more hearings to attend? No need to win it in the public arena when they have the decision they want--280 Light Rail trains running through our community 22 hours a day every 2 1/2 minutes during rush hour at street level.
When they knock on your door ask why are paid Build Expo Authority employee are in the community on a Sunday trying to convince us to support Expo Phase 2 At-Grade on the Expo Right Of Way when the FEIR has been approved and cannot be changed? If they are so certain we cannot win our lawsuit why spend the time and money to try and convince us Expo will not impact this community when the decision Build Expo Authority approved February 4th cannot be changed except by the courts?
The answer is that the only way to change that decision is for us to win our lawsuit and have the courts force them to go back and study all options. They feel if they can convince you Expo will not have a negative impact on this community and accept it you will not support NFSR. If we can't pay our attorney and must drop the lawsuit they win, if we continue with our lawsuit they are very concerned that we will prevail--otherwise why bother.
Now more than ever is the time to donate to NFSR. Help us make it to our day in court on December 14th so your voice can be heard.
Go to smartrail.org or send a check to NFSR, POB64496, LA 90064
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 23, 2010 14:32:57 GMT -8
The trial for the NFSR lawsuit is now set to be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2010. NFSR is spreading lies and fear as usual:From: Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association <Expo@cheviothills.org> Subject: CHHA - Light Rail Update Date: Monday, August 23, 2010, 10:03 AM CPUC Okays New Station and Crossings at Dorsey - Expo Phase 1The decision on the Expo light rail crossing near Dorsey High School was presented by the CPUC Commission late last month. Expo has been approved to build an at-grade crossing with a "split station" on each side of the Farmdale/Expo crossing, meaning that the trains will pull to a stop at stations prior to entering the crossing. Crossing speed there will be limited to 15 mph. Expo's original plan did not include a station and would have allowed trains to speed by Dorsey High at 55 mph, blaring horns and sounding bells every 2 1/2 minutes, less than 50 feet from classrooms. (Expo’s proposal for Phase 2 is to run the trains at 55 mph at grade across Overland, 70 feet from Overland school.) United Communities Association (UCA), the community group protesting the at-grade crossings near Dorsey High, said they will appeal the decision before the California Court of Appeals. The original decision of the CPUC Administrative Law Judge, after an 8-day hearing of the evidence, was to require Expo to grade separate the crossing (separating students above or below the trains) at Dorsey and at an additional dangerous crossing near Foshay Learning Center. However, facing focused political pressure and a barrage of Expo-hired lobbyists, the political appointees that make up the PUC Commission reversed the judge's decision to grade separate. A spokesman for UCA said they are looking forward to presenting the facts to a court of law and removing the critical safety decisions from political influence. To see a short video recording of the Commission reading their decision on the Dorsey crossing, click here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxRL0AucTeU . The presiding Commissioner commended UCA and NFSR members for their work on behalf of South Los Angeles communities on the case. Expo Phase 2 The NFSR lawsuit filed to challenge deficiencies and conclusions of Expo's Phase 2 Final Environmental Impact Report will be heard by a judge. Experienced CEQA and land use attorney, John Bowman of Elkins, Kalt, Weintraub and Gartside will be representing NFSR before Judge Thomas McKnew in California Superior Court. Our issues will be examined in a court of law, outside the political process, before the line is designed, which gives us options other communities didn’t have. CHHA, WGCA, WOWHOA, and Tract 7260 homeowner associations, lead by NFSR, have been preserving community rights and making the legal record at every milestone. Our opportunity to impact the process is greatest now but we need your help to succeed. We need your tax deductible donations to support your lawsuit against Expo’s poor planning and to continue our community outreach. Now. Please. The NFSR Lawn Signs Are Sold Out!Over 500 lawn signs have been installed all over the area. Only a few that say “Don’t let Expo force traffic onto Motor†are left. If you live on Motor you need this sign on your lawn. Expo did not study any traffic impacts on Motor in Cheviot Hills, including increased Century City/Fox commuter traffic going to the 1-10 FWY when Expo trains block Overland, Westwood, Military and Sepulveda 280 times a day. We are designing a second yard sign series, including a group for Santa Monica residents who have something to say to MTA/Expo! We will send out an e-blast when the new ones arrive. The signs have made good points and a good showing to the media. Though a number of the signs have been stolen (some curiously dumped into the Expo trench along Northvale) we have replaced those for the residents who paid $10 each for them. Contact NFSR at smartrail.org or call 310-475-2126 if you’d like a yard sign. More light rail newsAs MTA celebrated the 20th anniversary of Metro Rail service in LA County earlier this month some feel that there is little to celebrate. Punctuating the celebration were two recent Blue Line accidents, one involving a train running a red light and broad siding a police car, pinning an officer inside for the hour it took rescuers to free him, and injuring 11 train passengers. Just days later a Blue Line train smashed into an MTA bus injuring 8, including both drivers. The Blue Line's 20 year accident tally on its more than 100 at-grade crossings is nearing 850. MTA states that each accident costs them $500,000. Wouldn't it have been better to put that money into grade separations originally? There is a much higher human cost of these accidents that MTA doesn't account for. Even so, MTA continues to plan at-grade rail throughout the most congested traffic in the country while admitting that their street level trains make that congestion worse! The only thing recommending at-grade crossings is that they are cheaper. Or are they? Grade separated transit is more efficient, faster, cheaper to operate, less impacting to communities, and safer by far. Those benefits are priceless. The Long Beach Press-Telegram summed up the Metro Blue Line History by quoting from MTA records, "In the past two decades, 26 motorists have been killed in collisions with the Blue Line and 51 pedestrians have been struck and killed by the train. Another 22 died - including 14 in the past decade - in incidents ruled suicides by the Los Angeles County Coroner. All told, there have been 99 fatalities involving the Blue Line. There have been 842 accidents involving the train through June 2009, according to data gathered by Metro's Corporate Safety Department. 666 involved collisions between a train and a vehicle and 176 involved pedestrians being hit by a train. Metro photo enforcement cameras along the Blue Line route detected 120,289 violations from September 1995 through 2009, resulting in 49,845 citations issued to motorists for illegally crossing train tracks against warning signs and signals such as red flashing lights, bells, gates and train horns." Clearly stepped up enforcement is not the answer. In fact, it may well be that shoehorning rail into a built urban environment is the problem. Forbes Magazine this week published a fresh look at how many of our dwindling transit dollars are being spent and questions the public benefit. The here a link to the story reprinted in New Geography. Read it here. www.newgeography.com/content/001714-mass-transit-the-great-train-robberyThe debate will no doubt go on. In Los Angeles transit planning is too often driven by political imperatives, developer's dreams, and lobbyists, with too little attention given to economic efficiencies, community safety, and environmental impacts. The CHHA is committed to supporting NFSR in its legal efforts to preserve safety and our neighborhood quality of life. One important legal claim against Expo is that their study area, especially for traffic, was too small to capture impacts. That is especially important to Cheviot Hills because no impacts of any kind were studied for Cheviot Hills east of Northvale Road! Motor Avenue, Manning,nor even Pico Boulevard east of Overland were included in Expo’s traffic or environmental study. Motor and Manning will be the only way for commuters to get to the I-10 FWY without facing the at-grade Expo crossings. Butterfield, Patricia, Prosser? Not studied. Our fire station is on Pico. No traffic study there! City buses will be doubled on Westwood Blvd. Cut through traffic? Overflow parking? Noise? Vibration? None of that was studied for Cheviot Hills. The CHHA supports NFSR. If you have not already done so, please support CHHA by paying your $70 annual homeowners' association dues today so you continue to get updates on Expo and other important community topics. Dues checks made out to CHHA can be mailed to CHHA, P.O Box 64458, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Colleen Mason Heller CHHA Light rail Chair NFSR Vice President
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Post by tobias087 on Aug 24, 2010 0:34:34 GMT -8
I don't understand where this claim about Expo not having studied the intersections east of Overland is coming from. As far as I can tell, that's just a blatant lie. I mean, I'm looking at the study in the FEIR right now!
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Post by Dan Wentzel on Aug 24, 2010 8:03:22 GMT -8
Increasingly desperate NIMBYs are grasping for any straws they can find.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 24, 2010 8:36:45 GMT -8
I don't understand where this claim about Expo not having studied the intersections east of Overland is coming from. As far as I can tell, that's just a blatant lie. I mean, I'm looking at the study in the FEIR right now! Increasingly desperate NIMBYs are grasping for any straws they can find. That's exactly why the outcome of the trial in the California court is certain to be a dismissal, just like the lawsuit was dismissed from the federal court a few months ago.
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 24, 2010 9:15:00 GMT -8
NFSR is claiming the FEIR inadequately studied the impacts. Yes it's BS, but that is their legal claim.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 24, 2010 10:51:29 GMT -8
NFSR is claiming the FEIR inadequately studied the impacts. Yes it's BS, but that is their legal claim. Exactly like the bs lawsuit challenging President Obama's nationality -- you have a group of people who truly can't stand something and they see themselves as the center of the world with unlimited ability, who can turn things around against all common sense. The technical name for movements like NFSR is Astroturf, that is fake grassroots -- a group with a disguised political agenda. The group NFSR (Neighbors for Smart Rail) was started by Terri Tippit, who is its president. She is the president of West of Westwood Homeowner's Association and the chair of Westside Neighborhood Council -- a veteran neighborhood politician with long-time-known agendas. I remember the Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association meeting more than three years ago, where one of the subordinates of Terri Tippit was shouting "Grassroots... New Grassroots Organization... Come join the grassroots organization... Grasroots... Neighbors for Smart Rail... New grassroots organization..." He was basically like a street merchant trying to sell a product. NFSR disguise their opposition to rail transit with "Smart," "Build it on Venice," "Build it underground," "Build it right or not at all," etc.
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 24, 2010 16:05:10 GMT -8
Exactly like the bs lawsuit challenging President Obama's nationality -- you have a group of people who truly can't stand something and they see themselves as the center of the world with unlimited ability, who can turn things around against all common sense. Amen to that. The key in both arguments is fear, uncertainty and doubt. How do we really know Expo is safe? How do we really know Obama is American? Logically, it is the weakest kind of argument. Unfortunately, too many people operate out of fear rather than logic, too many people lack the most basic critical thinking skills. These people are willing to accept any innuendo or argument, however illogical or false, that supports their preexisting conclusions. The group NFSR (Neighbors for Smart Rail) was started by Terri Tippit, who is its president. She is the president of West of Westwood Homeowner's Association and the chair of Westside Neighborhood Council -- a veteran neighborhood politician with long-time-known agendas. I remember the Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association meeting more than three years ago, where one of the subordinates of Terri Tippit was shouting "Grassroots... New Grassroots Organization... Come join the grassroots organization... Grasroots... Neighbors for Smart Rail... New grassroots organization..." He was basically like a street merchant trying to sell a product. Terri Tippit's campaign is anything but "grassroots". She is a wealthy homeowner working full time to block a mass transit line that would benefit tens of thousands of people. Her "grassroots" movement is akin to feudal nobles having a "grassroots" campaign to stop peasants from building a road into town. Or to "grassroots" campaigns of farmowners in the 1930s to run the Okies out of California. Tippit's "grassroots" organizing involves her working full-time on the project, hiring expensive lawyers, and spreading fear among her neighbors. (I wish I had the luxuries of time and money, to be able to do all that.)
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Post by azndevil97 on Aug 25, 2010 8:46:56 GMT -8
Is the general public able to attend the trial? Just wondering. Although it would be boring, I'd love to sit there and hear some of it
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Post by darrell on Aug 25, 2010 10:59:35 GMT -8
I've heard that it will be mostly about filing written briefs to a judge. But I'll probably still attend any scheduled court date, just to see what happens, and will post any information I hear about when that is.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 25, 2010 14:46:04 GMT -8
Join our Hello Expo Facebook page by visiting the following link and "Like"ing the page. Please also Suggest it to all your Facebook Friends. (You must be logged into your Facebook account to join the page.) www.facebook.com/pages/Hello-Expo/129341747110269We are a group of residents in the Westside, including Palms, Cheviot Hills, Rancho Park, and Santa Monica, supporting the Expo light-rail line to Santa Monica. We are sharing up-to-date news and photos of the project. You can also share your comments and join the discussions.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 25, 2010 16:02:11 GMT -8
City Attorney has just declared it illegal for NFSR's attempt to use the remaining balance of $60,000 of a settlement fund with a developer for their lawsuit against Expo.
The so-called Trammel Crow fund by the developer was reserved for traffic improvements after the developer was allowed to build in Century City and only $60,000 were left of the multimillion dollar fund. The City Attorney stated after their investigation that nowhere in the agreement there was a mention of litigation for the use of the funds and the funds were specifically allowed to be used for traffic improvements. NFSR's argument had been that by stopping Expo with the lawsuit, they would improve the traffic, and therefore they tried to use the money to pay their attoney's fees.
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Post by azndevil97 on Aug 27, 2010 0:16:00 GMT -8
Wow! Gotta hand it to NFSR. They think up creative ways to justify their actions!
So curious, they obviously need to raise some money for this lawsuit, but if they can't raise enough, what happens? Does a trial date get delayed for them to raise money? Or would their lawyers consider doing it pro bono, or perhaps get paid at a later date?
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 27, 2010 7:24:16 GMT -8
Wow! Gotta hand it to NFSR. They think up creative ways to justify their actions! So curious, they obviously need to raise some money for this lawsuit, but if they can't raise enough, what happens? Does a trial date get delayed for them to raise money? Or would their lawyers consider doing it pro bono, or perhaps get paid at a later date? This area doesn't qualify for pro bono because it's an affluent one. I don't think the trial can be postponed because they ran out of money. In the past they had complained that things should be done after the Holidays and they had succeeded them getting postponed but I don't think this will work this time either. My guess is that if they don't have money, their lawyer will spend less time, as they work on an hourly basis. Eventually unpaid bills will accumulate, and they will be the ones getting sued by their lawyer in an ironic way. Their lack of money will also prevent them from filing an appeal after the case is dismissed in late December. Meanwhile they will try to gather more money through tea gatherings in members' houses. I wonder how much money the Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association has given to NFSR. They had a certain amount of money (less than $100k) in the bank accumulated over many years and Colleen Mason Heller of Cheviot Hills, also the vice president of NFSR, wanted to use all of it to fight Expo. I doubt she got much of it. So, the prediction is that we will see the Venice LRT bridge, the first part of Phase 2, getting constructed in early 2011, as soon as the winning contractor is selected out of the two competing teams and the terms of the contract are negotiated.
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Post by azndevil97 on Aug 27, 2010 10:13:32 GMT -8
Wow! Gotta hand it to NFSR. They think up creative ways to justify their actions! So curious, they obviously need to raise some money for this lawsuit, but if they can't raise enough, what happens? Does a trial date get delayed for them to raise money? Or would their lawyers consider doing it pro bono, or perhaps get paid at a later date? This area doesn't qualify for pro bono because it's an affluent one. I don't think the trial can be postponed because they ran out of money. In the past they had complained that things should be done after the Holidays and they had succeeded them getting postponed but I don't think this will work this time either. My guess is that if they don't have money, their lawyer will spend less time, as they work on an hourly basis. Eventually unpaid bills will accumulate, and they will be the ones getting sued by their lawyer in an ironic way. Their lack of money will also prevent them from filing an appeal after the case is dismissed in late December. Meanwhile they will try to gather more money through tea gatherings in members' houses. I wonder how much money the Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association has given to NFSR. They had a certain amount of money (less than $100k) in the bank accumulated over many years and Colleen Mason Heller of Cheviot Hills, also the vice president of NFSR, wanted to use all of it to fight Expo. I doubt she got much of it. So, the prediction is that we will see the Venice LRT bridge, the first part of Phase 2, getting constructed in early 2011, as soon as the winning contractor is selected out of the two competing teams and the terms of the contract are negotiated. Very nice. So how do we go about making sure they don't have the funds??? ;D
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Post by tobias087 on Aug 27, 2010 13:34:19 GMT -8
Actually, assuming there was no delay to construction either way, I'd rather have a victory in court than have them run out of money. A victory in court would set a good precedent for other projects in the future.
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Post by metrocenter on Aug 27, 2010 20:00:17 GMT -8
I assumed they were getting pro-bono (i.e., free) legal representation from one of their own. I'd imagine in Cheviot Hills, you could throw a rock in any direction and hit a lawyer.
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Post by Gokhan on Aug 28, 2010 0:38:08 GMT -8
I assumed they were getting pro-bono (i.e., free) legal representation from one of their own. I'd imagine in Cheviot Hills, you could throw a rock in any direction and hit a lawyer. Yes, that would be one's naive expectation. But... In reality no person with a serious, respected business living in Cheviot Hills would take a stand against Expo, let alone sue Expo. That would be really be bad for the business. Imagine what the customers or clients would think about you... In fact this was actually witnessed as someone in Cheviot Hills parting his ways with the opposition for the benefit of his business and therefore this is not just an hypothesis.
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Post by rajacobs on Aug 28, 2010 16:04:18 GMT -8
I too can't imagine why anyone would choose to take on the baggage ...the notoriety, of supporting an unpopular anti-business, anti-community "cause." Doesn't do much for one's reputation!
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Post by Gokhan on Sept 27, 2010 22:54:38 GMT -8
Latest from the Cheviot Hills NIMBY oppositionFrom: Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association [mailto:Expo@cheviothills.org] Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 12:06 PM Subject: CHHA - LA Times Says Expo Faces More DelaysDear Friends and Neighbors, Sunday's LA Times details issues causing delays on Expo Phase 1, with some information on Phase 2 scheduling. At the end of the article you will read that Supervisor Mark-Ridley Thomas has asked for independent oversight of the Expo Authority and for ethics oversight. Here is the link to the story: www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-expo-line-20100926,0,6743173.story Note that one of the items causing delay is the necessary addition of safety measures. NFSR has long maintained that Expo relies on other agencies and, yes local communities like ours, to force safety on their ill-conceived plan to run trains 55 mph at street level through a fully built, highly congested City corridor. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) required extensive safety changes to the Phase 1 crossings near Trade Tech. LADOT was responsible for forcing construction of an "optional" station at USC to separate pedestrians from trains and cars. Community Groups in South Los Angeles, LA Unified School District and NFSR were responsible for the safety enhancements still in the planning, and in litigation, at the Dorsey High Farmdale crossing. In addition to delay, the article notes that the Phase 1 budget has swollen from $640 million to $900 million. The Phase 2 budget has more than doubled from initial estimates of $805 million to $1.7 billion and yet there are no grade separations from Venice/Robertson to Sawtelle other than two historic rail bridges that will remain in place. That kind of money could take the Subway-to-the-Sea all the way to Santa Monica! Expo says at-grade rail is cheaper, but is it? Grade separated transit is more efficient, faster, cheaper to operate, less impacting to communities, will not compound traffic congestion, and is safer by far. Those benefits are priceless. That is why it is so important for NFSR to take on the Expo Authority in a full legal challenge now, during the planning stages, when we can make the greatest impact. The Expo FEIR certified in February states that the plan we've all been commenting on is only developed to a 10% "conceptual level." That means there is time for Expo to build it as cheaply and quickly as they can , or we can force them to build it right for our communities. Safety is one of the most expensive parts of transportation planning and apparently the one most easily ignored if the Blue Line and Metrolink are any indication. Please make a tax deductible donation to NFSR today to support your lawsuit to compel Expo to go back to the drawing board on Phase 2 safety and community impacts. We cannot do this without the continued help of the community, many of whom have already been so generous. To donate through PayPal go to smartrail.org, or send a check to NFSR, P.O. Box 64496, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Those who support Expo's intention to build it fast and cheap do a disservice to us all by not critiquing Expo's highly impacting plan, which puts student and pedestrian safety at risk, increases traffic in our highly congested area, and disregards or downplays the 75 -100 years of noise, vibration and quality of life impacts of 300* trains daily running street level through the residential communities along Expo. If Supervisor Ridley-Thomas sitting on the MTA Board and the Expo Board has questions about project oversight and the ethics of the Expo Authority, shouldn't we all? Thank you for your continued participation. Colleen Mason Heller CHHA Light Rail Chair *Taken from Expo's December 2009 final technical report on Phase 2 operations.
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