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Najarian's MTA Confirmation Threatened by 710 Tunnel Proponents
http://asbarez.com/107080/najarian%E2%80%99s-mta-confirmation-threatened-by-710-tunnel-proponents/
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Ara Najarian at a recent No 710 press conference
BY ELISE KALFAYAN
Nominated unanimously for another term by Los Angeles County's North
Valley/San Fernando Valley Sector cities representing over one million
constituents, Metropolitan Transportation Agency Board member Ara
Najarian's confirmation was blocked by Duarte City Council member John
Fasana and Alhambra Mayor Barbara Messina. They urged City Selection
Committee members to vote against confirming Najarian because of his
vocal opposition to a 710 tunnel, ignoring both his significant
transportation achievements for the San Gabriel Valley region, and the
unanimous support of the North County/San Fernando Valley Sector
cities. Najarian has 65 days to seek a re-nomination and confirmation.
Glendale City Council Member Najarian has been a strong supporter of
good transportation projects in Los Angeles County. During his tenure
on the MTA Board of Directors, in which he has also served as Chair,
he was instrumental in bringing projects like the Gold Line to the
region. Najarian has been a steadfast critic of the `710 North Gap
Closure' study, asking tough questions about purpose and need, cost
estimates and truck traffic, while making it clear that he and his
constituents have received no credible answers.
Citing Fasana's and Messina's action, former State Assembly
representative Anthony Portantino said, `When proponents have to
resort to removing folks asking legitimate questions, you have to
question their motives.' At a Pasadena City Council meeting this week,
more than 30 speakers, including Portantino and Sierra Madre
Councilman John Harabedian, urged Pasadena to take a stand against
MTA's 710 tunnel study. The meeting concluded with all council members
voicing objections to the tunnel and directing the mayor to prepare a
letter expressing concerns to the MTA.
Najarian has been the lone MTA Board member insisting on
accountability in the SR-710 Study process. The move by officials
outside his representative sector calls into question the power of one
sector to override the will and vote of another. The No 710 Action
Committee strongly condemned Fasana and Messina for attempting to
circumvent the rights and silence the voices of constituent sector
cities who unanimously chose Najarian to represent them on the Metro
Board of Directors. The Committee has also called for further
investigation of this matter.
`It's extremely disconcerting that some San Gabriel Valley
transportation bullies are trying to foist an extremely expensive,
damaging project off onto their neighbors. They are interfering with
another region's choice of representation exactly because that
representative is being fiscally responsible by asking the tough
questions that all the Metro Board members should be asking,' said
Joanne Nukols, a member of the No 710 Action Committee.
The No 710 Action Committee is a grassroots organization comprised of
residents, business owners, healthcare professionals, researchers, and
transportation experts who are stakeholders in Los Angeles, El Sereno,
Mt. Washington, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, Highland Park, Garvanza,
Eagle Rock, Sunland-Tujunga, Hermon, South Pasadena, Pasadena, La
Caņada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose and Glendale. The goal of
the Committee is to work with civic leaders and transportation
officials to encourage modern transportation solutions that are
environmentally and fiscally responsible.
Najarian's current term is up in January 2013. In October, he was
unanimously re-nominated to the Board by his constituent cities in the
North County/San Fernando Valley Sector. On Thursday, December 6, the
Los Angeles County City Selection Committee met to conduct business.
Although Najarian received a numerical majority of votes, according to
the population-weighted vote formula, he fell short of the number
needed for confirmation. Najarian intends to seek a second nomination
and a second vote to retain his seat.
Elise Kalfayan is a Glendale resident, a native Southern Californian,
and a combined first/second generation Armenian-American. She has
produced or edited print and online pieces on topics ranging from
urban development to Armenian Church history. She is the publisher of
a Glendale community news blog, and works as a contract writer,
editor, and publishing consultant for clients including businesses,
entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and memoirists.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
http://asbarez.com/107080/najarian%E2%80%99s-mta-confirmation-threatened-by-710-tunnel-proponents/
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Ara Najarian at a recent No 710 press conference
BY ELISE KALFAYAN
Nominated unanimously for another term by Los Angeles County's North
Valley/San Fernando Valley Sector cities representing over one million
constituents, Metropolitan Transportation Agency Board member Ara
Najarian's confirmation was blocked by Duarte City Council member John
Fasana and Alhambra Mayor Barbara Messina. They urged City Selection
Committee members to vote against confirming Najarian because of his
vocal opposition to a 710 tunnel, ignoring both his significant
transportation achievements for the San Gabriel Valley region, and the
unanimous support of the North County/San Fernando Valley Sector
cities. Najarian has 65 days to seek a re-nomination and confirmation.
Glendale City Council Member Najarian has been a strong supporter of
good transportation projects in Los Angeles County. During his tenure
on the MTA Board of Directors, in which he has also served as Chair,
he was instrumental in bringing projects like the Gold Line to the
region. Najarian has been a steadfast critic of the `710 North Gap
Closure' study, asking tough questions about purpose and need, cost
estimates and truck traffic, while making it clear that he and his
constituents have received no credible answers.
Citing Fasana's and Messina's action, former State Assembly
representative Anthony Portantino said, `When proponents have to
resort to removing folks asking legitimate questions, you have to
question their motives.' At a Pasadena City Council meeting this week,
more than 30 speakers, including Portantino and Sierra Madre
Councilman John Harabedian, urged Pasadena to take a stand against
MTA's 710 tunnel study. The meeting concluded with all council members
voicing objections to the tunnel and directing the mayor to prepare a
letter expressing concerns to the MTA.
Najarian has been the lone MTA Board member insisting on
accountability in the SR-710 Study process. The move by officials
outside his representative sector calls into question the power of one
sector to override the will and vote of another. The No 710 Action
Committee strongly condemned Fasana and Messina for attempting to
circumvent the rights and silence the voices of constituent sector
cities who unanimously chose Najarian to represent them on the Metro
Board of Directors. The Committee has also called for further
investigation of this matter.
`It's extremely disconcerting that some San Gabriel Valley
transportation bullies are trying to foist an extremely expensive,
damaging project off onto their neighbors. They are interfering with
another region's choice of representation exactly because that
representative is being fiscally responsible by asking the tough
questions that all the Metro Board members should be asking,' said
Joanne Nukols, a member of the No 710 Action Committee.
The No 710 Action Committee is a grassroots organization comprised of
residents, business owners, healthcare professionals, researchers, and
transportation experts who are stakeholders in Los Angeles, El Sereno,
Mt. Washington, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, Highland Park, Garvanza,
Eagle Rock, Sunland-Tujunga, Hermon, South Pasadena, Pasadena, La
Caņada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose and Glendale. The goal of
the Committee is to work with civic leaders and transportation
officials to encourage modern transportation solutions that are
environmentally and fiscally responsible.
Najarian's current term is up in January 2013. In October, he was
unanimously re-nominated to the Board by his constituent cities in the
North County/San Fernando Valley Sector. On Thursday, December 6, the
Los Angeles County City Selection Committee met to conduct business.
Although Najarian received a numerical majority of votes, according to
the population-weighted vote formula, he fell short of the number
needed for confirmation. Najarian intends to seek a second nomination
and a second vote to retain his seat.
Elise Kalfayan is a Glendale resident, a native Southern Californian,
and a combined first/second generation Armenian-American. She has
produced or edited print and online pieces on topics ranging from
urban development to Armenian Church history. She is the publisher of
a Glendale community news blog, and works as a contract writer,
editor, and publishing consultant for clients including businesses,
entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and memoirists.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress