Opposition to Park At Waterfront Red Car Right-of-Way
As a representative of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Planning and Land Use committee and a resident of San Pedro I am voicing strong opposition by myself and our council to the planned park to be built in the waterfront Red Car right-of-way along Harbor Boulevard intended for use by residents of Rancho San Pedro. This opposition is due to the following:
1. Removal of existing track creates a strong financial and inertial deterrent to later re-deployment for passenger rail service along the waterfront, be it a renewed trolley/streetcar or LA Metro light rail. The track is standard gauge US rail and despite some port statements to the contrary we have seen no technical reason this track would need to be replaced for future light rail or streetcar service which also uses this gauge rail.,
2. With a very large development plan for the waterfront and harbor adjacent areas, including West Harbor retail, a 6,000-seat amphitheater, three hotels in the south harbor, AltaSea, one or more south harbor cruise ship terminals and substantial residential development downtown San Pedro it is irresponsible to restrict transportation expansion opportunities along Harbor Boulevard for at least 10 years by building a park directly adjacent to the roadway along the only North-South route in San Pedro which has increased throughput potential. This restriction, created prior to any traffic study, would guarantee excess traffic overflow along Pacific and Gaffey to the detriment of all residents in San Pedro.
3. The park itself is cited along a busy, and soon to be busier, roadway and will subject users to excessive exposure to exhaust fumes from vehicular traffic along its route. This seems to be a very undesirable and unhealthy place for residents to enjoy the outdoors.
4. A park has been planned in complete isolation from and no coordination with this project by the Battleship USS Iowa Museum organization just a few dozen yards away.
5. There has been little opportunity for public comment and feedback during the design of this park outside of the Rancho San Pedro residents.
6. Our previous letter to this body has received no response.
The NWSP PLC, myself and numerous constituents urge the port to delay any work which inhibits transportation option flexibility along the vital waterfront artery of Harbor Boulevard until after a transportation study has been performed which takes into account all development along the waterfront, linkage with other transportation systems including Los Angeles Metro Rail and Caltrans, considers transportation from Cabrillo Beach to Wilmington in it’s scope, and is coordinated in a consolidated waterfront park plan with other potential green spaces to create a coherent and impactful pedestrian experience along our harbor for all San Pedrans.
Jason Herring, Vice Chairman, Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Planning and Land Use Committee
Eliminate the Filibuster
In his first few months as Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell has given us a preview of how Republicans will behave for the next four years. They will use every tool at their disposal, like the filibuster, to cling to power and stop progress. The same forces of darkness used it to block civil rights legislation in the 60s. They used it to block background checks for gun sales in 2013. And they’ll use it to block EVERYTHING Democrats want to do in 2021.
Republicans have changed the rules to entrench their power and we need to fight fire with fire. McConnell dropped the filibuster when he wanted to put three right-wing lawyers on the Supreme Court. None of the three — Kavanaugh, Gorsuch or Barrett — could have been approved under the filibuster rule.
None of them received 55 votes, let alone 60 votes, the threshold for ending the filibuster.
McConnell changed the rules in order to pack the courts, overturn Roe V. Wade, declare the ACA unconstitutional, and go after our civil rights, as well as to tilt our system of justice further in favor of rich-monied interests.
Democrats in 2020 won the majority, and we should act like it. We promised Americans bold relief and we shouldn’t let Republicans use procedural hurdles like the filibuster to block their agenda. The best chance of keeping Republicans from permanently controlling the levers of power is by passing big, bold democracy reforms — and the only way we do that is by eliminating the filibuster. Mitch McConnell is too eager to use it.
Peter M. Warren, San Pedro
Humboldt County or Hazzard County?
In Berkeley, all cops have college degrees.
In Eureka, they hire cops based on stupidity.
Violent, misogynistic morons rule the day.
How many women have these pigs raped?
If you’re a hateful hillbilly, apply to be a cop,
Because in Eureka the bigotry never stops.
If you’re a taxpayer, watch what you say!
Because you may get “face shot” today.
Small, little men who were bullied as kids
Are the bullies now with guns called pigs.
Hey Eureka pig, just because your IQ is low,
Doesn’t mean you should be hired, y’know?
But if you’re someone’s son, the job’s yours!
“Good Old Boys” network to blame for sure.
Bo Duke & Luke Duke from Hazzard County
Got a racist looking car from ol’ Uncle Jesse.
That cherry red car is called the General Lee.
Because of the Confederate flag, you see.
Watched the Dukes of Hazzard in the 1980s.
One reason only – for that Daisy Duke lady!
Republican David Duke who ran for Pres.
Was once the Grand Dragon of the KKK.
Maybe that bigoted, Trumptarded neo-Nazi
Will be the new Eureka P.D. chief someday.
Jake Pickering, Arcata, Calif.