Come back often to this page to keep up with what is most important to our San Gabriel Valley residents, businesses and our neighbors.
Citizens sought for redistricting board Los Angeles County officials are encouraging citizens to apply for a seat on the new state Citizens Redistricting Commission by February 12th. The Commission will be holding meetings throughout the state to listen to citizens discuss their communities, neighborhoods, and issues. The information gathered in this process will be used to draw district maps with an equal number of citizens in each district. To read more about the Commission and how to apply click here.
SR-710 Tunnel Technical Study Team community meetings On Wednesday, January 20th, the first of six community meetings will take place to discuss the DRAFT Geotechnical Summary Report. This report was recently completed by the SR-710 Tunnel Technical Study Team, and the meetings will provide information on the outcome of field exploration work conducted during the study. The meeting will include a short presentation summarizing the geology, faulting, seismicity, material properties, hazardous materials and groundwater conditions within the Study's five zones. The date, time, and location of each meeting can be found on the SGVCOG's online calendar.
Freeways, roadways ready for facelifts On December 8th, the Pasadena Star News commended Metro and the efforts of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for securing approximately $400 million in ACE funds for transportation projects in the San Gabriel Valley. The article noted the San Gabriel Valley's historic lack of adequate freeway and roadway funds, but recognized that trend is changing. "A long range transportation plan approved by the Metro (MTA) board actually provides substational funding for our subregion's highways and roadways in the near future." Highlighting the Alameda Corridor East and the 605/10 interchange in Baldwin Park projects, the article recognizes these successes and acknowledges they "signal future improvements that will speed up travel times and also put more people to work." Click here to read the article.
Regional Connector will link up region On December 10th, the Pasadena Star News included an article that discussed their opinion of the Regional Connector line, a project that will link the Gold Line, Long Beach Blue Line, and future Exposition Line. The article supports the project as it will increase the efficiency of Los Angeles' rail system and will allow a rider to access Downtown L.A. and other L.A. area destinations from the San Gabriel Valley. By supporting the Regional Connector, the Pasadena Star News points out the project "would add riders to both Gold Line Eastside and Gold Line Foothill." Click here to read the full article.
Cities Touted for Energy Efficiency On December 1st, the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership hosted its First Annual Energy Efficiency Awards Luncheon at the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry. The event recognized four award-winning cities for their work with energy efficient projects: Alhambra, Claremont, El Monte, and San Marino. The Partnership aims to reduce the Valley's kilowatt hours of energy usage by 5,000,000 over a period of 5 years. The four cities recognized have all contributed greatly to the Partnership's kWh-savings goal and have improved the environment through their energy efficient projects. Click here to read about the event in the Pasadena Star News.
San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership offers LED Holiday Light Exchange to Residents
On November 21st, the San Gabriel Valley Energy Wise Partnership launched
its Holiday LED Light Exchange at Covina’s Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony. This event offers San Gabriel Valley residents that are Southern California Edison customers the opportunity to exchange their incandescent holiday light strings for ultra-efficient light strings. The event in Covina will be the first of five similar exchanges that will take place at various locations in the San Gabriel Valley during the months of November and December.Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, Chair of the COG Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee said, “A year ago the COG entered into a partnership with SCE to bring knowledge and resources to our community regarding the importance of energy efficiency. The LED Holiday Light Exchange is a perfect example of how this innovative collaboration benefits our cities, residents, and natural environment all at once.” Click here to read about it in the Pasadena Star News.
Gold Line Extension Slated for Funding in Metro's Adopted Transporation Plan
On October 22nd, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted to adopt the 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan. The San Gabriel Valley representatives on the Metro Board, including Supervisors Antonovich, Molina, and Knabe, and City of Duarte Mayor John Fasana, were successful in creating a cross-county partnership with other representatives on the Board that resulted in the accomplishment of the long sought-after objective to fund construction and operation of the Gold Line Extension Phase 2A (east Pasadena to Azusa). Click here to read the COG staff report and here to read Senator Bob Huff's op-ed in the Pasadena Star News.
San Bernardino Freeway (1-10) High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Project - Ground Breaking Ceremony On November 3rd, CalTrans and Metro will kick off the freeway widening construction project in a ground breaking ceremony. Click here for the event flyer.
Our View: In the Dark Over 710 Tunnel On September 5th, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune published an editorial focusing on the confusion surrounding the 710 Freeway tunnel. After 40 years of debate, the tunnel construction is still highly controversial and has sparked reactions from various San Gabriel Valley cities. Click here to read the editorial.
Our View: Northrop Grumman Steps Up On September 2nd, the Pasadena Star News published an editorial about the agreement defense contractor Northrop Grumman recently signed with the EPA. Agreeing to contribute $21 million "for building and running the Puente Valley operable unit, one of the five EPA-named projects that correspond with the polluted portions of the Valley's aquifer." This agreement has the potential to clean up the San Gabriel Valley's drinking water and water sources. Click here to read the editorial.
Gold Line Bridge Desiger Hope to Link San Gabriel Valley Traditions with Modern Design On August 25th, the Pasadena Star News published an article about Andrew Leicester, the artist chosen to design the "739-foot bridge that will stretch diagonally across the frewway from Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia." The bridge will be part of the Foothill Gold Line extension and is viewed as "an iconic gateway to the San Gabriel Valley." Click here to read the article.
New Federal Funding for the San Gabriel Mountains On August 5th, the Pasadena Star News published an article about the National Park Service's ongoing "special resource study" of the San Gabriel Mountains. It is hoped that this study will result in a special federal designation for this region, as well additional funding and other resources. Click here to read the article.
Our View: Three Lines for Region
On July 29th, the Pasadena Star News ' editorial discussed the three rail lines that would move people west and south of L.A., east of East L.A. Click here to read the editorial.
50% Chance of Water Rationing by Districts by Spring On January 13th, the Pasadena Star News reported on the MWD's announcement that water rationing may come to Southern California by spring. The policy is a result of a decision by the state Department of Fish and Game to restrict water deliveries to Southern California due to the pumping's adverse affect on a decreasing delta smelt population. Click here to read the article.
