Arcadia: June 2008 Archives

Local politicians had some harsh words for MTA officials today at a meeting unveiling a plan for toll roads along San Gabriel Valley freeways.

Reporter Dan Abendschein attended the meeting, which he said focused more on MTA's lack of funding for local projects rather than the proposal for HOV lanes on the 10 and 210 freeways.

Here are some snippets of information from Abendschein:

"Before I would even consider this plan, I would have to be assured that we see serious funding for the Gold Line," said Assemblyman Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina.

If the plan is approved, MTA would receive $214 million in federal money, which it could use to spend on additional bus and van service to use the lanes.

Richard Katz, an MTA board member appointed by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, told the Los Angeles Times last week that MTA should not approve the Gold Line unless the toll lane project is approved.

"It wouldn't make sense for us to fund the Gold Line at the same time that [some members of Congress] are trying to take money away from congestion pricing," said Katz. "That doesn't make sense to me. If you're going to oppose this chance to get $213 million, why should we support 80 million over there?"

Sounds like the transportation debate could get heated...

In the Arcadia arboretum, money does grow on trees. Well, those running it are spending money it like it does.

Fred Ortega reported this weekend that a county budget found that the Los Angeles
County Arboretum exceeded its operating budget by $1.5 million over the past three years.

Over a three year period, the $1 million annual budget was exceeded about $450,000 each year.

Among the findings was there was nearly $10,000 worth of expenditures that had nothing to do with arboretum purposes.

But the highlight of the story was that the chief executive officer, Mark Wourms -- who didn't return calls for comment -- is leaving his position to take another arboretum position in Kentucky.