EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP MATTERS.MARK your calendars - this is a historic time in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . For the first time in decades, civic, community and political leaders have worked together for the good of the entire community. The vote Thursday by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board to create an east-west Valley busway is a major achievement. It's a small step for Valley commuters, and a giant leap for Valley leadership. The busway comes after decades of disappointment, with the Valley's weak leadership and internal conflicts playing into the hands of the downtown power structure. That's how Valley residents lost out on subway and light-rail service while traffic congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. has become almost unbearable. There were plenty of obstacles to overcome this time, too: NIMBYism, community infighting in·fight·ing n. 1. Contentious rivalry or disagreement among members of a group or organization: infighting on the President's staff. 2. Fighting or boxing at close range. , the MTA's indifference and the obstructionism ob·struc·tion·ist n. One who systematically blocks or interrupts a process, especially one who attempts to impede passage of legislation by the use of delaying tactics, such as a filibuster. of Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California . But no one could stop this Valley juggernaut. There are many who deserve credit: Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg secured $145 million in state transportation funds for the project. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky Zev Yaroslavsky (born December 21, 1948) is a Los Angeles County politician. He served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1975 until 1994, when he was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He was preceded in both offices by Edmund D. Edelman. , a onetime busway foe, went on to become one of its most valuable supporters after seeing what rapid buses have done for Brazil. Local leaders like Richard Katz (co-chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association) and David Fleming (chairman of the Economic Alliance) helped build the necessary political momentum. In the recent state budget negotiations, we saw more of this sort of quality, dedicated leadership. Thanks to Hertzberg, Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Tony Cardenas and Senate Majority Whip Richard Alarcon, the Valley will for once be getting its fair share of what Hertzberg calls ``projects of regional concern - porc.'' (Others may call it pork. We call it overdue.) It's a refreshing change for a region whose leaders historically have been too weak or too beholden be·hold·en adj. Owing something, such as gratitude, to another; indebted. [Middle English biholden, past participle of biholden, to observe; see behold. to downtown to fight for local interests. But it's just the beginning. The east-west busway must be followed by a north-south busway (Hertzberg has already obtained $100 million in state funding), and the MTA (1) (Message Transfer Agent or Mail Transfer Agent) The store and forward part of a messaging system. See messaging system. (2) See M Technology Association. 1. (messaging) MTA - Message Transfer Agent. needs to expand its services and cut down its bloat. Burbank and Glendale leaders must step forward to ensure that their communities aren't overlooked in linking quality bus service to the North Hollywood link between the subway and busway. There's still a long way to go, but we know that with the right leadership, it can be done. |
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