The answer is simple. Our elected officials take no chances. Their primary objective is re-election. The majority of electorate doesn’t care who holds office as long as it is a Democrat. Thus the city and county continue down the same beaten path.
The mayor started his administration with a bang by discharging department heads that did not meet his performance expectations. He talked tough about standing up to the labor unions. Now when the rubber meets the road he has failed to take the steps address the real issues facing this city. The Los Angeles 2020 Commission, which was commissioned by the city council, has received no public attention at all. That commission recommended 13 actions needed by the city. The proposals have been referred to a committee. You can bet that we will never hear about their ideas again.
Reducing the gross receipts business tax for some groups by 2016 is too late and too little. Re-organization of city government means reducing bureaucracy. The rising numbers of poor and the declining middle class says this is city is following a path set by Detroit. Eric Garcetti is foremost a politician. I am betting he sees himself running for governor after Jerry Brown leaves office.
I have always wondered why the Orange Line Busway was built in the San Fernando Valley rather than the light rail that is being extended throughout Los Angeles County. The answer came at a townhall event held by the new State Assemblyman, Matt Debabneh.
In Debabneh’s commentary about improving public transportation he said former Assemblyman Alan Robbins had a law passed banning the construction of any above-ground rail transit project from North Hollywood to Hazeltine Avenue in Van Nuys. Robbins’ motivation was the area’s large Orthodox Jewish community who were particularly vocal in its opposition, primarily due to concerns about the safety of rail crossings for pedestrians during the Sabbath. They had no safety concerns for the rest of the week.
Now finally the Assembly Transportation Committee unanimously approved a repeal a 20-year-old bill that banned the construction of light rail in the Valley, which resulted in the Orange Line bus system being built. The bill (AB 577) was passed in the full assembly 73 to 7.
The proposed repeal is now has now been referred to Standing Committee on Transportation and Housing. A member of that committee is Fran Pavely who represents the West San Fernando Valley. Her office says she has no control over setting priorities in the committee. That is the chairman’s job. She has no voice?
Then there is the 47 acre Rocketdyne property in Canoga Park. Now that it has been vacated what will its next use be? This is a property that employed thousands of engineers and technicians in well paid jobs. State Assemblyman, Matt Debabneh said he had no problem with another retail and hotel development offering low paid jobs.
So where is the middle class? Consider Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Agoura, and Thousand Oaks. Those are areas that have decent schools, paved streets, and low crime.
That is the reason Los Angeles is destined to become the next Detroit. It won’t happen next year. Visit this area in ten years and you will notice a further decline.
West San Fernando Valley 