header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Commentary by Andrew G. Fried
| Saturday, Apr 25, 2015
Andrew G. Fried

Andrew G. Fried

If you don’t like the idea of the state bulldozing your home or church to clear the path for a high-speed train, then now is the time to be heard.

The city of Santa Clarita is encouraging residents of Santa Clarita, Acton, Agua Dulce and the San Fernando Valley to attend an emergency community meeting 7 p.m. Monday, April 27, in the gymnasium at Canyon High School, 19300 Nadal Street, in Santa Clarita.

Safe Action for the Environment Inc. advocates that residents speak up now, before it is too late. SAFE is a nonprofit organization that advocates for safe air, water and environmental conditions for local residents, domestic animals and wildlife. While we have primarily focused our efforts on the battle to prevent the Cemex mine from being developed in Soledad Canyon, we also advocate on other quality-of-life issues such as this one.

And make no mistake: The California High Speed Rail Authority’s bullet train could put a bullet through our communities’ quality of life.

hsr_meeting042715The high-speed train is planned at a cost well into the tens of billions of dollars to connect San Francisco to Los Angeles. Two of the routes under consideration could result in the removal of schools, churches, homes and businesses in our local communities, not to mention the additional impacts of having a high-speed train zipping through town in close proximity to whatever hasn’t been bulldozed.

SAFE joins Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean and the city, the Agua Dulce and Acton town councils, the organization “Acton-Agua Dulce Against High Speed Rail” and a myriad of other groups, associations and individuals in advocating for an “east corridor alignment” that would not negatively impact neighborhoods and communities. But you can’t wait any longer: In order for the California High Speed Rail Authority to hear our communities’ voices, we must act now.

Attending the emergency community meeting on Monday is a great way to start by sending the message to the governor and the California High Speed Rail Authority that we will not sit idly and be bullied by the bullet train.

 

Andrew G. Fried is president of Safe Action for the Environment Inc.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

19 Comments

  1. Can you please post a map of the proposed route. Thank you!

  2. Brad James Brad James says:

    It was voted on by the people. Bring the train.

    • No Brad, what is now happening isn’t what we voted for. It is going to cost a whole lot more…read more of our tax dollars…and it isn’t going to go as fast. The private sector isn’t stepping up to be a part of the funding, as was purported. Nothing is as what we voted for.

    • Brad James Brad James says:

      That may or may not be the case John but that’s not what this thread is about if you read the commentary above.

  3. We need water and schools .

  4. That time this is done we will all be 80

  5. Dave Warburton says:

    The political leaders in the valley have gotten folks in a lather over HSR. The number of people directly affected would be rather small — far less than the 14 freeway would hit if it were being built now. Whether or not you favor the HSR project, the uproar over this is too much. No one in the direct path of the route will be in favor of it so that is a given. however, society recognizes the occasional need for infrastructure improvements to be made and that just compensation must be paid to those who have to sacrifice their property for the greater good.

    Keep the discussion on the merits of HSR and not on the small footprint it will make

  6. Sara Jones says:

    We need rain and a snow pack, those are the items that produce water not legislation.

  7. I’d like to see a map of the route too please and thanks

  8. I’d like to see a map of the route too please and thanks

  9. Mark Natzke Mark Natzke says:

    we dont need a train and who really voted for this BS we do need water or to quit building because there is not enough water for the homes we already have here in LA

  10. Ken Pricher Ken Pricher says:

    Don’t reroute it, scrap it!

  11. Kristin says:

    “Safe Action for the Environment Inc.” Really?

    The biggest environmental crime would be to allow any of the East Corridor routes to be built, so one has to wonder at the complete hypocrisy of this author.

    • SCVNews.com says:

      SAFE has been around for a couple of decades. It has led the successful (so far) effort to block a sand & gravel mega-mine.

  12. Cesar Medina Cesar Medina says:

    Send it. Build the infrastructure. Tax base and update the community.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com