SGV

Come back often to this page to keep up with what is most important to our San Gabriel Valley residents, businesses and our neighbors.

Transportation - the Planning Void
On August 10th, the Pasadena Star News published an article on the failure of CARB to make land-use decisions a primary part of the plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Senate Bill SB375 will ensure that the impact of greenhouse gas emissions will be included in regional and transportation planning. Click here to read the full story.

Sales-tax Measure Causes Rift
On August 6th, the Pasadena Star News published an article on the battle between the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Metro regarding the sales tax measure. The Board voted to opposed putting the measure on the November ballot and Metro has announced they plan on sueing the Board. Click here to read the full story.

SoPas Reverses Stance on 710 Freeway Extension Bill
On August 5th, the Pasadena Star News published an article on South Pasadena's stance regarding the 710 tunnel. Previously, the City opposed the freeway extension, but has just voted to support a bill that authorized Metro to seek funding for the tunnel. The change was due to new language. Click here to read the full story.

Approval of Metro's Proposed Sales Tax Measure, Measure T
On July 24th, Metro approved for Measure T, the half-cent sales tax increase measure, to be put on the November ballot, 9 to 2. The COG was not in support of the measure as it stood on July 24th due to the inequity of allocated funds per Metro's proposed expenditure plan, released July 16th. On July 28th, John Fasana, the SGV Representative on the Metro Board of Directors, wrote a letter addressing some of the issues. Click here to read the letter, without attached ammendments.

MTA Tax Measure Goes to Ballot
On July 24th, the Pasadena Star News published an article on the MTA Boards' decision to put the half-cent sales tax on the November ballot. The measure faced both opposition and approval from a wide variety of individuals and groups. The issue of equity is a key factor in most opposing views. Many feel the bill has come a long way from its original form. Click here to read the full story.

Questions for the MTA
On July 23rd, the Pasadena Star News published an editorial on the proposed half-cent sales tax increase. The article expresses the author's agreement with Supervisor Mike Antonovich and other San Gabriel Valley legislators, whose view is that the MTA should not adopt the measure as it currently stands. The issue is equity - each geographical subregion should receive their "fair share" of funding. Click here to read the full story.

MTA Weighs Tax Measure
On July 23rd, the Pasadena Star News published an article discussing the MTA meeting on the proposed half cent sales tax increase. The meeting will take place on July 24th at 9:30 am and MTA will determine whether the meaure will go on the November ballot. Click here to read the full story.

State Grants Will Boost Valley Water Projects
On July 23rd, the Pasadena Star News published an article on the funding received for 14 water projects in LA County. Five of the projects are located in the San Gabriel Valley and will recieve $11.5 million of the $15 million awarded in funds. Click here to read the full story.

710 Tunnel Funds on tax Proposal
On July 16th, the Pasadena Star News published an article on the draft copy of a project list for a proposed half-cent sales tax increase. The draft mentions an allocation of $780 million for a tunnel to connect the 710 and 210 freeways. The possibility of a connector has been a key issue for some time and the proposed funds have stirred some debates. Click here to read the full story.

Metro San Gabriel Valley Governance Council Vacancy
The San Gabriel Valley Governance Council has a vacancy for a transit consumer - one who uses public transit - that lives and/or works within the San Gabriel Valley area. The member should be available to paricipate in monthly meetings and some other events. Applications are due no later than August 22nd.
Please visit http://www.metro.net/about_us/service_sectors/sgv/jobs_sgv.htm or call Paula Faust at (626) 454-2802 for more information. Click here for the PDF version of the application. Click here for the word version of the application.

Getting Our Fair Share
On July 12th, the Pasadena Star News published the first of a series of editorials on transportation funding in the San Gabriel Valley. The first editorial deals with the proposed half cent sales tax increase in Los Angeles County. According to the analysis done by the COG, the San Gabriel Valley will be receiving less funding than they should be. Click here to read the full story.

Strength in Numbers
On July 13th, the Pasadena Star News published the second of a series of editorials on transportation funding in the San Gabriel Valley. The second editorial focused on the recent Metro decision against funding the 20% of the Gold Line Foothill Extension that is necessary to receive federal funding for the project. This is due to the inequity in respresentation on the MTA Board. The solution is to add more members to represent San Gabriel Valley and Gateway Cities. Click here to read the full story.

Traffic, Smog Must be Curbed
On July 8th, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin published an editorial on the proposed fee on the transport of cargo containers. This fee would be used to lessen traffic congestion and smog. The bill, proposed by Senator Alan Lowenthal, has not been passed yet, but it is the opinion of the author that it should be. Click here to read the full story.

Gas Prices Nudge Southern California Drivers into Mass Transit - Slowly
On July 8th, the Los Angeles Times published an article on the increase in transit use due to gas prices. As a result of the dramatic increase in gas prices, more individuals are taking transit to get to and from work. Although the time spent on te road is slightly more than driving, even in traffic, most individuals do not mind. They take this time to sleep or do extra work. It has even changed the mindsets of many individuals who previously looked down upon using transit. Click here to read the full story.

Jack Phillips Awards 2008
On June 19th, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments held the fourth annual Jack Phillips Awards Ceremony. The first president of the COG, Terry Dipple, was honored for his work in establishing the COG, among other achievements. Former Azusa Mayor Cristina Cruz-Madrid was honored for her work in helping to create the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and other accomplishments. Click here to see pictures from the ceremony.

Water Recycling Advances
On June 6th, the Pasadena Star News published an article on the recycled water project. The project is in its third phase and will bring water from bathrooms to local parks, cemeteries, schools and golf courses. This will conserve drinking water and reduce energy consumption. Click here to read the full story.

Show Off Their Strength
On June 20th, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune published an editorial on the recent Jack Phillips Awards Ceremony, particularly in regards to the awardees. This was the fourth annual ceremony, which celebrates individuals that helped make a difference in the San Gabriel Valley through their political efforts. This year, Cristina Cruz-Madrid and Terry Dipple were honored. Click here to read the full story.

New Chinatown Grows in Far East San Gabriel Valley
On June 29th, the Los Angeles Times published an article on the growing Chinese community within some of the cities in the San Gabriel Valley. Many individuals feel as though they have never left China, commenting on the culture, language, food, and even level of education. Click here to read the full story.

The SGVCOG, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association, presented a forum on gang activity, programs, and services on Friday, June 13th at the San Gabriel Hilton. Over 100 individuals were in attendance, including many of the Valley's Police Chiefs and Elected Officials. Several individuals from print and television media were also in attendance. Thanks to the help of Chief Kim Raney, guest speakers included, among others, Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Constance Rice of the Advancement Project, Sheriff Lee Baca, and State Attorney General Jerry Brown. Click here to see pictures of the event in pdf format. Click here to see a La Canada Valley Sun newspaper article describing the event.

SGVCOG Strategic Planning Session
On May 22nd, the Pasadena Star News published an editorial by the COG's President, David Spence, on our Agency's recent planning session. Click here to read the full story. The full updated Strategic Plan can be viewed under the "About Us" section of this website.

Congestion Pricing Fact Sheet
Due to the recent interest in congestion pricing and the possible introduction of a congestion mitigation fee, METRO has developed a fact sheet on congestion pricing. Click here to view the fact sheet.

Asian Media Luncheon
The Asian American Population and media play an increasingly significant role in the San Gabriel Valley region, with Chinese-speakers comprising one-third of the residents of the cities in the East San Gabriel Valley and speakers of other Asian languages, including Vietnamese, Korean and Tagalog, are well-represented throughout the region. In an effort to strengthen the COG's relationship with the members of the Asian media, the COG held an Asian American Media Outreach lunchen. This luncheon was a kick-off effort aimed at building stronger relationships between members of the Asian Media and local officials who represent Asian American constituents. click here to view pictures from the April 24th event.

Proposed Emissions Levy in London

On April 3rd, the Los Angeles Times published an article about a proposed $50-a-day carbon emissions fee on private gas-guzzling vehicles. The goal is to prevent individuals from purchasing high emissions vehicles in order to preserve the economy. A similar program has been decreed by the mayor for high-polluting trucks, which must pay a fee of $400 a day. Click here to read the full story.

Ramp Metering on the I-210
On February 23rd the Pasadena Star News published an article about ramp metering along the I-210 that will be in operation in two weeks. Click here to read the full story.

Additionally, on February 27th, staff from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) hosted a public hearing to update progress on the I-210 metering project. Click here for the full presentation.

Governor Proposes Use of $170 million in Bond Funding for the Railroads
On February 11th, the Los Angeles Times published an article about the Schwarzenegger administration's plan to use $170 million in voter-approved bond money for projects benefiting two private railroads, the Union Pacific Railroad and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. This proposal has drawn opposition from some Southern California officials who want the funds for road improvements and other projects. Click here to read the full story.

Metro votes to delay Gold Line Funding
On January 25th, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) voted to exclude the proposed Gold Line rail extension from Pasadena to Montclair from a list of funded projects. While the Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority had hoped break ground later this year, with initial service to Azusa and Glendora in late 2009, they now anticipate delays of a year or longer. Metro Board Member John Fasana (Duarte) is still working to ensure that the Gold Line be placed on the list of funded projects later this year. Click here to read the full story.

Rowland Heights considers pursuing incorporation
On December 26th, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune published an article about Rowland Heights residents' recent efforts to seek incorporation. Residents are concerned about possible annexations by neighboring cities that would result in large housing developments. Click here to read the full story.