Opponents of completing the Foothill-South toll road have hired some high-powered political talent to assist their campaign to "save" Trestles, the habitat of the steelhead trout somebody thinks they saw once upon a time, the Arroyo Toad and anything else that might come in handy in stopping the 241.

Matt Klink of Cerrell Associates of Los Angeles and Joe Rodota of Forward Observer of Sacramento have been brought on board by...I don't know yet. I have calls in to both Klink and Rodota.

Obviously, 241 completion proponents like myself aren't excited at this news, since Klink and Rodota are pros who are good at what they do. However, they're also out-of-county firms up against a local project that is supported by most area residents. Which is probably what those who have hired Klink and Rodota are trying to change by hiring them.

Stay tuned...

UPDATE (8:35 p.m.): I spoke with Matt Klink late this afternoon. He said Cerrell Associates was hired by the California State Parks Association this July as their public affairs consultant (Cerrell is a full-service public/political affairs firm) to assist them in their various areas of interest. Since the CSPA is vehemently opposed ot completing the 241, that will be an area in which Cerrell Associates will assist them, but Klink said they were not hired specifically and solely for that task.

I haven't heard back from Joe Rodota, so I don't know exactly what their role it.