241 Toll Road: You Can't Serve Two Masters...Part 2
Posted by: Jubal | 03/10/2008 9:02 AM
Several days ago, I posted about how LA-based public affairs powerhouse consulting firm Cerrell Associates is fighting the completion of the 241 toll road on behalf of one client -- the California State Parks Association (CSPA) -- while serving as media and public relations consultants to the pro-241 Southern California Association of Government (SCAG) to the tune of $250,000.
Besides the obvious question of a conflict of interest, it occurred to me at the time how this triangle creates an odd situation regarding media inquiries to SCAG about the 241.
After all, SCAG's website lists a Mr. Jeff Lustgarten at Cerrell Associates as their contact for media inquiries. So if you are member of the media contacting SCAG about why they support completing the 241, you contact the PR agency that is trying to convince the public that completing the 241 is a bad idea.
The LA Times' David Reyes had a story in Friday's edition about SCAG's warning letter about the serious consequences of failure to complete the 241 (long a component of SCAG's Regional Transportation Plan). I don't know if David dealt with Cerrell while writing his story, but it would have extra interesting if he'd been looking for an anti-241 quote from the CSPA, as well. Two quotes with one phone call.
Besides the obvious question of a conflict of interest, it occurred to me at the time how this triangle creates an odd situation regarding media inquiries to SCAG about the 241.
After all, SCAG's website lists a Mr. Jeff Lustgarten at Cerrell Associates as their contact for media inquiries. So if you are member of the media contacting SCAG about why they support completing the 241, you contact the PR agency that is trying to convince the public that completing the 241 is a bad idea.
The LA Times' David Reyes had a story in Friday's edition about SCAG's warning letter about the serious consequences of failure to complete the 241 (long a component of SCAG's Regional Transportation Plan). I don't know if David dealt with Cerrell while writing his story, but it would have extra interesting if he'd been looking for an anti-241 quote from the CSPA, as well. Two quotes with one phone call.
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241 Tollroad
Len: Let sleeping dogs lie. What is the point of this post?...
Obviously not building Foothill-South will result in worsening traffic congestion on the I-5 and idling cards result in more air pollution.
How ironic that Foothill-South would have put the region in environmental compliance from an air quality perspective. The region could now lose millions in federal funding for other, seemingly unrelated traffic improvement projects because the militant Coastal Commission doesn't care about our air quality and vetoed the project that would've put the region in air quality compliance.
Even worse, even projects that rely solely on local funding (read: Measure M) will not be permitted to proceed until Foothill-South is approved for completion.
So even if you don't care about balancing traffic relief with environmental protection, and care ONLY about reducing air pollution, you should be in favor of the completion of Foothill-South.
Thanks for keeping us updated on this issue. I hope this story does not die.
As I posted on your previous article.
The Toll Road isn't about easing traffic, its about more development in South Orange County, which will increase traffic not ease it. If you want to ease traffic you need to get serious about mass transit. Without the toll road developments will not be approved becuase the traffic studies will not allow it.
More people, more cars, more traffic, more pollution.
At some point you have to ask yourself how much "development" do we want in this county? If you want we could look like Hong Kong.
Get real. The 241 Toll Extention is about $$$$$ in some peoples pockets,not about traffic.