Today's Coastal Commission hearing on the extension of the 241 Toll Road in South Orange County is still going on.  It is mind blowing the care and effort that goes into the crazy opposition's arguments to stop a road because it may or may not impact a population of Pocket Mice.

Depending on when they update it, the brave and lonely can see the whole meeting by clicking on the link for Feb. 6 when.

There were lots of local elected officials there in Oceanside for the hearing, among them was Neil Blais, a client of mine and a Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman/candidate for the 71st Assembly District.  He testified in favor of the new road.

His testimony is below:

Mr. Chairman, Commissioners thank you for allowing me to speak before you this evening.  My name is Neil Blais and I am a founder and current Mayor of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.  By way of introduction, Rancho Santa Margarita is sandwiched between Mission Viejo and the Cleveland National Forest south of Irvine.  More importantly, the 241 bisects our city and is our major transportation corridor for movement throughout Southern California. 

Let me put our City in perspective.  There are 39,748 toll road transponders registered in our city of 50,000 people.  This represents a ratio of 2.4 transponders per parcel or nearly 1 transponder for each adult resident.  In December our residents produced nearly $1.2 million in revenue for the TCA - fully 32% more revenue than the next highest city.

I am representing my residents and City Council in urging you to support the completion of the 241 toll road.  There are three points that RSM considers of particular concern.  They are: 

1) Reduced travel times and congestion,

2) Access to southern beaches, and

3) Public safety.

Many of our residents access the toll road every day.  Once on the toll road we can get to nearly any business center in Irvine, Newport Beach, or Costa Mesa within a half hour. 

Because of the 241, we have easy and quick access to many locations in the Inland Empire.  In fact, getting to the Ontario Airport takes approximately 45 minutes - this compared to the same 40 minutes it may take us to get to downtown San Juan Capistrano.

To the residents of our City, the completion of the 241 South was never in question.  Our business community and residents have long considered this an eventuality and we look forward to the mobility and access that this will provide to us. 

It is easy for us to remember life before the 241.  At that time, getting to Laguna Beach could take up to an hour.  Now we have access to Laguna Beach in as little as 20 minutes.  Within an hour our residents have access to Newport Beach or Huntington Beach - clearly substantial improvements over the past. 

Access to San Onofre is still poor.  Just getting to the 5 Freeway can take up to 20 minutes.  Our residents do not see this road as an issue to fight over, rather they see this road as a necessary improvement to mobility and quality of life that is long overdue.  They have demonstrated their willingness to pay for this convenience.

Finally, I want to stress how this road enhances the safety and security of my city.  My experience comes not only from being my city's representative to the Orange County Fire Authority Board, but as an emergency management professional with over 15 years of disaster related experience. 

This road is a vital link that can help move people and equipment quickly in times of need, it has been major weapon in the fight against wildfires, and occasionally a place to make a stand.  The Santiago fire is only one of several fires where the 241 played this key role. 

During the Santiago Fire, the City of Lake Forest hosted evacuees at the local high school.  Many of those staying at the shelter were from the Fallbrook, a city that is normally a little over an hour from Lake Forest.  The evacuees spoke of the 5 hour trip to reach the evacuation center. 

If the 241 South was open this trip would have been significantly shorter and safer.  Clearly this demonstrates the need for an additional north/south route and that is the 241.

Thank you.