Tyler Holcomb

New Eric Hall video: the Balloon for Noone

By Tyler Holcomb | 05/29/09

Eric Hall has another video showing Irvine tax dollars being lonely. Eric is on a roll. After two youTube videos on Irvine's empty iShuttle, he points his camera at another Larry Agran pet project: the Great Park Balloon. Enjoy the mirth and be glad that you're not an Irvine taxpayer. read more »

iShuttle cost saving idea

By Tyler Holcomb | 05/26/09

Eric Hall has created an iShuttle video that examines how much the City of Irvine is spending per rider -- and suggests a novel cost savings. Eric writes, "You may have heard of the "bridge to nohwere" ($400MM bridge in Alaska to an island of just 50 people) but did you know Irvine, CA has it's own 'shuttle for nobody?' " read more »

Is our city learning?

By Tyler Holcomb | 05/15/09

Irvine is discontinuing Route C and cutting mid-day iShuttle service, saving $600,000. Too bad this is a step towards spending $250,000,000. Someone at the City of Irvine has apparently noticed that no one is riding the iShuttle, as depicted on youtube: Effective Monday, May 18th, midday service routeswill be discontinued as the City of Irvine focuses on its busy morning, late afternoon and evening commuter routes to the Tustin Metrolink... read more »

Where are the OC Supes on the May 19 Props?

By Tyler Holcomb | 05/14/09

Why is a Ventura Supe robocalling OC Republicans when there are five Republican Supes right here in Orange County? I just got a robocall from Ventura Supervisor Peter Foy asking fellow Republicans to vote against Prop 1A. No problem there: Mrs Tylerh has already voted against all the props, and I plan to do so on May 19th. But why did I get a call from a Ventura Supe when we have five Republican Supes right here in Orange... read more »

Irvine's iShuttle: the video

By Tyler Holcomb | 05/12/09

Irvine residents Eric Hall and Francine Verbarg have made this short youTube video about Irvine's very own bus line, the iShuttle.  Who knew empty buses could be interesting?   update: some folks seem to be having problems playing the video.  You can also watch the video at youTube. read more »

Should I be glad that IRWD is hiking my water rates?

By Tyler Holcomb | 05/05/09

Yesterday I got a notice from IRWD that my water bill will be going up. My first thought was "why does an government agency with a billion dollar surpluss need more money?" However, I don't know much about water issues [*], so I am asking the Red County commentariat: what should I think about this rate hike?  Below are seven opinions -- which do or don't make sense to you?   Opinion 1.  Any agency with a... read more »

Adam Probolsky & Obama-nomics

By Tyler Holcomb | 05/01/09

Adam Probolsky seems to have uncharacteristically fallen under the sway of Obama-nomics in his weekly Irvine World News column.  This week's column discusses the decline of Quail Hill Village Center, an upscale strip mall for Quail Hill and adjacent neighborhoods. As readers of the Irvine Housing Blog know, Quail Hill is replete with foreclosures, short sales, and negative equity. Little wonder the local retail is... read more »

The Basics on the OC Supervisor's Planned Parenthood vote

By Tyler Holcomb | 04/29/09

Matt has been in high dudgeon over the Supes torpedoing a program proven to reduce teen pregnancies. One can forgive Matt his excitably: he is deeply Pro-Life. But an issue this important requires measured discussion. 1.  By the county's own analysis, no Measure H money has ever gone to fund an abortion or any other clinical care at Planned Parenthood.  The sole fiduciary issue was an education program to reduce teen pregnancy. The... read more »

Supes Consider Gag Rule

By Tyler Holcomb | 04/28/09

This Tuesday OC Supervisors will vote on the use of Tobacco Settlement Revenues (TSR) for community heath clinics.  Jubal suggests the vote is about cleanly exiting the final months of the contract with Planned Parenthood. The recommendations in the staff report reveal a broader agenda. The Supes are seeking to insert themselves between doctor and patient by dictating what can and can not be discussed in clinics.  It's not just... read more »

Planned Parenthood Saves Taxpayers' Money

By Tyler Holcomb | 04/28/09

Planned Parenthood is, first and foremost,  a women's health care provider.  In 2007, 36% of services provided by Planned Parenthood were contraception, 31% were STD testing and treatment, 17% were cancer screening, and only 3% were abortions.  That year, Planned Parenthood made 4,912 adoption referrals.  Since the number of infants adopted domestically (excluding foster and relative adoption) is estimated to be 25,000~30,000... read more »