LiberalOC bloggers Chris Prevatt and Dan Chmielewski are probably going to hate me after this one, but that’s exactly why TheLiberalOC isn’t a one-man-show. I’d love to see one of them post a counter to this not-so-liberal post I’m about to write. (Is that a challenge?)
So here’s my declaration: Steve Greenhut’s anti-measure M editorial in today’s register makes a lot of sense. So much sense that I’m thinking that I won’t be voting for renewing the measure in November.
The most poignant question raised is “Why now?†Really, why rush this? The current sales tax doesn’t expire until 2011, and OCTA has plenty of time to perfect (or what Greenhut calls ‘reform’) the current plan.
I’m worried that when renewed, OCTA will waste more money talking about the silly Centerline or impractical light rail system here in OC. Once the measure passes, the money can easily get routed toward such a thingâ€â€remember back a couple of years when we wasted plenty of cash on Centerline surveys and mailers.
Don’t confuse me for a Greenhut lover. A few of the argument in his editorial (especially his disapproval of 25% of the Measure M money going toward mass transit) are weak. But I still need someone to tell my why we need to approve Measure M right now, and why it has to be identical to daddy.
[Steve Greenhut’s 10 Reasons @ OC Register]
I’m just waiting for Greenhut to come out with his own 12-Step Program.
“Step 1: Acknowledge you are powerless before the OC Register editorial staff.”
Another reason to vote no on M is that the M consultant is none other than Pringle buddy Jeff Flint. Vote No on M! Make Flint work for his money…
Wow, this is really weird!
Now I’ll have to disgaree with you on this, Mike.
Though I’m no Curt Pringle fan, I am a fan of Measure M! These funds have provided Orange County with much-needed funds for transportation improvements, such as the 22 Expansion and the 55-405 interchange. Also Measure M helped pay for the development of our bus lines, and for Metrolink commuter rail service. If Measure M is allowed to expire soon, then what will happen to all of these?
Oh, and I’ve got to add this: I hope the CenterLine is brought back for serious discussion. I’m sorry, but WE NEED BETTER MASS TRANSIT IN OC! We need a fast and easy alternative to our constantly clogged freeways. We need to complement our bus system with another mass transit option which would quickly move people throughout the more urban areas of the county. If Anaheim and Huntington Beach can agree on a new commuter rail line that will transport numerous tourists from one popular vacation destination to another, why can’t we extend this to the rest of the region for the use of many more residents?
We need the CenterLine for our future, and we need Measure M to move us toward a brighter future.
Dunno about the rest of y’all, but I always pictured Steve Greenhut to be a shriveled old guy, kinda like Mr. Burns in the Simpsons.
The guy in the photos is, well, kinda cute. A bit tougher to disagree with this hunky fella.
I think few people expect this to pass this time around, it’s kind of a trial balloon. They’ll take the criticisms and rework it to something more palatable before putting it to the voters again next time around.
Hey Anon. Seen him in person. You’ll change your mind about him being cute when you finally meet him.
And he has the personality of a doorknob.
Mike — If all progressives, liberals and Democrats marched in lick step on every isude, we’d be … Republicans.
My approach to Steve’s column; he hates any government program and everything is always better handled through the private sector; not sure what Privtae sector choices could replace Measure M but our transportation woes in the OC are only going to get worse not better unless we do something about it.