Inland Empire Progressive

This was another piece that I was going to write on why voters (specifically Democrats) should not support Pete Aguilar. Besides being a DINO (Democrat in Name Only), he sits on SANBAG’s Commuter Transit and Rail Committee which is railroading (pun intended) this project by the communities throat.  Redlands Rail is a transportation project that is doomed to failure. Not only did the Federal Transit Authority reject matching funds for this project, it is poorly designed. It just runs in a circle around Redlands and that’s it. In addition, the ridership will be low. How this is being paid for is that currently, all transit agencies are undergoing individual  Comprehensive Operational Analysis’ (COA) to determine their “efficiencies” . The cost of this analysis for Omintrans is about $1M dollars. During meetings with Omnitran’s employees AECOM (who is conducting the study), transparently admitted that it is conducting this study to achieve cost savings. So basically we are t...

Councilmember John Valdivia concerns that the SbX Project is a government funded boondoggle are unfounded. Even a website (now defunct) was established. He sites property owners that are affected by construction that will take place and wasted tax payer money to the tune of $200 million. $8 million of  taxpayer money was San Bernardino city Capital Funds to develop those properties to handle the 60 ft. buses that will soon be rolling down the E St. Corridor.  The federal government provided about $150+ million in matching funds for acquisition of buses and Omnitrans upgrades to handle 60 ft. buses. To me, the benefits of this project outweigh the costs. If you look at a zoning map of the properties that are along the corridor, most are zoned commercial. Even on the Loma Linda side this is the case. I would argue for an extension beyond the VA hospital to circle the commercial zones on Redlands Blvd. Development, construction, and materials are cheap. Now is the perfect tim...

Colton Sinkhole (Video provided by Inland Newpapers Group) (Link Removed) This is what happens when we continue to cut spending and don't invest in necessary infrastructure projects like roads and bridges. This sinkhole in Colton is one example, but throughout the Inland Empire we can see (and feel!) the degradation of our streets literally before our eyes. Temporary fixes like the one shown in the video are just that: TEMPORARY. Our society cannot continue to repair our infrastructure on patchwork basis. We need dedicated revenue streams if we are going to go foward with any type of long term engineering projects. My concern is that when the Spring showers come our streets and bridges will become to damaged to drive on.

I don't see why the Board Members of Omnitrans and SanBag do more to promote the transporation industry in our area? Most of the Members ride in cars because of the long commutes instead of the bus. This is not setting an example for our residents to follow. In addition, 40% of jobs are located outside of the county so the need for transportation is great. Finally, a well designed system can ensure we do not end up like traffic clogged L.A. Enjoy your commute, while it lasts!

Excited about the upcoming elections this year. With less than 60 days to go I am fired up and ready to work hard and win!

11 Mechanics, 20 something Coach Operators, 11 Management Personnel  are about to get laid off at Omnitrans. These are working families whose income depends on transportation funding from local sales tax, state revenue and federal revenue. "Working" Joe Baca provides transporation funding, but for construction projects  throughout San Bernardino. Isn't this Blue Dog Democrat supposed to be looking out for the working families of Omnitrans. How about stop gapping us $7.8 million in order to help working families keep their jobs?

Giving transit what it needs - latimes.com Posted using ShareThis

The governor has decided not only to take on unions in this budget battle, but also cut the whole public transportation budget in a bait and switch scheme to provide "relief" at the pump for POV driver's, while pocketing the rest to cover the shortfall in the general fund. Now not only are unionized transportation workers taking a hit because of it, but those who depend on public transportation to get to and from work will suffer because of it. Thank you Arnold and your conservative allies in the legislature for the low tax, small government rule. You just contributed about 3 to 4 percentage points to unemployment in the Inland Empire (2nd to Detroit). Yet we send the same jabronies to Sacramento every time. Conservative government service with a smile. Below is the link: http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_14259001