San Gabriel Valley politicians John Fasana and Barbara Messina have blocked Glendale City Councilman Ara Najarian’s confirmation to the Metro Board of Directors by urging selection committee members outside of his constituency to vote against him because of his opposition to the 710 tunnel proposal.
Najarian was unanimously nominated by cities in the North Valley/
San Fernando Valley region, representing one million constituents and including Glendale, for another four-year term on the Metropolitan Transportation Agency Board of Directors beginning January 2013.
An effective advocate for local transportation issues, Najarian has been a lone voice on the Metro board asking tough questions about cost estimates and expected truck traffic increases with a 710 extension via a 5-mile freeway tunnel to the 210.
According to LA Streetsblog’s report on their unprecedented move to block Najarian’s unanimous nomination:
In essence, both Fasana and Messina are complaining that Najarian is representing the wishes of his constituency too well and are doing their best to blunt that advocacy. Being on the Metro Board of Directors is not for the faint of heart.
Ara Najarian intends to reconvene the North County cities, gain another nomination, and seek a second vote confirming his nomination, according to Friday’s City of Glendale press release. Elected officials in Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, Burbank, San Fernando and others would be well-advised to loudly support Najarian’s confirmation among their colleagues outside the North Valley region.
Who will Barbara Messina try to take down next? Anthony Portantino (yes, I do realize he just left office), Adam Schiff, Carol Liu or one of the other elected officials that have also vocally objected to the folly that is the 710 tunnel and demanded answers to the same questions that Najarian has posed to Metro? This is just one more example of unethical behavior from someone who is unable to demonstrate the kind of leadership and character that Najarian has.