(May 18, 2011, 2:10 p.m.) -- Roughly one hundred LB residents came to the May 17 LB City Council meeting to use the period for public comment on non-agendized issues to deliver a petition -- signed by roughly 1,800 residents -- urging the City Council to oppose capacity expansions at two WLB cargo-related railyards: the ICTF (UP RR) and So. Cal Int'l Gateway (BNSF).
Displaying the thick petition pages at the podium, veteran WLB advocate John Cross presented the petition wiih plain spoken political comments.
Mr. Cross said the largest number of petition signatures came from the 7th Council district with the second largest from the 1st district, and named Councilmembers James Johnson and Robert Garcia specifically.
Noting that the Council had just passed a resolution to stop the use of plasic grocery bags, and one speaker supporting that policy based on the death of a whale, Mr. Cross said:
"If whales can die because of eating plastic bags, our kids can die from breathing diesel particulate matter that's in the air caused by these railroads," he said.
Also speaking was a teacher Bernice Benares [sp?], an ELB resident who read a letter from Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB) President Michael Day urging the Council to oppose opposition to the projects. As read aloud, the letter said TALB members at Cabrillo High School, Hudson K-8, Webster Elementary, Stevens Middle School, Garfield and Muir Elementary "have long been active seeking remedies to the terrible pollution that exists where they work and where their students live. It is shameful that the city is considering expanding these railyards adjacent to these schools and communities that already exist in a diesel death zone...We ask that you formally oppose the SCIG and ICTF proposed projects and develop a community stakeholder group to develop safer, non-polluting alternatives to the SCIG and ICTF..."
Councilman James Johnson spoke after Mr. Cross (and before the teacher). He thanked the residents for advocating for their community and encouraged them to keep doing so., and said:
I do not support the projects as currently stated. This Council has spoken clearly on these issues. We want to zero emissions technology in the EIR. The Harbor Commission, following the Council's lead, has also spoken clearly, unanimously. They want to see zero emissions technology in the upcoming EIR.
...As I've said many times before, without change to the current dynamic, where growth comes at the expense of quality of life and health in our communtiies, I cannot support these projects and I suspect there will not be support for these projects.
If the will of the Council or that of the Harbor Commission is disregarded and there is no zero emissions impact, once again I won't be supportive. Let's take a look at what comes out. Let's keep the pressure on and see can we move goods from the Port to these projects, or...to near dock facilities, without putting our communities...I think the technology is there. I look forward to seeing the science addressing that question.
Councilman Garcia (mentioned specifically by Mr. Cross in his comments) said nothing in response, nor did any other Councilmembers.
Some members of the public who traveled to City Hall had to leave before the public comment period...nearly three hours after the Council dealt with agendized items banning plastic grocery bags, naming a park for Harvey Milk and some other items.
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