City of Compton and Rail Line

I feel that it is important to share the other side, to wit, Compton’s side, of this whole controversy concerning the proposed “light-rail project” between Long Beach and Los Angeles.

First, the very manner in which the project is described--”Long Beach to Los Angeles”--indicates that the middle and surrounding communities are not the major concerns. Moreover, the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission obviously did not “negotiate” with the City of Compton concerning the proposed route.

The citizens of Compton and, I believe, the city officials are not trying to “block construction” of the light-rail system. We want the light rail. However, we want it in a reasonable fashion, to wit, in a manner that will not threaten to cut off our east-west travel, threaten the safety of our children who cross the tracks every day on their way to school, threaten the economic vitality of our new shopping center, etc.

We want the light rail if it will be below grade and if the Southern Pacific Transportation Co. will both relocate all of its freight tracks to the Alameda rail line and agree to lower those tracks as well. From what I have observed, the Southern Pacific is willing to optimistically sit down and discuss the latter proposition.

The main problem, in my humble opinion, is that the County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Assn. of Governments, Los Angeles County and the other impacted cities did not consider, let alone solicit, the position of the City of Compton on the proposed light-rail route.

In fact, if you carefully review the environmental impact reports on this project, there is very little mentioned about the impact on Compton and there is nothing concerning the possible danger and/or hazards to the schoolchildren in our community. This lack of consideration, lack of respect if you will, is something that minority communities far too often experience.

KELVIN D. FILER

Compton