Los Angeles International Airport has endured a seemingly constant barrage of criticism recently, and it doesn’t look like that will be stopping anytime soon.
And with several simmering controversies, it is shaping up to be a difficult first few weeks for Gina Marie Lindsey, who last week assumed the role of executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, which oversees LAX and the Van Nuys, Ontario and Palmdale airports.
City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents communities adjacent to LAX, last week criticized the airport authority over several studies recommending the airport expand its border northward. Such a move, the studies say, would reduce close calls among taxiing planes and help accommodate the new large aircraft coming into service, such as Airbus’ flying behemoth, the A380.
Calling the studies “inadequate, slanted and manipulative,” Rosendahl held a town hall meeting last week for community residents to voice their concerns about the studies.
“The frustration and anger of the community is at an all-time high,” he said, citing the negative impact a northward expansion would have on the nearby communities of Westchester and Playa del Rey.
Rosendahl has since submitted a motion to the airport authority calling for a new study to be conducted by an objective, external agency.
The dispute highlights a growing problem for the airport, which has had difficulty making necessary improvements to its facilities due to a range of problems, from lawsuits to money issues to community disapproval. Unable to make upgrades, the airport’s image has taken a beating, which has driven international passengers away from Southern California airports and to emerging international hubs like San Francisco International Airport.
As if one dispute wasn’t enough, LAWA is in the midst of a challenge from a number of airlines that operate out of LAX over the airport’s decision earlier this year to raise terminal fees.
Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is expected to issue her final judgment this week regarding a ruling that restricted the airport from raising the rates. If Peters accepts the ruling, LAX will be barred from bumping up certain fees, which would be a major blow to future efforts to fund modernization projects. But LAWA spokesman Tom Winfrey said whatever the decision, the airports have additional revenue streams, like terminal advertising, that could help pay for future upgrades.
An airport representative did not make Lindsey available for comment last week. But don’t feel too bad for Lindsey; it was announced last week her annually salary will be $305,015.
60 Headaches
Sorry, port truckers, but the clogged arteries connecting the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the rest of the region will be getting more jam packed in the coming months.
Caltrans is beginning work on the Pomona (60) Freeway a major route connecting the ports to the Inland Empire. The construction project will add a carpool lane to an 11-mile stretch of the freeway in the San Gabriel Valley.
As many as one in every 20 vehicles on the freeway is a truck, and some trucking companies are so concerned about the bottlenecks the major construction project on the freeway could cause they are even diverting drivers.
“It will definitely cause some service issues for us,” said Clem Cleri, vice president of Compton-based PDS Trucking Inc. Cleri said some of his drivers use the 60 when making deliveries to Rancho Cucamonga, but they may start taking a different route.
“I’m thinking they’ll probably dive into the 71, south to the 91, which will add some miles to their drive,” he said. “Generally, though, this will cause an immense amount of traffic.”
The entire project is expected to be completed in 2011.
Exotic Leather
If you’ve ever wished for apparel made from colobus monkey hides, you’ll have to look outside California. But if you want kangaroo shoes, you may soon be in luck.
The California Senate voted late last month to legalize the import of kangaroo skins. Senate Bill 880 would amend the state penal code to allow the import and sale of the six commercially harvested species of kangaroo. But 20 other animals including the polar bear, cobra and, yes, colobus monkey are still off limits.
Though kangaroo skins may seem like an obscure hide to seek, the lightweight skins are sought after by some shoemakers for use in high-end soccer cleats.
In fact, several of the key supporters of the bill include the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, footwear maker Adidas, Major League Soccer and the La Canada Flintridge-based retail sporting goods chain Sport Chalet Inc.
Staff reporter Richard Clough can be reached at (323) 549-5225, ext. 251, or at
[email protected]
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