The Crenshaw Subway Coalition prepares to sue METRO, using their CEQA sword :: this is an unfortunate and ill-timed potential set-back that will hurt our local economy and will drain money away from opportunities to fund design excellence in our public pr

The Crenshaw Subway Coalition prepares to sue METRO, using their CEQA sword :: this is an unfortunate and ill-timed potential set-back that will hurt our local economy and will drain money away from opportunities to fund design excellence in our public projects.

-Will Wright.

UPDATE EMERGENCY MEETING: PREPARING TO SUE MTA Crenshaw Subway Coalition Community Meeting   Today Monday, July 18 6:30 - 8:30 PM US Bank Community Room on Crenshaw/Slauson 5760 Crenshaw Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90016   [PLEASE BRING YOUR CHECKBOOKS] MTA is Trying to Speed Up the Game Clock Attendees of our June 30th meeting were first informed of two elements of our multi-faceted strategy to win the battle with MTA for an underground Leimert Park Village station and subway on Crenshaw Blvd:   1. Holding our elected officials from Congress down to City Council and the Mayor accountable for delivering more of our tax dollars to the Crenshaw-LAW project to fund the Leimert Park Village station and subway in Park Mesa Heights   2. Suing Metro in court for violating environmental and civil rights laws   At tonight's community meeting we will further explain the legal basis for a lawsuit, in particular the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that MTA is violating.    The importance of tonight's meeting increased a few days ago when it was revealed that MTA is attempting to "speed up the game clock" and approve the project at their August 4 board meeting as opposed to their September 22 board meeting. (After MTA approves the project, the window of opportunity to file a CEQA lawsuit is JUST 30 DAYS.)   There will be more to come after tonight's meeting, but for now, please hear our urgent appeal for generous donations so that we can fund a legal challenge.  Lawyers are interested, but because this type of law is a true specialty - there will be costs.    The leaders of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition and Fix Expo Campaign have adopted as a policy to only ask the community for financial support when we need it - and now is that time.    As has become clear both in our fight with MTA on the Expo Line crossing at Dorsey High School and in other project fights with MTA by other communities, the agency/board does not begin taking communities seriously until lawyers get involved.   A CEQA lawsuit is the stick we need to accompany the carrot in our battle with MTA on the Crenshaw-LAX Line.   Please send your donations to:   Crenshaw Subway Coalition P.O. Box 432181 Los Angeles, CA 90043   ANY donation is greatly appreciated, but generous donations are much needed.  Checks can also be hand delivered at our meeting tonight, or you can make a secure online payment with your debit card or credit card via PayPal at www.CrenshawSubway.org   -Forescee Hogan-Rowles WWW.FORESCEE.COM July 18, 2011 In this issue: