Unbelievable wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:11 PM:It's unbelievable what some of the elected officials had coming out of their mouths. My favorite has to be Jack Feller who said he supported the toll road because losing the habitat and open space should matter. He made this wonderful declaration after stating to another paper that there was plenty of open space in Borrego Desert. Anyone for sand surfing? what an idiot!Jack should keep his mouth closed when he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Why has no-one focused on basic property rights? wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:45 PM:The concept that, if you want to do something, you do it with your own property, is a very good one. Applied to most of the battles we get into related to land use and the environment, it could actually solve a lot of our problems. From public mandates to preserve endangered species on private land (if it's that important, then buy the land, instead of taxing only one person, through loss of use of their land, for everyone else), to land-grabs by developers for public land, to this attempt by Orange County to grab San Diego land for their road. Why is it so hard for environmentalists to realize that socialism is not their friend? After all, sooner or later, the opposing side is going to be in power, and if it's protected by the government, it can be unprotected by it. Property rights are enshrined in the Constitution, and their erosion "in the public interest" by judges trying to shoehorn their favorite cause into the law is going to backfire on everyone. If you undermine respect for property rights, you undermine any sense of right of ownership, and therefore let all land use be dictated by the fashion of the moment. It's not so long ago that that fashion was railroads and mines. The wheel does turn.

Freeway wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:10 AM:the endangered species is the freeway. The only thing wrong with the proposed highway is the charging of the toll. Public transit wastes vital funds needed to expand the freeway system.

Campaign contributions wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:30 AM:All of the elected officials cited were FOR the project. We all have to sit back and wonder how many campaign contributions that got them ? It is always about the money - and rarely about the people and our environment. It is past time that we shuld be retaining our parks and forbidding the rape of them by developers, speculators, and others who would profit from erosion of ur parks and open space. It is so short-sighted to believe that they do not matter. Our planet needs more green areas to provide oxygen and sustain life.

Olaf wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:27 AM:Come on people you all will be complaining next week that the government doesn't do enough to ease traffic. You are all fence jumpers. Take a side on an issue because it "FEELS" right. Surfers not wanting "THEIR" beach ruined. (still uncertain how the road would do that other then afford others to come to "THEIR" beach) The coastal commission followed the crowd and not what was right. Killing the project is wrong. How about figuring out a compromise. OH that's right it is all or nothing with you guys. Come up with solutions not more problems! Oh well I will just say I told you so when I see someone complaining about traffic in the paper. Then it will be the governments fault again.

Unbelievable wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:36 AM:To Olaf- no I won't be complaining about traffic congestion. It's just something mature people accept like death and taxes. You obviously don't understand that taking away public parkland and open space would set a precedent so NO parkland and open space would be safe. I'm sure you even have some in your little world that you enjoy, don't you.

Olaf wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:27 PM:Sure and it is open space. But if someday it is needed to build, OH let's say a de-sal plant that will bring in lots of water to a starving southern California then so be it. I am not bigger than society. I and my selfish needs are not greater then all those around me. I am part of a village not THE village. I am also part of a region and think of all. So when everybody gets on their high horse and says "Not In MY BackYard" I always just laugh and say why? I still haven't heard how this destroys a surf break, other then brings more accessablity to the beach which I am sure no one wants because it is THIER surf baby! Talk about a small world!

YUCCA BEAN wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:56 PM:PREDICTION: The Secretary of Commerce will reverse the Coastal Commission and the toll road will be built. Absolutely. The Coastal Commission are a collection of minor politicos who were given patronage jobs and they have the audacity to go contrary to the wishes of an elected Governor. Get real folks, the politics of this alone spells TOLL ROAD. Toll Road from San Diego to Frisco ~ for sure. That's the master plan and it's on track.

YUCCA BEAN wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:02 PM:It's what the powers that be want and the powers that be will have their way. Count on it. A few little environuts don't count. Big money counts and from that flows power and influence. All the back-and-forth from both sides about "environmental impact", "park land", "endangered species" and the like are just fluff and background noise.

Karl wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:19 PM:The headline "Rejection of toll road a win for all" is a joke. I don't know enough about the toll road to be for or against it but I have read blogs that were for it. How exactly are these folks winners?

to Olaf wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:12 PM:You are part of society. Organized society has decided on rules that keep people safe and healthy. Presumably you are part of organized society? The village made the rules that say you can't take dedicated parkland away for a private toll road.

Roberto1 wrote on Feb 16, 2008 11:12 AM:All of you will go back to work and the Toll Road developers will do the same. They will go back to wearing out pencils and build this tolll then spoon feed feed it to John Q. Public...You can put it off but you will never stop these rodents from destroying whats left of California.

olaf wrote on Feb 16, 2008 2:39 PM:And as a organized society when the majority not the loud minority should be listened to. It seems here in So Cal we have loud groups who are not the majority who seem to be against anything being built. Even if it helps the burgening population that seems to be never ending. So instead of complaining lets work on a moderate proposal to the problems instead of just throwing up road blocks and then yelling "look how good we are"... You don't want roads in parkland then figure out where...

Bo wrote on Feb 16, 2008 2:42 PM:Every day I see the Hummers, Jagiaurs, BMWs, Mercedes, Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Ferraris, Mazzeratis, etc. of the Orange County Elite. We don't need another freeway to bring more. I long to see the kangaro rats, road runners, horny toad lizards, alligator lizards, blue bellies, quail, bobcats, owls, trap door spiders, tarantulas, ant lions, mansanita, anise, and monkey flowers of my childhood in Encinitas, and I want to share this beauty with my children. The area in question is one of the last public places where this unique coastal sage habitat is still intact. It is worth much more in it's natural state than the 100-200 San Clemente homes that would be demolished to put the freeway where it belongs; in ORANGE COUNTY!

guess what wrote on Feb 16, 2008 7:39 PM:The only reason for this road is the 12,000 new homes Orange County wants to build. It would not benefit anyone else. I agree with Bo. Keep your junk in your own county and leave our beautiful places alone. And Olaf, the very large majority did enact the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and in California the California Environmental Quality Act. Get with it.