The debate continues as to whether the Home Depot on Studebaker and Loynes would be a good thing for the community and our neighborhoods.  I happen not to think so.  Having been the councilmember for the 3rd District for eight years, time and again traffic and congestion combined with poor air quality have dogged not only our western portion of the city impacted by the Interstate 710, but also the lower eastern sector along the PCH and 2nd Street corridor.  It has been said that the area of 2nd Street and Coast Highway is among the top 5 most congested intersections in Los Angeles County.
 
The impact of introducing another home improvement center with its incumbent dose of heavy traffic will also play a major role in threatening the fragile environment surrounding the remaining Los Cerritos Wetlands.  The staff for the Coastal Commission is right on target in enumerating their concerns and recommending that the Commission members deny the applicant’s request to move forward.  On the other hand, our elected and appointed authorities in approving this project and causing members of our community to appeal their decision to the Coastal Commission once again is another example of who isn’t listening to the concerns of their constituents.  Residents and neighbors alike continue to rally around a just cause, and fearlessly challenge decisions that are wrong.    
 
Unfortunately, many feel that our city is not moving in the right direction.  The battle over the nonsensical project labor agreement, banning large retailers from selling groceries, cutting back on the number of police officers patrolling our city while crime statistics continue their upward climb, and a probable budget structural deficit are just some of the examples of why instead of moving forward, our city may be in for some serious and difficult times ahead.