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The kids have all been hard at work practicing their favorite patriotic songs, and are very excited that they will get to do this. It is quite an honor for them.
This year in particular we will all be able to honor Sierra Madre's veterans from World War II, something we can thank the 4th of July Parade Committee for working to make happen. To my mind this makes it even more of a special event than usual, something that goes to the heart of what our parade and community is all about. This is where my family plans to be tomorrow.
Another important matter that the 4th of July is all about is celebrating the freedom of the American people to freely speak their minds in whatever way they choose. Hopefully people remember this, it is a right many made the ultimate sacrifice to protect. In South Pasadena a lot of people, and from many different towns, will be doing just this by marching in that city's 4th of July Parade. And for one very special reason, to stop any further consideration of the environmentally devastating and state bureaucracy driven 710 Tunnel.
Here is how the good people at the No 710 Action Committee describe what is going on over there:
Seven Cities Celebrate 60 year 710 Freeway Battle with 4th of July Parade Protest March in South Pasadena. South Pasadena fights 710 Freeway for Half of its 125 years of history, 7 times longer than the American Revolution.
South Pasadena has been fighting the extension of the 710 freeway through its community for half of it's 125 year existence as an incorporated city.
Recognizing this citizen-led freeway fight has lasted seven times longer than the American Revolution, we are joined by our friends and neighbors from seven cities marching in solidarity with South Pasadena citizens to say no freeway tunnels should ever ruin anyone's city.
Citizens from Alhambra, Altadena, Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, Los Angeles, San Marino, Sierra Madre, La Crescenta and other cities will march with residents from Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno who would be directly impacted by a freeway tunnel in South Pasadena's Festival of Balloons 4th of July Parade, Thursday July 4th.
Background: Since 1947, The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Caltrans and its predecessors have proposed, studied and advocated for the building of a freeway through the heart of South Pasadena's historic community. The proposed freeway route would extend the 710 Freeway from the 10 Freeway in the Los Angeles community of El Sereno at the Alhambra border to the 210 Freeway in Pasadena.
The latest freeway proposal is to bore one to two 4.6 mile tunnels underneath South Pasadena and make it a tollway, threatening to divert traffic onto residential streets.
Parade Location and Times: Parade runs the length of Mission Street from Meridian to Garfield Park in South Pasadena. 10:30 opening ceremonies at footsteps of the South Pasadena Library Community Room. 11 am, 31st annual South Pasadena Fourth of July parade begins.
Like I said, I plan on being here for Sierra Madre's4th of July parade. But I know that some people, like me, also feel very strongly about the 710 Tunnel issue. That includes our Sierra Madre City Council which voted unanimously to oppose this unnecessary and environmentally destructive example of bureaucratic madness.
Should you choose here is a good opportunity to do something about it. And in the most patriotic and celebratory of ways.
For those of you who do oppose the 710 Tunnel, here is some good news: Metro Board removes 710 extension from accelerated projects (link).
http://sierramadretattler.blogspot.com