Last night I had the opportunity to attend Plan Bay Area, the public forum highlighting the new Regional Transportation Plan for the seven counties surrounding San Francisco Bay. The intent was to introduce the plan and allow for public comment. This was my first time to get involved on a regional basis for transportation issues affecting the Bay Area and did I come away both surprised and shell shocked.
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Sheriff removing
protester from podium |
Let's just say that there never really was a meeting. From the start it got hijacked by a group intent on disrupting everything. From the very start with MTC Commissioner and San Jose City Council Member Sam Liccardo's opening remarks the group of demonstrators attempted to take control of the meeting. At one point a Santa Clara County Sheriffs officer had to escort one individual who had approached the speakers podium. Not wanting to wait until the formal comment period angry participants just stood up and attempted to talk over the speaker.
The plan was to intimidate participants who had an opposing view from making their own public comment. Only one brave women spoke in opposition to the group.The meeting was supposed to be an open venue for Santa Clara County residents to share their concerns for their county ended up being just another stop for this group. Many mentioned that this was their fourth meeting that they have attended, going against the spirit of having one forum in each county for local residents.
The sad part is that their voice, their opinions were wasted by their behaviour. Attempting to state your views and then questioning the very venue in which they are voiced doesn't do much for a group's credibility. I sure this will not be the last we hear from this group.
