Senator Clarifies Toll Road Stance

* Regarding your coverage of the proposed Foothill South toll road, I would like to clarify my position on this important issue.

I am attempting to negotiate an alternative route for the proposed toll road that would avoid the San Onofre State Park. I will continue to meet with stakeholders toward that end.

In order to retain my role as mediator in these negotiations, I will abstain from voting for state Sen. Tom Hayden’s SB 1277.

However, I will not be urging my Senate colleagues to vote against the bill in order to “allow more time to work on a compromise,” as was reported in The Times’ July 16 article.

Although I will continue discussions with interested parties over the summer, my decision to abstain from voting on the measure should in no way be interpreted as supporting or opposing the bill moving out of the Senate.

JOSEPH DUNN

Senator, 34th District

* One viewpoint I haven’t heard expressed in the discussion of the Foothill South toll road is that of the religious community.

I represent an Orange County interfaith group as well as an environmental task force in my local church. Many of us feel there are spiritual and religious reasons for saving what is left of our open space here in Orange County and we are encouraging toll road officials to consider other options.

Nature has a wonderful power to heal emotional and spiritual wounds and human beings need natural areas for the peace and comfort they can give.

With the fast-paced lives we lead these days, these areas are increasingly important. Writers through the ages have reminded us that nature is a wonderful source of spiritual renewal and that it helps us to connect with a higher power--whether we call that power God or something else.

If we keep ripping up the landscape and destroying species we share the Earth with, we are destroying ourselves as well. Scientists have made it very clear that we are in serious trouble with fast-rising rates of carbon dioxide emissions, resource consumption, habitat destruction and species extinction.

Present toll roads are not being used nearly as much as expected, the tolls keep going up, and now TCA is refinancing the $1.75-billion project once again. Do we really need another toll road?

I hope that this is not just one more instance where those with money and power ignore the wishes of so many of us. We all share the same planet, and we are connected to all other life forms in a myriad of ways.

MARGARET HENKE

North Tustin

* The Foothill South toll road will have a negative impact on quality of life and the destruction of habitat vital to the welfare of animals, plants and people.

This entire project is unnecessary and will destroy one of the last remaining open spaces in South County.

It is necessary that we not block wildlife corridors with roadways as such action would contribute to destruction of some species.

We are intruders on the wildlife territory; they are a necessary link to our survival.

Now is the time to take action against the Transportation Corridor Agencies, with its unlimited marketing budget. The citizens can make a difference--just stand up and be counted!

AL and YVONNE CULLEN

San Clemente