City Hires Consulting Firm for Fight Against MTA
Arnie Berghoff & Associates will advocate for a subway route that travels under Santa Monica Boulevard and does not require tunneling under the high school and homes.
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Beverly Hills has hired a Los Angeles-based public affairs consulting firm to advocate for the city’s preferred alignment for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Westside Subway Extension.
Arnie Berghoff & Associates, led by Beverly Hills resident Arnie Berghoff, will utilize strategic consulting and government relations to promote a subway route that would travel under Santa Monica Boulevard to a stop at Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
The firm will conduct meetings with Metro and elected officials to stress Beverly Hills' opposition to the Constellation Boulevard route, which would involve tunneling under Beverly Hills High School and residential properties.
The city’s contract with Arnie Berghoff & Associates will last for a six-month period beginning May 1, 2011.
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Joel Epstein
8:41 am on Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Beverly Hills School Board is spending scarce education dollars that should be going to the three Rs to line the pockets of the three Ls -- the Board's shameless lawyers, lobbyists, and PR lackeys. But the Board's lies and obfuscation won't change the fact that Constellation Blvd is the best choice for the Wilshire Subway Station in Century City. http://huff.to/k9IAxW
Joe L
11:30 am on Thursday, May 5, 2011
Hiring a lobbyist does not make you right. It does not change the facts, nor does it make faulty logic more sound.
It's a bully move, might makes right. It says: "we have more money, therefore our opinion is more important than yours". Beverly Hills school district dollars are being diverted from academics, to support this bully move.
My prediction: the lobbyists will not help at all. The City of Beverly Hills does not have veto power on the Metro Board, and most Boardmembers do not have to answer to constituents in Beverly Hills. Thank God.
My other prediction: the subway will be built under the high school, and it will not cause any problems. Just like the rest of the subway, which already passes under dozens of residences and businesses, has no surface effect.
David Murphy
4:54 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2011
I used to work alongside the hardworking folks at Arnie Berghoff & Associates when I did government affairs for a regional business group. They're a powerful and respected firm.
I live in Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, my beloved city has hired Arnie Berghoff & Associates to advocate for the wrong position, in my personal view. Constellation is where the stop should go.