"No 710" (Ed. Note: not related to this web site) was formed in 1992 by a group of Pasadenans who initially gathered to talk about the proposed 710 Freeway extension. But in one year, this organization has become one of the leading voices in opposition to Caltrans' proposed project.

Citizen education and involvement have been crucial to "No 710's" achievements.

The group's first action was to hold a forum on the freeway, which was held at La Casita del Arroyo in June, 1992. "No 710" also co-sponsored a presentation by Australian urban planner Jeff Kenworthy, called "Traffic Planning for Sustainable Cities: Building Cities as if People Mattered". We also incorporated cable television into our strategy, with this author appearing as a representative of the organization on KPAS-TV (Channel 55), as part of a panel discussion on the topic of the freeway. This program aired daily through mid-May in 1993.

In additiont o our public information efforts, "No 710" has also worked hard to lobby local, state and federal decision makers. We've made many personal visits, sent innumerable public information packets, and made dozens of personal pleas to get our political leaders informed, involved, and committed to our viewpoint.

Along the way, we've appeared before the Pasadena City Council, the transportation commission, and virtually every other forum where we felt that the freeway issue should be discussed, including the mitigation meeting where we kept a vigilant watch and questioned at every opportunity Caltrans' philosophy, methodology, and conclusions.

To get our message across, we've met with (them) Mayor Rick Cole and Vice-Mayor Katie Nack, Citizen Representative to the Mitigation Advisory Committe, Victor Ell, and Public Works Director Cynthia Kurtz. Supervisor Gloria Molina, State Senator Al Torres, Congressman Carlos Moorhead, Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. Even the (then) Governor himself, Pete Wilson, has heard our call.