The following excerpt appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on July 13, 2021. To read the full article (may require subscription), click here.

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti makes pitch for light-rail extension to Montclair – San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks during a tour of the Gold Line construction for the Glendora-to-Montclair extension at the future La Verne station at E Street and Arrow Highway in La Verne on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

By Steve Scauzillo

July 13, 2021

[excerpt]:

On a balmy Tuesday morning, Garcetti toured a site along the extension construction that started in July 2020, his first visit a symbolic stand with project supporters from Glendora, Claremont, Pomona, La Verne and South Pasadena. His presence sent a message to Sacramento that he’s coming to get the gap funding needed to extend the L Line 3.1 miles from Pomona to Claremont and into the Inland Empire in Montclair. It would be the first time in LA Metro history a line would cross a county border.

Garcetti said he had an appointment with Gov. Gavin Newsom about funding the full extension later in the day, and on Wednesday with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

“This is on my list,” Garcetti said while standing under a tent near the grade crossing at E Street and Arrow Highway. “Not only as a Metro board member but as an Angeleno, this is a priority for me and I will be pushing it.”

Garcetti mentioned how LA Metro and the foothill and western San Bernardino County cities have been presented with a golden opportunity.

“If there is ever a year the state can afford it — with a $75 billion surplus — this is the year,” he said Tuesday during an interview.