warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Resident Wants Better Public Transit In LA

Avery Regen |
October 6, 2013 | 11:24 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Douglas Fogle (Avery Regen/Neon Tommy)
Douglas Fogle (Avery Regen/Neon Tommy)

I met with Douglas Fogle on a sweltering Los Angeles Saturday afternoon. After wandering around his neighborhood in search of his white mid-century modern home and stumbling into a Coffee Bean for directions one or three times, I eventually found my way to his door, where his nice, Belgian wife offered me water and we caught up about on what we had been up to since we had seen each other last. I met Fogle last April, at an after party for an opening at the Hammer Museum, where he was Deputy Director, Exhibition and Programs, and Chief Curator until 2012. He now curates independently and writes.

In your opinion, what are the top issues facing L.A. and why?

Traffic. I think traffic is a big one. For me, living in the city, the hardest thing to do is figure out when to leave to go where. So, I would say that would be the top thing I can think of. Roads in general. Repairs of roads. Things like that. 

What should Mayor Garcetti do to address your top priorities?

We need more public transport. It’s surprising to me that there isn’t more light rail or, I know they’re working on the subway, it’s going to take a very long time to get it going all the way from downtown to the ocean but I think that would be great. 

Did you vote in the May election for mayor?

I did. Yes.

Did you vote for Garcetti?

Yes.

What appealed to you about him at the time?

In my estimation he seems like the best candidate for getting things done. He seemed very effective. He seemed to have a lot of support around him and I liked the way he talked about working with people on the city council and what not.

Do you usually consider yourself politically active?

I’m very politically engaged. I read a lot. I listen to National Public Radio and the local stations a lot so I’m very up to date on what’s kind of happening. I’m probably not like an activist. I used to be more so when I was younger but I do support things, but I’m not out there advocating or parts of groups like that so much anymore. But I do support different causes and what not. I would say I’m politically engaged but not an activist.

If you could add one metro line or road to L.A. to make transportation more efficient or convenient, what would it be and where would you put it?

A direct highspeed rail road to San Francisco. That would be great.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.