Leimert Park's own Damien Goodmon is trying to make our neighborhood safe by making the light rail safe.

The LA Times covered a meeting where it was pointed out that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board last month approved spending an extra $23.3 million to add a station at USC/Exposition Park and to pay for safety improvements at several points along the Expo Line route.

But they refused to spend more money at the Dorsey High School crossing because of poverty - To elevate the rail line across the intersection would cost at least an extra $25 million, further straining the Expo Line project's $663.3-million budget.

There's another public hearing Nov. 5 at Dorsey. The following day in Culver City, the commissioner and an administrative law judge will hold a formal evidentiary hearing on whether or not to allow the construction authority to proceed with the street-level crossing.

The paper calls Damien "a community activist who has spearheaded opposition to the Expo Line's design." Goodmon noted that the rail line will run in a fenced-off trench for several blocks near USC and that Culver City officials have demanded an above-ground station in their community. He also accused construction authority officials of having a double standard about safety.

"Dorsey is the poster child for all that is wrong with this project," Damien said.

But I'm sure he'd agree he can't do it alone. So call or email your representatives and let them know what you think - whatever you think.

City Councilman Herb Wesson (councilmember.wesson@lacity.org) was the only public official who has a say in the Expo Line matter to attend the forum.

The councilman said that even if he became the one vote on the seven-member Exposition board to oppose the current design, it would not accomplish anything.

The construction authority's board members include City Councilman Bernard C. Parks (councilmember.parks@lacity.org) and county Supervisors Yvonne B. Burke - none attended - but they did vote last month for safety enhancements near USC and Los Angeles Trade Tech College.