PEYTONS CHRISTMAS LEGACY

[Ocklawaha]

'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the town,
Not a person was moving
No bus could be found.

The transit dreamers,
Were snug in their beds,
While visions of streetcars
Danced through their heads.





Our station is empty
It sleeps through the night.
No headrests and pillows
So restful and white.

The Skyway had been
of their very own choosing,
So tempting and good
There was just no refusing.

The evening they'd spent
Seemed wrong for this Season.
Since Peyton killed Transit
Without purpose or reason.

On Commuter Rail,
So spacious and bright,
All might have sang,
Christmas carols that night.

"'Tis a most happy Christmas,"
They’d sing with delight,
"Travel at its best --
What a wonderful night."

And when it came time
That Christmas was there,
We had nothing to show,
And few who would care.

As to Town Center they sped
On through the storm,
A city without transit,
And Freeways the norm.





No thanks for our train,
So streamlined and fine,
No streetcars, no buses,
Just Peyton sublime!

"This is," we had said,
"The one way to go --
The Double Track Route
For comfort, we know."

Then without heeding the call,
As he'd turn out our lights,
"It's a Peyton Christmas...
For all a GOOD night."

GUESS WHO DONE IT?

[BridgeTroll]

Very nice Ock!

[brainstormer]

Hilarious, yet sad.  Merry Christmas, Ock!

[jbm32206]

no light rail for jax
no train whistles sing...
how sad for the boy prince
who thought he'd be king.

[vicupstate]

Just did some quick addition based on info. on this website.

http://www.usmayors.org/mainstreeteconomicrecovery/stimulussurveyparticipants.asp

Here is a sample of cities that are requesting Streetcar/Light rail funding from the Economic stimulus act:

Albuquerque:  $13.3 million

Atlanta: $145 million

Charlotte: $110 million

Charleston: $78 million

Denver: $267.2 million

Miami: $810 million

Portland: $75 million

Salt Lake City: $395 million

San Jose: $146 million

St. Louis: over $1 billion

St. Paul:  $10 million

and of course.....


    JACKSONVILLE    $0

[jbm32206]

That so sucks!

[tufsu1]

of course if anyone actually takes the time to look at the website from above, they would note that Jacksonville's list includes

$10 million for Amtrak
$12.5 million for transit
$15 million for airports

...and guess what....only $25 million for streets/roads....all for signage and resurfacing.

Ock, you may also want to note the $20 million proposed for cleanup of McCoy's Creek and Hogan's Creek

Is that better people?

[brainstormer]

I appreciate you sticking up for the mayor, Tufsu, but I'm afraid you have missed the point.  I did take a look at the website.  All of the items under Jacksonville have to do with infrastructure improvements, but absolutely ZERO will stimulate future growth and help us out of this recession.  I can maybe make an exception for the Transportation center, but other than that there will be jobs created and once the task is done, then what?  The stadium HVAC upgrade is needed, but it will not impact future growth of small businesses along Bay Street.  The creeks are in need of clean up, but will not stimulate new housing developments along them.  New corporations will not choose to build headquarters here just because the road signs are better.  We are looking at a once in a life time opportunity to do something that will have a positive economic impact on the city for more than 1-2 years.  What our mayor has submitted is just not going to do that.  He is near sighted and lacks a vision for the city.  His list tries to make up for everything that he has failed to fund in the city's annual budget.  Things that should have been done but weren't because we had to build a new parking garage or fund the Jacksonville Journey.  No Tufsu, it is not better.

[Ocklawaha]

of course if anyone actually takes the time to look at the website from above, they would note that Jacksonville's list includes

$10 million for Amtrak
$12.5 million for transit
$15 million for airports

...and guess what....only $25 million for streets/roads....all for signage and resurfacing.

Ock, you may also want to note the $20 million proposed for cleanup of McCoy's Creek and Hogan's Creek

Is that better people?

$10 Million for Amtrak was not part of the $100 Million, it was the citys part of JTC for Amtrak, now rather then a City contribution, it will be stolen from our BJP or Transit money.

12.5 Million for Transit, same story, JTC money, $5 Million of it to beg Greyhound to leave the new Courthouse area. Money already promised, will now come from our BJP or Transit Money.

While I favor McCoys Creek clean-up, there are federal grants of all kinds for this, we don't need Transit money to do it.

This guy is robbing our future.


OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Here's the problem folks....the stimulus package is for 2009/2010...that means projects that put people to work RIGHT NOW.

Yes, it would be nice if these things had lasting effects....and some of them will....for example, cleaning up the creeks makes the area more attractive for new development....and clearly the transportation center is the base from which to build a new system.

But guess what....when the mayors/governors talk about pressing needs, this is primarily maintenance of existing infrastructure....so we don't have any more bridges collapse like I-35....these projects don't create long-term jobs and they don't encourage development either....but they are necessary and have been underfunded for too long!

BTW...I am by no means sticking up for the mayor...it just seems that some of you folks are never happy!

[thelakelander]

Here is a sample of cities that are requesting Streetcar/Light rail funding from the Economic stimulus act:

Charleston: $78 million

What rail system is Charleston asking $78 million for?  I thought we were ahead of them?  Have they even completed a feasibility study?

Here's the problem folks....the stimulus package is for 2009/2010...that means projects that put people to work RIGHT NOW.

I don't have a problem with Petyon asking for money to improve local roads.  I'm also happy to see Hogans and McCoys Creek cleanups on the list.  My fear is the idea of existing and future transit money being taken away to improve local roads instead.  Ready to go or not, that's a foolish move it goes down that way.

Looking at the requests, it seems that many cities are presenting real wish lists to get things off the ground.  Its puzzling to see Charleston ask for $78 million for rail and we're further along.  Its also weird to see Congressman Mica keep telling us to request rail money NOW and we're still slow to react. 

My view is why not add a request for rail funding to the current list?  The worst thing that can happen is Obama saying no.  Its not all about construction.  Even if you can't break ground tomorrow (maybe it takes six months to a year or so), design jobs also put people back to work with saleries that can help boost the local economy.  If you don't ask, you'll never know what type of answer you'll receive.  Given that we'll have an administration focusing on green jobs, alternative energy and mass transit, we should at least have the courage to make a request.

My ultimate hope is that the administration evaluates these lists and places a higher priority on funding the projects that go hand in hand with their campaign platform.  Such a move would force us to revamp our list and priorities.

[JeffreyS]

Tufsu defending the Mayor on transit is pathetic on this issue bashing him is the only reasonable course of action.

[thelakelander]

Is it safe to assume that we're asking the Obama administration to fund certain road projects 100%?  If this is the case, why not make a request to fully fund the JTC or dredge the St. Johns River to accomodate larger ships?  I know most have written off the skyway, but was the leg to JMS designed but not built because of costs?  If built, it would at least justify the expense of the first half by substantially upping the ridership.  Why not make a request for this extension or the station along Riverside Avenue?  The worse they can say is no, which puts us in the same place we're already at.

I don't know if bashing Peyton is the answer, but there has to be a way to get some decent transit requests added on the list. 

[tufsu1]

and bashing him has been successful so far?


I recommend that you all show up and make your views known during two important studies, currently underway:

1. Envision 2035 - this is an update to the region's long range transportation plan and sets priorities

http://www.firstcoastmpo.com/envision2035/

2. Reality Check - a regional vision just getting underway by ULI and the NEFRC

http://www.regi.biz/

truth is, we need to keep the regional transit studies going....so we can apply for FTA funds under the transportation reauthorization bill, which won't be approved before fall 2009 at the earliest.

[JeffreyS]

I take back bashing him as the only reasonable course of action. I do think accurately describing his record on the issue would sound the same as bashing.