Commuter rail bill criticized as CSX 'sweetheart deal'

[tufsu1]

I would assume these lobbyists firms contracted by CSX might employ some 200 lobbyists altogether.

Faye....your argument is absurd...

I have done work for small municipalities (such as Baker County and Temple Terrace) and I work for a firm with thousands of employees....

Does that mean those communities had thousands of people working on their plans?

[reednavy]

Isn't her avatar sort of ironic though?

[Ocklawaha]

Sorry guys but Faye's comments are so ignorant as to hardly warrant a response from a serious student of transportation. Had she any idea of what she is talking about, perhaps she could get elected on original thought and not the "Wacko news article of the day," she so diligently cuts and pastes. Since she has been posting, Mica's approval rating on MJ has skyrocketed!

TUFSU is a planner and consultant in the field of transportation. Lakelander is an urban planner, and myself a railroad planner. Unless I'm mistaken, none of us have or probably have ever had a contract or worked for CSX, FEC, NS, or any one of the 70 or so railroads with a presence in Jacksonville. We don't rely on "experts in the field," or senators to tell us what to think, we ARE the experts in our own fields. Our portfolio of projects and successes is long, and ranges from having written books on the subjects, planning expressways, mass transit projects and even hacking a railroad through the Andes.

If you want to play the "ALL OF THE MONEY GOING TO CSX IS FOR SUNRAIL," card then that's fine with me, really. But then let's be fair, it's NOT going to be 61 miles we are buying, more like 150 miles. Since you want this all inclusive, you'll have to understand that the price is also for the 30+ miles in Winter Haven, and the 20-40 miles in Nassau County and JaxPort, and oh, almost forgot another 30 or so miles of double tracking on the Sunrail line itself. Politicians and our modern society are so accustomed to building highways, and then paying for an agency to buy and operate buses, and then build the garages and buy the buses... So far - so good... Railroad projects, LRT, Streetcar and such are self contained and the price is complete, track, stations, garages (maintenance facilities) and even equipment. If the tables were turned and CSX belonged to the public and had to build overpasses over all of the highways, guess what? Those highways would not include the price of any of the railroad work on those overpasses. As it is, Sunrail has included all of the pricing for highways (even those planned or under construction before Sunrail), it's all in the price.

Another dumb remark was CSX wants the public to upgrade it's track and won't do so itself. That is funny Faye, when is the last time you saw a crew from Delta patching 23L out at JIA? Those boys working on the Nocatee flyover might all be wearing Greyhound or Overnite Trucking shirts right? NOT. But you better believe every spike over on the CSX is owned and driven into the ties by CSX and it's employees. When the USDOT first laid out a plan for high(er) speed corridors with multiple tracks, CSX was asked by the government if they would bid on it. They did, and are planning triple track from Washington to Richmond, and double track from Richmond to Jacksonville and Lakeland, with long segments of triple track. They have even looked into electrification of the entire mainline.  Trying to paint the railroad as a welfare case might have been somewhat true in 1969, but today it's not even close.

Really Faye, you need to take your medication and go back to bed, it looks like this 4 years belong to Obama, Mica and Crist, and for you the next 4 aren't looking too hot either.

OCKLAWAHA

[CS Foltz]

Nice to know that Tallahassee is finally getting serious but I gotta ask.............Do we have a written agreement with CSX yet? I know about the Bill from the State but no one as made any statements regarding an agreement that has been signed sealed and delivered!

[tufsu1]

no...FDOT has a given amount of time to finalize the details w/ CSX based on direction from the Legislature....once the agreement is in place, than FDOT gets the rail and CSX gets the cash.

[FayeforCure]

Sorry guys but Faye's comments are so ignorant as to hardly warrant a response from a serious student of transportation. Had she any idea of what she is talking about, perhaps she could get elected on original thought and not the "Wacko news article of the day," she so diligently cuts and pastes. Since she has been posting, Mica's approval rating on MJ has skyrocketed!

TUFSU is a planner and consultant in the field of transportation. Lakelander is an urban planner, and myself a railroad planner. Unless I'm mistaken, none of us have or probably have ever had a contract or worked for CSX, FEC, NS, or any one of the 70 or so railroads with a presence in Jacksonville. We don't rely on "experts in the field," or senators to tell us what to think, we ARE the experts in our own fields. Our portfolio of projects and successes is long, and ranges from having written books on the subjects, planning expressways, mass transit projects and even hacking a railroad through the Andes.


Really Faye, you need to take your medication and go back to bed, it looks like this 4 years belong to Obama, Mica and Crist, and for you the next 4 aren't looking too hot either.

Man, are you supposed to be a moderator? I can hardly believe the persistent hateful personal attacks you make as a moderator!

I don't need to tell you that experts routinely disagree with one another, so the fact that tufsu, lakelander and yourself are experts in your field does not necessarily make you the most cost-effective planners, or be able to determine whether a deal with a monopoly corporation is overpriced, especially when your overarching desire is to get this rail line moving AT ANY COST.

And don't worry about Mica,........he's in there for life. As I said there isn't any point in holding elections at all, because 95% of incumbents are in for life. Only scandals, death, or retirement ever bring change. Oh, and of course term limits.

Luckily I have never used any medication, so maybe you are projecting? Some kind of discussion board this is!

[thelakelander]

Come on guys, give Faye a break.  I don't agree with her Sunrail argument, but if that's her opinion, its her opinion.

[FayeforCure]

That is the exact question, lake.

If it is her opinion.

Obviously I have opinions on a wide range of issues, as my posts have indicated. I have been an issue advocate for stem cell research and healthcare for far longer than this forum has existed, and certainly wouldn't need this forum to advocate my positions.

I happen to be passionate about rail simply because I actually lived in a rail-based society unlike many of you.

That my opinion on rail may not match your opinion is your problem, not mine. It would seem to me that you want the transportation forum to be an echo chamber, with soft-ball questions regarding rail, that can be re-assuredly answered by resident "experts."

If a very occasional vote ( cast "in our name") analysis is uncomfortable for you,...........simply just read the salamander topic and other interesting topics started by me that help expand our collective knowledge on a wide range of issues. That's what a discussion forum is for.

Thus the bulk of my posts solely express my interest in these wide range of issues that include: school lunches, environment, new technology, bio-med industry, economy, jobs, and may other topics.

Trying to "controle" the discussion by limiting dissenting opinions, that are presented in a civil manner is counter-productive to a healthy discussion. As it is, the "Republican" opinion is over-represented on this board.

Besides having a woman's perspective keeps things interesting too 

Thanks lakelander, for inserting a measure of civility into the conversation as one of the moderators.

[BridgeTroll]

As it is, the "Republican" opinion is over-represented on this board.

[buckethead]

As it is, the "Republican" opinion is over-represented on this board.

I though republicans were in the minority here.

[Ocklawaha]

Faye, as a public figure you are not immune to critical review as most of the other members of our forum. Your opinion "could be," our elect, represented opinion, and thus as far as I'm concerned, is open to my bombastic attacks.  Every observation I have is based on the lack of any original ideas in your 117+ posts, the only time we actually hear from Faye, is when we attack and you respond. Politicians are supposed to be elected leaders, not paste-up artist's.

Trying to "controle" the discussion by limiting dissenting opinions, that are presented in a civil manner is counter-productive to a healthy discussion. As it is, the "Republican" opinion is over-represented on this board.

While we have never asked, I believe there is only one Republican in the MJ Corporation, so I can't imagine where this imagined "Republican" opinion is coming from. Would "a civil manner," include a masterful spin on the language that would make a professional propagantist proud? 

I happen to be passionate about rail simply because I actually lived in a rail-based society unlike many of you.

Another day, another assumption? You don't know what type of society "Most of us," grew up or have lived in. Fact is Jacksonville has the largest collection of well traveled and international-Americans in the state. We call it The US Navy.

It would seem to me that you want the transportation forum to be an echo chamber, with soft-ball questions regarding rail, that can be re-assuredly answered by resident "experts."

Really Faye? I don't hear an echo, except from the one who continues to post the opinions of other people with the regularity of a parrot. "Experts," such as newspaper reporters, and random State Senators. We are the ones challenging the entire establishment of Florida, to put up or shut up on their ridiculous High Speed Rail plan, I wonder how that sounds like an echo? Lake may not notice your use of the language to spin every argument, I note that Lake, TUFSU and I are "experts" while the newspaper boys you quote are experts. LOL.

Thus the bulk of your posts might solely express your interest in a wide range of issues that include: school lunches, environment, new technology, bio-med industry, economy, jobs, and may other topics. I wonder how many of those posts started or ended with your boring character assassinations of John Mica.

Stacking our boards with 24,041 posts on every conceivable subject where you can spread Mica hate is an improper use of MJ. Obviously, if you run for his seat again, anyone searching anything about Mica, is bound to land on your pasted remarks. Goal accomplished?

OCKLAWAHA

[FayeforCure]

Untainted with cynical googlebombing.

You over-rate the metrojacksonville forum. I've had a far better google presence from my mainstream media articles. Just google my name. Presenting a different point of view that is sourced is beneficial to the meltingpot nature of America.

Take it or leave it. I'm a private citizen who happened to do more than the average citizen in trying to affect the change that we need,..........I've sacrificed my time, my life and that of my children to do so.

I will continue to promote ideas as a private citizen just like all of you do. I'm an individualist who doesn't much appreciate groupthink. Basta.

[Lunican]

Ok let's stay on topic.

From what I've gathered, Faye is against Sunrail because she believes that:

1. It is too expensive
2. CSX will receive too much money
3. The ridership projection is too low
4. It will promote sprawl.

Did I miss anything?

[CS Foltz]

Well it would be nice if the public finally got something instead of Bill for "services rendered"! I am still not completly comfortable with the area that is being discussed for implementation but will go with the flow! CSX has not signed off yet and until they do all we have is talk! Lip service comes cheap..........show me the agreement honey! Thanks for the update tufsu1...........I am trying to keep track on this!

[FayeforCure]

Ok let's stay on topic.

From what I've gathered, Faye is against Sunrail because she believes that:

1. It is too expensive
2. CSX will receive too much money
3. The ridership projection is too low
4. It will promote sprawl.

Did I miss anything?

Lunican, thanks so much for the condensed listing. I agree.

Nevertheless I celebrate the fact that Florida has finally embarked in a dedicated way on putting state monies into Rail. This was long overdue. Tha fact that we are over-paying on this deal similar to what happens in many no-bid contracts the government engages in, is something that bothers me a great deal during this economic downturn. We've had the luxury of "ignoring" it in the past, but not so anymore.