Sounds great!

 

Is there a prototype of what Lucas County is hoping to do, or is this resolution simply to say "we'd support something like 3-C"?

See the resolution and/or sample letter:

 

http://www.standupfortrains.org/supporters/docs/Sample%20Resolution.pdf

 

http://www.standupfortrains.org/supporters/docs/Sample_Letter_Support-2.pdf

http://allaboardohio.org/2011/09/28/fall-meeting-2011-register-today/

 

Fall Meeting 2011 – register today!

 

Please register today for the joint All Aboard Ohio-Midwest High Speed Rail Association Fall Meeting. CLICK HERE: http://freepdfhosting.com/684827e24a.pdf  to download the registration form. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCT. 26. To make a last-minute phone registration before the deadline, call Ken Prendergast at All Aboard Ohio at (216) 288-4883  and then pay at the door the day of the meeting.

 

The meeting will be held:

 

Cleveland, OH – 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2011

Cleveland City Club, 850 Euclid Ave., Downtown

 

Getting there……

 

Transit: HealthLine bus rapid transit station is half-block east at E. 9th St. Per-trip cash fare is $2.25 (no transfers) or an All-Day Pass is $5 (allows transfers). Connect from RTA Red, Blue & Green rail lines to the HealthLine in front of Tower City Center on Public Square.

 

Parking: AMPCO parking lot and deck on west side of building. All-day parking is $5, or $3 with City Club-validated discount. Construction on I-90 downtown may close some exits.

 

 

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

 

9:00 a.m. – Registration and continental breakfast: pastries, fruit, juices, coffee

 

9:30 a.m. – Welcome by local and federal elected officials

 

Stand Up For Trains campaign report on federal transportation funding

 

Chicago-New York passenger rail development proposal

 

High-Speed Rail benefits study – Bruce Horowitz, ESH Consult & David Phillips, TransSystems

 

12 noon – Lunch: buffet of assorted wraps, salad, beverages and dessert

 

1:00 p.m. – All Aboard Ohio business mtg: membership vote on bylaw/constitution amendments

 

Midwest High Speed Rail Association update

 

High(er) Speed Rail reports from states around the Midwest

 

3:00 p.m. – Adjourn

 

###

http://allaboardohio.org/2011/09/30/that-%E2%80%9Cstate-up-north%E2%80%9D-is-cleaning-buckeye-state%E2%80%99s-clock/

 

For Immediate Release

Sept. 30, 2011

 

Ken Prendergast

Executive Director

All Aboard Ohio

[email protected]

(216) 288-4883

 

Jack Shaner

Public Affairs Director

Ohio Environmental Council

[email protected]

(614) 466-1693

 

That “State up North” is cleaning the Buckeye State’s clock

Why Michigan kept its $400 million for passenger trains when Ohio gave it back

 

This week, both houses of Michigan’s Republican-controlled legislature strongly supported funding for improving intercity passenger rail service on Amtrak’s Wolverine Corridor. The Detroit to Chicago line serves 17 cities in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois with up to eight trains a day. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the legislation.

 

The funding package of private, local, state and federal dollars amounted to $398.1 million (SOURCE: http://1.usa.gov/pvyK54). Of that, $360.4 million is federal, adding to a previous federal award to Michigan of $40.3 million, or $400.7 million in total federal investment.

 

The funding package will enable Michigan’s Department of Transportation to buy 136 miles of railroad from Norfolk Southern Corp. between Kalamazoo and Dearborn, and make infrastructure improvements to raise train speeds to 110 mph over 76 percent of the overall 304-mile route. The latest funding adds to the previous $40.3 million federal investment in Michigan, plus $32.9 million by Amtrak, and another $472.6 million in funding sponsored by Indiana and Illinois to bring the total Wolverine Corridor investment since 2009 to $943.8 million (SOURCE: http://1.usa.gov/n9pp7b).

 

“Thirty-three states in this country are undertaking passenger rail development of some kind” (SOURCE: http://tinyurl.com/3d28fux), said All Aboard Ohio Executive Director Ken Prendergast. “Our neighbors, including Pennsylvania, New York and our Canadian friends across the lake, are all developing 100+ mph trains. They aren’t doing this for nostalgia or because of a political philosophy. They are doing it to continue the most successful public-sector program ever invented – economic development.”

 

“While Michigan invests in more and faster trains, Ohio stands still,” said Jack Shaner, public affairs director at the Ohio Environmental Council. “Watch for Michigan to attract more young professionals and trackside development while Ohio idles on a silent siding.”

 

Why are Michigan, Indiana and Illinois investing in passenger rail, while Ohio, instead, chose to return $400 million in no-match federal funds for starting up train service the busiest travel corridor in the Buckeye State (Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati)?

 

It isn’t because Michigan’s governor is from a different political party. Republican Gov. Snyder has long been a vocal supporter of passenger rail development, unlike his Republican counterpart in Ohio who said “We’re not going to run some program that some train cult wants to support” (SOURCE:http://bit.ly/mRBfjz).

 

In fact, Gov. Snyder has stressed the importance of passenger rail to his state’s economy and jobs.  When the Federal Railroad Administration awarded Michigan a $199.3 million grant last May, Snyder said: “This investment in our rail system is critical to Michigan’s recovery” (SOURCE:http://bit.ly/pCkJcU).

 

Nor is it because Michigan’s legislature has a different majority party than Ohio’s. The Michigan Senate and House both have Republican majorities which didn’t consider the rail funding a controversial issue. Indeed, the House approved SB 237 by a near-unanimous 101-8 margin, and Senate approved it by a 33-5 count (SOURCE: http://tinyurl.com/6a23eco).

 

Scio Township Republican State Rep. Mark Ouimet said in a written statement this week: “High-speed rail represents the future of passenger service in the United States, and it’s only fitting that Ann Arbor become a hub for this groundbreaking mode of transportation. It could usher in an economic boon as well” (SOURCE: http://bit.ly/pxHhjl).

 

In fact, political partisanship wasn’t a factor at all, as Democrats joined Republicans to strongly support the rail project, too.

 

So what made the difference? Two issues: support from the track-owning freight railroad and experience with a passenger rail service that the state hasn’t had to subsidize.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://tinyurl.com/63cwnsv

 

###

All Aboard Ohio Meetings - October 2011

-----------------------------

 

Columbus meeting is canceled this month as its two organizers have schedule conflicts.

 

8th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Koffie, Cafe, 2521 Market Ave, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

 

8th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.

 

AGENDAS: Both meetings are likely to discuss east-west Amtrak expansion, planning for Discover Rail Day events in May and NOTICE the release by Amtrak of its Performance Improvement Plan for the Lake Shore Limited route at: http://tinyurl.com/5u5w9k2

 

17th/Monday -- 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; Passenger Rail Forum Luncheon -- Toledo Club, 235 14th Street in TOLEDO. Agenda: Progress on Detroit-Chicago Wolverine Corridor. Speakers are Tim Hoeffner of Michigan DOT and Michael Benham of Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. Cost is $15 for students and $25 for all others. Register by Oct. 11 by contacting Diane Reamer Evans at 419.241.9155 ext. 117 or [email protected].

 

29th/Saturday -- 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Midwest High Speed Rail Association/All Aboard Ohio Fall Meeting -- Cleveland City Club, 850 Euclid Ave. in CLEVELAND. Agenda: federal funding of High Speed/Intercity Passenger Rail and Amtrak, east-west Amtrak expansion, high-speed rail benefits study; Speakers: National Association of Railroad Passengers' President/CEO Ross Capon; Bruce Horowitz of ESH Consult; David Phillips of TranSystems; Jack Shaner of Ohio Environmental Council; Rick Harnish of MHSRA; invited are local and federal elected officials. Cost is $25 for students, $35 for members, $45 for non-members. Register by Oct. 26 at http://allaboardohio.org/2011/09/28/fall-meeting-2011-register-today/ or by contacting Ken Prendergast at 216.288.4883 or [email protected].

That's one of the main arguments I've always made. I badly want to make an RTA video with a side-by-side screen showing Rapid rider get more work done than guy stuck in traffic.

 

This would be a good idea.. its an argument that perhaps should be more in the forefront...  Somehow, to estimate the increase in productivity and what it can equate to increased dollars for businesses.  If this is the only lingo he understands...he has still failed to realize the benefits of even that single element, aside from the many other money benefits.... $$$!

 

I think of this each time I have to make a long commute.....How much time I waste stuck in traffic, which equates to money, driving defensively, watching out for cops wanting to write tickets...road conditions, other morons on the road driving clueless, etc.

 

Oh, and after work...When I am not working, I cannot even relax while driving, especially these days with the roads so clogged...... On a train I could and watch the scenery...and wave BYE BYE to drivers!  :wave:

REMINDER!!!!

 

http://allaboardohio.org/2011/09/28/fall-meeting-2011-register-today/

 

Fall Meeting 2011 – register today!

 

Please register today for the joint All Aboard Ohio-Midwest High Speed Rail Association Fall Meeting. CLICK HERE http://freepdfhosting.com/684827e24a.pdf to download the registration form. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCT. 26. To make a last-minute phone registration before the deadline, call Ken Prendergast at All Aboard Ohio at (216) 288-4883  and then pay at the door the day of the meeting.

 

Credit card payments may be made at http://www.midwesthsr.org/fall-meeting-2011

 

 

 

The meeting will be held:

 

Cleveland, OH – 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2011

 

Cleveland City Club, 850 Euclid Ave., Downtown

 

Getting there......

 

Transit: HealthLine bus rapid transit station is half-block east at E. 9th St. Per-trip cash fare is $2.25 (no transfers) or an All-Day Pass is $5 (allows transfers). Connect from RTA Red, Blue & Green rail lines to the HealthLine in front of Tower City Center on Public Square.

 

Parking: AMPCO parking lot and deck on west side of building. All-day parking is $5, or $3 with City Club-validated discount. Construction on I-90 downtown may close some exits.

 

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

 

 

9:30 a.m. – Registration and continental breakfast: pastries, fruit, juices, coffee

 

10:00 a.m. – Welcome by local and federal elected officials

 

Ross Capon, NARP President & CEO – Stand Up For Trains campaign report on federal transportation funding

 

Chicago-New York passenger rail development proposal

 

Bruce Horowitz, ESH Consult & David Phillips, TranSystems – High-Speed Rail benefits study

 

Jack Shaner, Ohio Environmental Council

 

12 noon – Lunch: buffet of assorted wraps, salad, beverages and dessert

 

1:00 p.m. – All Aboard Ohio business mtg: membership vote on bylaw/constitution amendments

 

Midwest High Speed Rail Association update

 

High(er) Speed Rail reports from states around the Midwest

 

3:00 p.m. – Adjourn

 

 

______________________________

 

Friends, You have until Oct. 26 to register for the All Aboard Ohio-Midwest High Speed Rail Association fall meeting in Cleveland where you will meet this impressive roster of speakers. Includes continental breakfast and lunch (registration info below)....

 

 

Welcome to Cleveland

Valarie J. McCall, Chief of Government Affairs for Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson

 

Opening Remarks

Hamid Homaee, PE., Regional Vice President, TranSystems

 

APTA, Federal Funding Opportunities, and US Railcar Industry Updates

Jolene Molitoris, President of U.S. Railcar Company, & Chair of the American Public

Transportation Association High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Committee

 

The NARP Agenda and Federal Legislative Updates

Ross Capon, President and CEO, National Association of Railroad Passengers

 

Midwest High Speed Rail Benefits Study Findings

David Phillips, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner, TranSystems

Bruce Horowitz, Principle, Rail Transport Economics, ESH Consult

 

Stand Up For Trains Campaign Update

Madeline Grennan, Manager of Education and Outreach, Midwest High Speed Rail Association

 

California HSR Project, Constraints of Rail Design in Urban/Suburban Settings

Genaro Mejia, PE, Senior Alignment Engineer, ARUP

 

Passenger Rail and Ohio Politics

Jack Shaner, Deputy Director, Ohio Environmental Council

 

Chicago-New York Service Updates and Input

Rick Harnish, Executive Director, Midwest High Speed Rail Association

 

Amendments to All Aboard Ohio's Constitution and other updates, closing remarks

Ken Prendergast, Executive Director, All Aboard Ohio

________

 

 

The meeting will be held:

 

Date:  Saturday, October 29, 2011

Time:  9:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Location:  The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Ave, The City Club Building, 2nd Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114

 

To make a last-minute registration, contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883 or [email protected]

 

Or to register and pay by credit card, visit: http://www.midwesthsr.org/fall-meeting-2011

 

See you on the 29th!

Dear Friends, Last month, young professionals in Columbus said they liked their city, but felt the city's greatest need was more quality transportation alternatives, especially public transit and rail: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/10/young-professionals-digging-columbus.html

 

Here's your chance to help us make the capital city of Ohio a better, more transit-friendly place....

 

Mark your calendars: November 10, 2011 is the date of The Big Give, and the "Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers dba All Aboard Ohio" will be a featured PowerPhilanthropy nonprofit in this 24-hour donor-matching opportunity. The Columbus Foundation and its family of donors have committed $1,000,000 in matching charitable funds to help make The Big Give the largest one day of giving ever in Central Ohio.

 

The Big Give will start at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 10th and end 24 hours later at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11th. Anyone can give, starting with $20 and a credit card.

 

Remember, All Aboard Ohio is listed alphabetically under "O" as in "Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers dba All Aboard Ohio." I hope that you will participate in The Big Give regardless of where you live. Having quality transportation choices in Ohio's capital city provides an example to the entire state.

 

To learn more about PowerPhilanthropy and The Big Give, visit www.columbusfoundation.org.

 

Also, don't forget to do your holiday shopping this year through http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx and name "All Aboard Ohio" (Charity ID 905601) as the beneficiary organization. We are listed with GoodShop and GoodSearch. Add the toolbar to remind you to use GoodShop for better trains and transit in Ohio!

 

Thank you.

 

 

Ken Prendergast

Executive Director

All Aboard Ohio

12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505

Cleveland, OH 44107

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

www.allaboardohio.org

Please post this to twitter and facebook.

Please post this to twitter and facebook.

 

Yep, already did.

All Aboard Ohio - Cincinnati Chapter will meet as scheduled next Tuesday (11/8) at 630pm at Union Terminal in Tower A.  Parking as always is no charge at this time, all are welcome!  (Don't forget to VOTE first!!)

 

AGENDA

 

1. MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report (Beau Tuke)

2. Cincinnati Report (Reggie Victor)

3. NARP/Amtrak/Dome Ride Report (Mike Weber)

4. Upcoming Events, please research in your neighborhood for upcoming railroad related events and/or green living type events (Beau Tuke)

5. Organizational synergies, bring your ideas/input

6. Small project ideas, bring your input

 

Vote NO on 48 - do not let Cincinnati hibernate for 10 years!

 

Beau Tuke

Why isn't Beau on UO?

Why isn't Beau on UO?

 

To stay with the rhyme, "I don't know."

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

November 2011

 

AKRON -- 8th/Tuesday -- 6 p.m.; The Lockview, 207 South Main Street, Akron. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

AGENDA: update and strategy session on planning for introductory commuter rail segment, how advocates can help the Ravenna Connection campaign, MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report, east-west Amtrak expansion.

 

CINCINNATI -- 8th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; Tower A at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati. Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected]

AGENDA: MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting report, NARP/Amtrak/Dome ride report, Upcoming events (please research in your neighborhood for upcoming railroad related events and/or green living-type events), Organizational synergies & small project ideas (bring your ideas/input).

Don't forget to Vote NO on Issue 48 - do not let Cincinnati hibernate for 10 years!

 

YOUNGSTOWN -- 10th/Thursday -- 6 p.m.; Cassese's MVR, 410 North Walnut Street, Youngstown. Contact: John Fahnert at 330-565-5699.

AGENDA: how advocates can help the Ravenna Connection campaign, MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report, east-west Amtrak expansion.

 

CLEVELAND -- 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Koffie, Cafe, 2521 Market Ave, Cleveland/Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

AGENDA: planning for Discover Rail Day events in May, MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report, how advocates can help the Ravenna Connection campaign, east-west Amtrak expansion, funded planning for proposed transit line extensions (Red Line/HealthLine to Euclid, Blue Line/bus transit to North Randall and/or Chagrin, West Shore Corridor), upcoming events (please research in your neighborhood for upcoming railroad related events and/or green living-type events).

 

TOLEDO -- 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.

AGENDA: planning for Discover Rail Day events in May, MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report, east-west Amtrak expansion, Michigan update and considering linkages with their rail services.

 

COLUMBUS -- 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

AGENDA: Getting Gahanna council to support federal funding for proposed US Railcar plant, MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report, local transit initiatives, upcoming events (please research in your neighborhood for upcoming railroad related events and/or green living-type events).

TODAY IS THE DAY!!

 

Dear Friends, Last month, young professionals in Columbus said they liked their city, but felt the city's greatest need was more quality transportation alternatives, especially public transit and rail: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/10/young-professionals-digging-columbus.html

 

We can address this growing need by uniting local governments in Central Ohio and in other regions around the state to take the lead in improving transportation, as was done in Texas, Minnesota and elsewhere. Your donations will benefit the fight for better trains and transit statewide. We need your help…

 

November 10, 2011 is the date of The Big Give, and the "Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers dba All Aboard Ohio" will be a featured PowerPhilanthropy nonprofit in this 24-hour donor-matching opportunity. The Columbus Foundation and its family of donors have committed $1,000,000 in matching charitable funds to help make The Big Give the largest one day of giving ever in Central Ohio.

 

The Big Give will start at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 10th and end 24 hours later at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11th. Anyone can give, starting with $20 and a credit card.

 

Remember, All Aboard Ohio is listed alphabetically under "O" as in "Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers dba All Aboard Ohio." I hope that you will participate in The Big Give regardless of where you live. Having quality transportation choices in Ohio's capital city provides an example to the entire state.

 

To learn more about PowerPhilanthropy and The Big Give, visit www.columbusfoundation.org.

 

Also, don't forget to do your holiday shopping this year through http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx and name "All Aboard Ohio" (Charity ID 905601) as the beneficiary organization. We are listed with GoodShop and GoodSearch. Add the toolbar to remind you to use GoodShop for better trains and transit in Ohio!

 

Thank you.

 

 

Ken Prendergast

Executive Director

All Aboard Ohio

12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505

Cleveland, OH 44107

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

www.allaboardohio.org

^$50.  done...

 

Thanks!!

 

If anyone else wants to help us or other organizations participating in this fundraiser, you have until 11 a.m. Friday when the Columbus Foundation will stop matching your donations.

 

All you need is at least $20 and a credit card. Go to www.columbusfoundation.org and click on The Big Give graphic, then look up "Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers dba All Aboard Ohio" or your favorite nonprofit. It's that simple!

Upcoming meetings!

 

 

December

 

10th — Cleveland local meeting — 10 a.m. — Koffie Cafe, 2521 Market Avenue, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. Danishes will be provided thanks to Steve Rubin!

Agenda: Amtrak plans/improvements/problems, National Train Day planning, transit projects, RESTORE initiative.

 

10th — Toledo Local Meeting — 10 a.m. — Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.

Agenda: Amtrak plans/improvements/problems, National Train Day planning, MLK Plaza station improvements.

 

10th — Columbus Local Meeting — 10 a.m. — Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

Agenda: Columbus office move followup, upcoming All Aboard Ohio display opportunities in Central Ohio, transit projects.

In the past two days, I've actually gotten a lot of exposure to All Aboard Ohio. The other night, KJP was on PBS Ohio Channel. I missed it the first time around, but was glad to see the host treat the discussion with respect (I suppose it should be expected on PBS) even if he says he's not sold on rail public transit in our cities. The gentleman from Michigan also gave good explanations regarding rail. I often notice that individuals from other states (and especially other nations) show concern when they learn what happened with passenger rail in Ohio since the '70s.

 

Yesterday, I picked up a copy of Ohio Passenger Rail News from the Grandview Heights Public Library's community information shelves, the same place where I promote gaming events happening at my shop. I haven't read all the way through it yet, but I gotta say that I love print newsletters. Reading longer articles online is tiring and I don't have internet at home, so a paper newsletter is a great thing to have around the house. Good to see articles from Ken and Bill.

 

Another important fact, I think, that I learned from the newsletter was that All Aboard Ohio's late founder actually owned Ziebart franchises for a living. For those not familiar with Ziebart, they are a chain of auto service center that focuses on adding comfort and convenience features such as sunroofs, window tinting and truck bedliners in addition to detailing services. Some people think that train advocates are trying to force people out of their cars, run the auto companies out of business and destroy jobs. Yet, the people who actually understand passenger rail know better... why would somebody who owns a bunch of Ziebarts want to kill the automobile? There are times when the automobile is not the proper transportation solution, yet often we get stuck with it here. Then, there's lots of other times when the automobile is the perfect transportation solution. People who actually understand transportation know this... ones who don't, don't.

Not to take the thread off-topic, but in relation to your last paragraph, I think it's interesting to note there's a AAA discount for Amtrak tickets. Does anyone know why?

Glad to hear All Aboard Ohio is exposing itself! Wait, I didn't mean it that way!! And I was on PBS?? What did I say?

 

Glad you liked the newsletter. You can receive it by joining All Aboard Ohio at our website. If you're a college student, it's only $25 per year.

 

And AAA members get an Amtrak discount because AAA is a huge player in the travel industry. If Amtrak wasn't a part of their network, they'd put themselves at a competitive disadvantage. And to keep this on the All Aboard Ohio topic, when AAA operated many travel agencies (er, when there travel agencies - period), a number of them were TRavel Agency Members (TRAM) of a rail association. How's that for strange bedfellows?

^ Interesting. Thanks.

NOTE changes in location for the CLEVELAND and YOUNGSTOWN meetings! All are welcome -- no RSVP required except for Youngstown meeting.

 

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

January 2012

 

AKRON -- Jan. 10th/Tuesday -- 6 p.m.; The Lockview, 207 South Main Street, Akron. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

AGENDA: organizing support for Akron-area regional/commuter rail.

 

CINCINNATI -- Jan. 10th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; Tower A at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati. Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected]

AGENDA: We will meet next Tuesday, January 10 at 630pm in Tower A @ CUT. Discussion will involve Cardinal updates, Hoosier train ideas, streetcar updates, Eastern Corridor updates, Cinti-Dayton/Springfield Commuter ideas.

 

YOUNGSTOWN -- Jan. 12th/Thursday -- 12 noon; Powers-Gibson Room (Fourth Floor) at The Youngstown Club, 201 East Commerce Street, Downtown Youngstown. RSVP to [email protected]

AGENDA: Lunch presentation on RESTORE freight rail proposal for the Mahoning Valley. Kindly order your own meal from the regular lunch menu; a special burger menu will also be available.

 

CLEVELAND -- Jan. 14th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; 10th-floor conference room, City Club Building, 850 Euclid Avenue. Park on Euclid or East 9th for free on Saturdays or next-door in lot. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

AGENDA: planning for Discover Rail Day events in May, east-west Amtrak expansion, funded planning for proposed transit line extensions (Red Line/HealthLine to Euclid, Blue Line/bus transit to North Randall and/or Chagrin, West Shore Corridor), upcoming events (please research in your communities for upcoming railroad-related events and/or green living-type events).

 

TOLEDO -- 14th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.

AGENDA: planning for Discover Rail Day events in May, MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report, east-west Amtrak expansion, Michigan update and linkages with their rail services.

 

COLUMBUS -- 14th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

AGENDA: ideas for east-west Amtrak services through Columbus, local transit initiatives, upcoming events (please research in your neighborhood for upcoming railroad related events and/or green living-type events).

KJP:

 

I was just wondering if we should rename the thread "All Aboard Ohio/Rail Advocacy" and include other organizations, such as the National Association of Railroad Passengers, NOPRA or OHERN, MARP, among others? The NARP Hotline should at least be posted...lots of good information there.

I have no problem with that, but I thought NARP considers its hotline copyrighted and wants people to visit their page? Perhaps we could post the link and the headlines for each section of news?

Glad to hear All Aboard Ohio is exposing itself! Wait, I didn't mean it that way!! And I was on PBS?? What did I say?

 

It was that show where you and a rail advocate from Michigan sat down with a host and talked about 3C and other rail projects in Ohio and the rest of the Midwest. It was maybe 6 months old. It was on an all-black set. You guys were on for 30 minutes. I can't remember the name of the program.

I have no problem with that, but I thought NARP considers its hotline copyrighted and wants people to visit their page? Perhaps we could post the link and the headlines for each section of news?

 

I'll find out.

One way you might boost the use of rail (and bus) transportation in Ohio is to get the state to opt out of TSA "VIPR" program.

Not to take the thread off-topic, but in relation to your last paragraph, I think it's interesting to note there's a AAA discount for Amtrak tickets. Does anyone know why?

 

If you join the National Association of Railroad Passengers, you get the same discount.

 

All Aboard Ohio and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority are sharing the TV spotlight on Tuesday, March 13.

 

Six representatives (and one alternate) from each organization will answer phones on-the-air to raise funds for TV-25 WVIZ from 8-11 p.m., while viewers at home watch a program, Celebrating North America’s Steam Railways. (The role of the alternate is to fill in if someone can't make it.)

 

You need to be there by 7:30 p.m. for training, and to take a group photo. We will be in Downtown Cleveland's IdeaCenter, 1375 Euclid Ave. at Playhouse Square, in a room with big windows so you can watch the HealthLine vehicles go by.

 

Those who have done this before say it is a lot of fun. It's also great community relations for both of our groups.

 

As a thank-you to volunteers and to advertise the association, All Aboard Ohio will give anyone who volunteers for us a free All Aboard Ohio-logo'd golf shirt or sweatshirt in their size or, if unavailable, the next size larger. Please dress in business casual.

 

All-Aboard Ohio members and friends: please contact Ken Prendergast at [email protected] or at 216-288-4883.

 

RTA staff: to volunteer, please contact Jerry Masek via e-mail., or call him at 216-566-5173.

 

The IdeaCenter is conveniently located on RTA's HealthLine which operates frequently 24 hours a day. However, parking is available in the adjacent Playhouse Square garage, with an entrance off Chester Avenue.

 

Call today, I expect these seats to fill up quickly!

 

 

THANKS!

I have only three volunteers for the above event. I need four more, please. Let me know at [email protected]

 

Thanks!

I still need volunteers -- speak up, or All Aboard Ohio will have to back out of this.

 

EDIT: I've got the volunteers. Thanks.

All are welcome -- no RSVP required except for Youngstown meeting.

NOTE change of date for Columbus meeting.

 

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

March 2012

 

AKRON -- No meeting this month.

 

 

YOUNGSTOWN -- March 8th/Thursday -- 12 noon; Powers-Gibson Room (Fourth Floor) at The Youngstown Club, 201 East Commerce Street, Downtown Youngstown. RSVP to [email protected]

AGENDA: Lunch presentation on RESTORE freight rail analysis for the Western Reserve Port Authority, discussion of what criteria RESTORE will use to identify, analyze and suggest rail freight infrastructure projects for the Mahoning Valley. Your ideas, input and suggestions are most welcome! Kindly order your own meal from the regular lunch menu.

 

CLEVELAND -- March 10th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; 10th-floor conference room, City Club Building, 850 Euclid Avenue. Park on Euclid or East 9th for free on Saturdays or next-door in lot. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

AGENDA: east-west Amtrak expansion, funded planning for proposed transit line extensions (Red Line/HealthLine to Euclid, Blue Line/bus transit to North Randall and/or Chagrin, West Shore Corridor), RESTORE freight rail projects and planning initiatives.

 

TOLEDO -- March 10th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.

AGENDA: planning for Discover Rail Day events in May, MHSRA/AAO Fall Meeting Report, east-west Amtrak expansion, Michigan update and linkages with their rail services.

 

CINCINNATI -- March 13th/Tuesday -- Meeting may be postponed. Details still to come or contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected]

 

COLUMBUS -- March 17th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

AGENDA: ideas for east-west Amtrak services through Columbus including All Aboard Ohio's idea of extending the Pennsylvanian to Chicago via Columbus, locally funded Indiana/Ohio feasibility study for Columbus-Lima-Ft Wayne-Chicago service, local transit initiatives, upcoming events (please research in your neighborhood for upcoming railroad related events and/or green living-type events).

Most Ohioans have no choice but to drive,

despite what this sign in Columbus says.

 

http://allaboardohio.org/2012/04/03/does-ohio-transport-policy-violate-ada/

 

Does Ohio transport policy violate ADA?

 

April 3, 2012

 

Ken Prendergast

Executive Director

All Aboard Ohio

[email protected]

(216) 288-4883

_________________

 

Does Ohio’s transportation policy, which leaves just 1 percent of its transportation budget for non-highway modes like transit, rail and complete streets, violate the Americans with Disabilities Act?

 

This question needs to be asked with greater frequency and urgency as 9 percent of Ohio households are without cars. The Census says that number is growing as Ohio’s population ages and as the cost of driving rises. Yet more transportation tax dollars are used for roads that cause Ohio’s metropolitan populations to sprawl over ever larger geographic areas, making options to driving difficult and sentencing more Ohioans to house arrest.

 

Any type of transportation development must include accommodation for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American’s with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). However, Ohio’s transportation policy itself fails to accommodate growing numbers of aging Ohioans as the Baby Boomers started turning 65 years old in 2011. The cumulative effect of the lack of accessible, affordable and integrated transportation has created a social, economic and medical crisis for Ohioans and their economy.

 

Ohio’s policymakers, be they in Ohio’s General Assembly or in Ohio’s metropolitan planning organizations, are failing to acknowledge this new reality. Legislators continue to devote only 1 percent of the state’s transportation budget to anything other than more roads. And metropolitan planning organizations like the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) fail to provide transportation alternatives to their citizens. MORPC recently announced $6.6 billion in new and improved roads for Columbus and its hinterlands. Yet its plan offers no transportation alternatives to congested roads or for those who will not drive, or cannot drive due to financial or physical disabilities.

 

“ADA is a civil rights law which says any facility or building must be equally accessible to a disabled person as it is to an able-bodied person. But if you’re disabled, you can’t get to all those ADA-compliant buildings as well as an able-bodied person can. That tells me Ohio’s entire transportation system and the laws which shaped it are not ADA-compliant. Ohio needs a mobility policy, not outdated laws designed to move more vehicles without consideration of alternatives,” said All Aboard Ohio Executive Director Ken Prendergast.

 

At issue is Ohio’s Constitution (Article XII, section 5a) which prohibits spending any state gas taxes on anything other than more roads (about 10 percent of federal gas taxes are spent on transit, rail and complete streets that are ADA-compliant and also have safe bike routes for children and commuters alike):

 

No moneys derived from fees, excises, or license taxes relating to registration, operation, or use of vehicles on public highways, or to fuels used for propelling such vehicles, shall be expended for other than costs of administering such laws, statutory refunds and adjustments provided therein, payment of highway obligations, costs for construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways and bridges and other statutory highway purposes, expense of state enforcement of traffic laws, and expenditures authorized for hospitalization of indigent persons injured in motor vehicle accidents on the public highways. (Adopted November 4, 1947; effective January 1, 1948.)

 

“With the constitutional prohibition on using gas taxes and registration fees for anything but more roads, what other outcome can there be than to pour billions more tax dollars into an already overbuilt highway system while we can’t afford to maintain what we’ve got?” asked All Aboard Ohio President Bill Hutchison. “We are trapped into doing the same stupid things over and over and can’t change even if we want to. This is the stranglehold that prevents other solutions to traffic problems.”

 

Hutchison notes that if the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) spent a percentage of its annual budget equal to the percentage of households without cars, it would be providing about $250 million for non-highway transportation. Instead ODOT spends less than $20 million per year in state and federal funds on transit and rail  modes.

 

Ironically, about 5 percent of state gas taxes (or $50 million per year) come from non-highway uses (recreation, construction, landscaping, etc). If ODOT used that to leverage an 80 percent federal match, Ohio could provide $250 million per year for much-needed transit and rail development projects and services.

 

END

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

April 2012

 

ALL: For consideration and discussion by all local groups on how best to reach out to your Congresspersons... Amtrak expansion policy (including for long-distance services), which was included in the National Rail System Preservation, Expansion, and Development Act of 2012 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r112:1:./temp/~r112LqISeF:e1638791: which was adopted as amendment to the U.S. Senate's Map21 legislation but has yet to pass the House http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/Senate-passes-109-billion-surface-transportation-bill--30274)

 

CLEVELAND -- April 14th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; 10th-floor conference room, City Club Building, 850 Euclid Avenue. At East 9th HealthLine station. On-street parking limited on Saturday morning. Paid lot is next-door. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

AGENDA: Engaging Congress on Amtrak expansion policy, planning for proposed transit line extensions, RESTORE freight rail projects and planning initiatives. NEWSLETTER -- your help in labeling and stamping the spring newsletter is requested!

 

 

TOLEDO -- April 14th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.

AGENDA: planning for Discover Rail Day events in May, All Aboard Ohio Friday reception, Engaging Congress on Amtrak expansion policy.

 

 

COLUMBUS -- April 14th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

AGENDA: Engaging Congress on Amtrak expansion policy, Columbus - Lima - Fort Wayne - Chicago study.

^Whoops, looks like Toledo and Columbus are Caught Somewhere in Time (March) on there.

^Whoops, looks like Toledo and Columbus are Caught Somewhere in Time (March) on there.

 

Ruh-roh!

Corrected.

Corrected.

 

Attaboy!

At Toledo's National Train Day held May 5 at the MLK Plaza Amtrak station, the line to walk through Amtrak's 40th anniversary exhibit train was two hours long. A record 8,000 people visited Toledo's event, of which All Aboard Ohio is a proud sponsor. The event's popularity shows Ohioans interest in passenger rail is strong and growing.

 

http://allaboardohio.org/2012/05/07/chicago-rail-access/

 

Chicago rail access planning OK’d

May 7, 2012

 

The Federal Railroad Administration along with Norfolk Southern and the states of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan are contributing a total of $4 million to make it easier for existing and expanded passenger rail service to access Chicago to/from the east. Existing and future passenger trains to/from Ohio will be an important beneficiary.

 

The funding will pay for preliminary engineering and environmental assessments of building a 40-mile-long, double-track passenger rail corridor from Porter, Indiana into the heart of downtown Chicago. This engineering work will identify a preferred route, capital costs, how to mitigate impacts on natural and built environments, and economic benefits to users and affected communities.

 

Although the planning is sought by stakeholders seeking to improve access to Chicago for 10 daily 110-mph passenger trains to/from Michigan and up to 90 NS freight trains per day, there is another beneficiary.  Also due to use a new passenger-only route into Chicago are four daily Amtrak trains to/from the East Coast via the Ohio stations of Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland and Alliance. These trains to Boston, New York, and Washington DC carried more than 600,000 people in 2011, according to Amtrak. Through service to Philadelphia is due to be added in 2013 which will also provide a second daily Chicago-New York City round trip.

 

“All Aboard Ohio and other organizations are seeking more passenger trains on this route to respond to growing ridership and sold-out conditions,” said Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio.  ”NS freight traffic congestion seriously limits the opportunity to expand Amtrak service from Ohio cities to Chicago. A passenger-only route west of Porter will open the gate to Chicago for more rail business.”

 

A railroad corridor with two tracks can easily accommodate several times more than the existing 14 daily passenger trains which must use the busy NS mainline. That leaves a lot of room for future passenger rail growth, including for multiple daily passenger trains to the East Coast via existing and potential routes through Ohio.

 

One of those potential routes will be a topic of discussion at All Aboard Ohio’s Annual Meeting to be held 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday May 19 at The Golf Village at Central Park, 789 Science Blvd., Gahanna, OH (near the Port Columbus International Airport). RSVP by May 16 by e-mailing [email protected] and pay at the door ($25 per member, $45 per non-member but includes a 1-year membership in All Aboard Ohio).

 

A guest speaker will be Richard Davis of the Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association who will provide an update of progress on starting a feasibility study of linking Columbus, Lima, Fort Wayne, Chicago and other cities with modern, comfortable, affordable passenger trains. The update will include a list of communities that have agreed to sponsor the study, which is separate from but can be mutually beneficial to the Porter-Chicago planning.

 

END

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

May 2012

 

NOTE: Cincinnati meeting date changed; Toledo meeting cancelled

 

AKRON -- No meeting this month.

 

CINCINNATI -- May 9th/TuesdayWednesday -- 6:30 p.m.; Cincinnati Union Terminal, Tower A.

PROPOSED AGENDA: NARP Annual Meeting Report, Amtrak trip reports, AAO/FOC/NARP Daytrip, Cincinnati developments, Train Day report, All Aboard Ohio Annual Meeting, Canvassing train events, New politicians. Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN -- May 10th/Thursday -- 12 noon; The Youngstown Club, 201 East Commerce Street, Downtown Youngstown. RSVP to [email protected]

PROPOSED AGENDA: Lunch presentation of RESTORE freight rail analysis for the Western Reserve Port Authority, discussion of draft recommendations for rail freight infrastructure projects for the Mahoning Valley. Your ideas, input and suggestions are most welcome! Kindly order your own meal from the regular lunch menu.

 

CLEVELAND -- May 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; 10th-floor conference room, City Club Building, 850 Euclid Avenue. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

PROPOSED AGENDA: east-west Amtrak expansion, RESTORE freight rail projects and planning initiatives.

 

TOLEDO -- CANCELLED DUE TO TIME OFF NEEDED FOR VOLUNTEERS TO RECOVER FROM A RECORD (7,500-8,500) TURNOUT AT NATIONAL TRAIN DAY!

 

COLUMBUS -- May 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

PROPOSED AGENDA: outreach for east-west Amtrak through Columbus, locally funded Indiana/Ohio feasibility study for Columbus-Lima-Ft Wayne-Chicago service, local transit initiatives.

 

ALL ABOARD OHIO ANNUAL MEETING -- May 19th/Saturday -- 9:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. meeting start; The Golf Village at Central Park, 789 Science Blvd., Gahanna (near Columbus Airport, exit I-270 at East Broad Street, go east to Taylor Station Road and turn left, north to Claycraft Road and turn left, west to Science Boulevard and turn right. Continue to Golf Village at Central Park.)

AGENDA: All Aboard Ohio election; Presentation of Ohio-Chicago passenger rail planning by Richard Davis of the Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association; TransitColumbus report; RESTORE project; and President Bill Hutchison farewell presentation. Board meeting to follow to appoint officers.

REGISTRATION: $25 per member and $45 for each non-member (receives 1-year membership in All Aboard Ohio ) includes meeting, continental breakfast and build-your-own-sandwich buffet lunch, beverages. For information and registration (deadline is May 16), contact Ken Prendergast at (216) 288-4883 or [email protected]

SUMMER MEETING & FAMILY OUTING -- 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Aug. 11th, Dravenstott's Restaurant, 410 West High Street, Orrville, OH. In conjunction with Orrville's Railroad Days and Rib & Music Fest. Orrville is near Wooster, between Mansfield and Canton, on State Route 57, just north of US 30 and west SR21.

 

Continental breakfast is at 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m. business meeting with speakers, a noon lunch of your choices of homemade soups, chili, salad bar, desserts and beverages. Lunch will be followed by a ride on the Orrville Railroad Heritage excursion train (included in your registration fee) and a visit to the NS 30th anniversary exhibit car (free) in its only scheduled visit to Ohio.

 

Cost is only $30 per person, with each additional family member paying just $15 per person. To register, please use this POSTCARD (http://tinyurl.com/dyrzacg) or RSVP by calling Ken Prendergast at All Aboard Ohio at (216)  288-4883 and pay at the door.

 

_________

 

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

July 2012

 

AKRON -- No meeting this month. Next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday in September. Location to be announced. Proposed agenda to focus on Akron Metro RTA commuter and freight rail development efforts.

 

CINCINNATI -- No meeting this month. Next meeting will be at Tower A, Union Terminal, at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday in September. In the meantime, please keep aware of efforts and planning surrounding Wasson Line. Pro-rail parties must let the city, citizens and neighborhoods know this right of way cannot be released from a future light-rail/street car right of way. Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN -- No meeting this month. Next meeting will be at the Youngstown Club, 12 noon on the 2nd Thursday in September. In the meantime, talk with your local officials about a metropolitan-based, two-state passenger rail development for Cleveland-Pittsburgh similar to https://whsra.com/ which was recently recognized by the Federal Rail Administration as an eligible recipient of federal funds. Also please see RESTORE's report and presentation at: http://allaboardohio.org/2012/05/11/immediate-needs-assessment-of-mahoning-valley-rail-infrastructure-released/

 

CLEVELAND -- July 14th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; 10th-floor conference room, City Club Building, 850 Euclid Ave. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

PROPOSED AGENDA: east-west Amtrak expansion, Cleveland Downtown Lakefront Multimodal Project, transit capital improvement visioning.

 

TOLEDO -- July 14/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Amtrak station, Toledo MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave. Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924.

PROPOSED AGENDA: followup on National Train Day, planning for 2013, east-west Amtrak expansion.

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

September 2012

 

AKRON & YOUNGSTOWN meetings will be next month!

AKRON's will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Akron Metro RTA transit center; agenda topics: Akron Metro RTA to Cleveland expansion, CVSR, commuter rail planning, freight rail development, NEOSCC report.

YOUNGSTOWN's will be at 12 noon Oct. 11 at the Youngstown Club; agenda topics: freight rail development updates, regional transit issues, NEOSCC report. RSVP to Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

 

CLEVELAND -- Sept. 8th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; 10th-floor conference room, City Club Building, 850 Euclid Ave. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

PROPOSED AGENDA: east-west Amtrak expansion, Cleveland Downtown Lakefront Multimodal Project update, report on transit operating cost savings/capital improvement visioning.

 

COLUMBUS -- Sept. 8th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

PROPOSED AGENDA: east-west Amtrak through Columbus, locally funded Indiana/Ohio feasibility study for Columbus-Lima-Ft Wayne-Chicago service, local transit initiatives.

 

TOLEDO -- Sept. 8th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Amtrak station, Toledo MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave. Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924.

PROPOSED AGENDA: planning for 2013 National Train Day, east-west Amtrak service issues and expansion, plus outreach for the Rail Forum 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Toledo Club, featuring speaker Amtrak Chairman Tom Carper.

 

CINCINNATI -- Sept. 11/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; Thought we'd add a little "flavor" to our AAO/FOC/NARP September meeting. We would like to meet at The Rookwood, 1077 Celestial St., Mt Adams, 630pm on Tuesday, September 11. Update on streetcar project, Amtrak's Cardinal issues, recent rail meetings, etc. Please RSVP to Beau Tuke at [email protected] or 513-543-8504.

 

THE NEXT STATEWIDE MEETING WILL BE A MEMBERS-ONLY WORKSHOP MEETING IN DELAWARE, OH IN LATE-OCTOBER. INPUT PROVIDED WILL BE UTILIZED BY THE BOARD AT A RETREAT TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER. DETAILS WILL BE IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER, WHICH IS NOW IN PRODUCTION.

 

To join All Aboard Ohio, please see http://allaboardohio.org/join-us/pay-on-line-2/

Does anyone need a lightly used Pitney Bowes letter folder/inserter/sealer? If so, send me a personal message here at UO or check out our listing on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320978014172. Consider this a nonprofit fundraiser!

All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings

October 2012

 

AKRON -- Oct. 9th/Tuesday -- 7:00-8:30 p.m.; Akron Metro RTA downtown transit center, 631 S. Broadway Street, community room. Contact Paul Woodring at 301-580-4536.

PROPOSED AGENDA: Akron Metro RTA to Cleveland expansion, CVSR, commuter rail planning, freight rail development, NEOSCC report.

 

CLEVELAND -- Oct. 13th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; 10th-floor conference room, City Club Building, 850 Euclid Ave. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

PROPOSED AGENDA: east-west Amtrak expansion, Cleveland Downtown Lakefront Multimodal Project update, report on transit operating cost savings/capital improvement visioning.

 

COLUMBUS -- Oct. 13th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.

PROPOSED AGENDA: east-west Amtrak through Columbus, locally funded Indiana/Ohio feasibility study for Columbus-Lima-Ft Wayne-Chicago service, local transit initiatives.

 

TOLEDO -- Oct. 13th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; Amtrak station, Toledo MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave. Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924.

PROPOSED AGENDA: planning for 2013 National Train Day, east-west Amtrak service issues and expansion, plus last minute preparations for the Rail Forum 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Toledo Club, featuring speaker Amtrak Chairman Tom Carper.

 

YOUNGSTOWN -- Oct. 11th/Thursday -- 12 noon; Youngstown Club, 201 East Commerce Street, downtown Youngstown. RSVP to Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.

PROPOSED AGENDA: freight rail development updates from around the region, regional transit issues, NEOSCC report.

 

THE NEXT STATEWIDE MEETING: OCTOBER 27, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Delaware County-Orange Branch Library. Please note this is NOT THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY, but is located off US23 almost 10 miles south of downtown Delaware, halfway to I-270. The address is 7171 Gooding Boulevard, Lewis Center. MAP: http://tinyurl.com/8uaxxsp

 

THIS WILL BE A MEMBERS-ONLY, BROWN-BAG LUNCH WORKSHOP MEETING ON ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES, ACTIVITIES, AND STRATEGIES. THE INPUT YOU PROVIDE HERE WILL BE UTILIZED BY THE BOARD AT A RETREAT TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER. BRING YOUR THINKING CAPS!

 

Cost of the meeting is only $10, including materials for distribution, plus coffee, juice, pastries and fruit. Bring your own lunch. South of the library near Wal-Mart are numerous take-out food places (Panera, Skyline Chili, Subway, etc.).

 

PLEASE RSVP FOR THIS STATEWIDE MEETING BY E-MAILING [email protected] OR CALLING (216) 288-4883. Please pay at the door.

 

To join All Aboard Ohio, please see http://allaboardohio.org/join-us/pay-on-line-2/

Happy holidays! If you like to shop and you like trains and transit, then I've got the best of both worlds for you! If you do your holiday shopping this year through Goodshop and you'll help support All Aboard Ohio and its efforts for more and better trains and transit in our great state!

 

http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx

 

Install the Goodshop toolbar (maybe just for holidays or even year-round). Each time you do your online shopping through dozens of top, participating retailers, All Aboard Ohio will get a percentage of your total purchase price. You don't have to do anything else -- just shop! Goodshop takes care of the rest and sends us a check at the end of the year that will help us offset important expenses like office supplies and monthly phone bills.

 

Every little bit helps. Have a safe and happy holiday season and thank you for participating!

 

KJP

Thanks to all of you who responded to the Mad Jack Challenge! Your donations more than met Jack Shaner's challenge of up to $1,000. So we have raised $2,600 total from the Mad Jack Challenge that are essential to continue the distribution of news updates, travel advisories, travel discounts and more via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter!

 

Dues renewals and donations to the Chicago-Ohio-East Coast campaign also are coming in at a steady pace, with more than $1,000 raised just for the campaign (you can also join us at http://allaboardohio.org/join-us/pay-on-line-2/). Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Our fundraising efforts are continuing, including via partnerships with the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association. If you did not receive a newsletter/dues renewal packet (they were mailed shortly before Christmas), please contact me at the information below.

 

Also, don't forget that local All Aboard Ohio meetings are at noon Saturday in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. See the latest newsletter for details. The meeting scheduled for tomorrow in Youngstown is postponed until noon Feb. 14 where we expect to have news to share regarding a new Cleveland-Youngstown-Pittsburgh rail advocacy effort. The Feb. 14 meeting location in Youngstown will be distributed next week.

 

Thanks for your ongoing support.

All Aboard Ohio has a YouTube channel! Tune us in and see what's playing via our Web site at:

 

http://allaboardohio.org/

All Aboard Ohio has a YouTube channel! Tune us in and see what's playing via our Web site at:

 

http://allaboardohio.org/

Now all you need is google+ and you'll be good to go.