How'd the event go this morning?

I am happy to report that our meeting this morning in Cleveland at the Corner Alley's banquet room was successful, and in many ways. Thanks most of all to our sponsors: MRN Ltd. and TranSystems LLC.

 

All Aboard Ohio Northeast Ohio Director Ken Sislak was a good emcee. We had good speakers (Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Ohio Rail Development Commission Executive Director Matt Dietrich, Amtrak Senior Officer Government Affairs Derrick James and Midwest High Speed Rail Association's Advocacy Director Dan Johnson-Weinberger).

 

The last speaker brought together everything that was said previously and gave us a powerful to-do list, noting that our "ask" is being created for us (all rail supporters!):

 

+ Short-term (next month or two): contact Congress to get federal stimulus dollars for 3-C Corridor;

+ Medium-term (next nine months): contact state legislators to get support for state dollars for 3-C Corridor operating and capital funding;

+ Medium/long-term (6-18 months): contact state legislators to implement the recommendations of the outstanding 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force (see our web site www.allaboardohio.org for task force report).

 

Here are some photos I took this morning of our speakers:

 

Mayor Jackson, left, addresses the gathering of about 45 people, mostly downtown business people. Seated, from left, are ORDC's Dietrich, All Aboard Ohio's Sislak, Amtrak's James and Midwest High Speed Rail's Johnson-Weinberger....

 

 

 

Mayor Jackson again, and ORDC's Dietrich....

 

 

 

Emcee Sislak, again with that Dietrich guy in the picture....

 

 

 

Johnson-Weinberger fires up the crowd and gives us our marching orders before the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.....

 

 

Next stop: Washington D.C. to tell Congress to approve $100 million in the federal stimulus package for 3-C Corridor passenger trains. Don't stay silent! Contact your U.S. representative and two senators (Voinovich & Brown) today!!!

 

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

http://www.senate.gov/

It was great to hear that the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recommends allocating from the federal stimulus program $30.25 billion for highways and bridges, $12 billion for transit, $7 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, $5.25 billion for aviation and nearly $5 billion for passenger rail.

 

So what did the "transportation experts" in the Appropriations Committee recommend?

 

How about just $8.9 billion for transit and only $1.1 billion for intercity passenger rail. Meanwhile, the proposal offered $30 billion for "Roads-n-Bridges, Roads-n-Bridges...." Those words keep getting uttered as if by brainwashed zombies.

 

President-Elected Obama has asked for a bill that will change our economy to be more fuel efficient and green. This Appropriations Committee's amounts won't do that.

 

Don't like it? Tell your congressfolk today! I know you hear that a lot. But please take it to heart!!!! Give them a new chant to memorize: "Trains and Transit! Trains and Transit!"

 

Use this tool to contact your representative....

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RsdM6K6%2FtuyqEKO5JthM%2FDneT4fSggML

 

Tell them to accept the House Transportation & Infrastructure's recommended stimulus funding amounts for Trains and Transit. Remember, keep it short and sweet. Your persuasiveness of your message won't influence your Congressperson. The number of your messages will.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  --  Jan 16, 2009

Contact:

Ken Prendergast

All Aboard Ohio Interim Executive Director

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

 

All Aboard Ohio is calling on Ohio’s Congressional Delegation to support a list of “Shovel Ready” federal stimulus projects identified last week by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. In that list was $30.25 billion worth of highway and bridge projects, $12 billion for transit and nearly $5 billion for passenger rail.

 

This week the House Appropriations Committee kept the funding levels intact for highways, but reduced transit to $8.9 billion and eviscerated passenger rail funding to just $1.1 billion.

 

“There are some really great stimulus projects in Ohio that could begin to create the kind of interconnected transportation system that is needed to reduce our travel costs, boost development in our historic cities and towns, increase our energy efficiency, reduce our carbon emissions and compete better with the rest of the world,” said All Aboard Ohio Interim Executive Director Ken Prendergast. “That is the kind of change we can believe in. I hope Congress does too.”

 

A stimulus project list appears at the bottom of this press statement. Note that some of the projects are actually for federally required planning and environmental review so that those rail projects can become “shovel ready” for a long-term federal stimulus.

 

“Unfortunately, it seems that repeated utterances of ‘Roads-n-Bridges’ have become a programmed response as the best way to boost jobs,” Prendergast added. “It’s not. Our nation became overdependent on driving during the 100 years when America was the world’s biggest producer of oil. Now we are as dependent on imported oil as Europe, Japan and China. But while those nations are rebuilding their economies around trains and transit as well as walkable town centers, America is in danger of driving itself into an economic and environmental dead end.”

 

China is spending $88 billion on rail projects this year. European countries are shifting their infrastructure budgets from a dominance of “Roads-n-Bridges” to being in balance with “Trains and Transit.” India will invest $30 billion on rail in 2009. Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Vietnam, Argentina, Mexico, Turkey and other nations are or will soon invest billions to build high-speed rail. Meanwhile America plans to spend more for short-lived benefits and less to invest in Trains and Transit that will transform a resource-constrained America for the coming century and beyond.

 

“We ask everyone in Ohio to please contact their Congressperson today,” Prendergast said. “America can do what is easy or it can do what is best for its economy over the long term. Either way, decisions made in Congress in the next few weeks will likely set a direction for this nation that will last for decades.”

 

______________________

 

Here’s a partial list of Ohio “Trains and Transit” projects, submitted for federal stimulus program funding:

 

+ North Corridor Light Rail construction within Franklin County: $200 million; requested by the City of Columbus.

 

+ Downtown Streetcar system: up to $185 million; requested by the City of Cincinnati.

 

+ Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati (3-C) Corridor intercity passenger rail service (Phase One): $100 million; requested by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the City of Cleveland.

 

+ Ohio Hub System passenger rail preliminary engineering and environmental impact studies: $100 million; requested by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the City of Cleveland.

 

+ Rehabilitation of Rapid Transit rail stations, tracks, bridges, electrical substations, and construction of a new East Side Transit Center near CSU: $62.9 million; requested by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and portions requested by the City of Cleveland.

 

+ Extend Euclid Corridor-type bus rapid transit service along Buckeye Road, East 55th Street and Clifton Boulevard: $50 million; requested by the City of Cleveland.

 

+ Ohio Hub - Tier One Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement: $15 million; requested by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

 

+ Phase II Lorain County Transportation Center (LCT/Greyhound bus, Amtrak trains), City of Elyria: $3.2 million; requested by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Lorain County Commissioners.

 

+ Future Phase of Amtrak Planning and Engineering Design: $2.5 million; requested by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

It is very frustrating to read about the cuts recommended by the Appropriations Committee. 

 

Everyone really should contact their representative (yes I already contacted mine).

Thank you for doing that.

 

Please see draft language for a resolution introduced last week in Illinois and which could be introduced to city councils, county commissions, boards of trustees of colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations etc. with few wording changes required, at:

 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/96/SR/09600SR0019.htm

 

I've requested a member of Ohio's General Assembly to introduce it. He has agreed to do so.

THAT is one hell of a resolution. It should be spread far and wide!

^how about sending it to the city councils along the Ohio Hub routes too!

Exactly. This thing should be sent to as many entities as possible. The National Association of Railroad Passengers should do likewise.

Dear All Aboard Ohio Members-

 

This morning we have learned that Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) plans to introduce an amendment on the Senate floor today that would strip the $2 billion for High Speed Rail projects from the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act, over concerns that these are not short term, but long term investments. Senator Bond is wrong -- there are $5 billion worth of passenger rail projects ready to go according to the States for Passenger Rail Coalition.

 

I urge you to immediately CALL the staff Senators Voinovich and Brown and urge them to vote NO on the Bond amendment to strip High Speed Rail funds from the stimulus bill.  Please let me know if you have any questions or if you receive any feedback.

 

Senator Sherrod Brown

(202) 224-2315

 

Senator George Voinovich

(202) 224-3353

 

If either line is busy, please call back!

Friends, All Aboard Ohio's website has seen numerous updates in the last few days. I encourage you to visit the site at www.allaboardohio.org

 

Some pages have had content added to them for the first time since the website was started a couple of years ago! Two of those pages include the "Why Rail" and "Why Transit" pages.

 

Also updated is the "news scroll" at the top of the page, the blog on the main page, press releases and more.

 

Look for more updates in the coming days and weeks, including registration information for the Fifth Annual Rail/Transit Legislative Summit which will be held April 29, 2009 at the Columbus YWCA ballroom.

 

KJP

 

Kenneth Prendergast

Executive Director (Interim)

All Aboard Ohio!

12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505

Cleveland, OH 44107-2189

(216) 288-4883 cell

(216) 986-6064 office

[email protected]

www.allaboardohio.org

I need you to call Senator Voinovich's office NOW! It's not too late to call! The U.S. Senate may pull an all-nighter....

 

According to the Washington Post, a group of so-called "moderates" is proposing to reduce the amount for transit/rail in the stimulus package by $3.4 billion!!! At the moment a vote on this proposal and/or the stimulus package is scheduled for THIS EVENING (FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6).

 

Senator Voinovich, being on the Senate Environment and Infrastructure Committee, is obviously very influential on transportation issues and needs to know how much this would hurt. Tell his staff:

 

"PLEASE DO NOT CUT ANY FUNDING FOR RAIL & TRANSIT IN THE STIMULUS"

 

Sen. Voinovich's D.C office contact info is:

 

(202) 224-3353

 

Thanks for your help! Have a nice quiet weekend.

 

Ken Prendergast

All Aboard Ohio

Not sure, but on MSNBC, they're reporting the Senate compromise bill has, now, up to 42% tax cuts; cuts which academics and even some honest conservatives will admit, historically, do little to stimulate the economy.  No doubt, the additional cuts will be at the expense of transit.  As much as I support (and voted for) Obama and Dems, if this bastardized bill goes thru, it'll prove that, despite the strong Dem majority on the Hill, the Repubs will still be LARGE AND IN CHARGE... but that sure won't stop me from giving the staffs of George, and Sherrod, an earfull.

I agree for the most part... But really, if the republicans were in control we would see nearly all tax cuts... And the biggest percentage of those would probably go to the top 10% and business... Like they have for, how long now?

http://www.rollcall.com/news/32135-1.html

 

Voinovich Drops Out of Stimulus Talks

Updated: Feb. 6, 3:42 P.M.

 

Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) has pulled out of negotiations on a bipartisan compromise on the Senate’s economic stimulus bill.

 

And on his webpage, this statement:

 

SEN. VOINOVICH DISAPPOINTED RESPONSIBLE BIPARTISAN COMPROMISE NOT REACHED

 

February 6, 2009

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) released the following statement today on the inability to reach a responsible bipartisan compromise on an economic stimulus package:

 

“Our nation and the world need an economic shot in the arm. After spending many days trying to construct a responsible bipartisan alternative to the Democratic stimulus plan, I am disappointed that we were unable to accomplish that.

 

 

...........

^Hey George.  What if Ohio can't afford the repair of its schools?  Also, are the repairs of schools not "shovel-ready?"

UGH.  This is why I state he's outlived his usefulness!

 

I called and faxed at the request of KJP with the reasons why I want certain things in Ohio.  This doesn't make me feel confident that Ohio's representatives are pushing for the state.

 

Friends, Hopefully this good news (see http://t4america.org/blog/archives/658 ) will keep when the Senate bill is passed and the conference committee irons out differences. All Aboard Ohio seeks the best from each version of the stimulus:

 

+ $850 million for Amtrak to achieve a state of good repair (Senate version);

+ $2.25 billion for states to build and expand passenger rail (Senate);

+ $5.5 billion for a flexible surface transportation program for roads, rail and transit (Senate); and

+ $12 billion for transit (House).

 

Thanks to all of you who tried to call Voinovich's office (his D.C. office had closed and his voice mail was full late Friday). Please keep up the pressure and the good work!

 

And... If you find these updates helpful, please join All Aboard Ohio today (click "Join Us" at www.allaboardohio.org ) to help us continue our work to educate and involve more Ohioans toward better rail and transit services. If you've already joined and/or renewed your membership, thank you!

 

Consider making a donation (click the yellow DONATE button at www.allaboardohio.org) as we turn our efforts from the federal stimulus to ensuring adequate funds for passenger rail and public transit in the state's transportation budget starting THIS WEEK. Also, we will focus on the federal surface transportation program which must be renewed every six years. This is a busy year for us and we need your help!

See www.allaboardohio.org

 

5th Annual Rail/Transit Legislative Summit

 

All Aboard Ohio’s 2009 Summit is sponsored by:

 

WHEN:

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

WHERE:

Columbus Downtown YWCA

Huntington Hall

65 South 4th St.

Columbus, OH 43215

 

AGENDA/SPEAKERS:

 

9:30 a.m.

Registration: a light breakfast will be offered.

 

10:00 a.m. - Noon

 

• Ty Marsh, President and CEO; Columbus Chamber and Principal Co-Chair of the ODOT 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force

o Summary of Findings and Recommendations of the ODOT 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force Final Report

 

• Joseph Calabrese, General Manager & CEO; Greater Cleveland RTA and Moving People Subcommittee Chair of the ODOT 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force

o Public Transportation Needs and Funding Annual Update

 

• Matt Dietrich, Executive Director; Ohio Rail Development Commission

o 3C Corridor Implementation and Ohio Hub Plan Update

 

 

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

 

Featured Luncheon Speaker:

 

• Senator Capri Cafaro (invited); Ohio Senate Minority Leader

o Funding Strategies for Public Transportation and Passenger Rail Investments in Ohio, the view from the General Assembly.

 

 

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

• Conference attendee visits to Ohio House and Senate offices.

 

REGISTRATION:

 

Please register early, space is limited!

Click http://www.allaboardohio.org/form/form.php?form=railsummit to make your reservation today!

Or for more information, please call (614) 228-6005 or (216) 288-4883.

 

To be a featured sponsor of the legislative summit, call Ken Prendergast at (216) 288-4883 or e-mail [email protected]

 

FEATURED SPONSORS:

 

PLEASE

 

JOIN ALL Aboard Ohio. This is the only statewide organization fighting for passenger rail service and they need you!

 

CLICK the "join us" button on the left side of the screen.

 

Also, MAKE a donation (click the yellow DONATE button at www.allaboardohio.org) and make a difference!

 

As KJP says, this is a busy year for us and we need your help!

There is so much going on that I'm going to have to summarize it!

 

ODOT budget hearings due next week

 

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, the Ohio General Assembly is due to hold hearings on ODOT's 2010-11 budget. ODOT is requesting funding for 3-C Corridor "starter" passenger rail service, plus planning funding to make three other Ohio Hub corridors eligible for construction funding under the new federal passenger rail development program. Please submit oral or written testimony in support of rail development and public transportation to the House and Senate Transportation Committees:

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/committees/com_highways.html

http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaycommittees&task=2&type=Regular&committeeId=121

(NOTE: the links may break in your e-mail, please copy and paste both parts in your web browser)

 

 

Congrats to new committee chairs

 

Speaking of the General Assembly, All Aboard Ohio congratulates Youngstown Rep. Bob Hagan (D-60) on being named chairman of the Ohio House of Representatives' Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. Rep. Hagan is a longtime friend of rail development, a legislative member of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, and a CSX locomotive engineer.

 

All Aboard Ohio also congratulates Toledo Rep. Peter Ujvagi (D-47) for being named chairman of the Transportation and Justice Subcommittee of the House's Finance and Appropriations Committee. A native of Budapest, Hungary, Rep. Ujvagi understands the importance that rail development has had on Europe's economy and support's passenger rail improvements here in Ohio.

 

Those committee assignments give us even higher hopes for Ohio's rail future following Governor Ted Strickland advocating passenger rail development in his State of the State speech, and former All Aboard Ohio board member Jolene Molitoris being appointed director of the Ohio Department of Transportation.

 

 

All Aboard Ohio's 5th Annual Legislative Summit

 

Make your reservations today for All Aboard Ohio's foremost event of the year. And with all that's going on this year, this is the event to attend! It will be April 29 at the Downtown Columbus YWCA's Huntington Room. See http://www.allaboardohio.org/cms/index.php for the agenda and registration. Cost is $50 for members, $75 for non-members (includes a discounted one-year membership in All Aboard Ohio) and $25 for students. Also, featured sponsorships are available for $500 and summit partnerships for $100 per company/organization. For details, e-mail [email protected]

 

 

Federal stimulus offers huge boost for passenger trains!

 

A month ago, the U.S. House Appropriations Committees reported out the stimulus bill with just $1.1 billion for passenger rail. Thanks to all the calls, e-mails, faxes and letters sent in support of rail investment, Congress and President Obama have increased stimulus funding for passenger rail to a truly transformative $9.3 billion!! Now THAT is change we can believe in! Ohio's existing and proposed passenger rail services could see funding from the stimulus. But I need you to speak up again... Gov. Strickland wants your stimulus input at:

http://www.recovery.ohio.gov/

 

 

West Shore Corridor is on track

 

Thanks to Lorain County Commissioner Betty Blair, an agreement was brokered to unite differing approaches to pursuing commuter rail along the lakeshore communities in Cuyahoga, Lorain and Erie counties. Business leaders agreed to commit $34,000 they raised as part of the non-federal funding share of an Alternatives Analysis, the federally required first step in the transportation planning process. U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton secured a $344,000 earmark last year from the U.S. Department of Transportation. But to tap it requires a 20 percent non-federal match, or $70,000. With the unified approach achieved by Commissioner Blair, All Aboard Ohio hopes the remaining non-federal funding for the Alternatives Analysis will be forthcoming from more sources.

 

 

Help us keep up the momentum!

 

If you think All Aboard Ohio is doing a good job and would like to see us keep it going, then we need your help! Please join All Aboard Ohio, renew your membership or make a donation today at www.allaboardohio.org. All Aboard Ohio Executive Director Ken Prendergast works full-time to make sure the flow of interactive information continues so you can communicate with the right message with the right elected officials at the right time. And we are bringing on a new Communications Director Jenita McGowan starting next week thanks to the support of the Cleveland Executive Fellowship program.

 

But without more financial support of All Aboard Ohio, there is a very serious risk that we will not be able to continue this level of activity into the summer. I know times are tough, but if just one-fourth of the 2,000 recipients of this e-mail joined All Aboard Ohio or donated $25, $50, $100 or more, it will make a big difference for us. I am confident that we can turn your generosity into the rail development success in 2009 we have sought in Ohio for a long time. Please help us today!

 

Thank you for your support of All Aboard Ohio.

 

Best Regards,

 

KJP

Friends,

 

I realize I've asked a lot of you in recent weeks to help passenger rail win in the stimulus battle (we won $9.3 billion at a 100% federal share for passenger rail over the next four years, compared to just $9.8 billion in federal capital investment for passenger rail in Amtrak's first 30 years!).

 

I need you to use your voice once more in the next few days to improve Ohio's chances of being able to tap into state and federal stimulus money for passenger rail development and improvements. The Ohio General Assembly is holding hearings until Wednesday on the Ohio Department of Transportation's proposed budget, including a legislative funding authorization for passenger rail development and planning STATEWIDE.

 

PLEASE CONTACT:

 

The Honorable Peter S. Ujvagi

Ohio House of Representatives (D-47, Toledo)

77 S. High St

11th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215-6111

Phone: (614) 644-6017

Fax: (614) 719-6947

Email: [email protected]

 

Rep. Ujvagi chairs the Transportation and Justice Subcommittee of the House's Finance & Appropriations Committee.

 

 

The Honorable Robert F. Hagan

Ohio House of Representatives (D-60, Youngstown)

77 S. High St

11th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215-6111

Phone: (614) 466-9435

Fax: (614) 719-3960

Email: [email protected]

 

Rep. Hagan chairs the House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

 

 

The Honorable Thomas F. Patton

Ohio Senate (R-24, Strongsville)

Senate Building

Room #140, First Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: (614) 466-8056

Email: [email protected]

 

Senator Patton chairs the Ohio Senate's Highways & Transportation Committee.

 

Please give personal reasons why you want the Ohio General Assembly to support funding for passenger rail development and public transportation. Also, consider info at:

http://www.allaboardohio.org/cms/index.php/content/why_rail

 

Kindly keep your calls, e-mails, faxes and letters POLITE, SHORT AND TO THE POINT. You don't need to speak/write a masterpiece. But you do need to share your thoughts by the end of the day Wednesday. Your opinion does matter!

 

Thank you.

KJP

I couldn't decide where to put this press release since it applies to so many other threads. But this is one thread where it certainly belongs.....

 

http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/group_seeks_statewide_rail_investments_from_bigger_federal_stimulus/

 

Group seeks statewide rail investments from bigger federal stimulus

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Feb. 19, 2009

Contact:

Ken Prendergast

All Aboard Ohio Interim Executive Director

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

 

Given the four-fold increase in passenger rail funding in the federal stimulus to $9.3 billion, All Aboard Ohio is asking Ohio communities and the Ohio Department of Transportation to pursue a more comprehensive program of rail projects. ODOT must submit a strategic plan to the U.S. Department of Transportation by April 18th, 60 days after President Barack Obama signed the stimulus bill into law. Once the strategic plan is approved by the U.S. DOT, funding could be tapped as late as September 2012.

 

All Aboard Ohio has identified feasible passenger rail projects statewide totaling $404.3 million (see list below). The nonprofit passenger rail and public transit advocacy association encourages local officials in affected communities to submit these projects to Governor Ted Strickland at http://www.recovery.ohio.gov/ . All Aboard Ohio’s recommendations are based on its “Fix-It First” report (see http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/ohio_rail_fix_it_first_plan_federal_jobs_bill_will_benefit_ohioans/). Other critical, unfunded rail projects are also included.

 

“Thanks to President Obama, America will have as much passenger rail construction in the next three years as it saw in Amtrak’s first 30 years,” said Ken Prendergast, Interim Executive Director of All Aboard Ohio. “But any stimulus dollars for rail not spent in Ohio will be spent for passenger rail development in another state. Of the top 23 most densely populated states, Ohio and Hawaii are the only ones lacking a state-financed passenger rail development program. If we are to compete for jobs and residents, we must catch up to our competitors elsewhere in the U.S. and worldwide. This stimulus funding for rail development is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Ohio to do that.”

 

The stimulus provides $9.3 billion in federal funds for Amtrak, passenger rail and high-speed rail with no project-specific earmarks. Also, no local or state matching dollars are required. Proposed rail projects do not need to be on state rail plans or on metropolitan transportation improvement plans for them to be eligible for rail stimulus money, thereby allowing new projects to move more quickly through the planning process to construction.

 

All Aboard Ohio’s recommended passenger rail projects which it would like ODOT to submit for stimulus funding are:

 

$250 million – 3-C Corridor startup service linking Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati;

$50 million – Toledo/Northwood NS-CSX Vickers Crossing separation;

$50 million – Cleveland North Coast Transportation Center/Mall D extension;

$15 million – Ashtabula station, walkway and passing track;

$15 million – Youngstown convocation center station, new tracks;

$10 million – Ravenna Connection track and station;

$5 million – Sandusky station track realignment, second platform, walkway;

$3.3 million – Elyria Lorain County Transportation Center;

$3 million – Toledo station second track restoration, cosmetic upgrades; and

$3 million – Bryan station track realignment, relocated platform, underpass.

 

Prendergast said that, while it would more beneficial for Ohio to tap the federal stimulus funds since they require no local/state funding match, the state will not be left behind at the station if it doesn’t get all the federal funding it needs. President Obama and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood have announced that conventional-speed and high-speed rail development in the U.S. will be a major transportation focus in the president’s first term.

 

To that end, the Obama Administration will seek $1 billion per year over five years in federal capital improvement funding authorized by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush last fall. That program requires local and/or state funding to cover at least 20 percent of a project’s cost and to leverage an 80 percent federal match.

 

Furthermore, Reuters reported on Wednesday that President Obama and Secretary Lahood will announce a major increase in funding for building European- and Asian-style high-speed trains on six corridors nationwide. However, the location of these corridors wasn’t known by Reuters at press time. Given the number of pending Midwest rail projects and that President Obama and his top advisors are from Illinois, it is probable that at least one Chicago-based corridor will be included, Prendergast said.

 

“This is America growing up and being more responsible,” Prendergast said. “It’s America recognizing that its cities should be the centers of commerce and the hubs of regional public transportation. It’s America coming to grips with the reality that it no longer produces most of its own oil and hasn’t for 20 years. And, it’s America realizing that modern passenger trains are needed, along with highways and aviation, to work together to provide a balanced transportation system and nurture a more productive, sustainable economy.”

 

END

All Aboard Ohio asks state to seek stimulus funds for rail projects

Ohio urged to seek share of money

Monday, February 23, 2009

Karen Farkas

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Passenger rail advocates in Ohio don't want to be left at the station as an unprecedented $8 billion in economic stimulus funds are distributed for high-speed and inter-city rail projects.

 

All Aboard Ohio, a nonprofit organization promoting rail, has asked the Ohio Department of Transportation to go after $400 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for 10 projects, including $250 million to establish passenger rail service on existing tracks between Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.

 

"Ohio has as much a chance as anybody else," said Ken Prendergast, the organization's interim executive director. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

 

............

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/123538150621740.xml&coll=2

Access All Aboard Ohio's new advocacy portal here:

 

http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/content/advocacy

Friends, Please click on the link below to view the latest Ohio Passenger Rail News from All Aboard Ohio....

 

http://members.cox.net/neotrans2/AAO_Monthly_Newsletter_030109.pdf

 

Feel free to share the newsletter with others. But please join us or donate so we can keep up the momentum and keep the information flowing!

 

Articles in this issue:

+ Stimulating Intercity Passenger Rail - American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009

+ Governor Strickland Wants 3C Trains

+ Federal Railroad Administration: “Overwhelming” Response to Request for High-speed Rail Proposals!

+ Amtrak Cascades Reaches Record Ridership in 2008

+ Cleveland RTA Reports Healthy Ridership Increase

+ West Shore Corridor: Project Status Update - West Shore Commuter Rail Task Force created to steer project

+ America’s Decline in Driving Continues for 14th Month

+ “Hell Freezes Over”: Phoenix Opens Light Rail Transit

+ All Aboard Ohio Annual Legislative Summit - Join All Aboard Ohio as it continues to advocate for public transit and passenger rail in Ohio.

 

Visit www.allaboardohio.org and then scroll down the page for legislative summit information and registration!

All Aboard Ohio's website has been updated with the Quinnipiac University poll info, as well as an excellent call to arms piece written by TMACOG. I reworded it slightly so that it applies statewide and posted it at:

 

http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/content/current_campaigns

 

KJP

^where on the page is the TMACOG piece, I can't seem to find it.  EDIT:  nevermind, my slow brain finally figured it out  ;)

Dude, you're waaay too young to be having these senior moments! I know because you're my age!! :D

^what senior moments?  :wink:

^what senior moments? :wink:

 

He just comes by that naturally...ha ha

Dear All Aboard Ohio members and friends,

 

First of all, thank you so much for all your efforts!! For those of you that

have been following the passenger rail efforts for the last several months

you know how far we have come. All of those calls and emails really did have

an impact - the final number was around 15,000 calls and emails in just a

few days. Special thanks also goes to Progress Ohio, Policy Matters Ohio,

Transportation Matters, the Ohio Environmental Council, Ohio Sierra Club,

Environment Ohio, United Transportation Union, mayors in Ohio's 10 largest

cities and many smaller ones, city councils, and so many others for calling

to action all of your folks.

 

Thanks most of all to you.

 

Many times our legislators only here from us when we are mad at something

and then, when they listen to our concerns and recommendations, they often

don't hear our gratitude and thanks for their efforts...let's change that!

Please send a short note of thanks to your Ohio Senators, especially those

on the Highways & Transportation Committee.

 

Where we are at:

 

The Ohio Senate included passenger rail language in the Transportation

Budget and directed the State to seek federal stimulus dollars. It is now

headed to conference committee...we are waiting for final word on the

Conferees (2 Republicans/1 Democrat from the Senate and 2 Democrats/1

Republican from the House) as well as the conference committee timeline.

 

Next steps:

 

 

1) Don't forget to join or renew your membership to All Aboard Ohio!

If you're already a member, please make a donation to help us

continue this successful level of advocacy activity. To join or contribute,

please visit www.allaboardohio.org

 

2) All of the above organizations, including All Aboard Ohio, will

reactivate their lists and send thank you emails and calls to the Senate

Transportation Committee members and a few others. Please focus on

Senators Patton, Buehrer, Turner and Carey.

 

  Tell them "Thank you for supporting passenger rail"  and ask them to

continue to support passenger rail for Ohio in the future

 

3) There are a few areas of the passenger rail language that will be

discussed during conference committee, it will be another day or two until

we have specifics....and the changes will likely be technical changes - so

let's say "thanks" and as things become more clear regarding the passenger

language rail we may mobilize in other ways

 

Let me know if you have any questions and as always - spread the

word!!.....every day we are getting closer!

 

 

PHONE-EMAIL CONTACT INFORMATION:

Ohio Senate Highways and Transportation Committee

 

Sen. Tom Patton ® - Chair

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_24.html

 

Sen. Steve Buehrer ®

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_01.html

 

Sen. Gary Cates ®

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_04.html

 

Sen. Bob Gibbs ®

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_22.html

 

Sen. David Goodman ®

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_03.html

 

Sen. Tim Schaffer ®

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_31.html

 

Nina Turner (D) - Ranking Minority Member

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_25.html

 

Sen. Teresa Fedor (D)

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_11.html

 

Sen.  Jason Wilson (D)

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_30.html

 

Senate Leadership

 

Senate President Bill Harris ®

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_19.html

 

Senator John Carey ®

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_17.html

 

Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro (D)

http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/bios/sd_32.html

 

Don't forget to join or renew your membership to All Aboard Ohio!

 

If you're already a member, please make a donation to help us continue this level of advocacy activity. To join or contribute, please visit www.allaboardohio.org

April newsletter is available

 

Click on the link below to view the latest Ohio Passenger Rail News from All Aboard Ohio.

 

http://members.cox.net/neotrans/AAO%20Monthly%20Newsletter_040109.pdf

 

Feel free to share the newsletter with others. But please join us or donate so we can keep up the momentum and keep the information flowing!

 

Articles in this issue:

+ Ohio Senate Approves 3-C Corridor - Budget Battle Moves to Conference Committee

+ Poll Shows Support for 3-C Rail Service

+ Virginia to Provide Funding Support to Amtrak - New Passenger Rail Services to Lynchburg Announced

+ Virginia Beach Purchases Norfolk Southern Rail Line

+ Turkey Opens First High Speed Train Line

+ Group Recommends Constitutional Change - Gasoline Taxes Need to be Reallocated to Public Transportation

+ Ohio Leads Nation in Decline in Driving

+ Erie County Council Wants High-Speed Train

+ All Aboard Ohio Annual Legislative Summit - Join All Aboard Ohio as it continues to advocate for public transit and passenger rail in Ohio. See blog entry below!

Greetings,

 

Thank you for your continuing support of passenger rail in Ohio! I am writing to request that your organization be a Gold Sponsor or Silver Sponsor of our Fifth Annual Ohio Rail/Transit Legislative Summit to be held April 29 in Columbus. See www.allaboardohio.org for the event details, including registration, agenda and speakers.

 

Last year's summit drew nearly 100 attendees and this year's could be at least as large. The federal stimulus is just one reason why this year's summit will be more important than the previous four. Equally important is that we still need to get final approval from the Ohio General Assembly for passenger rail development, including the startup of 3-C Corridor passenger rail service by the end of 2010. All Aboard Ohio asks you to support us at one of the two sponsorship levels...

 

___ A GOLD SPONSOR will receive its logo at the top and bottom of our website listing for the event, on the top of all press releases and e-mails promoting the event, and will be allowed to have display its banner/sign, have a free display table and to distribute any materials of its choosing at the event. A reserved table(s) will be held for up to ten (10) persons representing the Gold Sponsor and may attend the summit at no additional charge. The Gold Sponsorship is $1,000.

 

___ A SILVER SPONSOR will receive its logo at the bottom of our website, on the bottom of all press releases, promotions and e-mails and be allowed to display its banner/sign at the event. A reserved table will be held for up to five (5) persons representing the Gold Sponsor and may attend the summit at no additional charge. The Silver Sponsorship is $500.

 

All Aboard Ohio is a 501©(3) nonprofit association. Dues and donations to All Aboard Ohio may be tax deductible in accordance with the IRS Code.

 

Thank you in advance for any support you can provide to All Aboard Ohio and its Fifth Annual Ohio Rail/Transit Legislative Summit. Please contact me if you need further information.

 

Best Regards,

 

Kenneth Prendergast

Executive Director

All Aboard Ohio!

12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505

Cleveland, OH 44107-2189

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

www.allaboardohio.org

Greetings,

 

Thank you for your continuing support of passenger rail in Ohio! I am writing to request that your organization be a Gold Sponsor or Silver Sponsor of our Fifth Annual Ohio Rail/Transit Legislative Summit to be held April 29 in Columbus. See www.allaboardohio.org for the event details, including registration, agenda and speakers.

 

Last year's summit drew nearly 100 attendees and this year's could be at least as large. The federal stimulus is just one reason why this year's summit will be more important than the previous four. Equally important is that we still need to get final approval from the Ohio General Assembly for passenger rail development, including the startup of 3-C Corridor passenger rail service by the end of 2010. All Aboard Ohio asks you to support us at one of the two sponsorship levels...

 

___ A GOLD SPONSOR will receive its logo at the top and bottom of our website listing for the event, on the top of all press releases and e-mails promoting the event, and will be allowed to have display its banner/sign, have a free display table and to distribute any materials of its choosing at the event. A reserved table(s) will be held for up to ten (10) persons representing the Gold Sponsor and may attend the summit at no additional charge. The Gold Sponsorship is $1,000.

 

___ A SILVER SPONSOR will receive its logo at the bottom of our website, on the bottom of all press releases, promotions and e-mails and be allowed to display its banner/sign at the event. A reserved table will be held for up to five (5) persons representing the Gold Sponsor and may attend the summit at no additional charge. The Silver Sponsorship is $500.

 

All Aboard Ohio is a 501©(3) nonprofit association. Dues and donations to All Aboard Ohio may be tax deductible in accordance with the IRS Code.

 

Thank you in advance for any support you can provide to All Aboard Ohio and its Fifth Annual Ohio Rail/Transit Legislative Summit. Please contact me if you need further information.

 

Best Regards,

 

Kenneth Prendergast

Executive Director

All Aboard Ohio!

12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505

Cleveland, OH 44107-2189

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

www.allaboardohio.org

All Aboard Ohio is now on Facebook, Twitter and Ning. I don't know what any of it means or what the value is, but we're on there!

All Aboard Ohio is now on Facebook, Twitter and Ning. I don't know what any of it means or what the value is, but we're on there!

Good for you!

All Aboard Ohio is now on Facebook, Twitter and Ning. I don't know what any of it means or what the value is, but we're on there!

Good for you!

Ditto.

 

BTW, there is a Facebook Group and a Facebook Page. I am assuming that the Facebook Page is the new one.

see KJP...the whippersnappers love the internet!  You'll be able to reach a ton of voting teens and 20 somethings!

But how do they find it? Do I have to divert my time to promote it?

 

I forgot that our prior executive director created a Facebook presence (the group) but I don't have the password and have never visited the page.

But how do they find it? Do I have to divert my time to promote it?

 

I forgot that our prior executive director created a Facebook presence (the group) but I don't have the password and have never visited the page.

 

Just get the intern to post updates to the wall.  Its no more difficult that posting here.  ;)

 

I'm confident you can handle it!

Yeah but it's another damn thing to do....  :roll:

Yeah but it's another damn thing to do....  ::)

 

It's for the greater good!  Now go get'em mister man!

OK, just as soon as I can remember what the damn password is.....

OK, just as soon as I can remember what the damn password is.....

 

Laaawd!

Congressional help needed for Ohio to

win manufacturer of passenger trains

All Aboard Ohio says vacant Ohio industrial properties

should be re-tasked to make passenger rail equipment

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 13, 2009

Contact:  Ken Prendergast

All Aboard Ohio Executive Director

(216) 288-4883

[email protected]

 

In the face of increased competition from other states, All Aboard Ohio is urging the Ohio Congressional Delegation to support grassroots efforts to re-use shuttered manufacturing facilities, such as auto plants, for new factories to build or rebuild passenger rail cars and components. There are several properties in Ohio which could meet this need, including the General Motors Corp. Moraine Assembly Plant (near Dayton), Delphi Corp. Brake Hose Division Plant in Dayton, the Ford Motor Co. Lorain Assembly Plant or vacant steel mill sites in Cleveland, Youngstown and elsewhere.

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently committed $90.8 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to rehabilitate passenger train cars in the United States and return them to service. Additionally, there is $8 billion in federal stimulus funding for passenger rail expansion nationwide, including the manufacture of new rail cars. In November 2008, California voters approved $10 billion for high-speed rail. And, President Barack Obama announced $5 billion over five years in federal grants to states to help them further improve passenger rail services.

 

“Someone is going to build passenger trains and components somewhere in the United States again,” said Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio. “Ohio has large industrial properties with utilities and transportation access as well as a skilled labor force to compete for this manufacturing activity. Now is the time for Ohio to enter this competition.”

 

Other states are ramping up their activities to land a railcar manufacturer, including Illinois. On April 10, the Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to USDOT Director Ray LaHood which asked the former Illinois Congressman to support their effort to revive the passenger rail car manufacturing industry in Illinois.

 

The federal stimulus requires trains to be built in the U.S. Sadly, the last domestic rail car manufacturer, Colorado Rail Car Co., closed its doors in 2008 only months before the stimulus bill passed. Undisclosed investors are seeking to acquire the assets of Colorado Rail Car. The biggest question is where the train cars will be built.

 

“We have a grassroots group right now that’s looking into and reviewing this,” said James Wellman, deputy mayor of Riverside near Dayton and an At-Large board member of All Aboard Ohio. “We’re discussing the re-use of the Moraine Plant with GM officials, local political and business leaders and state legislators. We need to do more with our federal officials because this is important not just for the Dayton-area economy but the entire state’s economy.”

 

END

All Aboard Ohios 2009 Annual Meeting

 

WHEN:

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

 

WHERE:

Palmer House

124 Buehler St. (at Fairview Ave.)

Galion, OH 44833

(419) 468-9234

 

COST:

 

$25 per person, $40 per person for non-members (a 1-year membership in All Aboard Ohio is included, however).

 

AGENDA/SPEAKERS:

 

9:30 a.m.

Registration: a light breakfast will be offered.

 

10:00 a.m. - Noon

 

• President, Executive Director reports on association

• Update on state rail, transit planning

    Leonard Evans

    Administrator, Systems Analysis

    ODOT Planning

• Golden Spike Award

 

Noon - 1 p.m.  Buffet Lunch

 

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

 

• Railcar manufacturing and railroad supply industry in Ohio

    Barry Fromm

    Chairman & CEO

    Value Recovery Group

• Update on Federal stimulus funding for passenger rail

• Update on State funding for passenger rail & transit, call to action!

 

 

REGISTRATION:

 

Please register early, space is limited!

Click http://members.cox.net/neotrans/Annualmeeting2009registration.pdf to download a registration form to make your reservation today! A meeting site map is also included with the downloadable document.

 

For late registrations after May 22, please call (614) 228-6005 or (216) 288-4883 and pay with cash, check or money order at the door.

Friends, Please click on the link below to view the latest Ohio Passenger Rail News from All Aboard Ohio....

 

http://members.cox.net/neotrans2/AAO_Monthly_Newsletter_050109.pdf

 

Feel free to share the newsletter with others. But please join us or donate so we can keep up the momentum and keep the information flowing!

 

Articles in this issue:

+ Obama Releases Strategic Rail Plan - ARRA Stimulus Funding for High-Speed Rail

+ Annual Legislative Summit a Success

+ New York, Vermont and Wisconsin Invest in Rail - Passenger Rail Services Continued and Improved in 3 States

+ Texas is Investigating High-Speed Rail Feasibility

+ Amtrak Cascades Service Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

+ Voinovich Recommends Increase in Gasoline Tax - Obama Administration Opposed to Increasing Federal Gasoline Taxes

+ Ohio Sees Decline in Airline Services

+ Ohio Seeks Stimulus Funds for 3-C Corridor

+ All Aboard Ohio Annual Meeting in Galion - Join All Aboard Ohio as it continues to advocate for public transit and passenger rail in Ohio.

 

Visit www.allaboardohio.org and then scroll down the page for Annual Meeting information and registration! Or click on this link to see and print the registration form and map:

 

http://members.cox.net/neotrans/Annualmeeting2009registration.pdf

All,

 

In June, the public is invited to attend three meetings to get their input

on how best to align land uses with existing/future rail stations in the

Cudell, Detroit-Shoreway and Ohio City neighborhoods. The ultimate goal is

so the community, the transit agency and rail service customers can each

derive the greatest benefit from enhanced synergies between land use and

public transit -- called Transit Oriented Development. We hope these

meetings prove to be educational and engaging for the public as well for

community leaders.

 

All Aboard Ohio and the Ohio City Near West Development Corp. are conducting

the public meetings with the support of 10 Cleveland City Council members

(see complete list below), the City of Cleveland's Department of Community

Development, plus the Cudell Improvement Inc., Detroit Shoreway Community

Development Organization and West Shore Corridor Task Force.

 

The meetings are a precursor to an upcoming Alternatives Analysis which will

identify ways to improve public transportation in the West Shore Corridor

from downtown Cleveland west into the lakeshore communities of Cuyahoga,

Lorain and Erie counties. Findings from these meetings will be delivered for

inclusion in the Alternatives Analysis, which is the first step in the

planning process for a transportation project to become eligible for federal

funding.

 

Here are the dates/locations of meetings, each of which will be from 6-7:30

p.m., with presentations starting at 6:30 p.m.:

 

CUDELL

June 11, 2009

St. Rose of Lima Church Hall

11411 Detroit Ave.

 

OHIO CITY

June 17, 2009

The Castele Learning Center

Lutheran Hospital

1730 West 25th Street

 

DETROIT-SHOREWAY

June 24, 2009

St. Colman Church

Basement meeting room

2027 W. 65th St., Cleveland

 

These council members generously provided Community Development Block Grant

support for this public input initiative:  Ward 5's Phyllis Cleveland, Ward

13's Joe Cimperman, Ward 14's Joe Santiago, Ward 15's Brian Cummins, Ward

16's Kevin Kelley, Ward 17's Matt Zone, Ward 18's Jay Westbrook, Ward 19's

Dona Brady, Ward 20's Martin Sweeney and former Ward 1 Councilwoman/current

State Senator Nina Turner. All Aboard Ohio thanks these council members for

their support.

Some photos from All Aboard Ohio's 35th Annual Meeting, held May 30, 2009 in Galion...

 

President Bill Hutchison subtlely calls the meeting to order...  :wink:

 

About 50 people were in attendance...

 

Some of those in attendance included a representative from the City of Lima, Fred Barrington, who is Director of Downtown Lima Inc...

 

And representing the City of Grafton was Joe Filipiak. The city is developing plans and a campaign for a 3-C Corridor station...

 

Jerry Wicks, professor emeritus and director of the Ohio Higher Education Rail Network at Bowling Green State University...

 

Jesse Auerbach, Special Projects Coordinator at the Environmental Law & Policy Center in Chicago...

 

Nick Noe of Indiana and board member of the National Association of Railroad Passengers...

 

Mike Hocker, executive director of the Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor...

 

All of those persons (and others) contributed to the meeting with their positive, informative reports. We had a decent cast of scheduled speakers, starting with President Hutchison who gave an overview of where the association was, is and will go...

 

Executive Director Ken Prendergast reported on the detailed activities of the association and his ongoing activities and immediate plans...

 

Leonard Evans, planning administrator for the Ohio Department of Transportation, updated the group on the state's 3-C Corridor and Ohio Hub planning activities...

 

Members and guests were engaged and asked good questions...

 

Evans was there for another reason, too. On behalf of ODOT Director Jolene Molitoris, he received All Aboard Ohio's Golden Spike Award presented by All Aboard Ohio Northeast Ohio Director Ken Sislak...

 

President Hutchison asked Leonard Evans to convey our thanks to Jolene Molitoris, who could not attend the event...

 

After lunch, Barry Fromm, former All Aboard Ohio board member and founder/CEO of the Value Recovery Group, announced that he has acquired the former Colorado Railcar Co. and renamed it the American Railcar Co. He hoped he could relocate manufacturing facilities to Ohio but there is still much work to do, including bringing on more investors. Yet, all very exciting...

 

Oh, and before we go, one more look at that suave and sophisticated executive director!  :-D

 

Thanks to the Galion Chamber of Commerce for taking these pictures of this event and sharing them with us. Most agreed the meeting was very enjoyable.