December 17, 200915 yr It's not too late to register for the last Linking Ohio webinar presentation on the campaign for Ohio's 3C "Quick Start" passenger rail plan! I hope everyone can join us: Friday, 12/18 @ 3pm – https://milenthalgroupevents.webex.com/milenthalgroupevents The password is "ohiorail" For more information about Linking Ohio, please visit: [email protected] www.linkingohio.com www.twitter.com/linkingohio "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 28, 200915 yr CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS..... Note addition of CINCINNATI and YOUNGSTOWN local meetings!! JANUARY Note that All Aboard Ohio's <b>Toledo </b>local meeting will NOT be held in January. The Toledo meeting will return in February. All Aboard Ohio local meetings are normally held the second Saturday of each month. 9th—11:00 a.m.—All Aboard Ohio <b>Cincinnati</b> Local Meeting—Cincinnati Union Terminal, Tower A, 1301 Western Ave. Topics: 3-C "Quick Start", Union Terminal passenger rail access, daily Cardinal, and Cincy-Indy-Chicago service. Representatives from CUT and the Port Authority of Cincinnati invited. For more information contact Beau Tuke at [email protected] 9th—10 a.m. to noon—All Aboard Ohio <b>Columbus </b>Local Meeting— Grandview Public Library, 1685 West First Avenue. Topics: 3C “Quick Start” campaign; transit funding issues. Donations encouraged. Coffee/juice/danishes. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 9th—10 a.m. to noon—All Aboard Ohio <b>Cleveland </b>Local Meeting—Karl's Inn of the Barristers, 1264 West 3rd Street, downtown. Topics: 3C “Quick Start” campaign; transit funding issues. Donations encouraged. Coffee and juice. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 16th—2 p.m.—Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association "Rally for Rail!"—Baker Street Station, 221 W. Baker Street, <b>Fort Wayne</b>, IN. See www.nipra2rail.org for more information. 25th—3 p.m.—All Aboard Ohio <b>Youngstown</b> meeting, 17th Floor conference room of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, 11 Central Square, downtown Youngstown. Please RSVP to: Shari Budge at the chamber at 330-744-2131, ext. 31 or [email protected] "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 28, 200915 yr 9th—10 a.m. to noon—All Aboard Ohio Cleveland Local Meeting—Karl’s Inn of the Barristers, 1264 West 3rd Street, downtown. Topics: 3C “Quick Start” campaign; transit funding issues. Donations encouraged. Coffee and juice. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. It's easy to find; it's the place with the apostrophe-s error in the expensive neon:
December 29, 200915 yr Note the corrections and additions to the above calendar of events. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 31, 200915 yr Please see the Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward! page at: http://www.policymattersohio.org/SaveTransitNow.htm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — December 30, 2009 Contact: Ken Prendergast Executive Director, All Aboard Ohio (216) 288-4883 [email protected] Amanda Woodrum Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio (330) 780-8321 [email protected] CLEVELAND – For the first time ever, a host of transportation, public policy, social service, and environmental organizations have joined forces in a campaign to reverse the decline of public transportation here and around Ohio. These 10 organizations (see the list at end of press release -- more are being added) represent tens of thousands of members and clients in Greater Cleveland and statewide. They have united under the name "Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward!" Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward! has suggested initial steps to safeguard public transit users from further service cuts/fare increases and to save Ohio’s economy and environment from further decline. These include: + Overturning the state constitutional prohibition on using Ohio gas tax revenues and motor vehicle fees for non-highway purposes, thereby freeing up that revenue to be used for mass transit. + Using flexible transportation funding sources currently available in Ohio – such as gas taxes collected from off-road vehicles, farming and landscaping equipment, and revenue raised from vanity license plates – to fund mass transit. + Wherever possible, and whenever not already doing so, the Ohio Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations should take advantage of flexible federal highway funds and use them for public transportation. Public transit is heavily used in Ohio. More Ohioans travel on buses and trains within our metro areas each day than fly in and out of Ohio’s airports. More than 350,000 Ohioans each day use buses and trains to reach jobs, medical appointments, grocery stores, day care, pharmacies, schools, job training and other services. "For many people – including people with disabilities, seniors and low income individuals – public transit is the only way to get around," said Donna P. McNamee, a Laketran Trustee (who is also transit dependent due to disability), and a member of ODOT’s 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force. The Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward! campaign was inaugurated in Greater Cleveland because it has as many public transit riders as all other Ohio transit agencies combined. While the need for secure, stable and low-cost public transit is greatest in Greater Cleveland, the new coalition pledges to fight for transit funding for all Ohio. Despite the need for public transportation, Ohio transit agencies have been forced to slash transit services and raise fares. A decade ago, elimination of federal operating funding for public transit systems serving communities of more than 250,000 people forced states and local governments to make up for the federal cut. While most states dramatically increased support for public transit, the state of Ohio has cut funding by 75 percent since 2002. Less than one percent of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s budget is spent on public transit. "In fact," says Ken Prendergast, Executive Director of All Aboard Ohio, "the State of Ohio will spend more to cut the grass along its Interstates than for public transit operations." Other states do better. Ohio ranks 40th in the nation for relative commitment to public transit, despite the fact we are the seventh most populous state. Even Indiana spends three times more than Ohio, and Pennsylvania spends 33 times as much. Cuts to federal and state transit funding have forced Ohio transit agencies to rely on local sales, income and property taxes, which are difficult to procure and tumbling due to the economy. Because of this overdependence on local funding, all Ohio public transit agencies are in serious trouble. "Sales tax revenues in Cleveland plunged 10 percent since December 2008 and nearly 20 percent since November 2007," said Economic Research Analyst and Greater Cleveland RTA Citizen Advisory Board member George Zeller, "amounting to a $2.9 million decline per month, annualized at $35 million per year." Declines are even steeper in Dayton and Toledo. "It is no accident our public transit agencies are in crisis – it is the direct result of choices we Ohioans have made on how to spend our state transportation dollars," said Amanda Woodrum, research at Policy Matters Ohio. "We can make better choices." According to the American Public Transit Association, for every $1 invested in public transportation, $6 is generated in economic returns. Consider that: 1. Investments in public transit produce nearly 20% more jobs than equivalent expenditures in new roads or highways. 2. Public transportation can provide more affordable and accessible transportation. Owning, operating, and maintaining a passenger vehicle is expensive. For seniors, and people with disabilities, it may not be an option at all. 3. A reliable system of public transportation can reduce dependence on polluting fossil fuels largely imported from elsewhere. Nationally, public transportation allows us to save 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day, and saves 37 million metric tons of CO2 from being emitted, annually. 4. Transit-oriented development is more environmentally friendly, and can serve to reduce urban sprawl and revitalize our cities, by concentrating economic development. Currently, Ohio has an incoherent transportation system, putting schools, workplaces, shopping, health, and child-care centers all over the map, and leaving Ohioans dependent on passenger vehicles. 5. Public transportation reduces traffic congestion. Each year, public transportation saves hundreds of millions of hours in travel time nationally. 6. Public transit creates healthier communities, ultimately reducing air pollution, which disproportionately affects low income neighborhoods and communities of color; encouraging people to walk more; and, increasing access to jobs. "Successful and livable cities around the world offer a healthy mix of transportation choices," said David Beach, director of the GreenCityBlueLake Institute. "It’s time to invest in transit and make Ohio cities more competitive and sustainable." "Ohioans want and need a transportation alternative that includes safe, reliable and convenient public transportation services and we urge the Administration and legislators to move on the long term solution for transit now," said Shanelle Smith, Coordinator of the Ohio Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor, community, environmental, and business leaders. END Signers: • Greater Cleveland RTA Citizen Advisory Board • Laketran • GreenCityBlueLake Institute • Ohio Empowerment Coalition and Contact Center • Ohio Apollo Alliance • Policy Matters Ohio • All Aboard Ohio • Environment Ohio • Ohio Environmental Council • Bike, Walk Ohio! To join us, sign our online petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/transOH/petition.html Additional Resources: Policy Matters Ohio’s transit funding report “Committing to Ohio’s Commuters: The Transit Ticket to the New Energy Economy” is found at: http://www.policymattersohio.org/OhiosCommuters.htm Complete information about the RTA’s budget situation is provided at: http://www.riderta.com/budgetchallenges/ Several revenue sources could be considered to address the current transit funding crisis as documented by All Aboard Ohio at: http://members.cox.net/corridorscampaign/Operation-Sustain%20Transit.pdf The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force recommended in January 2009 that transit be provided a dedicated funding stream of $75 million annually in the initial year (increasing over a 6 year period to an amount representing 25% of the transit agencies’ operating costs plus 50% of the non-federal match for capital expenses). See: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/groups/tft/Pages/default.aspx "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 4, 201015 yr His signature wasn't sought, nor will it be. Nor will those of any elected officials. This is a coalition of organizations whose primary mission is advocacy (with an exception or two). I hope that was pretty clear from the message of the press statement and from the names/missions of the co-signers!! P.S. more organizations are being added to the list. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 4, 201015 yr How about passing this petition along to Sierra Club? I sent it to an Ohio contact of theirs...
January 4, 201015 yr They have it and are considering signing it. Please note that this was all done in less than 10 days -- during the holidays. Staff at many organizations were on vacation and will get their first look at all of this starting this week. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 4, 201015 yr Another aspect that is important and hinted to a bit in the article is the relation between public transport lifestyles and better health.... An emphasis on reducing obesity which is a drain on health care/society in itself.....and how it can help encourage healthier lifestyles that are not entirely spent in the car....bla..bla...bla... If the numbers can be found to somehow illustrate that investing more in P.T. could help be one contributing element that can help reduce obesity...and how much that could save Ohio in having a more productive work staff...less sick days, less need for insurance claims, and so on. The health component is compelling in itself. Reminds me when A large write up in an Aussie newspaper illustrated how companies were more productive and profitable..... by hiring more non-smokers. (something to this nature) That is another story, but the point is that perhaps a similar idea can be conveyed in how investing more in our network of p.t. can create an overall healthier Ohio...that will ultimately "make better widgets." Just trying to think of other angles that can argue for justifying more investment.
January 4, 201015 yr I would think labor organizations would want to sign on to something like this, since transit connects peoiple with jobs and greater investment in transit systems has the same impact....more jobs created. On the health care side....the Lung Association, Heart Association, federations for the blind....
January 4, 201015 yr I would think labor organizations would want to sign on to something like this, since transit connects peoiple with jobs and greater investment in transit systems has the same impact....more jobs created. On the health care side....the Lung Association, Heart Association, federations for the blind.... Transportation, especially rail-based transportation, and its supporting industries long have been the backbone of organized labor.
January 6, 201015 yr We now have nearly 20 organizations in Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Foward! including the Ohio Public Transit Association, the Ohio Empowerment Coalition and Contact Center as well as Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP). A new logo..... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 15, 201015 yr GET INTO THE FIGHT...JOIN ALL ABOARD OHIO...SPECIAL $10 MEMBERSHIP RATE We need you! You need to be heard! Join one of the foremost transportation advocacy organizations in the country and be a part of the fight for Ohio's trains! We have created a special $10 membership just for you, so you can get involved at a $25 savings below the regular rate. All Aboard Ohio is a 501c3 non-profit educational organization whose dues are tax-deductible. There are two ways to join: a) Send a check to All Aboard Ohio, 309 South Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215. Please include your name, complete addess, phone and email. b) Join us at www.allaboardohio.org using your credit card. Follow the instructions on the home page and use the special donation button as our "join us" link is not working. You will receive our quarterly tabloid newsletter "The Ohio Passenger Rail News", monthly bulletins, as well as other updates. Get the latest! Also, if you wish to take an active role in the fight, please let us know! JOIN US NOW!!!
May 9, 201015 yr For active links, go to http://www.allaboardohio.org/cms/index.php Register today for the Annual Meeting in Columbus May 22! Saturday, May 22, 2010 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library 2800 Tremont Road—Columbus CLICK HERE TO SEE A MAP OF THIS LOCATION Registration is $25 for members; $40 for non-members (includes 2010 membership in All Aboard Ohio) Cost includes continental breakfast, lunch (at the neighborhod Old Bag of Nails restaurant) and meeting materials. Agenda: 3C and Ohio Hub planning activities Amtrak route review presentation/discussion 3C campaign update All Aboard Ohio Election Report of other state-supported trains To register, print THIS POSTCARD then fill it out and mail it with a check payable to All Aboard Ohio at: All Aboard Ohio 309 South 4th St., Ste 304 Columbus, OH 43215-5428 LATE REGISTRATION: If you are registering on May 19th or later, please call 216-288-4883 or e-mail [email protected] with the name(s) of people in your party and whether you are are a current member of All Aboard Ohio. You may then pay at the door. Thank you. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 27, 201015 yr CALENDAR - CALENDAR - CALENDAR - CALENDAR - CALENDAR - CALENDAR - CALENDAR - CALENDAR JUNE 1st—6:30-8 p.m.—All Aboard Ohio RIVERSIDE-DAYTON Local Meeting—Comfort Suites Wright-Patt, 5220 Huberville Ave., Riverside. Location is by the 3C station site across Springfield Street from the Air Force Museum. Topics: local 3C campaign issues. Donations encouraged. Refreshments. Contact Jim Wellman at 937-416-1819. 5th—10 a.m. to noon—All Aboard Ohio TOLEDO Local Meeting—MLK Plaza/Amtrak station, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Topics: followup on National Train Day, update on and local response to Amtrak services, rail preservation and more. Donations encouraged. Coffee and juice. Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924. 8th—6:30-8 p.m.—All Aboard Ohio CINCINNATI Local Meeting—Cincinnati Union Terminal TOWER A, 1301 Western Avenue. Topics: 3C, CIC Corridors, CUT and Cardinal. Contact All Aboard Ohio Cincinnati Regional Coordinator Beau Tuke at [email protected] 10th—noon to 1:30 p.m.—All Aboard Ohio YOUNGSTOWN Local Meeting—Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, 11 Central Square, 17th Floor conference room, downtown Youngstown. Topics: CLE-PIT passenger rail outreach and coalition building. Brown bag lunch but chamber will supply beverages. RSVP to Shari Budge at the chamber at 330-744-2131, ext. 31 or [email protected] 12th—10 a.m. to noon—All Aboard Ohio CLEVELAND Local Meeting—Willow Coffee House, 11620 Madison Ave, Cleveland (across from the West 117th/Madison Red Line rapid transit station). Topics: update on and local response to Amtrak service changes, 3C, Ohio Hub PEIS and more. Donations encouraged. Coffee and juice. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 12th—10 a.m. to noon—All Aboard Ohio COLUMBUS Local Meeting—Grandview Public Library, 1685 West First Avenue. Topics: 3C “Quick Start” campaign; transit funding issues. Donations encouraged. Coffee/juice/danishes. Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 19th—10 a.m. to 3 p.m.—All Aboard Ohio BOARD MEETING—MLK Plaza/Amtrak station, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Topics: website, treasurer’s report, 3C, Ohio Hub PEIS, Amtrak service changes, MARP and NOPRA Coordination, Lake Shore Coalition. Lunch elsewhere. Contact Bill Hutchison at 614-882-1716. For information on how to organize a local meeting in your community, contact All Aboard Ohio Executive Director Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883 or [email protected] "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 29, 201015 yr Note the addition of the Riverside-Dayton meeting for this coming Tuesday. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 29, 201015 yr Please click on the link to view the e-Edition of the Ohio Passenger Rail News. Feel free to share this newsletter with others... http://members.cox.net/ohiohsr/AAO_Monthly_Newsletter_053110.pdf Have a safe holiday weekend! Regards "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 29, 201015 yr Please click on the link to view the e-Edition of the Ohio Passenger Rail News. Feel free to share this newsletter with others... http://members.cox.net/ohiohsr/AAO_Monthly_Newsletter_053110.pdf Have a safe holiday weekend! Regards Verrry nice newsletter! You are writing this?
May 29, 201015 yr I wrote only one article, about last week's annual/spring meeting. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 22, 201014 yr TO PRINT THE MEETING NOTICE, RIGHT-CLICK ON THE IMAGE AND SELECT “PRINT PICTURE...” "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 3, 201014 yr All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings August 2010 3rd -- 6 p.m.; DAYTON/RIVERSIDE -- Comfort Inn, 5220 Harshman Ave., Riverside, across Springfield Street from the Air Force Museum. Topics: Developing the 3C advocacy toolbox. Contact: Jim Wellman at 937-416-1819. 10th -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- CANCELED DUE TO RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AT TOWER A MEETING SITE IN UNION TERMINAL. 12th -- Noon; YOUNGSTOWN -- Regional Chamber conference room 17th floor, 11 Central Square, Youngstown. Topics: CYP TechBelt Corridor advocacy, static display presentation, updates, etc. Brown bag lunch meeting but chamber will provide soft drinks. RSVP: Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext 31. 14th -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Toledo Amtrak Station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Topics: Amtrak service issues, All Aboard Ohio-Destination Toledo project, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, ODOT futures meeting, etc. Contact: Bill Gill at 419-536-1924. 14th -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 West First Ave., Grandview. Topics: Local display opportunities for All Aboard Ohio, 3C update, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, local transit issues, etc. Contact: Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 14th -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Willow Coffee House, 11620 Madison Ave., Cleveland, across Madison from the West 117th Rapid station. Topics: Local display opportunities for All Aboard Ohio, 3C update, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, West Shore Corridor update, etc. Contact: Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. Please attend and get involved in your community! Write letters to the editor! Set up All Aboard Ohio displays at local events! Get a local letter-writing campaign going! Schedule meetings with your state legislators in their districts! Create All Aboard Ohio chapters at local colleges and universities! These are just a few ideas. Need All Aboard Ohio brochures? Download them here: http://freepdfhosting.com/b3c104549c.pdf 3C Talking Points? Download them here: http://freepdfhosting.com/3a603c9121.pdf 3C Mythbusters! http://freepdfhosting.com/db21068f6e.pdf 3C Corridor comparison: http://freepdfhosting.com/7e28c8a73e.pdf "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 7, 201014 yr Youngstown - Noon, Sept. 9 (Brown-bag lunch mtg), Regional Chamber 17th Floor, 11 Central Square, Downtown, RSVP to Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext. 31. Columbus - 10 a.m. Sept. 11, Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson for details at 614-459-0359. Cleveland - 10 a.m. Sept. 11, Franklin Circle Church basement mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. Toledo - 10 a.m. Sept. 11, Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924. Cincinnati - 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Sibcy Cline Realtors, 2650 Erie Ave, Hyde Park Square, Cincinnati -Park in Rear, 5/3 Lot or on street -Use entrance on Erie Avenue. -Meeting on 2nd Floor RSVP to: Beau Tuke at [email protected] Also, mark your calendars!! FALL MEETING: All Aboard Ohio Fall Meeting will be held in Toledo, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 23, at the Spaghetti Warehouse, 42 South Superior St, just south of downtown by the baseball park. There will be an All Aboard Ohio board election and Derrick James of Amtrak will discuss Amtrak service changes and initiatives. Details will be in the next newsletter! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 22, 201014 yr This should be posted here to make it easier to find, rather than in the 3C thread where it gets lost in all the other messages.... Truth & context about 3C rail is biggest victim in an election year FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2010 Contact: Ken Prendergast All Aboard Ohio Executive Director (216) 288-4883 [email protected] Five months ago, the State Controlling Board voted to approve using 100 percent federal funds for final engineering of an introductory level of passenger rail service in the 3C Corridor the Midwests busiest intercity travel corridor (according to USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics). That engineering work, negotiations with freight railroads and bid scopes for prospective passenger rail operators would get answers that the projects critics have been asking. Instead, a Republican Ohio Senator now wants the Ohio Attorney Generals office to stop the engineering, claiming a vote by the State Controlling Board to advance the engineering work violated state law. That legal and proper vote was five months ago, said All Aboard Ohio President Bill Hutchison. Now, less than two months before the gubernatorial election, the opposition floats this? Are they afraid that their false and misleading arguments will be nullified by the engineering study? They should be afraid. What is gained by not doing this study? It doesnt save the state treasury any money. The money has to be used for a rail project somewhere whether Ohio uses it or not. Ohios so-called fiscal conservatives claim that this will save the state $17 million per year in 3Cs operating cost six years from now. All but $3.4 million of that much discussed $17 million operating cost will be covered at the federal level for the first three years the line operates. That amounts to annual per-capita cost of 29 cents. The full $17 million cost would not have to be covered until 2016 and even that amounts to only $1.60 annually per-capita. Thats the cost of buying everyone in Ohio one cup of coffee per year. Meanwhile highway subsidies in Ohio are $105 per-capita (source: Federal Highway Administration). The 3C trains will generate large benefits that will more than offset this cost: + $6.1 million to $7.3 million per year Ohio sales tax revenues from increased consumer activity + $5 million to $10 million per year Annual budget offsets from state employees using 3C trains + $0.25 million to $0.6 million per year Ohio income tax revenues from direct 3C jobs. + $1.2 million to $10.4 million per year Ohio income tax revenues from 3C spin-off jobs. + $21.2 million to $42.4 million per year Savings from moving more freight from 3C roads to 3C rails. + Total benefits to the state from 3C project: $33.75 million to $70.7 million per year. All Aboard Ohios fiscal analysis of 3C used a variety of data sets, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Railroad Administration, Ohio Department of Administrative Services, consumer surplus economic impact model, U.S. Census, Amtrak and the freight railroads. Ironically, while so-called fiscal conservatives regardless of party worry about the $17 million operating cost for 3C trains, they havent uttered so much as a peep about worsening highway subsidies. Consider: + There is bipartisan support for hauling heavier steel shipments by truck but no support for increasing fees on trucks to pay for the damage they will do to Ohios roads: highway subsidy of $50 million per year. + There is bipartisan support for increasing truck weights to haul Ohio-based agricultural products but no increase in weight-distance fees to offset the damage to Ohios roads: highway subsidy of $45 million per year. + Republicans want to eliminate the late fee on drivers license renewals without coming up with a way to replace the annual loss to Ohios budget: cost to Ohio of $30 million per year. + Budget hawks are silent on ODOTs seven-year increase in costs to operate/maintain/support the added highway infrastructure planned/underway (including $9.2 billion in new highway infrastructure in 3C alone!) without an identified way to pay those operating costs: cost to Ohio of $3.3 billion over seven years (or $471 million per year). So how does $17 million per year risk bankrupting the state? Of course it wont. The critics are hoping the media simply reiterates sound bites. This is an important issue, one that deserves full review and exhaustive analysis by the media. We encourage them to verify all data from both sides before redistributing it. Nor does the opposition offer any context for what Ohio is pursuing because it would show Ohio is being fiscally prudent. All states started with a modest rail service and enhanced it; each time ridership grew. Of the 17 most densely populated states, only Hawaii and Ohio do not provide any state financial support for passenger trains. Hawaii is an island with no railroads, but Ohio is literally the "hole in the donut" with major states around us supporting trains. Why is Ohio the odd-man out? Are we that much smarter than our colleague states? Its time Ohio started acting like the nations ninth-most densely populated state with the Midwests busiest intercity travel corridor, not the remote island it pretends to be, Hutchison said. END "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 1, 201014 yr INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS WANTED AT ALL ABOARD OHIO! We need volunteer help at our Columbus office and also in Cleveland or Cincinnati for outreach activities! The next few months are going to be crucially important for passenger rail in Ohio. Not a member? Just reply to this message and we'll tell you how to join. GET IN THE FIGHT!!!!!
October 4, 201014 yr All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings October 2010 (NOTE: date for Dayton/Riverside local meeting listed in the newsletter is incorrect. Correct date is listed below. ALSO, the start time for the Oct. 23 Fall Meeting in Toledo wasn't included in the newsletter. The start time is 9:30 a.m.. See Fall Meeting details below!) 5th/Tuesday -- 6 p.m.; DAYTON/RIVERSIDE -- Comfort Inn, 5220 Harshman Ave., Riverside, across Springfield Street from the Air Force Museum. Contact: Jim Wellman at 937-416-1819. 9th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 9th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Franklin Circle Church basement mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 9th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924. 12th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- Location TBA, Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected] 14th/Thursday -- 12 Noon; YOUNGSTOWN -- Brown-bag lunch mtg, Regional Chamber 17th Floor, 11 Central Square, Downtown, RSVP to Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext. 31. 23rd/Saturday -- 9:30 a.m.; FALL MEETING -- Spaghetti Warehouse, 42 South Superior Street (at Lafayette Street, one block south of Fifth Third Field baseball stadium), TOLEDO. Featured speaker: Derrick James, Amtrak's Director of Government Affairs-Central. Registration is $20 per member or $45 per non-member (includes 1-year membership in All Aboard Ohio). Register by phone by contacting Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883 or e-mail at [email protected] "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 20, 201014 yr Dear members and friends: EDIT: The RSVP e-mail address for the Go Ohio workshops is incorrect. It is missing the .us at the end of it. Thus the correct e-mail adddress is [email protected] Kindly share this special elections issue with others! Download the issue at: http://freepdfhosting.com/bd2d18def6.pdf In this issue...... > Comparing the 3C/passenger rail statements of the leading gubernatorial and senatorial candidates -- you decide! > Akron Beacon Journal staff editorial "Ride the rail" > Columbus Dispatch article "State now says 3C train will average 50 mph" > Columbus Business First article "Report Ties Jobs to High Speed rail Bid" > Columbus Dispatch article "Rail plan touted as fueling economy" > Go OHIO Public Workshops by ODOT, locations and dates > Please help All Aboard Ohio in this time of crisis! We need your financial help!! ALSO NOTE THE MEETING IN TOLEDO ON SATURDAY. SEE PREVIOUS MESSAGE IN THIS THREAD. For more information, contact: Ken Prendergast Executive Director All Aboard Ohio 12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505 Cleveland, OH 44107 (216) 288-4883 [email protected] www.allaboardohio.org "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 2, 201014 yr All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings November 2010 (NOTE: date for Dayton/Riverside local meeting listed in the newsletter is incorrect. Correct date is listed below!) 2nd/Tuesday -- 6 p.m.; DAYTON/RIVERSIDE -- Comfort Inn, 5220 Harshman Ave., Riverside, across Springfield Street from the Air Force Museum. Contact: Jim Wellman at 937-416-1819. 9th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- Hyde Park Public Library, 2747 Erie Avenue, Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected] 13th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 13th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Franklin Circle Church basement mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 13th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924. 18th/Thursday -- 12 Noon; YOUNGSTOWN -- Brown-bag lunch mtg, Regional Chamber 17th Floor, 11 Central Square, Downtown, RSVP to Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext. 31. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 7, 201014 yr What about moving the Youngstown meeting times around, like in the evening or on Saturday? You want people to attend. Some people have to work. That is first priority for me.
November 7, 201014 yr Our Youngstown meeting is one of, if not the most heavily attended in the state, and we get more community leaders (elected officials, business people and urban/transportation planners) than any of our other meetings. This will not be changed. Sorry. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 11, 201014 yr All Aboard Ohio's website has been updated with a 3C call to arms and LOTS of advocacy tools to make it easier for more people to get involved. And, of course, don't forget to join/renew! http://www.allaboardohio.org/ EDIT: several All Aboard Ohio local meetings are this weekend. See the previous page for details. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 11, 201014 yr I sent the letter to Kasich contacts. I also posted it on my blog which gets around. It was just a general appeal for mercy without name calling or politics. His bullying tactic to stop this project really needs a punch back by those who demand transportation alternatives to automobile oriented means.
November 29, 201014 yr Shop for the holidays at goodshop.com and help All Aboard Ohio! If you do your holiday shopping online, don't forget to do it through GoodShop.com! When you click on http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx and name All Aboard Ohio as the benefitting charity, the campaign for better passenger trains and public transportation in Ohio will receive up to 30 percent of your purchase as a donation. It's that simple! Add the toolbar to remind you to always make your online purchases with GoodShop! There are 1,000 great retailers participating in goodsearch.com's "GoodShop" program. They include Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, eBay, Land's End, Overstock.com, PetSmart, Priceline, Saks Fifth Avenue, Target, Travelocity, Walgreen's, WalMart and more. You can also do Internet searches through Goodsearch.com and All Aboard Ohio will get a donation from that activity, too. Thank you for thinking of All Aboard Ohio during the holidays season! We're thinking of you and hoping that we'll be able to get you a real train for the holidays sooner rather than later! Ohio needs more choices than snowy, slippery interstates and hectic airports in what otherwise is the most wonderful time of the year. --Ken Prendergast, Executive Director, All Aboard Ohio "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 30, 201014 yr All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings December 2010 (NOTE: date for Dayton/Riverside local meeting listed in the newsletter is incorrect. Correct date is listed below!) 7th/Tuesday -- 6 p.m.; DAYTON/RIVERSIDE -- Comfort Inn, 5220 Harshman Ave., Riverside, across Springfield Street from the Air Force Museum. Contact: Jim Wellman at 937-416-1819. 11th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 11th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Franklin Circle Church basement mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 11th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924. 14th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- Tower A at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue, Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected] NOTE: There will not be a December Mahoning Valley meeting in Youngstown. The next one will be: JAN 6th/Thursday -- 12 Noon; YOUNGSTOWN -- Brown-bag lunch mtg, Regional Chamber 17th Floor, 11 Central Square, Downtown, RSVP to Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext. 31. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 10, 201114 yr All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings February 2011 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Franklin Circle Church basement mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill 419-536-1924. TBD; CINCINNATI -- Tower A at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue, Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected] NOTE: There will not be February meetings in Youngstown or Dayton. The next ones will likely be in March, To Be Announced. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 22, 201114 yr Thought I'd save KJP the trouble of posting: All Aboard Ohio's press release on written testimony to the USDOT/Mica hearing held in Columbus Ohio two days ago. Full written testimony can be found here: http://freepdfhosting.com/abbc4763ff.pdf Press Release: http://allaboardohio.org/2011/02/21/all-aboard-ohio%E2%80%99s-house-ti-testimony-with-right-policies-rail-will-be-the-only-mode-that%E2%80%99s-privatized-%E2%80%9Cfrom-the-infrastructure-on-up%E2%80%9D/ Dear House T&I: right policies let rail be the only mode privatized “from the infrastructure on up” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — February 21, 2011 Contact: Ken Prendergast All Aboard Ohio Executive Director (216) 288-4883 kenprendergast@... COLUMBUS – For the first time since the early 20th century, railroad carriers’ unique ownership of their infrastructure and rights of way could be a speedy growth engine for them. All Aboard Ohio made that case as the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee sought testimony at a series of “field hearings” for its upcoming renewal of the six-year federal surface transportation spending law. A field hearing was held in Columbus on Feb. 19. All Aboard Ohio is grateful to U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus) for inviting us to submit written testimony. T&I Committee Chair Rep. John Mica (R-Winter Park, FL) asked witnesses for ideas and input on how to: + accelerate transportation project delivery; + identify creative financing options; and + increase private-sector investment in transportation projects. All Aboard Ohio offered solutions to problems told by witnesses like Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray who lamented falling state and federal gas tax revenues and the rising costs of maintaining roads. Keith Tuttle of Motor Carrier Services in Toledo urged longer hours that truckers can be on the road – because of highway congestion, truckers cannot travel as far. Meanwhile Rep. Mica reminded witnesses about rising gasoline prices and that federally compliant transportation projects typically require a decade to go from idea to construction. In its testimony (see: http://freepdfhosting.com/abbc4763ff.pdf), All Aboard Ohio noted there are three ways for government to subsidize transportation: + direct financial outlays (grants and loans); + tax credits; and + outright ownership of transportation infrastructure. All Aboard Ohio urged expansion of tax credits to meet the committee’s three basic goals, noted above. It would allow federal transportation incentives to move at the speed of business and without expanding federal bureaucracies. “The passenger and freight rail industry is unlike any other mode of transportation as the carriers must own and be responsible for their infrastructure and rights of way,” All Aboard Ohio noted in its testimony. “That places a much higher fixed-cost burden on rail carriers (including Amtrak and transit agencies), compared to other modes where carriers can treat the public infrastructure they use more so as a variable cost. Rail carriers must pay for their own right-of-way policing and security, maintenance, dispatching and traffic management, and liability insurance. By comparison, for highway users and airlines, those costs are largely externalized onto general revenue taxpayers. Any public policy changes must acknowledge this unique situation in the rail industry.” In recognition of this situation, All Aboard Ohio urged creation or expansion of tax-credit incentives for the following activities: Capital improvements: encourages private enterprise, not public agencies, to lead rail freight, passenger and transit projects. Positive Train Control: addresses the unfunded mandate of PL 110-432 on railroads to invest up to $10 billion to install PTC by 2015. Public-benefit activities: allows railroads to provide public-benefit activities that do not benefit freight rail shareholders. Electrification: encourages railroads and public utilities to expand use of electricity as a source of motive power. Safety & technology research: promotes innovation at rail industry suppliers. All Aboard Ohio urged Congressional action on two other issues: Expand service partnerships with higher education: specialization in education requires more travel by students who often do not have cars and no other way of getting around. We support the Ohio Higher Education Rail Network model. Simplify the RRIF program: The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing should offer no-interest loans, eliminate loan rankings based on purpose, be aligned more closely with the fiscal soundness loan-award policies of private lenders, and require only NEPA categorical exclusion documentation. “The low-cost, market-based, high-impact proposals in this report would allow the rail industry to use its inherent strengths to surge ahead and take the next logical steps for both passenger and freight. And thus, the unique situation of carriers’ responsibility over their infrastructure could be turned from an albatross into a true asset,” All Aboard Ohio concluded. END
February 22, 201114 yr Except I already posted it here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,7852.msg545297.html#msg545297 :) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 7, 201114 yr NOTE: Change of location/time of Youngstown meeting, change of date for Columbus meeting, and addition of an Akron local meeting. All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings March 2011 8th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- Tower A at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue, Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected] 10th/Thursday -- 6 p.m.; YOUNGSTOWN -- Cassese's MVR, 410 North Walnut Street, Youngstown, Contact: John Fahnert at 330-565-5699. 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Franklin Circle Church basement mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 12th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924. 16th/Wednesday -- 6 p.m.; AKRON -- Uncorked Wine Bar, 22 North High Street, Akron, Contact Chris Niekamp at 330-608-2503. 19th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. ### FYI: consider attending the Ohio Rail Tourism Association meetings on April 9 in Richfield, including a ride on Ohio's busiest passenger railroad -- the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR. For details, see: http://www.ohiorailtourism.org/mtg-annual.php And, National Train Day in Toledo will be on April 30th this year. The times and location will be the same as last year, however: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Toledo Amtrak Station. For details, see: http://www.toledo.com/index.php?src=events&category=Community%20Interest&srctype=detail&category=Community%20Interest&refno=591172 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 1, 201114 yr Upcoming meetings! June 11th — Cleveland local meeting — 10 a.m. — Franklin Circle Church second floor mtg room, 1688 Fulton Road, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 11th — Toledo Local Meeting — 10 a.m. — Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924. 11th — Columbus Local Meeting — 10 a.m. — Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. Also, please check out.... All Aboard Ohio $250 NOW Campaign Hello members and friends! I am writing to inform you of a new campaign to support All Aboard Ohio in its efforts to promote passenger rail development in Ohio — conventional intercity, high-speed, regional commuter, light-rail and streetcars. READ MORE AT: http://allaboardohio.org/2011/06/01/all-aboard-ohio-250-now-campaign/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 11, 201113 yr Note new Cleveland meeting location...... August All Aboard Ohio meetings! 13th — Cleveland local meeting — 10 a.m. — Koffie, Cafe, 2521 Market Ave, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 13th — Columbus Local Meeting — 10 a.m. — Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 13th — Toledo Local Meeting — 10 a.m. — Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 8, 201113 yr All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings September 2011 ----------------------------- 8th/Thursday -- 6 p.m.; YOUNGSTOWN -- Cassese's MVR, 410 North Walnut Street, Youngstown, Contact: John Fahnert at 330-565-5699. 10th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Koffie, Cafe, 2521 Market Ave, Ohio City. Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 10th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Amtrak station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Contact Bill Gill at 419-536-1924. 10th/Saturday -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Contact Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359. 13th/Tuesday -- 6 p.m.; AKRON -- The Lockview, 207 South Main Street, Akron, Contact Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883. 13th/Tuesday -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- Tower A at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue, Contact: Beau Tuke at [email protected] "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 8, 201113 yr Tigard LRT Route Proposal Edmonton transit-oriented development visioning Utah FrontRunner 88-mile-long regional rail corridor North Carolina's Piedmont trains (state owns the tracks, trains and stations, then contracts with Amtrak to run them) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 8, 201113 yr Here's a couple more.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 8, 201113 yr You would think the one thing Kasich would understand about all this is the potential extra productivity component...by where business travelers who are forced to drive, can perform business tasks on a train that they cannot...or at least should not, while driving, hence creating dead wasted time.
September 8, 201113 yr 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.
September 8, 201113 yr Not when freight railroad CSX tells Kasich that passenger trains are bad. Very bad. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 8, 201113 yr Not when freight railroad CSX tells Kasich that passenger trains are bad. Very bad. Who is holding back passenger rail more right now; certain railroads or governors? Or is that just a chicken v egg problem.
September 8, 201113 yr The argument could be made that CSX held back 3C more, since Kasich only knows what he is told about 3C. And CSX did a lot of talking to the Governor's staff against 3C. But CSX isn't fighting all passenger rail projects (see New York's Buffalo-Albany-NYC project) -- only those that it believes would harm its business. So a counter-argument can be made that the 3C plan didn't accommodate CSX's interests. But there is also a strong, anti-rail contingent at the top of ODOT right now. And there are those in the governor's administration and in the general assembly who will fight passenger rail because it is seen by them as one of Obama's pet programs. Of course, not every Republican governor feels this way, including those in Michigan, Virginia, California, New Jersey and elsewhere. Even Wisconsin's Walker supported a federal funding request for improving Milwaukee-Chicago Amtrak service, and Texas' Perry supports federal funds for rail improvements there. So nothing here is "all" one thing or another. There are plenty of exceptions to every generalization. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 9, 201113 yr Show support: Local govts introducing rail Resolutions!! Friends, ** We need letters or resolutions of support! ** As part of the Stand Up for Trains campaign: -The Lucas County Commissioners will consider a resolution in support of passenger rail funding on Tuesday Sept. 27. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m., One Government Center, Commissioners' Hearing Room, 1st (main) floor, Supporters should arrive by 9:15 a.m. You need a photo ID to enter Government Center. -Toledo City Council members Steven Steel and Joe Macnamara will introduce a similar resolution – tentative date is Tuesday, September 20. Watch for confirmation of this date and more details. -What about in the rest of Ohio? If your organization or jurisdiction is willing to do a letter or resolution of support ANYWHERE IN OHIO, please let me know. Samples are posted on the Stand Up for Trains website: http://www.standupfortrains.org/supporters Feel free to edit it or draft your own. (Short and simple is fine.) The plan is to present all such letters and resolutions at the Passenger Rail Forum in Toledo on October 17 and at the All Aboard Ohio/Midwest High Speed Rail Association joint Fall Meeting October 29, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cleveland City Club, 850 Euclid Ave. For details, check the All Aboard Ohio newsletter, which is going to the printer next week. Final note: some folks have tried to turn passenger rail into a political issue. As transportation planners and advocates, we know better: good transportation is a human and economic need, not a political football. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
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