------------------------------------------------- To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------- Paul gave a link to his letter lambasting the LRT as an albatross: "Minnesota can and should be ashamed. The liberal hangover from the '70s will haunt us for years. Sad that I won't be around to see the backlash which surely will evolve, and is, but perhaps my public educated/privately corrected urchins will be on the up curve in the next generation or so." I would not have put the LRT where it is if I'd had my druthers. But it's only fair to say that the decision to submit the Hiawatha route to the Feds for ISTEA funds ( basically $ for alternative transportation projects) was made during the administration of Transportation Commissioner Jim Denn, a Republican appointed by Arne Carlson. Sabo, the Dem, and a number of people on all fronts worked to get the MN proposal approved for the huge Federal match. Other routes were simply not ready to submit under the time constraints of the program. Sadly, these federal programs often lead to a stampede of states trying to get their cut, as if we the taxpayers are not paying the bill, whether it's state or federal money. Yes, a lot of folks think alternatives to cars would be a gift to the planet and the kids growing up today. Work is going on right now to plan a Central Corridor route that may get more riders than Paul expects for the Mpls-Airport run. I would love to see us with an efficient and cost-effective system like Washington's and can only wish those gosh-darn 70s liberals had had the foresight to get going earlier. Gail O'Hare St. Paul
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