Comments on: June 2018 Editors Note https://growingupsc.com/june-2018-editors-note/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=june-2018-editors-note&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=june-2018-editors-note Sun, 12 Aug 2018 18:12:35 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 By: Karen Kefauver https://growingupsc.com/june-2018-editors-note/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:55:35 +0000 https://growingupsc.com/?p=1810#comment-74 Greenway is like the Trump campaign in that it has a very simple message, Build The Trail (without the rail). People get excited because it provides a simple vision and is easy to rally around with a romanticized vision. In opposition is the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation commission, which, like Hillary, had a far more nuanced and complex message paired with deep experience and knowledge of how to do it right. Greenway has thousands of dollars (if not a million) to spend on promotion and marketing. A nonprofit organization, comprised, in part, of talented publicists, Greenway has very successfully persuaded people with its message, not of all which are accurate. Like Trump’s statements, all of Greenway’s assertions should be fact-checked. Legal requirements around rail are complex. They have had excellent outreach to business which the SCCRTC hasn’t been able to replicate.

I imagine that many Greenway supporters are not aware that 96% of the SCCRT’s trail project will be 12 feet or wider which includes the trail and usable shoulder. The minimum width in other places would be 8 feet. A typical bike lane is 4-5 feet.

The SCCRTC has been slow to respond to this newcomers group and has failed to explain all the benefits and rebut Greenway in an effective manner. In part, that’s because a public agency is hampered in its marketing and funding for it. Where was Greenway during years of public input as the plan was developed? The best way to get fully educated to make a decision is to read — and track — SCCRT’c plan here: https://sccrtc.org and FAQ’s https://sccrtc.org/projects/rail/passenger-rail/13082-2/.

]]> By: Barry Scott https://growingupsc.com/june-2018-editors-note/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:28:46 +0000 https://growingupsc.com/?p=1810#comment-71 We already have a trail designed, funded, and under way. The now active rail line can serve to transport passengers between Watsonville and Santa Cruz safely for generations to come with modest improvements.

The bridges are being surveyed now and the county is studying different options for the rail corridor. Progressive rail will continue the current freight operations in Watsonville only, operations that keep people there employed and that keep big trucks off the highways.

Progressive Rail was deemed the strongest candidate to serve the county and negotiations with a legal team representing our interests resulted in a safe and smart contract that serves both parties and our present and future needs.

Build the trail as planned and approved by the board of supervisors and three city councils, and keep the tracks for future transit. Our children will thank us.

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