I went to the NCRA meeting today and came away with concern. The divide between the Rails and Trails is going to only become bigger. I was on hand to hear some testimony by the usual suspects, Paul Lorenzen, Ken Skaggs, Daniel Pierce, Sid Berg, Pete Orlinger, John Webb, Mike Buettner, Marc Matteoli, Kaye Strickland, Marcus Brown, Dan Hauser, Bill Burton. Mark Lovelace and John Murray were after I had to leave.
Spencer Clifton gave a half assed, way to long presentation of trails and rails that only showed the many problems, no solutions, involved. Humboldt County Association of Governments
NCRA director Allan Hemphill North Coast Railroad Authority - NCRA and Mike Buettner seemed to have a dysfunctional dialogue concerning the right away in Eureka. Mike wanted to know the NCRA's long term or even short term plans for the rail in the Eureka old town development areas. Allan kept referring to the Eel River canyon issues, and Mike kept trying to bring up the rail issues in the Eureka development area.
The NCRA and the Humboldt Bay Recreation & Conservation District seem to have some secret or private agenda or non public agenda that most of us seem to be not privy to. Just what is in the future plans? And why can't us just plain folks know about it?
Don't be a jerk. The harbor dst. is wide open and begging for you and everyone else to participate. Get a grip the baykeeper has the hidden agenda,secret meetings and money without oversight.
ReplyDeleteWhat did Marc Matteoli have to say?
ReplyDeleteCall and ask him Fred.
ReplyDeleteI could walk across the street and ask him, if he happens to be home. I don't see him all that often, though, at least close up. Just thought I'd ask.
ReplyDeleteThe NCRA did not listen to public input and has their own agenda, which is like chasing a rainbow.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with asking about the impact of 50 car gravel trains rumbling down 1st street in Eureka Old Town.
And finally, expect the Harbor District majority tonight to do the same as NCRA. Act offended that they have to listen to public opinion.
These people have been operating in the dark for years, and are not prepared to deal with real public input.
And people who get involved in those decision making processes are not jerks. The ones who rail (no pun intended) against them, however, are.
And wow Fred...I like Marc, but why is his opinion so important?
NCRA Director Simonson said it best:
ReplyDelete"We heard all these anti-rail comments 10 years ago. We should have written them down so we wouldn't have to listen to them again."
And what is up with the Operator John Williams? Just who is the group he represents. Seems he is unwilling to say.
ReplyDeleteI also like his comment about no room for a trail next to the rail because "we might be adding a second line."
Huh? A second line through Eureka? Guess that will take care of the Marina Center.
All in all an embarrassing show by a government agency.
The Baloon Tract should be the location for the Railroad Museum.
ReplyDelete"And wow Fred...I like Marc, but why is his opinion so important?".
ReplyDeleteI don't know that it is important. I'm just curious because, aside from being my brother in law, I never know just where he'll stand on an issue. In this case I'm pretty sure he'd be one of the NCRA supporters and probably a strong one.
He is Fred.He basically told them that he supports what they're doing and to continue with their plans.I'm a little surprised as I didn't view him as a tax and spend republican.
ReplyDeleteFred, this whole blog thing is distancing you from your own family. How sad. He's your brother and lives across the street but vicariously get information on him through the blogs. It must be hard living off seasonal unemployment Fred! LOL!!!!
ReplyDeleteEsquan wrote, "I didn't view him as a tax and spend republican.".
ReplyDeleteMarc was also one of the main proponents of a $100 per year parcel tax to fund dredging of the bay. From what I've seen, he doesn't have problems with taxes at all, as long as he feels he'll benefit from the tax.
Fred, you shouldn't talk trash about members of your family on the blogs. Shame on you Fred!
ReplyDeleteMark has good sence. 'the ncra didn't listen to public input', of course they did. I sat right there and listened too. Although anti-railroad views are valid and have a right to be heard, they are not the only view nor are they very enlightened in my view. State and Federal concerns will dictate the long term courseof the rails. Locally we need to stay in a position to benefit "if" rails re deploy. Because you do not agree with the vote does not mean you were not heard.
ReplyDelete4:06 wrote, "Fred, you shouldn't talk trash about members of your family on the blogs.".
ReplyDeleteI don't think I did, although I figured some might think so. Marc might even think so.
Nope. There's nothing wrong with those that seek "economic development". Marc wants that,too.
That doesn't meant the desire for economic development is wrong. It just means there's all kinds of interests looking at this.
And, there's really nothing wrong, when you think about it, with someone wanting to gain something from government action. Isn't that what government, and political action all about?
The CPD had a sort of subcommittee with Mark and Bill Bertain and I forget who else.
ReplyDeleteMarc Matteoli is your quintessential real estate agent who could never be rich enough. He never met a subdivision he didn't like, and I get the feeling that if he got his way Humboldt County would look like Orange County with maybe a few more trees.
ReplyDelete