Comments on: Bieter Ignores Public, Seeks More Tax Money From Feds For Pet Train

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:55:09 +0000

I have an idea for the Mayor. Bring passenger rail service back to southern Idaho. The air terminal can be used since the old depot is no longer handy.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 06:05:40 +0000

Failed Idea even in big cities

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/173964061.html

By: Brian Vermillion

Brian Vermillion — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 13:41:07 +0000

There was a very timely news documentary on Fox last night about cities in America declaring bankruptcy due to overextending themselves. One of the main causes was city leaders wanting to create infrastructure by any means necessary. Some examples were trash incinerators (Dynamis),baseball stadiums(Boise Hawks), and sewer plants (lite rail). We don’t need yet another example of the failed Solyndra project. Bieter obviously subscribes to the theory of “Build it and they might come”.

By: Flyhead

Flyhead — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:04:03 +0000

Bieter needs to buy a pair of bib overalls and an engineers hat and call it a day.

A train for transportation in Boise makes no sense when we have such a crappy bus system.

Fix the bus system so it actually serves the public before thinking about a train.

By: Chuck Woods

Chuck Woods — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 23:06:03 +0000

I see nothing wrong with light rail. The problem is that the route makes no sense and doesn’t really get anyone anywhere. Light rail works in other cities but it is used as a transportation medium. The Boise plan goes in a tiny circle and not even on the streets that would be the most beneficial to residents. It might however save shoppers a few steps between stores, or drunks between bars.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:24:51 +0000

Bring up public debt every time you speak with a politico. Rub their noses in it. It stinks, they know it does, but they plan to be retired before we need to clean it up. And try not to get sucked into the (D) vs. (R) discussion. They all have done this to us.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/24/federal-debt-nears-16-trillion-with-no-easy-way-to-pay-it-down/

By: Bus Rider

Bus Rider — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:43:02 +0000

@Brian V, for sure Obama has raised the national debt, but if you look at it in percentage of increase compared to the past five presidents, you see a very different picture. Please reference this link:

http://www.factcheck.org/2012/02/dueling-debt-deceptions/

And speaking of raising things, anyone takers on a wager that Boise City is the only taxing district in Ada County who raises its levy by the allotted 3% this year?

By: Speckled Hen

Speckled Hen — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:19:30 +0000

The irony was LaHood’s statement about federal assistance. What has federal money done to expedite the site selection process for a downtown transit center?

LaHood and others ignore how Portland built their first streetcar line WITHOUT federal transportation funds.

Further, the buying power of $1 in federal transportation funds is only 50 cents. The red tape, extra requirements, and time to do all of that greatly negate the impact of federal funding sources versus having state or local funding.

If Boise really wanted it, they could devote 5% of the annual budget to a special fund for the streetcar. It could be mostly funded in 5 years (opposed to 10-15 years ahead of any federal process) at a much lower cost.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 05:37:24 +0000

The few places where rail, pedestrian, and car traffic is mixed together there is almost daily crashs, many are fatal, all delay the train and traffic. If I recall the demo train in Boise a few years back had a wreck on the first day?? and delayed the traffic near it too??

A very stupid idea for a car-based town of this small size. VERY STUPID! Thus more money will be wasted. Will someone please buy the Mayor a toy train set so we can move on.

By: Voter

Voter — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 02:56:17 +0000

I don’t think anyone is surprised at the Mayors efforts to get a trolley or a train. When you have no legacy you get obsessed with creating one. If he can get a train or a trolley it would be his legacy. Voters and cost be damned.