Good report from Chad Abraham. Up on the Aspen Daily News.
Just think.
All this just so we can have still more busses, running out of tricked-out transit sites, with state-of-the-art 'clean' energy.........yet still carry less than a 25% capacity load of bodies all day, every day up and down the valley. Subsidized by millions upon millions of dollars from local, state and federal taxpayers.
Great cash cow, if you're powerful enough to take it. Talk about a boondoggle!
"There's always more money for RFTA."
Chad Abraham:
"...Progress is never easy — projects involving a new recreation center and the realignment of roads in El Jebel are being scrutinized by five jurisdictions — and BRT is no different. The transportation authority has tried to soften the impact, dubbing the nation’s first rural bus rapid transit system VelicoRFTA, but those dealing with the agency says it has little problem playing hardball to get what it wants....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label NO to more RFTA bailouts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NO to more RFTA bailouts. Show all posts
April 15, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "A whole new animal enters valley transit scene"
And....(drum roll, please)....all these bells and whistles and new busses that will still be running up and down the valley from Rifle to Aspen with partial loads 'round the clock'..........only cost us........$46 million bucks!!!!
Yowza! Such a deal.
Do you think that the entire 'RFTA on Steroids' campaign was boondoggled by local governments because they 'somehow' got the idea that if folks could ride faster to Aspen it would all pay for itself with a gazillion new riders? Remember those voting breakdowns now when 'voters passed' those bonds. All those special interests beating the drum and the minority isolated pockets who support them barely, barely got the thing passed. With a lot of unhappy folks just saying NO. Come to think of it, they never mentioned all the forcing of imminent domain and the little technicality that they had no real plan in place for the actual infrastructure before they put in on the ballot, did they? Remember now, fares are yet to be determined and the travel time is still just a guesstimate.
Oh, sure...there's always money for RFTA.
Scott Condon:
"The goal will be for VelociRFTA buses to make the trip between Aspen and Glenwood Springs in one hour...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Yowza! Such a deal.
Do you think that the entire 'RFTA on Steroids' campaign was boondoggled by local governments because they 'somehow' got the idea that if folks could ride faster to Aspen it would all pay for itself with a gazillion new riders? Remember those voting breakdowns now when 'voters passed' those bonds. All those special interests beating the drum and the minority isolated pockets who support them barely, barely got the thing passed. With a lot of unhappy folks just saying NO. Come to think of it, they never mentioned all the forcing of imminent domain and the little technicality that they had no real plan in place for the actual infrastructure before they put in on the ballot, did they? Remember now, fares are yet to be determined and the travel time is still just a guesstimate.
Oh, sure...there's always money for RFTA.
Scott Condon:
"The goal will be for VelociRFTA buses to make the trip between Aspen and Glenwood Springs in one hour...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 22, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Take a careful look at BRT"
Janine Gunning:
"Editor:
Ironically the new bus rapid transit (BRT) has taken on the logo VelociRFTA. Velociraptors have a predatory claw used to tear into prey, delivering a fatal blow. Putting aside their role as cunning killers, Velociraptor in Greek means “speedy thief.” VelociRFTA is tearing into the midvalley area with a plan sure to disembowel El Jebel. The rush to acquire federal dollars prompted the new El Jebel park and ride proposal.
A failed plan from the start, the proposal has misled residents. There is no scaled drawing to support use of 90 spaces, handicapped parking, entry and exit, proper set-backs, sidewalks, bathrooms, bike racks, commuter bus idling, turnaround and connection to the BRT highway stop without eliminating East Valley Road. The scaled drawing does not exist because it is impossible to achieve without immense community impact. The current lot is three times the size and yesterday hosted 100 cars, five handicapped spaces, port-a-john, bike racks and multiple buses.
The smaller site is not in alignment with growth. Yet, the unincorporated community of El Jebel is being rammed by the town of Basalt which benefits monetarily, while Eagle County commissioners and CDOT ignore their obligation to stop open ticket approvals.
Forty-five million dollars is about to be spent to cut travel time. However, the RFTA website states only five to 10 minutes will be cut from an express trip down the valley. Two BRT stops less than 1 mile apart in El Jebel does not speed up transit.
Of equal importance is that the existing bus stops in our area are not under control, like Catherine Store, El Jebel and Aspen Junction. The lots are unpaved, over crowded and not monitored. RFTA does not manage current use yet is asking for a rash approval. How will all of the lots be controlled in the future? How is it going to be better? The 138-page BRT environmental assessment did not show how it is going to work. Proper use, impact and mitigation measures are seriously tainted.
I’m OK with an advanced BRT system in our valley, but reporting lies as truth and ignoring history is simply fraudulent. Attend the Roaring Fork Valley Planning Commission meeting at the El Jebel Community Center at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22. Demand that proposed development take responsibility for its impacts and insist this use approval be denied until looked at carefully...." (Read original letter? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Editor:
Ironically the new bus rapid transit (BRT) has taken on the logo VelociRFTA. Velociraptors have a predatory claw used to tear into prey, delivering a fatal blow. Putting aside their role as cunning killers, Velociraptor in Greek means “speedy thief.” VelociRFTA is tearing into the midvalley area with a plan sure to disembowel El Jebel. The rush to acquire federal dollars prompted the new El Jebel park and ride proposal.
A failed plan from the start, the proposal has misled residents. There is no scaled drawing to support use of 90 spaces, handicapped parking, entry and exit, proper set-backs, sidewalks, bathrooms, bike racks, commuter bus idling, turnaround and connection to the BRT highway stop without eliminating East Valley Road. The scaled drawing does not exist because it is impossible to achieve without immense community impact. The current lot is three times the size and yesterday hosted 100 cars, five handicapped spaces, port-a-john, bike racks and multiple buses.
The smaller site is not in alignment with growth. Yet, the unincorporated community of El Jebel is being rammed by the town of Basalt which benefits monetarily, while Eagle County commissioners and CDOT ignore their obligation to stop open ticket approvals.
Forty-five million dollars is about to be spent to cut travel time. However, the RFTA website states only five to 10 minutes will be cut from an express trip down the valley. Two BRT stops less than 1 mile apart in El Jebel does not speed up transit.
Of equal importance is that the existing bus stops in our area are not under control, like Catherine Store, El Jebel and Aspen Junction. The lots are unpaved, over crowded and not monitored. RFTA does not manage current use yet is asking for a rash approval. How will all of the lots be controlled in the future? How is it going to be better? The 138-page BRT environmental assessment did not show how it is going to work. Proper use, impact and mitigation measures are seriously tainted.
I’m OK with an advanced BRT system in our valley, but reporting lies as truth and ignoring history is simply fraudulent. Attend the Roaring Fork Valley Planning Commission meeting at the El Jebel Community Center at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22. Demand that proposed development take responsibility for its impacts and insist this use approval be denied until looked at carefully...." (Read original letter? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 20, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Limit eminent domain, secure right to private property ownership"
James Kellogg via Glenwood Springs Post Independent:
(On the author's request, “Right Angles” will appear just once a month, on the third Tuesday. James D. Kellogg of New Castle is a professional engineer, the author of the novel E-Force, and the founder of LiberTEAWatch. com. Visit JamesDKellogg.com or email jamesdkellogg@yahoo.com.)
"Throughout the United States, government and quasi-government bodies are chipping away at private property rights. This is exemplified in western Colorado by property acquisitions of the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) to build new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations. The town of Basalt and city of Glenwood Springs endorsed RFTA's tactic of condemning private parcels within their municipal limits to advance the $46.2 million BRT project.
In the Glenwood Springs instance, RFTA claimed that a strict deadline attached to a $25 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration meant a competing private use proposed for the property needed to be quickly quashed.
Through their support, the message from local leaders is loud and clear: It's more important to help RFTA spend taxpayer dollars than secure the rights of private property owners.
The founders of our nation believed the right of citizens to acquire and possess property is as unalienable as the right to free speech. Thomas Jefferson declared, “All power is inherent in the people. … They are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press.”
Secure private property rights are a cornerstone of economic growth and sustainability in a free market economy. Our government is responsible for upholding laws, contracts, patents and copyrights to protect private property owners from infringement by others, including government itself...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
(On the author's request, “Right Angles” will appear just once a month, on the third Tuesday. James D. Kellogg of New Castle is a professional engineer, the author of the novel E-Force, and the founder of LiberTEAWatch. com. Visit JamesDKellogg.com or email jamesdkellogg@yahoo.com.)
"Throughout the United States, government and quasi-government bodies are chipping away at private property rights. This is exemplified in western Colorado by property acquisitions of the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) to build new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations. The town of Basalt and city of Glenwood Springs endorsed RFTA's tactic of condemning private parcels within their municipal limits to advance the $46.2 million BRT project.
In the Glenwood Springs instance, RFTA claimed that a strict deadline attached to a $25 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration meant a competing private use proposed for the property needed to be quickly quashed.
Through their support, the message from local leaders is loud and clear: It's more important to help RFTA spend taxpayer dollars than secure the rights of private property owners.
The founders of our nation believed the right of citizens to acquire and possess property is as unalienable as the right to free speech. Thomas Jefferson declared, “All power is inherent in the people. … They are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press.”
Secure private property rights are a cornerstone of economic growth and sustainability in a free market economy. Our government is responsible for upholding laws, contracts, patents and copyrights to protect private property owners from infringement by others, including government itself...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Condemnation as bad as communism"
John Korrie, Glenwood Springs:
"I cannot believe that our city council has agreed with RFTA to condemn Wayne Rudd's building on South Glen Avenue if a sale agreement does not work out.
Condemnation is nothing shy of communism just like when the Re-1 school district took the True Value building.
It is wrong on every level of democracy. It is no different than if someone knocked on your door and said, “I want to buy your house,” and you say, “It is not for sale,” and they say, “OK, then we will just condemn it and take it away from you.”
In that sense, I bet everyone out there feels that is stealing, and totally wrong.
But as soon as it is a public agency or government agency doing it, it's OK. Hogwash, it is still wrong. Are there no other options for a bus station elsewhere?..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"I cannot believe that our city council has agreed with RFTA to condemn Wayne Rudd's building on South Glen Avenue if a sale agreement does not work out.
Condemnation is nothing shy of communism just like when the Re-1 school district took the True Value building.
It is wrong on every level of democracy. It is no different than if someone knocked on your door and said, “I want to buy your house,” and you say, “It is not for sale,” and they say, “OK, then we will just condemn it and take it away from you.”
In that sense, I bet everyone out there feels that is stealing, and totally wrong.
But as soon as it is a public agency or government agency doing it, it's OK. Hogwash, it is still wrong. Are there no other options for a bus station elsewhere?..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 9, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Glenwood Springs, RFTA must work to make sure local transit goals are met"
"As such, though, we believe RFTA and the city both have some more work to do to make sure the new BRT system will be convenient and therefore successful on this end of the line in its effort to encourage more upvalley commuters to get out of their cars and onto the Glenwood-Aspen express bus.
Glenwood Springs is an important member of RFTA, which has made much progress in addressing the transit needs of the Roaring Fork Valley and western Garfield County.
But Glenwood Springs' single-biggest transportation issue is traffic congestion on Grand Avenue — Highway 82 — as it passes through the middle of town...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Glenwood Springs is an important member of RFTA, which has made much progress in addressing the transit needs of the Roaring Fork Valley and western Garfield County.
But Glenwood Springs' single-biggest transportation issue is traffic congestion on Grand Avenue — Highway 82 — as it passes through the middle of town...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Plan for EL Jebel bus stop hits speed bump"
Again, will there ever come a time when we do not have elected officials so blinded by the spin of RFTA's sales pitches that they actually look at the facts before they sign on millions of dollars in bailouts over the years? Or lend their support to soliciting federal funds without checking to make sure RFTA had all the promises for that grant lined up first?
Good luck to the residents of Sopris Village in stopping an eminent domain takeover.
Scott Condon:
"That proposal has failed so far to earn the support of the Basalt Town Council or the Pitkin County commissioners. And on Thursday, Sopris Village residents teed off on the road plan at a Roaring Fork Regional Planning Commission meeting.
“I care that they're going to pave over our park at Sopris Village and pave over Crown Mountain Park,” said Janine Gunning, a resident of the subdivision. Sopris Village, the neighborhood behind the El Jebel City Market, is home to 130 families.
Angela Kincade, assistant project manager of bus rapid transit, stressed to the audience that RFTA didn't propose the road realignment. The bus agency is trying to be a “team player” with Eagle County and Crown Mountain to work on a plan, she said.
But Sopris Village residents had plenty of other complaints about RFTA's plan.
Good luck to the residents of Sopris Village in stopping an eminent domain takeover.
Scott Condon:
"That proposal has failed so far to earn the support of the Basalt Town Council or the Pitkin County commissioners. And on Thursday, Sopris Village residents teed off on the road plan at a Roaring Fork Regional Planning Commission meeting.
“I care that they're going to pave over our park at Sopris Village and pave over Crown Mountain Park,” said Janine Gunning, a resident of the subdivision. Sopris Village, the neighborhood behind the El Jebel City Market, is home to 130 families.
Angela Kincade, assistant project manager of bus rapid transit, stressed to the audience that RFTA didn't propose the road realignment. The bus agency is trying to be a “team player” with Eagle County and Crown Mountain to work on a plan, she said.
But Sopris Village residents had plenty of other complaints about RFTA's plan.
March 3, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "City supports plan to acquire bus station site"
One of these days, RFTA is going to get caught while their hand is out for mega grants like the Omnibus Spending bill, by a clear thinking politician who's going to check out every single word of their grant application.
Like.....whether or not they really have the land, means and local support from all counties and municipalities affected before they are given millions of taxpayer dollars.
John Stroud:
"A local engineer who has been working with Kum & Go on their project, Phil Harris of Boundaries Unlimited, disputed Kincade's assertion that RFTA had formally approached Rudd before the lease with Kum & Go was in the works last summer...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Like.....whether or not they really have the land, means and local support from all counties and municipalities affected before they are given millions of taxpayer dollars.
John Stroud:
"A local engineer who has been working with Kum & Go on their project, Phil Harris of Boundaries Unlimited, disputed Kincade's assertion that RFTA had formally approached Rudd before the lease with Kum & Go was in the works last summer...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 2, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Condemnation a possibility for RFTA to acquire BRT site"
Finally, RFTA has a worthy opponent. Wayne Rudd. Ought to be very, very interesting to see Rudd dig in his heels should they not meet his price. That's likely to be the first legal contest that RFTA isn't going to get a lot of help from that "eight member government" of theirs that Rudd doesn't match in same strength legal force.
How very good it is to see this possibility of someone finally shedding transparency on the bully that is the Roaring Fork Transit Authority.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
How very good it is to see this possibility of someone finally shedding transparency on the bully that is the Roaring Fork Transit Authority.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 10, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "RFTA board split over policy statement on gas exploration"
(See related story here and here)
It's about the money. RFTA's concern is that they're going to upset very powerful elected commissioners and concilmen who give them handout and bailout money without blinking an eye.
"There's always more money for RFTA" is a local mantra. Never mind that our homeless, hungry, unemployed populations are at record high levels. 'Nothing to be concerned about' while our tourism sales stay flat. "There's always more money for RFTA".
The call for the Roaring Fork Transit Authority to become self-sustaining is one that has been shouted out by taxpayers for years.
Taxpayers who are reading this spin out of RFTA this morning, as RFTA attempts to appease EnCana so they can grab up the $365,000 EnCana is offering in a grant towards CNG busses, while at the same time doing the shuck and jive so that Pitkin County commissioners and Aspen City Council stay happy.
Here's another factor thrown in to the wringing of hands currently going on in RFTA admin:
Better decide quick because at the next election cycle for Aspen Council and PitCo commissioners, voters may choose to sweep them both clean and elect conservative values who will neutralize the problem on both sides.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
It's about the money. RFTA's concern is that they're going to upset very powerful elected commissioners and concilmen who give them handout and bailout money without blinking an eye.
"There's always more money for RFTA" is a local mantra. Never mind that our homeless, hungry, unemployed populations are at record high levels. 'Nothing to be concerned about' while our tourism sales stay flat. "There's always more money for RFTA".
The call for the Roaring Fork Transit Authority to become self-sustaining is one that has been shouted out by taxpayers for years.
Taxpayers who are reading this spin out of RFTA this morning, as RFTA attempts to appease EnCana so they can grab up the $365,000 EnCana is offering in a grant towards CNG busses, while at the same time doing the shuck and jive so that Pitkin County commissioners and Aspen City Council stay happy.
Here's another factor thrown in to the wringing of hands currently going on in RFTA admin:
Better decide quick because at the next election cycle for Aspen Council and PitCo commissioners, voters may choose to sweep them both clean and elect conservative values who will neutralize the problem on both sides.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 9, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "RFTA gets $365,000 grant for cleaner buses"
It's just so hard.
Really, really tough to be RFTA and CEO Dan Blankenship.
To change a career pattern of holding one's hand out to local, state and federal governments for 'on call cash' bailouts and handouts to actually working with private enterprise for funding; is really, really tough to do.
To change the career pattern of crony back scratching in order to hold political power and control is a very scary thing to consider.
Thank you to EnCana Oil and Gas for giving RFTA something to think about.
(Read article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Really, really tough to be RFTA and CEO Dan Blankenship.
To change a career pattern of holding one's hand out to local, state and federal governments for 'on call cash' bailouts and handouts to actually working with private enterprise for funding; is really, really tough to do.
To change the career pattern of crony back scratching in order to hold political power and control is a very scary thing to consider.
Thank you to EnCana Oil and Gas for giving RFTA something to think about.
(Read article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 31, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News " Judge approves RFTA eminent domain action in Basalt"
It must be the law or Judge Nichols would not have approved this.
That does not make the actions of RFTA seizing private land, in order to pursue an agenda that has never once been shown as truly viable to succeeding; any less appalling.
This is the worst yet in their track record of public business dealings and that is saying a great deal given the millions of dollars in bailouts and handouts that taxpayers have given RFTA over the years.
Chad Abraham:
"A judge has approved the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s request to seize a private parcel of land in Basalt that the agency wants for its $46 million overhaul of transit in the valley.
The Jan. 18 order by Judge Gail Nichols of Pitkin County District Court says that RFTA and the town of Basalt, which is a co-petitioner in the eminent domain proceeding, have the legal authority to take the land. Nichols also ruled that the property along Basalt Avenue serves a public purpose.
RFTA will pay a $600,000 deposit to the court registry to gain immediate title of the approximately half-acre parcel, and pay $12,398.44 to the Pitkin County Treasuer’s Office to cover outstanding property taxes, the judge’s order says. (The transit agency is paying for the land acquisition, and the town signed on as co-petitioner in a show of support, officials have said.)
The Cathers family of Basalt, owners of the Cathers Home Furniture Store across the street from the land in question, has waived all challenges to RFTA’s eminent domain authority.
But the family “has specifically reserved the right to seek additional compensation for the taking, which shall be the sole issue remaining for trial,” the order says.
Paul Cathers, CEO of his family’s business, said in December that he and his relatives believed the bus agency was low-balling during negotiations. RFTA’s original offer for the land was in the neighborhood of $585,000, Cathers said, a sum that is less than what the family paid for it six or seven years ago.
The family’s appraisal valued the land at $1 million, Cathers said.
As part of RFTA’s $46 million bus-rapid transit plan, the land will be used to expand by 100 spaces the existing park-and-ride lot near Highway 82...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
That does not make the actions of RFTA seizing private land, in order to pursue an agenda that has never once been shown as truly viable to succeeding; any less appalling.
This is the worst yet in their track record of public business dealings and that is saying a great deal given the millions of dollars in bailouts and handouts that taxpayers have given RFTA over the years.
Chad Abraham:
"A judge has approved the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s request to seize a private parcel of land in Basalt that the agency wants for its $46 million overhaul of transit in the valley.
The Jan. 18 order by Judge Gail Nichols of Pitkin County District Court says that RFTA and the town of Basalt, which is a co-petitioner in the eminent domain proceeding, have the legal authority to take the land. Nichols also ruled that the property along Basalt Avenue serves a public purpose.
RFTA will pay a $600,000 deposit to the court registry to gain immediate title of the approximately half-acre parcel, and pay $12,398.44 to the Pitkin County Treasuer’s Office to cover outstanding property taxes, the judge’s order says. (The transit agency is paying for the land acquisition, and the town signed on as co-petitioner in a show of support, officials have said.)
The Cathers family of Basalt, owners of the Cathers Home Furniture Store across the street from the land in question, has waived all challenges to RFTA’s eminent domain authority.
But the family “has specifically reserved the right to seek additional compensation for the taking, which shall be the sole issue remaining for trial,” the order says.
Paul Cathers, CEO of his family’s business, said in December that he and his relatives believed the bus agency was low-balling during negotiations. RFTA’s original offer for the land was in the neighborhood of $585,000, Cathers said, a sum that is less than what the family paid for it six or seven years ago.
The family’s appraisal valued the land at $1 million, Cathers said.
As part of RFTA’s $46 million bus-rapid transit plan, the land will be used to expand by 100 spaces the existing park-and-ride lot near Highway 82...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 15, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "RFTA plan for El Jebel, elsewhere hit snags"
As RFTA hits yet another wall with acquiring the property to pull off their commitment made to millions of dollars in federal funding....SandBox again asks the question:
When is someone going to step up and do something about RFTA?
How many more times do we put up with either their hand out for negative cash flow bailouts, the worst schedules possible which allow for mostly empty busses running up and down the highway, no practical consideration for the facilities they build such as the now near to being condemned bus barn in West Glenwood Springs and all the promises made that always end up having problems that either prevent keeping or need more money than originally projected?
On the other hand, maybe RFTA CEO Dan Blankenship sticking out his false promises that everything is all lined up and ready to go , to the Fed's in charge of his $25 million dollar grant when apparently he hadn't even made sure the land was going to be available; is a good thing.
Please do yank that $25 million back out of his hands, Mr. Federal Government.
We have many other higher priority places for it to go.
As for RFTA, isn't it about time we ended their private entity status by calling in all the money they owe the folks? Just make RFTA 100% publically owned. Would sure be a lot cheaper for the folks.
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
When is someone going to step up and do something about RFTA?
How many more times do we put up with either their hand out for negative cash flow bailouts, the worst schedules possible which allow for mostly empty busses running up and down the highway, no practical consideration for the facilities they build such as the now near to being condemned bus barn in West Glenwood Springs and all the promises made that always end up having problems that either prevent keeping or need more money than originally projected?
On the other hand, maybe RFTA CEO Dan Blankenship sticking out his false promises that everything is all lined up and ready to go , to the Fed's in charge of his $25 million dollar grant when apparently he hadn't even made sure the land was going to be available; is a good thing.
Please do yank that $25 million back out of his hands, Mr. Federal Government.
We have many other higher priority places for it to go.
As for RFTA, isn't it about time we ended their private entity status by calling in all the money they owe the folks? Just make RFTA 100% publically owned. Would sure be a lot cheaper for the folks.
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
January 7, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letter to the Editor "Lose the buses"
We couldn't agree more, Dieter.
RFTA is not only all you say in your letter to the Times, it is the most poorly run business in the region. Possibly the nation.
No project and nothing they ever commit to ever comes out the way it was either planned or promised.
Never is executed without bailouts and asking for more handouts.
When they cannot get their way? They force their way.
The folks would have more respect for CEO Blankenship and RFTA if he simply stood out on Hwy 82 and flew a sign.
Would certainly be cheaper.
Realistically, as long as there is the long-standing cronyism that fuels RFTA, things will not change.
So, it's up to the folks to vote into office a transfusion of new blood, new thinking and trustworthy politicians.
(Read Dieter's sensible approach to the problems known as RFTA? Click title. Comment to discuss)
RFTA is not only all you say in your letter to the Times, it is the most poorly run business in the region. Possibly the nation.
No project and nothing they ever commit to ever comes out the way it was either planned or promised.
Never is executed without bailouts and asking for more handouts.
When they cannot get their way? They force their way.
The folks would have more respect for CEO Blankenship and RFTA if he simply stood out on Hwy 82 and flew a sign.
Would certainly be cheaper.
Realistically, as long as there is the long-standing cronyism that fuels RFTA, things will not change.
So, it's up to the folks to vote into office a transfusion of new blood, new thinking and trustworthy politicians.
(Read Dieter's sensible approach to the problems known as RFTA? Click title. Comment to discuss)
December 24, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "RFTA launches eminent-domain effort in court"
Why is it important to remember all these seemingly small details from the news stories in our area?
Why is it so important to speak up about those details?
Because without the average taxpayer and voter doing so, there are no controls over what happens to both public funds and our leaders in positions of trust and sworn duty.
Billions of dollars. Most of it in bailouts and wish lists. A great deal of it given to clean up errors in management judgment or poor decision making on the administration of RFTA's end.
$46 million bucks is one of the latest 'sell-jobs' from the Roaring Fork Transit Agency. You know who they are. They're those monster size fuel guzzling public transports running the length of the Valley and corridor mostly empty of riders every day.
Usually the problem lies in the 'small details' CEO Dan Blankenship and RFTA's crony elected officials just seem to 'overlook'.
Like...say...the mega plan to overhaul the RFTA corridor in the Valley....needing a couple parcels of land or it's a complete 'no go' on the project. Parcels that have been owned by the same folks for a long time and are high dollar chunks of commercial real estate in Basalt.
Looks like Blankenship's solution is to execute what works for him whenever he holds out his RFTA bailout hand to the folks.
Force the giving over of his company's demand and count on the law and ethics being overlooked.
Business and cronyism as usual.
Just say NO, Mr. Cathers and Mr. Myers.
Just say NO.
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Why is it so important to speak up about those details?
Because without the average taxpayer and voter doing so, there are no controls over what happens to both public funds and our leaders in positions of trust and sworn duty.
Billions of dollars. Most of it in bailouts and wish lists. A great deal of it given to clean up errors in management judgment or poor decision making on the administration of RFTA's end.
$46 million bucks is one of the latest 'sell-jobs' from the Roaring Fork Transit Agency. You know who they are. They're those monster size fuel guzzling public transports running the length of the Valley and corridor mostly empty of riders every day.
Usually the problem lies in the 'small details' CEO Dan Blankenship and RFTA's crony elected officials just seem to 'overlook'.
Like...say...the mega plan to overhaul the RFTA corridor in the Valley....needing a couple parcels of land or it's a complete 'no go' on the project. Parcels that have been owned by the same folks for a long time and are high dollar chunks of commercial real estate in Basalt.
Looks like Blankenship's solution is to execute what works for him whenever he holds out his RFTA bailout hand to the folks.
Force the giving over of his company's demand and count on the law and ethics being overlooked.
Business and cronyism as usual.
Just say NO, Mr. Cathers and Mr. Myers.
Just say NO.
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