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The way the $6 million (plus) bus/train/taxi/food court story has evolved has stunk from the get-go.

Let's turn the clock back to February, when this was announced.

First, Mayor Spring is telling the Whig that he envisioned this concept years ago. Funny that it was not a campaign issue in 2009. Yes, he has talked about a train to St. Louis (Which I'm sure makes businesses such as the Bee Line Express real happy. More government subsidized competition. Yay), but this was never broached until recently.

Remember the city's wish list for federal stimulus dollars? Think this project was on that list? Nope.

In February, the city's Finance Committee (NOT the entire City Council) gave the administration permission to pursue the grant. City officials intimated that this was a long-range project.

I've had multiple aldermen from both sides of the aisle say they have been provided with no details of the project. Some went public, some didn't want to. If there was a legit reason to provide details to the Chamber of Commerce, I've yet to hear it. The real reason to go to the Chamber was to use a third-party to go before the Council and say what a good idea this is, even though it is the administration orchestrating the plan. The go-along-to-get-along crowd knows no other way.

I find it amazing that the city chose to use this chit for the latest pork-barrel capital plan from the broke-ass state of Illinois. Getting public capital funds for hydro makes more sense than this (of course, we're sure not seeing any private investment in hydro stepping up to the plate).

How much money is AMTRAK willing to pony up? How about BNSF? ADM or Prince, who would also benefit by moving the spur? I understand it's going to cost about $1 million per mile of new track that needs to be laid for this. That's not in this $6 million, boys and girls.

If these people aren't willing to find this important enough to commit dollars to why should the taxpayers have to hold whole damn bag?

And I know many people say this is apples and oranges, but this state owes millions to the schools, medical providers, Transitions, Chaddock and it just doesn't seem right to take money that is being borrowed for this when other services are being ignored.

And to stay the state might never, ever give us money again if we turn it down is ridiculous. Maybe the city should have made sure more than a handful of people wanted this before they asked for it.

JDH
Posts: 1

Once again...
Reply #9 on : Wed September 01, 2010, 18:32:21

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The only reason this money is offered,is so some representative can say"look what I did,you have a good paying job,don't forget to vote me back in".We all know no money exists,so turning it down is the right thing to do.Why accept a bribe when you know it is a bribe?Have a little integrity.

What
Posts: 1

old saying
Reply #8 on : Wed September 01, 2010, 14:43:10

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If it isn't broken don't fix it. What we have now seems to work. Leave it alone and focus on other messes. Sure it would be nice but get a grip. I bet the national news up pick up on a city turing back 6 million.

I bet a few of the laid off Quincy teachers would like to see that go to districts.

WHAT

keithm
Posts: 1

Re:
Reply #7 on : Wed September 01, 2010, 11:36:27

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WarCry,
Honestly, I'd rather see a city/county that knows how to run a transit system get the money. As far as I can tell, this $6 million facility would look nice, but would extend AMTRAK's route, not improve the shoddy bus system, and ultimately not benefit either system.
And 2nd and Oak? What a beautiful industrial complex.

Pookie
Posts: 1

Elephant in the room
Reply #6 on : Mon August 30, 2010, 21:37:48

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$6 million is a drop in the bucket. What is the long term operation cost? Who will maintain it forever? Build it and they will come attitude is why the State is broke. If we don't spend it someone else will is a crappy attitude too. No one should be spending it, that's the point and if enough cities said no, maybe Springfield (or any other public body) would get the point. Pay what you owe, not take on more overhead. Idiots in government never get that concept. Private business do it every day or go under.

UrKidsWillPay
Posts: 1

Use the $6 mill
Reply #5 on : Mon August 30, 2010, 16:37:33

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to start a Macomb bypass. It would greatly benefit Quincy citizens everybit as much as new train building we have to pay to heat, cool and clean.

bgough
Posts: 1

Re:
Reply #4 on : Mon August 30, 2010, 16:11:10

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I would prefer the money to be used for something that is a pressing need. This isn't a pressing need.

GoSalukis
Posts: 1

Re:
Reply #3 on : Mon August 30, 2010, 15:44:25

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Government at the local, state and federal levels will not listen unless you show up in a voting booth and let them know your displeasure by casting a ballot.

It'll take more than 30 percent turnout to get this message across!

WarCry
Posts: 1

Re:
Reply #2 on : Mon August 30, 2010, 15:26:45

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I have a serious, non-sarcasm-laced question...

Where would you rather the state send the money?

Saying "They shouldn't be spending it at all!" is foolish. That time has passed. It IS going to be spent. Saying they should spend it on schools or any other program is just as foolish, because it's money earmarked for this type of project.

Obviously this could have been handled more smoothly. I believe the city INTENDED it to be something more long-term, but when they're told "Here's the check, where are you going to spend it", they jumped on it. Yes, public comments sessions, more input from other departments, all of that would have made it easier to take, but that's actually all secondary to the question I posed.

The money WILL be spent; that genie's out of the bottle. The money WILL be spent on a transportation project like this SOMEWHERE. That's already determined.

So, that goes back to: You don't want it spent here, so where would you prefer it be spent?

Fired Up
Posts: 1

Mill a Mile a little light...
Reply #1 on : Mon August 30, 2010, 15:08:02

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The average light-rail project cost about $40 million a route mile, but some cost as little as $10 million a route mile. Heavy rail is about twice as expensive and commuter rail is highly variable but usually less expensive than light rail.

This would not include the two wye switches and the controls for them.

And...wye would BNSF want to invest in another wye on this side of the river when there is already one in west Quincy less than a mile away?

Better start at the other end when doing your research fellows.

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