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Let’s examine the “numbers” for Milwaukie Light Rail. The cost is rumored to be pretty high. The money to pay for it will come from taxpayers- so perhaps it would be good policy to have a complete and thorough understanding of just how much of our future income will be assigned to this “public” expense…
So what do you think? Does the cost of this project meet the “smell” test? Is this the best use of at least 1.5 Billion dollar tax bill required to fund it? Is there ever a limit to what government will confiscate from your future income in order to fulfill the public/government sector’s desire to “do what’s good for you”?
This is the sort of “planning” that promises that we join the other failed governments who have completely forgotten the reality that massive public debt destroys nations. A current example is Greece. Everything is fine, until the bills begin to woefully outstrip the income generating ability of the economy. Think about it.
The clip explains that the Governor appoints the Board of Directors, who in turn make the 1.5 Billion dollar spending decision for you.. Here’s the most recent appointment to TriMet (who is pushing this immense taxpayer burden)…
Lynn Peterson (former Clackamas Commissioner and Chair- subsequently tapped by the Governor to head up his “Green Initiatives”..) deliberately found the most “light rail friendly” person in the metro area to help fleece the unsuspecting taxpayers. Remember, you don’t vote for these people- the Governor decides who to put in charge. (But the appointment does need to pass the Senate..)
He’s a retired public employee, light rail zealot, with a unabashed desire to assess taxpayers for the cost of Light Rail on Barbur/99. Now he is being moved into Clacakamas County to help fight resistance to the boondoggle.
http://portlandafoot.org/2011/10/advocate-for-southwest-corridor-max-appointed-to-trimet-board/
Advocate for Southwest Corridor MAX appointed to TriMet board
The next TriMet board member is likely to be a man with a long history in local government and a deep belief in running a new MAX line through Southwest Portland as far as Sherwood.
Craig Prosser of Lake Oswego was named to the board today by Gov. Kitzhaber. If confirmed by the state senate, Prosser would serve out the rest of the four-year term of the recently departed Hakeem Olanrewaju.
Prosser is a former city manager and finance director in Tigard and also served on Lake Oswego’s city council in the 1990s. On Twitter, Metro finance professional Brian Kennedy described him as having a “strong finance and budgeting background.”
I happened to speak with Prosser in July, and he struck me as a deep believer in public transit and urbanism, especially in rail service, which he described as a major dream for Tigard, the city he recently helped run. As we learn more, you should always be able to get the latest – including a bit of Prosser’s political donation history – at our new wiki page about him.
Posted by Michael at 5:04 pm October 31st, 2011. Comments
