SouthCoast Rail (and other rail to)

Read today's S-t and your will find an article dealing with the Governor's transportation plan.  Surprise to all, there is no funding proposed for the SouthCoast rail program.  

As long as I can remember, we have been told the trains will be coming.  You could field a parade with the number of politicians who have come into this area promising that commuter rail will be a priority for our area.  

Work gets done here and there in anticipation of the impending project.  People get excited.  Indeed one can even argue that once or twice ion the past 15 years or so you have seen spikes in real estate prices related to the promise of commuter rail.  

Yet at the end of the day, we have tracks, proposed locations, hopes, prayers and no trains.

Quoting Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, "We need a 21st-century transportation system that's equitable to everyone in the commonwealth and supports a 21st-century economy."

I couldn't agree more.  

One has to wonder just how long this area is going to have to wait.  At the continuing pace of progress for commuter rail, one has to wonder if we will see a 21st-century transportation system that supports a 21st-century economy sometime around the 22nd century.

There are two significant things that easily could transform the SouthCoast economy.  The first would be an airport expansion.  That is not likely to happen, at least not the the degree necessary to work.  The second would be commuter rail.  No great original thinking here I know, but points that nonetheless have to be made.

Now commuter rail is likely to happen, or so we continue to be told.  Just not soon.  It is unfortunate we are told, but there isn't enough money.  Always seems to be plenty of money for other areas, especially those closer to the City of Boston. 

I certainly understand the need to keep the transportation network around metropolitan Boston as efficient as possible.  I really do.  But just how long is the SouthCoast suppose to wait for the promises continually made, about a project everyone over the span of decades has acknowledged as being important, indeed vital to the economy of the area?

Apparently at least one more year.

Changing Tracks

A little more than two weeks to the town elections.  I really am looking forward to that day.  No, not to get it over with; and, not just because I can be a political junkie.  The simply fact is, there is really going to be change in who is in office.

Before I go on about that I want to make it clear, that nothing said here is to be taken as a negative reflection on those leaving office, or those who might be replaced in office.  As far as those leaving, while at times I have been at odds with them, I have also always believed that they strive to do what they believe is best for the town.  I can say that with no qualms about those individuals who have decided to step down this year.  

We may have differing opinions about what train to catch to get to a particular destination, even as to what is the best station to get to.  But I have no dispute over the motivations of those leaving.

The change that is coming nonetheless is going to be significant.  We are fast approaching the point where decisions need to be made relative to what track to take on the town budget.  For a number of reasons, many of those decisions cannot wait until the election takes place. For the first time in a number of years, the dynamics of our Board of Selectmen will change.  

Decisions made prior to the election are not necessarily going to reflect a majority view post election.  I for one am truly waiting with bated breath.  

I have heard some things stated publicly that certainly indicate positions some will take if elected.  The specifics have yet to be clear though as to allow for an accurate assessment of what may happen post election.  

Yet if one is not factoring in what may happen, one may be seriously a) disappointed; b) stymied; c) pulling the hair of their heads; or, d) all of the above.  It could be that d0. is the choice no matter what.

Let me tell you that whoever is elected will, or should, and rightfully so, be advocating for those matters which he believes his constituency feels to be important.  Do not be lulled into accepting the argument that it is too late in the process to fight for what you may in fact feel is important.  It becomes too late the day after Town Meeting in May, not before.