tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967431791857941720.post4210156064744761375..comments2023-10-23T09:48:42.646-07:00Comments on Question Everything: Why VRE--In ContextMATT KELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14019646896033476098noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967431791857941720.post-63109410705266712302009-03-11T18:30:00.000-07:002009-03-11T18:30:00.000-07:00Dastardly--Point well taken.Dastardly--Point well taken.MATT KELLYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14019646896033476098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967431791857941720.post-71756596325707728642009-03-11T18:15:00.000-07:002009-03-11T18:15:00.000-07:00Since when did qualifications prevent you from exp...Since when did qualifications prevent you from expressing your opinions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967431791857941720.post-77898565873092503112009-03-11T11:59:00.000-07:002009-03-11T11:59:00.000-07:00Nope. Not a commuter. My connection with VRE is a...Nope. Not a commuter. My connection with VRE is as the City's representative on the VRE Operations Board. In your mind I guess that means my involvement in the budget, policies, and operations of VRE--Not to mention spending two years on FAMPO working on the regional transportation plan--disqualifies me from commenting on the service.MATT KELLYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14019646896033476098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967431791857941720.post-16430670671039174832009-03-11T10:20:00.000-07:002009-03-11T10:20:00.000-07:00Question: Have you ever ridden the VRE? Be careful...Question: Have you ever ridden the VRE? Be careful, no lying permitted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967431791857941720.post-25828212133313836542009-03-08T17:02:00.000-07:002009-03-08T17:02:00.000-07:00Matt - Thanks for your thoughts on this issue. Yo...Matt - Thanks for your thoughts on this issue. You've identified some issues that resonate. First, like you, I see VRE as an economic development issue. Companies, especially in the technology industry, will look to Spotsy's action (or inaction) on VRE and make a decision whether to invest. What positive action have the Supervisors taken to make the County attractive to outside investors? While the recently passed Tech Zone ordinance is nice, it was window dressing. There are no new benefits available now that weren't available before. Saying no to VRE is not without consequences. <BR/><BR/>Secondly, VRE provides obvious transportation benefits based on a "user-fee" model. The riders will pay most of the cost of commuter rail. Isn't that essentially what the VRE detractors want? If we follow their logic, then we should not accept any Federal highway dollars, immediately withdraw from Fred transit, and begin buying our own equipment to compensate for VDOT's inadequacies. For the life of me I cannot understand why many view rail service differently than the enormous taxes we pay for roads. I-95 has far worse on-time performance than VRE. <BR/><BR/>Finally, for the sake of argument, let's assume that all the VRE riders are high-salaried "fat cats" as one thoughtful letter writer described them. If that's true, wouldn't we be nice to them? Shouldn't we encourage more of the same? The County ought to show its appreciation for the hard-working commuters who commute north everyday and bring their fat paychecks home to Spotsylvania. Instead, County staff and elected leaders do everything within their power to keep the vision of Spotsy as a rural bedroom community alive. What a disservice. <BR/><BR/>So, the question still remains, what have Supervisors done to make Spotsy a place worth investing in?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com