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Re: (erielack) Potential passenger service on the EL Niagara Branch?

We in the southeastern part of our state have rail as we should because 
without it, we couldn't possibly function.  As a Liberal (not a Democrat) with an 
upper case "L", kudos to the guy who successfully lobbied against the 
construction of a housing project on EL ROW in western NY.  Yes, keep it just in case 
Albany realizes that the wheel doesn't have to be reinvented.  And yes, you are 
right.  Who's in who's pockets in NY State?  Yup, we know.
 
While we're at opposite ends of New York State, we both suffer from Albany's 
lack of giving a damn about our rail infrastructure, albeit you more than we.  
But down here, when we try to do something such as place a charge on cars 
coming into Manhattan (the cost is net of tolls), Albany shoots us down and did.
 
NYC lost $500 million in federal transit grants because Albany said "No" to 
something that would reduce the number of cars entering Manhattan, reduce 
pollution and give us a chance to enhance our transportation system that covers 
parts of three states and soon part of a fourth (PA).
 
That half billion would have given us the opportunity to improve our rail 
infrastructure and mass transit in general. In effect, Albany said that they 
don't give a damn about mass transit and about our two largest cities, Buffalo and 
NYC.
 
We New Yorkers, statewide, can thank Mr. Silver of Manhattan for that and can 
thank him and others in our assembly and senate for their continued support 
of taxing New Yorkers for airports and freeways while our rail system, that 
once was one of the best in the country, is allowed to languish while gas prices 
continue to increase and "rich, conservative New Yorkers" still demand to use 
their SUVs regardless of the cost.  Well, why wouldn't they?  They can afford 
it.  The majority cannot.
 
Don't blame what you call "uber Liberals" for this. Thanks to "Corporate 
America" and who "Corporate America" put into government, not only in DC but in 
the state houses, the basics of our country have been made subsidiary.
 
Can that part of NFTA (Erie Lackawanna) at your end come to life?  Sure it 
can but only if we elect those in our state who will make it a priority.  I'm 
not as "green" as your friend up there is, but he is right. It can happen if we 
New Yorkers make it happen.
 
Sounds like Gov. Paterson needs to hear from us from both ends of our state,  
We're all New Yorkers and what works for you in the western part works for us 
in the southeastern part.
 
Rick



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