Media Watch: 1997 (Jul.-Dec.)

updated: 17 April 1998

• In this file: July; August; September; October; November; December.
• See also: January-June.
• TRANSIT ELECTION 1997:
  • ARPA Coverage, 1997 Phoenix Transit Election
  • The Arizona Republic's Transit Election '97 Index.

December

• "Transit for Grand Canyon: A fine decision" Editorial, The Arizona Republic, Dec. 1, 1997, page B6.

November

• "Mass transit? Who needs it?" My Turn, by Warren Wilkes, Mesa Tribune, Nov. 25, 1997, page A15. Author sarcastically suggest we should eliminate all city buses, school buses, and all public transit and just wait as more roads devour our neighborhoods.
• "Babbitt to OK Canyon plan" Canyon to restrict cars, use light rail for visitors. By Steve Yozwiak, The Arizona Republic, Nov. 25, 1997
• "Grand Canyon RR: Rail ride from Williams makes quick trip to rim," by Janet Brown, Mesa Tribune, Nov. 16, 1997, page G4.
• "San Diego railroad proposal gathers little Arizona support," by Jane Larson, The Arizona Republic, Nov. 6, 1997
  (see also History of the San Diego and Arizona Eastern)
• "Make way for high-speed trains -- put Amtrak on siding," by Robert J. Samuelson, Washington Post Writers' Group, The Arizona Republic, Nov. 5, 1997, page B7.
• "High-speed rail studied for Tucson, Phoenix," by Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Nov. 4, 1997, page A1.

October

• "Rail cars stack up in Yuma," The Arizona Republic, Oct. 26, 1997. Continued congestion problems on the Union Pacific.
• "Amtrak suffers legislative setback," The Arizona Republic, Oct. 25, 1997
• "New depot lacks old railroad feel," The Arizona Republic, Oct. 20, 1997. A review of the Verde Canyon Railroad depot at Clarkdale. The VCR carried 65,000 visitors through the Verde Canyon last year.
• "Pay pollution costs now, or pay more later," by Brent Yonkovich, The Arizona Republic, Oct. 19, 1997, page EV11. QUOTE: "The only true solution to particulate pollution is... the use of a modern mass-transit system."
• "Tempe zeros in on site for transit center," By Bob Petrie The Arizona Republic, Oct. 16, 1997
• "Railroad Park reopens in Scottsdale," By Alexa Haussler, The Arizona Republic, Oct. 15, 1997
• "Lots of right answers to the transit problem," by Don Purfeerst, The Arizona Republic, Oct. 15, 1997, page EV10. QUOTE: "Don't put a rail system in a 'planning hole,' put it at the heart of the proposal."
• "Transit in Valley must unite," The Arizona Republic, Oct. 15, 1997, page EV10. Collection of letters about roads, transit.
• Runway construction may require rebuilding of two miles of UPRR track just east of downtown Phoenix: "Airport of the future envisioned," By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Oct. 12, 1997
• "Tax brains, not wallets, to fix traffic mess," The Arizona Republic, Oct. 12, 1997, page EV11. Collection of letters about roads, transit.
• "Tax foes win cheaply," By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Oct. 11, 1997
• "Transit: Pay up now or pay more later," by Karen Peters, The Arizona Republic, Oct. 4, 1997.
• "Transportation system's future in Valley starts now," The Arizona Republic, Oct. 2, 1997, page EV4. Collection of letters about transit.

September

• "Persevering Amtrak refuses to be railroaded," The Arizona Republic, Sept. 28, 1997, page T11.
• "Where do we go from here? Defeat of transit proposals means we have to think anew," by John Semmens, Mesa Tribune, Sept. 28, 1997, Perspective F1.
• "Transit tax confusing to voters," by Steve Muratore, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 23, 1997, page EV4.
• "Is it time to board light rail?," The Arizona Republic, Sept. 21, 1997, page EV11.
  • "Traditional solutions won't work," Jeffry Flake
  • "Rail system is the only sensible transit answer," D.B. Michel
  • "Portland version added to woes," Steve Buckstein
  • "Private transit too costly for needy," Brent Yonkovich
• "Trimmed bus tax plan dropped," By Chris Fiscus and Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Sept.18, 1997
• "Let's dig in and solve the transit problem," by Victor Linoff, Mesa Tribune, Sept. 18, 1997, page A13. QUOTES: "...once again people were unwilling to come to grips with the Valley's future. It is certain that the situation will only get worse. The 'no' votes resolved nothing." "...the election results do not have to be interpreted as a defeat for transit or a victory against government. Rather they should be seen as a mandate for creative thinking."
• "Light rail is needed now to solve transit problems," by Joann Richi, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 16, 1997, page EV6. QUOTE: "In 20 years the population in Metro Phoenix will double. It's time to reconsider Val Trans ideas. Driving in Phoenix is dangerous to your health."
• "Transit: Let's do it right the next time" Editorial, Business Journal of Phoenix, September 15, 1997
• "There's an ugly truth behind results of transit-tax elections," by Doug MacEachern, Mesa Tribune, Sept. 15, 1997, page A2. QUOTE: "How many bus riders, do you suppose, voted against that tax? No, it was thousands of people like Semmens and Rawles -- people who look down their noses at (or, worse, look away from) the unwashed wretches scrambling for a patch of shade at this Valley's pathetic excuses for bus stops."
• "Election issues and newspaper's role," By Richard de Uriarte, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 14, 1997
• "Transportation deaths growing," The Arizona Republic, Sept. 14, 1997. Figures for 1996. QUOTE: "As usual, the roads were the biggest killer, claiming 41,907 lives, up from 41,798 in 1995."
• "The Vent," Mesa Tribune, Sept. 14, 1997, page F3. QUOTES: "The voters who turned down the transit tax are getting exactly what they asked for... the day after the vote was declared an ozone alert day..." "The people who needed the buses the most probably couldn't get to the polls because there weren't enough buses to get there..."
• "Success of anti-transit groups gives Valley a dim future," by Joel Nilsson, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 13, 1997, page B6.
• "High-pollution advisory shadows transit defeat," By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 11, 1997
• "What part of no...: Sorting out the transit tax defeats" Mesa Tribune, Sept. 11, 1997, page A16. QUOTES: "...does no really mean no? ...The close vote in Phoenix makes the likely answer there: Not necessarily." "Tuesday's votes signalled that it is time for more creative thinking and more cooperative planning among all Valley cities..."
• "Transit proposal runs out of gas in Phoenix, Scottsdale," By Mary Jo Pitzl and Alexa Haussler, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 10, 1997
• "Early voting's role in transit future," By Keven Willey, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 10, 1997
• "Voters slam brakes on transit tax hike," Mesa Tribune, Sept. 10, 1997, page A1.
• "Say yes to mass transit..." Endorsement by the Tribune Newspapers of Proposition 1, Sept. 9, 1997
• "The Vent," Mesa Tribune, Sept. 8, 1997, page A11. QUOTE: "In response to an article on 'Transit tax foes focus on Colangelo,' that he is a big supporter of mass transit: Of course, Mr. Colangelo is a fan. Can you imagine a ball game at Bank One Ball Park, a big event going on at America West Arena and several activities going on at the civic center? There is [not enough parking] for all of the cars, and no way to get all the people in. And currently the buses don't run after hours. Of course, he supports public transit."
• "Human aspects of transit lost in a fog of numbers," By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 7, 1997
• "Perspective on mass transit vote: Boon or boondoggle?" The Arizona Republic, Sept. 7, 1997, page H5.
• "Phoenix, Scottsdale hold keys to transit," The Arizona Republic, Sept. 7, 1997, page EV10.
• "Drive for mass transit," The Arizona Republic, Sept. 7, 1997, page EV11. Views of Jeffry Flake, Rod Engelen, Brent Yonkovich, C. Jennings.
• "Transit tax: Modest investment, major return," by Bob Schuster, Opinion Page Editor, Mesa Tribune, Sept. 7, 1997, page F1.
• "From the peanut gallery: Transit salvos fly wide," The Arizona Republic, Sept. 6, 1997, page B4. QUOTE: "Presumably on the orders of Gov. Fife Symington, two of his agency directors [Larry Bonine, ADOT; Russell Rhoades, Az. DEQ] have emerged from their bunkers long enough to ask a favor of two municipalities: Please vote agains the public transit plans on next Tuesday's ballots..."
• "What comes later -- 1/2 cent for schools, 1/2 cent for football?" The Arizona Republic, Sept. 6, 1997, page B5. Letters from Robert Ehrlich; Kay Henry, Chairman, Maricopa County Trip Reduction Program Task Force; David Lerner; Bob May; Kenneth Wallace.
• "Transit Election: Voters have chance to steer Valley in right direction," Editorial, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 4, 1997, page H4.
• "Governor told 2 aides to urge defeat of tax," By Hal Mattern, Steve Yozwiak and Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 4, 1997
• "In matters of transit, we're as cosmopolitan as they come," by Jennifer Dokes, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 4, 1997, page B4.
• "Transit tax foes focus on Colangelo," Mesa Tribune, Sept. 4, 1997, page A6.
• "The transit elections" Editorial, The Arizona Republic, Sep. 2, 1997, page B6.
• "Prop. 1 a good way to move Phoenix into 21st century" Guest Column by Donald H. Goldwater, The Arizona Republic, Sept. 1, 1997, page B8
• Letters, The Arizona Republic, Sep. 2, 1997, page B6:
  • "Property rights, planning, transit crucial to growth" by Reginald Sydnor
  • "Transit boondoggle" by David Ogilvy. QUOTE: "For a metropolitan area the size of Phoenix, it is sheer folly to believe that people are going to give up their cars to ride buses..." [Note: ARPA disagrees -- Phoenix is now the nation's sixth largest city.]
• "Streetcar may run in Tahoe" by Brendan Riley (AP), The Arizona Republic, Sep. 2, 1997, page B5.

August

• "Phoenix in Overdrive. Without viable mass transit options, commuters must travel thousands of miles each day by car... Meanwhile, Phoenicians are still waiting for the bus." Phoenix Magazine, August 1997, page 32.
• "Transit plan's effect on smog is unclear" By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997 QUOTE: "The Keep Phoenix Moving campaign says the expanded bus service promised by Proposition 1 would prevent 16 tons of pollutants a day from being spewed into the air."
• "2 Goldwaters question institute position" Keven Willey, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997, page B2. QUOTES. [from Donald Goldwater, nephew of former Sen. Barry]: "As a board member of the Goldwater Institute, I found it interesting that the Institute came out against the issue [transit] without first giving the board the opportunity to vote..." [from Michael, son of Barry]: "In our family, being 'conservative' has never meant being complacent, stodgy or always satisfied with the status quo... I urge everyone to join me in voting 'yes' on Proposition One."
• "We need real transit solutions" by Paul Schatt, Editor of the Editorial Pages, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997, page H1. QUOTES: "growth will occur regardless of whether we plan for it." "Some of the opponents of transit have gone to great lengths to make their case. One group trotted in a libertarian expert, who made a strong case that rail transit is a big loser and that the best way to provide public transit is with buses. This was used, with a straight face, to justify opposition to the proposal [for more buses]..."
• "More buses won't make Phoenix transit a good product" Guest Column by Jeffry Flake and Robert Franciosi, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997, page H4. Authors reiterate their position against transit.
• "Transit Taxes: It's about mobility, too" Editorial, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997, page H4. QUOTE: [regarding $2 million in federal block grant money for work-related welfare reform trasnportation assistance] "...as one of the architects of welfare reform, Rep. Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale, said at a recent news conference held by transit-tax supporters, 'I ask you, where will they take those [transportation] vouchers if we don't have a good transportation system?"
• "Perspective on mass transit: Light rail goes West" by Neal Pierce, Washington Post Writers Group, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997, page H5. QUOTE: "Dallas' 14-month-old, 20-mile light-rail starter system, born out of years of often acrimonious debate, is looking like a winner. Two intersecting lines, providing alternatives to Big D's gruesome traffic jams, are attracting close to 30,000 riders a day, many of whom tell pollsters they never rode mass transit before." Photo with caption, "Dallas' new 20-mile light-rail system is attracting about 30,000 riders a day, and interest from satellite cities and developers."
• "City [Tempe] is waiting to see if neighbors pass transit taxes" The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997, page EV 5.
• "Ministers endorse taxes for transit" By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 30, 1997
• Letters, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 30, 1997, page B7:
  • "Half cent a small price to pay for transit benefits" by Sara Taber Bahr, Phoenix Transit rider. QUOTES: "Do people really believe that if we make riding the bus more convenient, ridership won't increase?" "Half a cent is a small price to pay for something that will benefit so many."
  • "Giving drivers a choice" by Brent D. Yonkovich. QUOTE: "Now, when they [Los Angeles] realize freeways are not the answer to the horrendous traffic problem, they have implemented mass transit. The answer for the congestion and pollution problem, and for the Valley not becoming another LA, is the development of a comprehensive mass transit system."
  • "Benefiting special interests" by Everett Sisson. QUOTE: "We are told that some car dealers and elements of the hospitality and commercial development industries want Proposition 1 passed. Obviously, they have narrow special interests that are, in this case, not consistent with the interests of our citizenry who are fighting desperately to maintain the image of Scottsdale as the truly world-class town it started to be..."
  • "Phoenix needs more buses" by Edna and William Fleishman. QUOTE: "Last winter we rode buses all over the Valley... we must tell you that there is a great need for more buses. We found them overflowing much of the time..."
• "Mesa floating tax proposal for transit, arts recreation, police" By Chris Moeser, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 28, 1997
• "Transit proposals go hand in hand", By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 27, 1997. Abstract: They're the bread and butter of the Sept. 9 Phoenix election. Proposition 1 needs Proposition 2, and vice versa, or both are meaningless, city officials say.
• "EPA downgrades Phoenix's ozone rating to 'serious'" By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 26, 1997. Abstract: The federal Environmental Protection Agency on Monday demoted the Valley to "serious" for its ozone pollution, completing trio of such dismal ratings for the Phoenix area.
• "'Yes' and 'no' factions duel in transit debate" By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 26, 1997. Abstract: Lawmakers staged dueling press conferences Monday to urge "yes" and "no" votes on the upcoming Phoenix and Scottsdale transit elections.
• "Transit backers look forward to planned left-turn arrows" by Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 24 August 1997.
• "Transit foes need to acknowledge transportation woes" Letter by Kenneth W. Collins, The Arizona Republic, 24 August 1997, page H4. QUOTE: "Like it or not, we need good public transportation in this Valley."
• "Indirect benefits of transit," Arizona Republic Editorial, Aug. 22,1997
• "Transit important city-livability ingredient" by Neil Giuliano, Mayor of Tempe, Business Journal of Phoenix, August 18, 1997
• "`Real' mass-transit plan deserves `yes'", by Bob Dunn, Editor; Business Journal of Phoenix, August 18, 1997
• "Tucson-Phoenix bullet train study is on the fast track," Tucson Citizen, by Paul Allen, August 18, 1997.
• "Transit tax is ticket to light rail, opponents say" By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 17 August 1997, page A1. QUOTE: "A train could be in Phoenix's future. It's not really that far off -- five to 20 years, depending on who's speaking, and it must be preceded by a beefed-up bus system, more density in the city's core, and a finding that rail would cut air pollution and traffic congestion."
• "Kolbe swerves around the facts in belittling transit" Letter by Dick Thomas, The Arizona Republic, 17 August 1997, page H4. QUOTE: "The most egregious misstatement of his column, however, is his continuing and mistaken belief that transit is a tax waster while streets and highways are no burden to general taxpayers because they 'are built almost entirely with gasoline taxes...' Wrong, wrong, wrong. 'Motor vehicle users pay for only 53 percent to 69 percent of the social costs of motor vehicle use,' according to the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment... But in Maricopa County, the subsidy percentage is much larger..."
• "Don't Stop Those Trains" by Thomas Downs, AMTRAK President and CEO, Washington Post, 17 August 1997
• "Tax it and they will come: Cities bank on transit plan" Mesa Tribune, 17 August 1997, page A4.
• "DiCiccio denounces transit tax; Will break with colleagues on City Council, vote 'no'" by Mary Jo Pitzl and Chris Fiscus, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 16, 1997
• "Stealth campaign for transit hides truth from voters," By John Kolbe, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 15,1997
• "Ahwatukee poised for bus service: Transit, tax issues are weighed" by Bob Petrie, The Arizona Republic, 13 August,1997, page EV 7. QUOTE: "'People will ride the bus because it'll be accessible and dependable,' said Valerie Manning, president of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce"
• "Why mass transit fails: Americans keep their cars for a simple reason - they want to" by Jeff Jacoby [Boston Globe columnist], Mesa Tribune, 11 August, 1997, page A13. In spite of having a subway stop just around the corner from his residence, Mr. Jacoby would rather drive. He contends that "buses and subways... keep getting emptier" in spite of last year's commuter rail ridership figures which are the highest ever.
• "Regional transit called critical to Valley" by Jay Tibshraeny, mayor of Chandler, The Arizona Republic, 8 August,1997
• "Head of foundation backs more highways" By Kathleen Ingley, The Arizona Republic, 7 August,1997. Robert Poole, founder of the Reason Foundation, says that building more highways will solve our transportation problems. QUOTES: "Bob Grossfeld, a supporter of the Phoenix tax, called Poole the 'godfather of tollroads.' ...He said Poole presents too much of an 'either/or' scenario, when it's possible both to build freeways and to boost transit. 'We need to expand the level of choices," said Grossfeld, who is spokesman for Keep Phoenix Moving."
• "Does the bus run half-empty or does it run half-full?" By Mary Jo Pitzl and Alexa Haussler, The Arizona Republic, 5 August 1997, page A1. Some routes run very full during rush hour, but others lack such high levels of ridership.
• "Don't be a contributor to the transit problem, be part of the solution" by Don Purfeerst, The Arizona Republic, 5 August, 1997. QUOTE: "The Valley absorbs 50,000 new residents a year. Make allowances for them. Don't be part of the problem; be part of the solution... It's time to bring [our rail system] back."
• "Buses packed at rush hour" Letter, Dave Muller, The Arizona Republic, 4 August 1997, page B4. QUOTE: "Before any of you write about empty buses, please try riding them at rush hour first."
• "Poll: Transit favored 3-1: But big leads have evaporated in the past" by Mary Jo Pitzl and Alexa Haussler, The Arizona Republic, 3 August 1997, page A1. QUOTE: "...voters in Phoenix and Scottsdale favor a half-cent transit tax, fueled by a preference for left-turn arrows, clean-burning buses and Dial-A-Ride."
• "Transit system foe is at it again" Letter by Rob Andresen, The Arizona Republic, 2 August 1997. QUOTE: Mr. Semmens "completely ignores the basic issue behind funding for transit services in the Valley: We don't want to become Los Angeles. ...Semmens' rhetoric serves no real purpose..."
• Also, same link, letter by Brent D. Yonkovich. QUOTE: [Dear] "Mr. Semmens: It must be nice being clairvoyant so you know you will never need a mass transit system..."
• "Vote 'yes' on transit" Letter, Arthur W. DeCabooter, President, Scottsdale Community College; The Arizona Republic, 1 August 1997, page B4. QUOTE: "...very few of our students are able to take advantage of these interests because the city's transportation system is so bad ...the thousands of cars that pour into Scottsdale Community College each day are the reason Pima and Chaparral is one of the most congested and dangerous intersections in Scottsdale."

July

• "Misperception fuels mass-transit resistance" My Turn by Bill Hegarty, Mesa Tribune, 31 July, 1997, page A21. QUOTE: "Increased spending for the public transportation systems can expect opposition from the remnants of the highway lobby, auto manufacturers and dealerships, auto insurance companies and repair facilities. The scare tactics take the form of 'they want to take our wheels away.' It won't wash."
• "Perils Loom for Amtrak in Unsettled Tax Issues" By Don Phillips and Paul Blustein, The Washington Post, 31 July 1997; Page A13
• "Panel acts to revise Amtrak labor rules" Philadelphia Inquirer, 31 July 1997
• "More money, more buses" by Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 30 July 1997.
• "Phoenix-Tucson 'bullet train' gains favor among lawmakers" The Arizona Republic, 30 July 1997, page B1. QUOTE: "Governor Fife Symington said a high-speed rail link between Phoenix and Tucson was inevitable."
• "Mass transit can work with right plan" Letter, Don Purfeerst, Mesa Tribune, 30 July, 1997, page A12. QUOTE: In both Dallas and Northern Virginia, "The final outcome was that transit ridership in both those regions exceeded all forecasts and out-stripped scheduled delivery orders for rail cars. The same is being experienced with Saint Louis and Denver... To do nothing is unjustifiable. To express concern about previous taxes and previous plans accomplishes nothing. But you need all the pieces of the pie to have an effective system."
• "Rail study routed to fast track for action: Momentum builds for high-speed train to Tucson" Mesa Tribune, 29 July 1997, page A3. QUOTE: A study "was commissioned last week by the governor's High Speed Rail Task Force... 'What we're trying to do is have a package available for legislative action in January 1998' said Joe Neblett, senior transportation planner with the Arizona Department of Transportation..." According to State Rep. Lela Steffey (R-Mesa), "It's a different ball game now. It looks like there's going to be cooperation."
• "Transit foe has `hidden agenda,' accomplice" Editorial, Robert H. Bohannan, Business Journal of Phoenix, 28 July 1997.
• "Notoriously bad service asks for taxpayers' help" By Mary Jo Pitzl and Alexa Haussler, The Arizona Republic, 27 July, 1997. ABSTRACT: Phoenix's meager bus system could well use improvements the ballot issue would provide.
• "The transit election: A matter for conservatives to decide" Editorial, Joel Nilsson, The Arizona Republic, 26 July 1997, page B6.
• "Tempe transit not a success" Letter, John Semmens, The Arizona Republic, 24 July 1997
• "Backing for half-cent transit tax slips a bit, but is still strong in poll" The Arizona Republic, 23 July 1997, page B1. Latest poll shows 66% of citizens favoring Phoenix transit proposition.
• "Opportunity to test light-rail transit idea" Letter, Jim Howl, Republican candidate for governor, Mesa Tribune, 23 July 1997, page A13. QUOTE: "...it's possible to know right now how light-rail service will work in getting cars off the road and clearing our air. How? A commuter rail pilot run... The mass-transit folks should plan, right now, for a two-month trial run next summer."
• "Phoenix Transit: Countering critics" Editorial, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 1997, page H4. Statistics used by transit opponents are based "upon a grossly distorted premise."
• "Silent bus drive may backfire" Stephen Tuttle, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 1997, page H3
• "Tempe transit failure should be warning to other cities" Guest column, John Semmens, Tribune papers, 18 July 1997, page A15. Mr. Semmens classifies the Tempe transit tax as a failure in spite of its adding over 1,000 boardings a day to Tempe's bus system -- a 31% increase.
• "Mass transit is costly, inefficient, unproductive and not necessary" Letter, Cliff Cowles Jr., East Mesa Independent, 16 July 1997, page 4. QUOTE: "The current [bus] system... needs to be shrunk down to just a few routes that might carry a worthwhile bus full of passengers during rush hour and then some provision made for carrying a few hardship cases..."
• "Public-transit parasite" Letter, Mildred Giordano, Mesa Tribune, 16 July 1997, page A12. QUOTE: "Public transit lives as a parasite off the earnings and production of other activities in the community..."
• "A new spin on fledgling Purple People Movers program" Guest column, Norman L. Helber (chief probation officer of the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department), The Arizona Republic, 14 July 1997, page B4. Mr. Helber rebuts Messrs. Flake's and Franciosi's implication that the Purple People Movers program is a failure. In fact, says Mr. Helber, the program is quite successful... and not a harbinger of failed transit.
• "We're on wrong track: If mass transit is to work, we need a whole new attitude about it" by Clare L. Goldsberry, Mesa Tribune, 14 July 1997, page A9. QUOTE: "Making mass transit work in the Valley of the Sun will require a major shift in thinking on the part of people who need to use mass transit."
• "Valley public transit: Learning by example" Editorial, Mesa Tribune, 13 July 1997, page F2. QUOTE: "It is much more convenient to ride the bus in Tempe than it was a year ago, and people are responding by leaving their cars at home. If we're serious about cutting traffic and pollution, and we should be, we cannot ignore this encouraging response."
• "Transit supported" Letter, Diane Brossart, President, Valley Forward Association, Mesa Tribune, 13 July 1997, page F2. QUOTES: "Everyone knows getting around town is taking longer and longer. We need to prevent gridlock before it happens." "Valley Forward urges your YES vote on September 9!"
• "Clean-fuel buses, light rail approved by Committee" The Arizona Republic, 12 July 1997, page A1.
• Letters, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 1997, page B5:
  • "Anti-transit column, letter were flawed," Brent D. Yonkovich
  • "Better transit is the answer," Scott Hume. QUOTE: "The few remaining transit naysayers should take their heads out of the clouds (of pollution)..."
  • "Ridership poor? So is service," John A. Bivens. QUOTE: "Phoenicians need a choice. Many of the public transit problems will be corrected by the Phoenix Traffic Congestion Relief Plan. I will vote 'yes' and improve our transportation system while reducing congestion and improving the quality of our lives."
  • "Issue deserves more thought," Jeff Williamson. QUOTE: "A review of federal records indicates that as a practical matter, the auto, oil and highway industries are significantly more subsidized than mass transit. In 1980, assistance to transit across the U.S. was $5.8 billion, to highways it was $39.7 billion... not more than 60 percent of highway costs are covered by user taxes or fees..."
• "Light rail rolling toward East Valley. House panel approves $8 million for design" Mesa Tribune, 12 July 1997, page A1. QUOTE: "The initial rail segment would span a 10-mile stretch from downtown Tempe to downtown Phoenix... serve the most heavily traveled corridor in the Valley using existing rail lines."
• "Good public transit no waste of money" Letter, Harold Berge, Mesa, Mesa Tribune, 12 July 1997, page A16. QUOTE: "People who write that we don't need public transit and say that it is a waste of money should look at Tempe where better service has increased ridership."
• "Vote yes on transit plans" Letter, Diane Brossart, President, Valley Forward Association, The Arizona Republic, July 12, 1997, page B4. QUOTE: "We need to prevent gridlock before it happens... While [initiatives in Phoenix and Scottsdale] alone will not solve the Valley's air-pollution problem, it is a key component in transportation planning..."
• "Quiet reasoning behind loud optomism about transit vote" Joel Nilsson, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 1997, page B4.
• "Tempe buses offer free rides Sundays" The Arizona Republic, 11 July 1997. The City of Tempe has teamed with businesses to publicize the new expanded Sunday service.
• "Coalition speeds efforts to spur transit funding" Mesa Tribune, 9 July 1997, page A6. QUOTES: "The Valley [metro Phoenix] would need 96 lane miles of new freeway if the area's 19,775 current public transit commuters suddenly hopped into cars..." "More than 18,000 additional cars are being kept off Valley roads each day because of commuters using the Phoenix area's bus system..." "Local officials are hoping the latest rewrite of [ISTEA] will include $129 million for a 10-mile light rail-transit system linking Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix."
• "Phoenix transit tax bad deal for Valley" Letter, Beth Schmidt, Mesa Tribune, 6 July 1997, page F2.
• "Vote against transit tax" Letter, Jack McVaugh, The Arizona Republic, July 6, 1997, page H4. QUOTE: "cars carry 99 percent of the transit in Phoenix. If the proposed transit expansion actually meets all of its goals, autos will still carry 98 percent of the travel. That's billions of dollars for a one percent impact..."
• "Trial run on Phoenix buses goes OK, but doesn't become habit" by Joel Nilsson, The Arizona Republic, July 5, 1997, page B4. Columnist finds bus system acceptable.
• "Transit votes hold interest of Tempe" by William Porter, The Arizona Republic, July 4, 1997, page H4. QUOTE: "'The strength of transit is in a regional system, not just local,' said Carlos deLeon, Tempe's assistant transit manager. 'Our citizens want to go everywhere, not just Tempe.'"

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