Phoenix 1997 Transit Election

What are other citizens saying?

• "Horizon" Transit Special Shows, KAET Channel 8
• "Prop. 1 a good way to move Phoenix into 21st century" Guest Column by Donald H. Goldwater.
• "2 Goldwaters question institute position " [against light rail] by 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."
• "Ministers endorse taxes for transit" By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 30, 1997
• "'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.
• "Regional transit called critical to Valley" by Jay Tibshraeny, mayor of Chandler, in The Arizona Republic
• Eddie Basha in the Ahwatukee Foothills News: "Transit Issue Needs Regional Support" [NOTE: Third article in the file.]
• Valerie Manning, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, in Business Journal of Phoenix: "Use facts for better decision on traffic woes"
• "Phoenix vote key to Valley transit needs" Letter, Jay Tibshraeny [mayor of Chandler], Arizona Republic, 4 May 1997, East Valley section.
• "Phoenix transit-tax proposal applauded" Letter, Neil Giuliano [mayor of Tempe], Arizona Republic, 4 May 1997, East Valley section.
• "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!"
• "Phoenix needs more buses" by Edna and William Fleishman, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 30, 1997, page B7. 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..."
• "Half cent a small price to pay for transit benefits" by Sara Taber Bahr, Phoenix Transit rider, Letters, The Arizona Republic, Sep. 2, 1997, page B6. 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, Letters, The Arizona Republic, Sep. 2, 1997, page B6. 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."
• "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."
• "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."
• "Public transit pivotal to Valley's vitality" by Victor Linoff, community columnist, Mesa Tribune, 26 June 1997, page A19.
• "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."
• "Costs of forsaking mass transit too high" William Lindley, Letters, Mesa Tribune, 21 May 1997.
• "Learn about light rail before you vote on it." Opinion, Rob Lindley, East Valley Community Edition, Arizona Republic, 3 May 1997, page 10EV.

1997 Phoenix Transit Election Page