



Phoenix 1997 Transit Election
How do citizens respond to the transit naysayers?
- "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]..."
- "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?"
- "Phoenix Bus System Like a
Restaurant?" by William Lindley, as printed in The Arizona Republic
- "Transit
foe has `hidden agenda,' accomplice" Editorial, Robert H. Bohannan,
Business Journal of Phoenix, 28 July 1997.
- "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..."
- "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."
- Bob Dunn: editorial in Business Journal of Phoenix: "Questions
for foes of light-rail transit"
- "Better transit is the answer," Scott Hume, Letters, The
Arizona Republic, 12 July 1997. QUOTE: "The few remaining transit
naysayers should take their heads out of the clouds (of pollution)..."
- "Dallas light rail system proves
detractors wrong" Letter, M.D. Monaghan, Arizona Republic, 19
May 1997, Page B4. Dallas citizens ignored litany of naysayers, and the rail
system there is exceptionally successful.
- "Transit Letters Missed the Point",
Letter, William Lindley, East Mesa Independent, June 4, 1997, page 4.
1997 Phoenix Transit Election Page