Scott Schiechl Wrote:
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> I think it is a shame that there are 2 groups in
> California (TRAC and RailPAC) spending time and
> resources to snipe at each other. The need for
> more rail tranport in California is real. The
> desire of Californians for such service, and the
> willingness to pay for it, is also real. Can't we
> all just get along?

Keep in mind that it was TRAC that sued RailPAC. We tried to settle with them several times, through our attorney but to no success. It was only right before we were about to go to trial that things were settled. Yes, it was a total waste of time and money for BOTH groups.

But, RailPAC is bigger and stronger with more resources available. We are working closely with the California region of NARP on several issues. If anything our outreach has grown and our membership has increase allowing use to expand our newsletter and conduct more regional meeting to get support for rail and to lobby and campaign for expanded rail service.

RailPAC is activly supporting the SMART ballot issue in Marin & Sonoma Counties, the High Speed Rail Bond Act, and the efforts to extended Caltrain over the Dumbarton Bridge and down to Salinas.

Infact, on September 20 we will have another regional meeting in Palm Springs as part of our joint effort with NARP to get frequent daily rail service to Palm Springs/Indo.

If anyone would like information about the upcoming Palm Springs event, or our next regional meeting in Chico that will deal with passenger service to Redding, or if you are just interested in RailPAC e-mail me at RicSilver@aol.com

Finally, there have even been some tentitive outreach between TRAC and RailPAC to see if we can work together. The nerves are still raw, but there seems to be people of good faith on both sides trying.