First of all, whether Chris Neary is right or wrong is not the issue here. You lucked out in getting a sympathetic Marin County Judge, #1. Your suit, if filed in any other jurisdiction would have been laughed out of court, #2. All of those issues lie with the STB, but because STATE Taxpaper monies were involved, a loop hole big enough for a locomotive to drive through moved the suit forward. A similar suit was filed on the Peninsula against CALTRAIN but because it was Federal Transportation Funds, the suit didn't last long enough for the ink to dry. Yes, I have and read all 47 pages of the consent decree, and while I am not a lawyer, I do understand it. The basics, ribbion rail, Tier 2 engines and quiet zones I don't have a problem. Landscaping? What are you folks smoking over there? Rock from the Island Mtn. quarry has nothing to do with that it because that is Interstate Commerce and you can't stop its shipment. I am now convinced that Mike Arnold is an idiot because of his anti freight and passenger rail stance. He is so far out of touch with reality that he might as well be from another planet. Next thing you know he is against apple pie, mother Country and baseball! I think the Judge will certify the the consent decree because both parties have agreed to it. I DO think it is a slam dunk. The way I understand the CTC money is safe because they understand the delay caused by the suit. Finally, Measure Q will be won or lost in Novato and with a super majority needed, Sonoma County will have to come up big. Mike Arnold has spread so much crap out there that despite the volatility of fuel prices, the positive environmental affects and the obvious alternative to 101 plus reduction of the carbon footprint, voters may be so fed up with the
rhetoric that it could lose. But I am hoping for the best. I think, politically, this suit has hurt you and others who supported it. And I will make voters aware of it when it becomes re-election time. Passenger trains will run in Marin and Sonoma County even if SMART doesn't pass because its in the mandate NCRA was given by the very legislative bill that founded the rail authority. If SMART doesn't pass, much needed construction jobs
for Marin and Sonoma County an d the needed tax monies will be lost in a slowing economy.
So how does that help? Any answers?