Re: SENATOR PETE WILSON?
Author: BOB2
Date: 04-16-2021 - 07:33
Pete Wilson had almost no real impact, nor showed much real leadership in the San Diego Trolley, but didn't actually lay down in front of it, to stop it....
Pete Wilson did oppose transit for the most part at the Federal and State leve. It is asserted that he tried, at one point to stiff the Gold Line projects use of the ROW in the 210, but was ignored. Wilso was, for the most part, completely useless as Mayor, Senator, or Governor in doing much of anything for LOSSAN. And, Pete Wilson refused to even consider Phil Anschutz's unbelievably fair and great offer to sell CA the Coast Line for passenger service, for only $4000 million dollars back in the early 90's, after he became Governor. We used to say that he was no George Deukmejian (who was actually pretty even handed on rail and transit, if you could make a good case)....
That Coast Line failure by Wilson, and by the CA Legislature, is right up there with the dumbest things I've ever seen in my career. Can you guess what we estimated it was worth even "back then"... (hint: over $2 billion in beach property value alone). And, can you imagine what UP would want today?