I see several news reports that N.M. Governor Bill Richardson has signed an appropriations bill that includes a $1,000,000 bonus to the C&TSRR for "track rehabilitation". It was reported by those same news reporters that he delayed signing the bill for several weeks.
Question: Did he delay signing the bill so he could receive a "personal stimulus package" from the organizations that will receive the funding? Just asking.
Comment: The last time the C&TSRR received money for "track rehabilitation" was in 2007 from Colorado. CO. ponied up $2,700,000 for track work--yet just less than $250,000 really went into the track. The "Friends" mangers spent the reat on computers, payroll, etc.
Item: Looking at the latest FRA Office of Safety data release, that same year on the C&TSRR saw the death of one passenger and injury to another. How did that get covered up? Also, that report shows that the C&TSRR has had, over the ten years the report covers, a 16.5 per cent drop in tourist passengers. What other tourist railroad has had such a massive drop?