Ken,

There probably isn't a more knowledgeable person about the NWP and the NCRA then Mike Pechner and granted he is a major supporter of the NWP and may be biased in that way, he will still call a spade a spade when it comes to the good and bad of what's happening. Mike may rub some people the wrong way at times but I don’t think you’ll find many of us who don’t realize what a good recourse he is and how much effort he goes to to get that information. Mike, you march on.

Here we are - typical rail fans bashing each other rather than trying to have a humane discussion.

This was a discussion of Walter's article - Mr. Walters has an agenda driven by someone who does not want this railroad to survive. Just gleaning over his article one must realize that his information is bogus and he didn't do the research for it. I used to faithfully read his column but about 4 years ago I noticed he was taking a turn in his political stature that I personally didn’t care for. I still look at his headline and see if I want to read it but more often than not I find him not as credible as he used to be. I was hoping in this latest column, for anything in it that made sense or where he went to the folks directly involved but no where does he verify his sources – sadly he’s given way too much credibility and there are folks who listen too him without seeing the other side and this just slows things down some more….great….Calling John Darling a political operative!!!??? There's a laugher. $$$'s into someone's pockets? So many restrictions and roadblocks have been thrown up in front of the NCRA by outside sources.

The NWP ROW is a treasure waiting to be used. It's amazing what kind of shape it really is in from Novato to Willits. No one disputes that from Willits up is a total mess. In our work parties we have talked with numerous on-line companies who were desperate to see the railroad reopen - it was quite amazing. For public transportation it runs though all the right areas and I think the NIMBY situation will not be that bad.

The rails, no matter what, will stay. Too many cities have realized too late that if certain rail lines had been left intact that their transportation problems would not be so severe, so now many places are not so quick to lose that infrastructure that offers good solutions that can’t be had by any highway improvements. The bureaucrats can delay the NWP all they want but no one will suggest that the rails be lifted cause once they’re gone they’re gone. So we’re delaying and the longer we delay the more expensive it will become to do the repairs. Yet one day, I guarantee, they will be repaired.

Doug Jensen



Key Route Ken Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm on the side of Carol Voss (a very learned
> individual) and "Mr. 123"...
> What infuriates me about "Mikey Pechner" is his
> continued "Holier than Thou" attitude towards
> other railfans. He insults them, chastises them,
> degrades them.. "IF" you don't follow his line of
> rhetoric and BS especially like: "Did you
> contribute cash, Did you show up last Sunday to
> cut weeds, Did you show up in Niles Canyon and
> lite the damn match in the 2472's boiler, Did you
> bow down to his royal highness and kiss his Boots
> ", then you are flamed and NOT allowed to make an
> opinion, regardless of where you live or
> regardless of what effort you are able to
> contribute. This is darn right BS.. I'm sorry,
> but I am fed up with "Mikey Pechner" period, and I
> think the majority on this list are too, but are
> too shy to admit it publicly... He might be a
> weatherman (maybe), but layoff the other fans,
> Mike. We've had enough. At least Carol Voss is a
> very refined lady and has been around to know what
> she is talking about. I rest my case folks.
> Thank You...
> KRK