Midnight Train in Georgia : The Case for Georgia Commuter Rail Pt. I

ATLANTA – Georgians soon may have a choice of trains – super-fast ones in some cases – they can ride between cities on the East Coast just as they do airline flights now.

Though the revival of passenger rail service has been talked of and dreamed of for decades, the federal government now is offering huge sums to states that could provide the locomotion to finally pull the train out of the station.

– OnlineAthens.com 6.20.2009

Dear Georgia,

I’m excited ecstatic to see progress is finally being made on incorporating high-speed commuter rails in Georgia. In fact, I was just discussing the Brain Train with Beggs yesterday. I think train rides are a lost art form in this country. More importantly, though, trains will definitely decrease our dependence on the car in Atlanta and Georgia, hopefully do wonders for traffic as a transportation alternative (especially Gameday weekends in Athens but also connecting the cities in Georgia.) Georgia happens to be the largest state east of the Mississippi, with almost 300 miles between the tip of the top to the very bottom, yet transportation is severely limited.

The Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development at Georgia Tech did a study identifying megaregions in the country. The Piedmont Atlantic MegaRegion (PAM) is composed of core metropolitan areas, including Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh-Durham. This core area is exemplified by density of people, and intensity of travel and economic interaction. PAM also contains numerous major cities; many are important government, academic, and business centers. These cities provide important domestic and international links that facilitate the flow of goods, people, information, and culture. These cities are connected not only to each other, but also to a large number of small cities and large areas of rural and undeveloped land that surround them. (Atlanta Fifty Forward)

As of 2000, almost 34 million people lived in PAM. Of these 34 million, approximately 40 percent, or 13.3 million people, lived in the urban core, and 60 percent, or 20.6 million, lived in the remainder of the MegaRegion. Combined, PAM represents over 12 percent of the total United States population and covers over 243,000 square miles of land.  (Atlanta Fifty Forward)

Reasons for Commuter rails:

•    Saves $1 billion/year in time for auto commuters who continue to drive
•    Reduces pollution and accident costs by $160 million/year
•    $1.36 billion in yearly quantifiable benefits from $334 million in annualized costs
•    Investment of  $343 million annualized produces $1.36 billion in annual benefits
•    2015 commuter capital cost of $2.1 billion – primarily construction work on track, bridges, at-grade crossings, and signals – includes portion of Atlanta MMPT.  Commuter rail eligible for Federal transit funding
•    2015 intercity capital cost of $1.5 billion, 90% is for construction. Limited Federal funding program.
•    Revenues cover 57% of operating cost for commuters, and 79% for intercity at the mid-range of fare levels.  Operating assistance of $30.4 million/year for commuter rail and $10.5 million /year for intercity rail
•    Mostly non-Federal funds needed for operating assistance
•    Generates twice the jobs and economic activity in downstream activity
•    Use of existing rights of way less disruptive than new construction
•    Rail more reliable and less susceptible to delay and disruption; time can be used for
•    productive purposes or recreation/sleep
•    Helps attract economic activity throughout Georgia by raising community accessibility and profile
•    Provides focus of livable communities initiatives and town center renaissance
(Georgia Department of Transportation , 2006 Fact Sheet Georgia Rail Passenger Program)

One aspect I love about traveling through Europe and the Northeast is the ease of transportation for those without a car. Train travel that is. To be honest, as a young person about to graduate within a year one of the defining characteristics I look for in a city is: how is the public transportation and will I need to rely on a car? looked to Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, and even considered moving abroad to Paris and London, but at heart I’ve become a Georgia boy. I’d love to remain in this state, and I see great things in store for this nation, but only if it remains competitive with other cities and regions that are pressing ahead and developing their transportation alternatives. I know that if I, as a University of Georgia student, am considering moving away because of the lack of transportation alternatives, how many have we already lost to other cities?

I believe commuter rail lines and intercity lines are critical keys in the future of Georgia within the PAM region, and the nation. I especially believe this is also key in holding on to the investment that HOPE makes in its scholars, as the costs of living for someone graduating from college are now sky-rocketing. One way of easing the burden, on not only the younger generation about to graduate but those already employed in the workforce, is to look ahead and push through legislation that ensures viable commuter rail transportation for the region. This is an excellent alternative to social hand outs, because it serves not only the community who lives in the area but attracts commerce and tourists while also increasing the prestige of our state as a place to visit, work and live. Concerning Metro Atlanta, there are more than 2,000 international companies employing nearly 115,000 people in the metro region, signifying Atlanta’s dependence on the global economy.

Advocates and real estate developers also have lobbied for a line between Atlanta and Athens that they dubbed the “Brain Train” because it would link so many universities. Joined by environmentalists, they have been the most vocal supporters of passenger rail service in Georgia.

The new federal money has brought additional advocates hoping to connect their cities to the proposed national high-speed network that already includes Atlanta, Columbia, Jacksonville and Macon. One city is Augusta, and one of its two congressmen is on board.

“I’m all for making high speed rail a reality in this area,” said Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga. A spokeswoman for Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., said he wants to hear the wishes of Augusta leaders before committing to it.

State Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Evans, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, has put the brakes on the Atlanta-Lovejoy starter line because he’s concerned the feds aren’t promising the right kind of money, namely operating funds. “We’re not opposed to rail,” he said. “We just want to make sure it’s a sustainable program.”

Ticket sales at affordable prices don’t cover all the operating costs of any railroad, requiring state or local governments to subsidize the difference. Harbin says none of the many studies done on rail service in Georgia has shown sufficient ridership to make the subsidy affordable.

Voters may have some say in the matter. Separate proposals in the Georgia General Assembly would give them the choice to raise sales taxes with a portion going toward rail operating subsidies in November 2010.

- OnlineAthens.com 6.20.2009

I don’t urge much, but if you happen to live in the state of Georgia I urge a letter/email campaign asking for state representatives to support finalizing plans to bring commuter rail to Georgia.

To find a comprehensive listing of your representatives, check out Project Vote Smart and type in your zip code on the left. Congress also has a direct form on their website for typing in your zip code and contacting a representative, under Find Your Elected Official.  Next move, to start a letter writing campaign.

I’ve been meaning to mention this…

But congratulations to friends and former classmates nominated for 2009 Flagpole Awards. Mainly Allison Weiss and Jason Miller (up for five in one category!). You crazy kids.

The Annual Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show is designed to honor and celebrate those who make Athens, GA a center of musical creativity, enjoyment and accomplishment.

The Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show kicks off AthFest, Athens’ annual music and arts festival, and will be held at the Morton Theatre on Thursday, June 25.

You, the local music fan, will choose the local performers you wish to recognize by filling out this ballot. All awards are decided by a majority peoples’ choice vote, so YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. A panel of local music judges has selected this year’s finalists; just check the box next to your choice or write-in your own candidate in the space provided. You do not need to vote in every category.

Last year the Moon was a presenter and invited me to the festivities. Alas I did not have a pair of heels then. However, I do have a pair this year and am going to buy a ticket and enjoy the festivities. Possibly. We’ll see how funding holds up.

In the meantime, check out some home grown talent and don’t forget to vote. Voting ends by the 5th :

Thoughts on the Genii: Pt. II

“Cheer up sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean to a daydream believer and a homecoming queen”

Before I begin to rant and ruminate, I couldn’t decide between keeping order and titling this something applicable. Now:

The illusion of choice. Deciding what would … ? In other thoughts, I’ve been ruminating on the nature of my friendship with Maclean and other friendships. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I realize one of the similarities that exist is we’re constantly searching to craft our own, independent vision of reality. Perhaps nothing but mere vanity, but I think of us in terms of visionaries. Sometimes, I view myself as crazy just because not everyone sees the world as I do, this animated realm where every object and being have lives and intricacies of their own. No one else witnessing this? Perhaps it is why I label myself an artist, a more palatable form of madness. I’ve more to say on that subject, but that is what my paper is for.

As for Maclean, Ricky, and myself (I’ve mentioned this very topic before, and I bring up these two because of the interest in the humanities, by proxy philosophy), there are difficulties in being a visionary, a crafter of reality. We know it won’t be readily palatable to everyone, there’s a select few one can let into the private realm one’s created. Ideally, I’d like for everyone to exist cohesively involved in a pure positive manner. Perhaps this only accounts for those I consider positive, but even those that contribute negatively crafty my vision of reality by what I would not like it to be. I’d even dare to say anyone with a dream, so long as one hopes, crafts a reality.

“Everyone dreams,” you may say, but not this kind of dreaming. Not the sleep induced dreaming or even simple fantasizing, but the kind of dreaming in a sense the way a craftsman draws up blueprints for the object he needs to craft. It is in this manner of dreaming I speak of, in an active sense that isn’t easily cast aside unless the possibilities of translating that dream into reality don’t exist yet. It can involve dreaming of relationships, goals in life, what to make for dinner; the essence being whatever one dreams about should inspire passion, a desire for life. Part of that essence involves crafting a personal philosophy, code of ethics, morals or what have you. I view this necessary as a sort of outline, building the frame for which one constructs their reality. My philosophy involves art, the difference between perception and ideal reality, and my purpose in being here. Not my complete philosophy, but part of the framework in crafting reality.

It is hard work to bring dreams into reality, which is why I dwell in fantasy so often. Passions are easily mistaken for insanity or other mental defects these days. When I stare off into space, sometimes I wonder if I appear to have left this realm. Slightly joking, but not really. I’m reminded of the song “Daydream Believers.” The point being on the process of creating. I know, and I suspect others with a visionary inclination know, that in order to create, one must withdraw into a different world, at a different level of consciousness.

In crafting the reality of a relationship, the idea of the honeymoon is necessary; not the actual honeymoon but that phase. Free from the input of the outside world, two can join to form a one even while existing as two. I like to think of the idea similar to atoms and molecules. Using hydrogen as an example, missing an electron in orbit, the atom isn’t stable until the two form H² . As people, we are not complete until we find our other, part of the implicit social contract of entering humanity. The easiest bond to form once out of the family unit is a pairing, and from there change can be effected.

I think positive and negative forces (seen and unseen, physical and metaphysical, et al) also exist, that in turn mold people. We are but a reaction to the environment around us, yet we have choice in deciding how to react, whether positively or negatively, (neutral not being an option of the living.) Free will without psycho-actives – depressant or stimulant one will depress and one will elevate basic instincts, and one will simply explore within the realms of hallucinogens.

Psychedelics deal with this by providing a choice in how to react to the realities presented; one can have a negative experience, believing it will never end and will continue indefinitely in the case of positive feedback, or ironically and conversely, have a positive experience in knowing this is but one form of reality, knowing it will end due to the nature of negative feedback. The feedback ideas haven’t been hammered out just yet, but if I give my subconscious enough time it can work through many things. Then again, I’m simply trying to make sense of the crazy world around me through any means necessary.

In the case of my group of friends from Waterford, we have the interest of bettering people, or at least I’d like to hope. Perhaps this is only my goal, to mold potential into applied realities, and why I support people’s dreams as fiercely as I do. To not dream is a scary reality, on some level a complete declaration of mortality and no desire to leave some impression. My principle is everyone has some vision; everyone has some dream one wants to achieve. My vision is to be a positive force in the world, a catalyst for change. Sometimes I like to view myself as a muse and genie given free will, not bound by obligation but a conscious decision to serve. Then again, perhaps I’m merely delusional.

Thoughts on the Genii: Pt. I

Arriving like dawn’s red shifting light,
fading blue hue of midwinter’s night.
I’ve accepted my fate,
nothing more than the son of Georgia.My blood runs like crimson petaled passion, colored by the clay of this state.
No more, no less, only and simply this.

While I have dreamt of escaping, some call it leaving
The roots I’ve here will always bind me
sometimes against my will.
More than dreamt between the stones of Piedmont
and sweeping, hypnotic flat coastal plains.
No less, no more, Chattahoochee and Atlantic shores.

From every part of the state, I’ve known, seen and tasted
the noxious but tolerant air of Atlanta, and her suburbanites,
To her doppleganger Athena less than sixty miles
Due east! An eclectic and eccentric blend of the cosmos.
Where society girls interplay with psychonauts on Broad and Lumpkin.
No more, not less, craving only and simply this

Made from the clay of this state,
Crafted into the person, of I-85, living now way down I-75.
A product cognizant, origins known,
journeying just as the stars unfold.
Indigo of the creeping night,
or as red as dawn’s shifting light.
No more, no less, not only but simply this.

On the idea of Genius, in turn genii, I can’t remember the Arabic but combine the idea of genius, genial and genie. Genius is about creating, about being independent, about knowing how multiple systems work and working around and within those systems to expand the possibilities of man. Genius and the modern term self actualization go together, I reason, because genii are known for creating. Genius communicates through what they create, and often the ideas and possibilities aren’t mere dreams but something that one could possibly craft into reality. Hence the term craftsman. At times it seems quite obvious, but to a “wordsmith,” it’s hard to appreciate the material. Was it Buffalmacco who commented the artists appreciates the pig not for its qualities of a pig but because bristles were made from pig hair.

With all of this said, genii are a resource to the community they’re in. “We must protect our best and our brightest.’ In earlier times it was easy to identify a genius, the world was smaller. Now, with more interdependency and globalization, we’ve only begun to measure and assess the needs of the global community, in the hopes of working in unison.

At times, with the ideas I’ve contemplated and written down, I can only ascertain if I didn’t explore the ideas in a logical manner I’d be quickly committed, or just homeless.

 

Signed,

Patrique