tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77370472011-12-14T19:57:52.917-07:00This is a place to publish the details of Phoenix's light rail scam. Expose the lies and the liars. Flush out the accessories to this multi-billion-dollar fraud.Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.comBlogger1091100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-66217422109610323242009-07-26T14:52:00.001-07:002009-07-26T14:52:16.175-07:00

It is with deep regret that we inform the readers of the blog that Mark Yannone died on 17 July 2009. Pursuant to his wishes, there will be no memorial or service. Anyone wishing to send letters to the family may send them via email to cherieyannone@aol.com. All notes to the family will be delivered directly.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-45501239138264817052009-07-09T15:55:00.005-07:002009-07-09T16:00:59.993-07:00

Transportation Public Involvement Report 2009, page 102

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-59988452384489435982009-06-08T21:30:00.005-07:002009-06-08T21:39:43.299-07:00

Finally, there is less need to squat and drop in a corner of the train. That doesn't mean that riders won't bring a box of feces with them to spread on the floor of the train. That practice will continue until further notice.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-41144884096112795352009-04-26T16:27:00.005-07:002009-04-26T17:16:13.160-07:00

Metro Light Rail Operators Don't Have a Contract — Just Grueling Schedules and Smelly Passengersby Sarah FenskePhoenix New TimesApril 21, 2009Last fall, 50 brave Valley Metro bus drivers gave up their stable jobs to take a chance on light rail.Jim McCubbin (left) and Bob Bean, both officers with the local union representing rail operators, say they have serious concerns.Many had been with the bus

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-49845364429209956002009-03-24T17:00:00.004-07:002009-03-24T17:17:02.911-07:00

Despite recent crashes, officials say rail safety system worksby Sean HolstegeThe Arizona RepublicA central Phoenix accident last week marked the 13th collision between a Metro light-rail train and another vehicle since the system opened three months ago, renewing safety concerns about trains in streets.Last Tuesday's crash puts Metro on pace to almost double the first-year accident rate of

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-38363680866722151752009-03-20T12:54:00.004-07:002009-03-24T17:21:27.267-07:00

Phoenix's light rail trains have had 18 collisions as of 03/20/09 and are ahead of Houston's light rail trains for the same time period. ~ Bob McKnight

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-25826965079660066552009-02-23T00:56:00.004-07:002009-02-23T01:09:30.643-07:00

See also: More accidents, crashes, and collisions

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-73429520093119580182009-02-01T07:32:00.004-07:002009-02-01T08:28:34.425-07:00

Palestinians and Israelis will fight each other over just about anything, but on the subject of light rail, they speak with one voice: Dump it.In Jerusalem, Arabs and Jews Finally Agree ...On One Thing, at Least: People in Both Camps Say the City's Tram Is a Dumb Ideaby Andrew Higgins and David Gauthier-Villars[Extract] At a time when conflict over Gaza is pouring yet more poison into the gulf

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-20362953087025179992009-01-02T10:52:00.010-07:002009-01-02T12:11:47.601-07:00

When free light rail ends, ASU students still ride freeby Linda BentleySonoran NewsDecember 31, 2008ASU student says, "You get what you pay for."PHOENIX – After receiving an e-mail on Monday saying Arizona State University students can obtain passes to ride Valley Metro transit, including light rail, for free, Craig Cantoni, author and columnist, responded, "That was an April Fool's joke, right?"

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-26697744670848932742008-12-26T00:11:00.004-07:002008-12-26T00:14:12.282-07:00

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-41817686184737413442008-11-03T11:25:00.006-07:002008-11-03T16:23:38.035-07:00

Mesa sees light rail as a turning point in fortuneMany hope route will help deteriorating areaby Chad Graham[Excerpt] "Light rail is going to bring people into Mesa and let them see how great and unique west Mesa is," said Jo Ellen McNamara, executive director of the West Mesa Community Development Corp.Mesa resident Jennifer Mott has seen late-night drug busts in her neighborhood, Pepper Place,

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-82243121970093385872008-04-23T14:30:00.005-07:002008-04-23T16:44:29.251-07:00

Fight against powerful light-rail lobby never-endingby Becky FengerRobert Leger reveals his hopeless naivety about the power and tenacity of the rail transit lobby in his editorial of 4/15, "Light rail dead; Fernandez refuses to accept victory." The experiences in other cities across the nation show how rail transit is never dead, even after being reasoned down, beaten down, and voted down by

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-79551647905470430262008-03-30T06:56:00.005-07:002008-03-30T07:30:35.087-07:00

Plowing through gridlocks, accidents, and malapropismsProposed light-rail schedule embodies simplicityby Garin GroffTribune[Excerpt] Metro promises a more reliable transit time than car or bus. Because it doesn't share lanes with traffic, it should make its schedule even if its going down a gridlocked road. That should further encourage ridership, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said."It's not

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-50726249775080153162008-01-10T09:05:00.001-07:002008-01-10T09:21:31.596-07:00

At $2500 for each Tata Nano, you could buy 400,000 of these 5-passenger, 56-mpg cars instead of spending $1 billion on a few miles of light rail. When solar and battery technology mature just a little more in the next couple of years, these light cars will be cheap and clean.Source

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-75646631690911147142007-12-11T00:28:00.001-07:002008-03-30T08:47:33.850-07:00

Your first impression might be "why the hell would anyone want to put that monstrosity into mixed traffic?"Indeed.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-13739807752438945582007-12-07T12:16:00.000-07:002007-12-07T20:25:36.657-07:00

In May 1999, the Orange County (CA) Grand Jury issued a report on their light rail investigation. Using the experience of 12 light rail systems in operation during the prior 18 years, they studied each of the claims that were being made in favor of light rail. Their findings: "They had no merit for solving urban transportation problems in Orange County." [Full report] [PDF]

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-562645435636450892007-11-29T15:49:00.000-07:002007-11-29T16:16:57.029-07:00

Light rail will reduce traffic congestion by 54 percent.Phoenix Mayor Phil GordonSeptember 9, 2004Speed limit near light-rail tracks to be loweredby Jen BondesonThe Arizona RepublicNovember 27, 2007Tempe drivers are going to have to lighten up on the gas pedal starting December 8.The speed limit on Washington Street from Priest Drive to Mill Avenue will be reduced to 35 mph, from 45 mph, to

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-71488434585936899882007-11-13T15:15:00.000-07:002007-11-13T15:26:23.070-07:00

The Veracruz electric tramway system had several odd features throughout its existence. (1) Its open cars had center aisles. (2) Except in short sections all tram routes were belt lines; there was no 2-way operation or double track. (3) Because of that, all trams were built or rebuilt single-end and ran only one way. (4) They traveled north on five different streets, but south only on Av.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-83659912208254420842007-11-04T00:14:00.000-07:002007-11-04T00:17:38.263-07:00

As the price of real estate climbs, every square inch is used.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-3716984377537568182007-09-29T17:50:00.000-07:002007-09-29T17:56:43.786-07:00

Houston's Wham Bam Slam Tram Scam in action

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-51006845248938091542007-09-10T19:20:00.001-07:002008-04-27T19:29:48.432-07:00

Mass Transit: Separating Delusion from Realityby Wendell Cox[Extract] There is simply no hope for reducing traffic congestion with transit.The only way to reduce traffic congestion is to provide more roadway capacity. Anti-automobile ideologues argue that building more roadway capacity will simply cause people to drive more (as if people had nothing better to do). That is like arguing that

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-53332230100641224762007-09-02T02:17:00.000-07:002007-09-02T03:22:07.808-07:00

Rail-work aid OK'dby Casey NewtonThe Arizona RepublicMore help is on the way for beleaguered business owners along the light-rail line, with Phoenix approving $310,000 in marketing support during a meeting this week.The City Council voted Wednesday to approve three new marketing programs for businesses along the light-rail line. Some merchants in central Phoenix have complained that construction

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-17781805608935836612007-05-25T13:27:00.000-07:002007-11-13T15:42:59.752-07:00

Light-rail work bends businesses to breaking pointby Casey NewtonThe Arizona RepublicMore businesses are on the verge of shutting their doors as light-rail construction has driven away all but their most loyal customers, merchants are telling Metro officials.About 75 people crowded into a meeting room recently at the Red Roof Inn on Camelback Road to discuss the deteriorating business climate

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-35984409317907316762007-04-07T10:56:00.000-07:002007-09-02T03:21:39.974-07:00

Sheriff looks for light-rail corruptionMetro asked for public records amid preliminary investigationby Michael Kiefer and Sean HolstegeThe Arizona RepublicMaricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio confirmed Friday that his office has launched a preliminary investigation into possible corruption related to the light-rail construction project."We got information from a source, we put out a public records

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-58182410606305996632007-04-06T20:49:00.000-07:002007-04-06T22:39:43.508-07:00

by Mark YannoneTrolley car riders in the Phoenix metro area are only going to pay for one quarter of the cost to operate and maintain the trolley car sytem, so five years after the trolley cars begin running, the system will run out of money. This was by design but was not mentioned by anyone but us.To keep the scam alive, Maricopa County residents will once again be forced to pay additional

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-37769843141793364722007-03-04T18:10:00.000-07:002007-03-04T18:22:56.403-07:00

Authoritative Transportation Study for $2by Craig CantoniMy hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, is spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a transportation study. Translation: Like municipalities across the land, it's going to try to get citizens out of their cars so that they can be dependent on public transit driven by city workers and supervised by city managers.The other day, I

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-133060755192809822007-02-11T16:48:00.000-07:002007-02-11T18:02:45.638-07:00

Activist gets the state to scold panelby Bob GolfenThe Arizona RepublicTransit activist Dianne Barker is a well-known presence at public meetings, a self-appointed watchdog with an exhaustive knowledge of laws, procedures, and bus routes.Barker revels in tweaking the transportation establishment, and she is a regular at the podium to deliver her views on improving public transit or to chastise

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-73789063976506823392007-01-11T21:52:00.000-07:002007-02-11T17:15:21.978-07:00

Stop Your Railing!Sure, light-rail construction is painful, but it will be worth it in the long haulby Ray SternWe've been bombarded with barricades and signs, shifting lanes, road closures, and epic traffic snarls. Daytime movement around the Valley's urban cores has become a vein-popping experience that takes twice as long as usual and requires extra planning to avoid being late to work or for

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1166411504082894622006-12-17T19:41:00.000-07:002007-02-11T17:50:19.472-07:00

by Randal O'TooleThe so-called "modern streetcar" has become the latest urban planning fad, with cities from Albuquerque [Read] to Madison [Read] considering new streetcar construction. Leaders from these cities often make pilgrimages to my hometown of Portland, Oregon, which opened the nation's first modern streetcar line in 2001.There they learn that the streetcar has gotten people out of their

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1163720862194832712006-11-15T16:17:00.000-07:002007-09-02T03:20:29.552-07:00

Trolleys to boast new look in bid to improve ridershipby Mike BranomTribuneScottsdale's trolleys are undergoing an overhaul, but there's been no need for motor oil or tires.Instead, the city is on the verge of launching a fresh look for its free [sic] public transportation system. There's a new name, a new logo and, hopefully, a new way residents and visitors alike will consider using to get

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1159413425758736292006-09-27T19:55:00.001-07:002006-09-27T20:18:12.543-07:00

Some owners say sales have dropped 20 to 50 percentby Grayson SteinbergSince light rail construction began in Tempe last year, some business owners on Terrace Drive have seen sales decline 20 to 50 percent.As businesses on Terrace Drive from Rural Road to Apache Boulevard have struggled with lost customers and sales, Tempe and Valley Metro have tried to reduce the construction impact.Jashim Uddin

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1158038807384991252006-09-11T22:25:00.000-07:002006-09-11T22:45:33.886-07:00

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1155869673601710252006-08-17T18:59:00.000-07:002007-08-09T11:55:33.870-07:00

by Mark YannoneMany of you may have noticed that since the deceitful ("Finish the Freeways") Proposition 400 bond election that funded this light rail scam (along with miles of streets and hundreds of buses), the city of Phoenix has virtually stopped repairing city streets properly. As a result, after two years of abject neglect, Phoenix streets are in the worst condition we've seen in decades.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1156390857718180622006-08-02T20:38:00.000-07:002007-03-04T18:28:52.153-07:00

by Craig CantoniScottsdale Mayor Manross recently said that her No. 1 priority is to link the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center physically with ASU’s Tempe campus and downtown Phoenix.Gee, and here I thought that the top priorities of a mayor are public safety, sewers, water, streets, parks, traffic control, zoning, and code enforcement. But, hey, it’s a lot more fun for the mayor to delude

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1154233970233904502006-07-29T20:45:00.000-07:002006-07-29T21:32:50.296-07:00

by Randal O'TooleTo those who would say, "It is too bad Phoenix is building a light rail instead of a high-speed rail line like BART," take note:1. The average speed of BART is only about 40 mph.2. BART carries 2 percent of all travel in the SF Bay Area. While this is a lot compared to any light-rail system, it is still paltry considering how much it cost.3. Though the Bay Area's population has

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1153711910387436342006-07-21T20:22:00.000-07:002006-07-23T20:31:50.520-07:00

L.A.'s Mayor Pushes a Free MTA Transit Weekby Jean GuccioneTimes Staff WriterIn an effort to boost ridership, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Thursday proposed a free transit week on regional buses and trains.Villaraigosa asked staff at the county Metropolitan Transportation Authority to determine how much the free rides would cost and try to find the money to pay for them.Luring more

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1153030063941913162006-07-15T22:44:00.000-07:002006-08-17T18:59:14.016-07:00

The Decline of Public TransitUrban public transportation systems have been in decline since the end of World War II. At that time, public transit vehicles provided 50% of travel in urban regions. Last year, 2% of urban travel was provided by public transit (Public Transportation Fact Book, American Public Transit Association, Highway Statistics, Federal Highway Administration).This decline has

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1152689588653790352006-07-11T00:24:00.000-07:002006-07-12T00:36:21.933-07:00

Four Hospitalized Following Light Rail ShockPHOENIX -- Four light rail construction workers were hospitalized Tuesday morning after the arm of a cement truck made contact with electrical lines.The four men were working at the intersection of Washington Street and Priest Drive around 2:30 a.m. when the arm of the cement truck touched the power lines overhanging Washington Street.CBS 5 News

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1152345768283646792006-07-08T00:37:00.000-07:002007-02-11T17:58:07.754-07:00

by Randal O'ToolePortland, Oregon, likes to call itself "the city that works," a slogan it ironically appropriated from the first Mayor Daley's Chicago. Under Daley's twenty-one-year reign, Chicago was known for cronyism and authoritarian rule, a tradition that continues today under his son [Read].Like Chicago, Portland had its own authoritarian ruler who maintained power by passing pork to

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1152075854703699182006-07-04T21:23:00.000-07:002006-07-04T22:04:14.786-07:00

The Mob That Whacked JerseyHow rapacious government withered the Garden Stateby Steven MalangaWhen Cy Thannikary left India to come work at the UN in Manhattan, he settled in Flushing, Queens, and loved the excitement of living in the city. After starting a family, though, he traded New York’s hubbub for Freehold, New Jersey, a quiet suburb with lower taxes and affordable housing. That was 25

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1150772878050223922006-06-19T20:06:00.000-07:002006-06-19T20:16:19.303-07:00

by Craig J. CantoniI'm the first Valley resident to have taken the new light-rail line. The novelty wears off fast, and I won't be taking it again.Early Sunday morning, I left my house near 100th Street and Via Linda to take my wife to the airport. The trip normally takes 25 minutes door to door. It took twice as long on Sunday, thanks to light rail.Because the westbound ramps to the 202 were

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1149924456224103942006-06-08T00:21:00.000-07:002006-06-10T00:27:36.746-07:00

by Sean HolstegeThe Arizona RepublicLight rail's success will be measured by the basics: the trains running on time to places that matter.But if the stations are graced with some beauty, passengers may ride more often.That is why Valley Metro Rail is spending $6.3 million on artwork for all 27 of its rail stations. It is one of the state's priciest public art projects, a reflection of the $1.4

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1148629136141861942006-05-26T00:20:00.000-07:002006-05-26T00:42:00.483-07:00

A Washington County light rail station in the suburbs west of Portland accounts for nearly three times as many crime calls as the next highest place in the county. Three light rail stations are among the top five sources of crime calls.The story doesn't say so, but previous reports have indicated that light rail is a leading place for drug sales, and when Portland's light rail line was under

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1148275743246851402006-05-21T21:54:00.000-07:002006-05-21T22:29:03.693-07:00

Light-rail success sits with ridersby Sean HolstegeThe Arizona RepublicMay 21, 2006Commentary by Mark Yannone."Valley Metro has the advantage of having major stations at different points along the line."While curious reader Bob McKnight wonders, "advantage over what," we can be confident that putting them all in one spot would definitely be a disadvantage."Valley Metro Rail has not developed a

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1148178575020840112006-05-20T18:48:00.000-07:002007-10-18T10:48:27.676-07:00

STOP initiatives will help regain control of governmentby Linda Bentley*Sonoran NewsARIZONA – It took two decades of apathy before citizens got angry enough about the immigration crisis in this country to get elected officials to even discuss the subject.At the state and local level, apathy still seems to reign free. Knowing citizens' votes are easily bought with misleading and false advertising

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1146451060617684432006-04-30T19:27:00.000-07:002006-04-30T20:09:22.996-07:00

Transit contracts' oversight criticizedby Monica Alonzo-DunsmoorThe Arizona RepublicApril 30, 2006Internal Phoenix audits blame a pattern of lax oversight of city contracts, employee training and written guidelines by the Public Transit Department for almost $7 million in questionable expenses and potential lost revenue over the past four years.Among the recurring findings:• A 2003 audit found

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1144387331507294942006-04-06T21:08:00.000-07:002007-10-18T10:58:04.248-07:00

Taking trolley folly to the "global level"by Linda BentleyPHOENIX – After Maricopa County voters approved the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Transportation Plan (Proposition 400), including the astronomically expensive 20-mile “starter segment” of light rail, taxpayers may have thought they’d been hoodwinked for the last time.According to a March 31, 2006, MAG press release,

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1141196371530926692006-02-28T23:51:00.000-07:002006-03-01T00:04:58.210-07:00

The picture is an artist's rendition of Phoenix in five years, as the World Class City of the Future.The view is down Central Avenue. Notice that it has been widened by removing the palm trees and moving the sidewalks toward the buildings, thus creating a more pleasing place where residents and visitors can saunter from store to store to shop and enjoy the fresh air, taking advantage of the

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1133670141633755872005-12-03T21:19:00.000-07:002005-12-03T21:22:21.646-07:00

The utility of light rail would be optimized if it extended from the North Slope of Alaska to the Florida Keys, from Bangor to Baja California, and all points in between, including the end of my driveway, the corner grocery store, the post office, and every place you and I have ever thought to go.There's only one little problem with that: The utility is not matched by the demand and the

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1132533828310788592005-11-20T17:31:00.000-07:002005-11-20T17:46:17.563-07:00

The city of Curitiba provides the world with a model in how to integrate sustainable transport considerations into business development, road infrastructure development, and local community development.Curitiba first outlined its Master Plan in 1965, with the main goals of limiting central area growth and encouraging commercial and service sector growth along two structural north-south transport

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1125126475748976232005-08-26T23:54:00.000-07:002005-08-27T00:07:56.056-07:00

Loft and condo dwellers are finding it difficult to coexist with the pounding beats coming out of clubs in Houston's revitalized downtown scene.by George FlynnLast month, Salvador Menez had the typical kind of trouble for any apartment or condo dweller: His neighbors kept playing loud music late into the night.Menez may have felt like employing the standard tenant's tool for requesting silence:

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1121289806605770742005-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:002005-07-13T14:23:26.613-07:00

The choice American cities face is not between light rail, subways, mag-lev, monorail, or other mass-transit technologies. The choice is between mass transit that few will use or personal transit (automobiles) that is the current choice of 86 percent of travelers. Cities that make the wrong choice will put a huge burden on their taxpayers and waste the time of the people who will continue to

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1120620241960610092005-07-05T20:02:00.000-07:002005-07-05T20:37:34.970-07:00

Well, we don't get a 10,000-mile-per-gallon car that travels twice as fast as the PHART (Phoenix Area Rapid [sic] Transit), but not because it doesn't exist.A new British hydrogen vehicle will attempt the world efficiency record using a driver aged just 13BOC's dolphin-shaped eco-marathon vehicle, the BOC Ech2o is today (Monday, July 4) ready to attempt the world fuel efficiency record.The BOC

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1119484885483723012005-06-22T16:58:00.000-07:002005-06-22T17:01:25.490-07:00

NEWS RELEASE June 22, 2005PHOENIX--Nationwide evidence continues to accumulate showing that light rail transit is an ineffective, inefficient, and unfair use of taxpayer dollars. In a study released today by the American Dream Coalition, Rail Disasters 2005, transportation economist Randall O’Toole finds that rail construction is usually accompanied by declines in overall transit ridership or

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1118461756628759412005-06-10T20:35:00.000-07:002005-06-10T20:55:15.126-07:00

by Tom JenneyJune 10, 2005In the latest issue of the American Conservative, William S. Lind makes what he calls "the conservative case for mass transit." In fact, Lind's purpose is to make a case for rail transit, including Amtrak, commuter trains, and light rail.To be fair, for much of his article, Lind does not make an economic case, but a political one: he argues that many rail commuters are

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1117500558691788752005-05-30T17:44:00.000-07:002005-05-30T17:49:18.696-07:00

"The unwillingness of the Sound Transit Board and Staff to work toward any reasonable compromise, even in the face of federal litigation and overwhelming community opposition leads me to strongly believe that at-grade light rail in the Rainier Valley is being driven by real estate acquisition and development not honest transportation planning."Full story: http://www.globaltelematics.com/pitf/

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1117499526164105382005-05-30T17:23:00.000-07:002005-05-30T17:32:06.166-07:00

Sound Transit claims that Seattle's Central Link Light Rail Initial Segment is safe, because "the probability of a single system failure resulting in a critical chargeable accident is once in 131 to 13,000 years." However, the 1999 Environmental Impact Statement forecast that there might be a collision between a train and a motor vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian every twelve days! What's going on

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1117498534215622692005-05-30T16:54:00.000-07:002005-05-30T17:15:34.286-07:00

Light-rail design is typically regulated by the Federal Transit Administration, the same agency that funds the projects — and provided a $500 million grant for Sound Transit's $2.44 billion line from Westlake Center to Tukwila.To win the grant, Sound Transit satisfied the FTA that its trains will cause fewer than one fatal crash every million operating hours, or 131 years for Link, to meet new

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1115788597688494312005-05-10T22:08:00.000-07:002005-05-10T22:16:37.696-07:00

"Private individual transportation has produced such an overwhelming set of unresolved problems in cities that even planners in bourgeois societies are inclined to limit it," the Russians prophetically observed. With their high-density apartments, as many as 12,000 people could live within 400-yard walking distances of public transit stations. That's about 70,000 people per square mile, slightly

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1115606749083788622005-05-08T19:40:00.000-07:002005-08-20T18:45:47.573-07:00

May 8, 2005"The characteristic of the present age is craving credulity."- Benjamin Disraeli, 1864If he were alive today, the great Victorian politician would have a field day. Convinced that all great cities must act or look alike, our current crop of planners, developers and the policy elites now has much of America's media bamboozled into a series of what are, in reality, urban legends.One of

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1115422094284708882005-05-06T16:11:00.000-07:002005-05-06T16:32:29.880-07:00

Businesses on light rail route joining Metro MaxRuben HernandezThe Business JournalApril 22, 2005Hoping to leave no business behind when light rail leaves the station, the city has launched a discount shopping program along the proposed construction route.Valley Metro Rail administers Metro Max, a shopper discount program with the goal of building customer traffic and loyalty before major

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1114823568734125182005-04-29T17:58:00.000-07:002005-04-29T19:05:04.250-07:00

April 20, 2005by Emory Bundy (ebundy@nwlink.com) A recently-completed document, Report Card on Sound Transit, may be of some interest and use to you. Grades are assigned based solely on Sound Transit data and documents--what was promised in Sound Move (The Ten-Year Regional Transit System Plan) in 1996 vs. what has been accomplished over eight years.There's no question that Central Link light

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1110926060769990502005-03-15T15:20:00.000-07:002005-03-15T15:40:17.123-07:00

February 22, 2004Trolleys kill.It was fun to watch RTD go into anaphylactic shock this week when the Independence Institute released a study that merely publicized federal data. Unfortunately that data showed that Denver not only had the most deadly light-rail system in the nation, but the most energy-inefficient.Randal O'Toole, who compiled the data for the report "Great Rail Disasters" (

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1107494189537507562005-02-03T22:11:00.000-07:002005-02-03T22:23:43.123-07:00

Houston transit officials were outraged when a court ordered that an expensive light-rail line they are planning be put to the voters. Orange County transit officials were dismayed when a Grand Jury found that light rail makes no sense in that region. The cost of Seattle's proposed light-rail system has increased by close to $2 billion since it was approved by voters. Yet the transit lobbies in

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1099032466026676992004-10-28T23:06:00.000-07:002007-10-18T11:00:00.875-07:00

Sonoran News Oct. 27 -- Nov. 2, 2004Yanking Out the Tracksby Linda BentleyPHOENIX – Proposition 400 proponents don’t mention the light rail component of the transportation plan unless they have to. Although its $2.3 billion price tag is “only” 15 percent of the budget, it’s the cost equivalent of 10 Bank One Ball Parks.John Semmens of the Laissez Faire Institute issued a brief last week titled, “

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1099029953225606222004-10-28T22:58:00.000-07:002004-10-28T23:05:53.226-07:00

Phoenix, Arizona October 28, 2004 FLASH! Arizona Congressmen Shadegg and Flake announce their current opposition to Proposition 400. "That's excellent news for all Arizona residents," says Mark Yannone, Shadegg's political opponent in this election. "We have no tolerance left for government waste and the never-ending private property confiscation that goes with it." For the record, note that

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1098165310525860052004-10-18T22:34:00.000-07:002007-10-18T11:02:03.534-07:00

Prop. 400 - If it quacks like a Ponzi scheme ...Sonoran News Oct. 13 through Oct. 19, 2004"They used to call it highway robbery."by Linda BentleyARIZONA - Early voting started on Sept. 30. And the propaganda has beat the ballots to the box. The Arizona Republic has been pushing hard to pass Proposition 400, the one-half cent transportation sales tax extension for another 20 years. On the

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1097647558017596902004-10-12T22:50:00.000-07:002004-10-12T23:05:58.016-07:00

"The proposed light rail intersects four elementary school crosswalks! Isn't that a major safety issue?" I have demanded at every meeting. They looked at me and said, "We will tell the kids not to cross the tracks when a train is coming." Submitted by Pam Fitzgerald, October 12, 2004

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1097636259896751412004-10-12T19:43:00.000-07:002005-03-23T16:27:38.756-07:00

PROP. 400 OPPONENTS SLAM LIGHT RAILMesa mayor, others skeptical of planBy Garin GroffEast Valley TribuneOctober 12, 2004Opponents of Proposition 400 lambasted light rail at a Tribune-sponsored debate Monday, and in an unusual twist, supporters of the transportation plan did little to defend rail.Critics said they oppose having 15 percent of the $15.8 billion plan going toward what they dismissed

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1096608072412869532004-09-30T22:02:00.000-07:002004-09-30T22:29:22.173-07:00

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING? Your [Arizona Republic] editorial of 29 September complains about opponents of light rail--that we make up fake figures. Well, let's quote official figures from the Federal TransitAdministration, in relation to our complaint about the dismal performance in your favorite cities. You said, "But don't try taking that message to Salt Lake City, Dallas, Denver, and other

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1096523515554398172004-09-29T22:30:00.000-07:002004-09-29T22:51:55.553-07:00

MAG and ADOT lobbied against and killed Sen. Bowers' and my proposal to institute a "pay-for-performance" law. PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE = REAL HIGHWAY REFORM by John Semmens August 1994 Broken Promises In 1985, voters were promised 233 miles of freeway in exchange for 20 years of higher sales taxes. Today, due to the "miracle" of debt financing, 75% of those 20 years' worth of taxes has been spent.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1096439367691972532004-09-28T23:21:00.000-07:002004-09-28T23:35:04.810-07:00

Prop. 400 facts turned upside-down by Tom Jenney September 29, 2004 PHOENIX - In his column Sunday, Jon Talton managed to invert nearly every fact related to the Proposition 400 campaign. Despite the fact that the "Yes on 400" campaign is funded by a long list of corporations that stand to gain from spending taxpayer money, Talton would have readers believe that the opposition is "driven by

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1096257689451474712004-09-26T20:55:00.000-07:002005-06-29T14:56:36.363-07:00

FENGER POINTING9/22/04By Becky FengerTROLLEY FOLLIES AND OTHER DIRTY DEALSAs the campaign to pass the Maricopa County sales tax for transportation heats up, the proponents are ratcheting up their scare tactics. "If Prop. 400 doesn't pass, I don't know if we can put Humpty Dumpty back together again," threatens Westmarc's President and CEO Jack Lunsford. This is meant to frighten all those voters

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1096151680707633622004-09-25T15:23:00.000-07:002004-09-25T15:34:40.706-07:00

If you have a light rail project in your city, you could have had . . . A NEW CAR! You heard right! US Dept. of Transportation data indicates that the costs per new rider of all but one of the 25 proposed new US light rail and metro systems exceed the cost of leasing a car in perpetuity. In some cases a luxury car such as a BMW 740i or Jaguar XJ8 could be leased for less.

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095902348411120232004-09-22T18:03:00.000-07:002007-10-18T11:04:40.038-07:00

Prop 400 – Light rail budgeting a crapshootValley Metro loses ‘highly recommended rating’ for rail projectby Linda BentleyPHOENIX – In February 2004, Valley Metro Rail spent a good deal of time gloating and making announcements when President Bush recommended the light rail project receive a full federal funding commitment.That opened negotiations between Valley Metro Rail and the FTA for a Full

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095361977765641412004-09-16T11:53:00.000-07:002004-09-16T12:20:02.426-07:00

The stampede to plan and build rail transit lines in American cities has led and is leading to a series of financial and mobility disasters. They are financial disasters because rail projects spend billions of taxpayers’ dollars and produce little in return. They are mobility disasters because rail transit almost always increases regional congestion and usually reduces transit’s share of

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095360443151383152004-09-16T11:38:00.000-07:002004-09-16T11:47:23.153-07:00

The Arizona Transportation Research Center examined the cost of building freeways versus building light rail by asking a very simple question: How much does it cost taxpayers to move one person one mile? The answer: about six cents for freeways and $2.75 for light-rail. Source: Cold Feet on Light Rail: Even the Federal Government is Having Second Thoughts by Ted Balaker

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095357625655185552004-09-16T10:54:00.000-07:002007-11-29T15:45:42.766-07:00

From: Madison Commuter Rail: Let the Taxpayers Beware!5 January 2003. . . Both enhanced bus and commuter rail carry about 50 percent more riders than no build. But commuter rail costs four times as much as the enhanced bus alternative and carries only 2 percent more daily trips. The cost of each new ride carried by the enhanced bus alternative is $1.50. The cost of each additional ride carried by

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095354680738332592004-09-16T10:05:00.000-07:002004-09-16T10:11:20.740-07:00

Light Rail’s Impact on Traffic a Scandal Worth Investigating by David Strom David Strom is President of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. July 19, 2004 -- Why is it that the most obvious facts seem to get ignored by some people? Is it really possible that nobody considered the impact of at-grade light rail crossings when they planned and built the nearly $800 million Hiawatha light rail line?

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095283202243567362004-09-15T14:17:00.000-07:002004-09-15T14:20:02.243-07:00

No highway tax for light rail tracks Prior to the Phoenix Transit 2000 vote, the public asked to separate the two distinct transportation elements. The public asked to separate the much needed bus enhancements from light rail at all public hearing locations. This repeated public request was DENIED. In Tempe, the public was promised in writing, signed by all of the 1998 city council members,

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095200664283256372004-09-14T15:21:00.000-07:002004-09-14T15:24:24.283-07:00

21-407. Duties of grand jurors A. The grand jurors shall inquire into every offense which may be tried within the county which is presented to them by the county attorney or other prosecuting officer at the request of the county attorney, or by the attorney general as a special prosecutor appointed by the presiding judge of the superior court for the purpose of proceedings under section 21-408,

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1095038996028325732004-09-12T18:25:00.000-07:002004-09-12T18:29:56.030-07:00

Ax light rail then revise Prop. 400 The Arizona Republic Sept. 11, 2004 Traffic congestion is a problem in Maricopa County, so we need to focus on improving and expanding our freeways, streets and transit systems. These issues are central to the future well-being of all of Maricopa County. Proposition 400 would extend the half-cent county transportation sales tax for another 20 years. The

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1094847461761230722004-09-10T13:11:00.000-07:002004-09-10T13:17:41.760-07:00

This is a small sample of the opportunity cost of wasting $2.3 billion on a light rail scam that achieves nothing: The Hysun 3000 Mileage: 1022 mpg Fuel: hydrogen Top speed: 50 mph Weight: 250 lbs

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1094782026784676332004-09-09T18:41:00.000-07:002004-09-09T19:09:57.110-07:00

Driven to Battle The East Valley Tribune Column by Garin Groff -- Sept. 9, 2004 Crushing gridlock. Taxpayer boondoggle. The rhetoric over a regional transportation tax ramped up Wednesday as opposing forces began campaigns for and against a $15.8 billion proposal for new freeways, roads, buses and light rail in the Valley. Voters will decide on the plan Nov. 2, and with the primary election

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1094766120635852252004-09-09T14:35:00.000-07:002004-09-09T14:42:00.636-07:00

Battle begins on proposed extension of transportation tax Pat Flannery The Arizona Republic Sept. 8, 2004 05:50 PM Opening salvos were fired Wednesday in the battle over the Valley's $15.7 billion regional transportation plan, with supporters and opponents alike launching campaigns that warned of gridlock in the Valley if voters do not take their advice. Proponents said the range of

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1094448077958174692004-09-05T22:16:00.000-07:002004-09-05T22:27:31.233-07:00

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE SEMINARSAttention business owners along the light rail routeVisit our Meetings/Events page to learn about free business assistance seminars developed just for you! Experts will provide training and resources to help you prepare your business for light rail construction, including information on business and marketing plans, special loan programs, strategies to sustain sales

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1094000272657927142004-08-31T17:45:00.000-07:002004-08-31T17:57:52.656-07:00

"So the 'game' [to get a federal grant] was, keep your cost estimate down and your rider forecast up…So [they] sort of lowballed their cost estimates and goosed their [ridership] forecasts….I always thought that…someone's gonna go to jail, these people are robbing the federal government of a billion dollars. You know, they're defrauding the federal government basically--I mean what else could

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093998745067136812004-08-31T17:17:00.000-07:002004-08-31T18:21:07.016-07:00

Puget Sound's 21-mile, $2.3 billion light rail scam that was sold to the voters in 1996 has hit the wall: a conservative estimate of a $5 billion cost overrun. "If Sound Transit knew how it was going to cover an overrun this big, it would roll out its new regional light rail plan, with updated cost estimates, a plan of how to finance the project, and a schedule. It doesn't do so because it is

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093932133619922432004-08-30T22:57:00.000-07:002004-08-30T23:02:13.620-07:00

Houston's former Mayor Lee P. Brown, backed by a variety of downtown Houston businesses, including Enron, wanted a modern light rail system for downtown that, as they said, would put Houston on the map. Well, they got their wish. Houston's new MetroRail has certainly put Houston on the map, but not in the way they planned . . . A Streetcar Named Disaster

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093739865868884832004-08-28T17:32:00.000-07:002004-08-28T17:37:45.866-07:00

To: John Semmens and Friends The only performance review needed here is for those who hired Chuck Coughlin from Higher Ground (actually from under a slimy rock) to fire this Coughlin sleazeball for threatening to try to ruin John Semmens' reputation as well as try to threaten his job with ADOT. I've known and worked with John Semmens for the past five years on efforts to defeat light rail in

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093670936778001642004-08-27T22:13:00.000-07:002004-08-27T22:28:56.776-07:00

From John Semmens, 08/26/2004: Apparently, Chuck Coughlin, the lobbyist paid to push Prop 400, has sent each of you an e-mail alleging I have misled voters on light rail. I note he neglected to include the e-mail I wrote to which he was responding. That e-mail is below. I have offered to show Coughlin and anyone else who is interested the exact pages of the Valley Metro reports from which my

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093668179926261672004-08-27T21:41:00.000-07:002004-08-27T21:53:37.053-07:00

"The reality is that it is not nearly enough that we are good, decent people; that we are polite; that we take care of our kids; that we are kind, thoughtful and reasonable. These are important and good. But if, in addition, we simply do what we are told, if we don’t think for ourselves–if we don’t have the capacity to say ‘no,’ to cause trouble, to be disobedient–then we may well end up the

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093491229037887012004-08-25T20:26:00.000-07:002004-08-25T20:33:49.036-07:00

Under the Federal False Claims Act, private citizens who know of people or companies that are defrauding the government may sue on the government's behalf and share in the proceeds of the suit. http://www.falseclaimsact.com

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093486867111561622004-08-25T19:13:00.000-07:002004-08-25T19:21:07.113-07:00

J. Doug Pruitt, Chairman Doug Pruitt is the Chairman and CEO of Sundt construction. Sundt was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Tempe with additional offices in California and Texas. Mr. Pruitt began working at Sundt in 1966 and actively participates in Sundt’s charitable efforts. David Martin, Treasurer David Martin is the President of the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093485871074935092004-08-25T18:56:00.000-07:002004-08-25T19:04:31.073-07:00

$25,000 and above HDR and Parsons Brinckerhoff $15,000 - $24,999 DMJM+Harris, Michael Baker Corporation, Stanley Consultants, and URS $10,000 - $14,999 AZTEC Engineering, Carter Burgess, Entranco, and T. Y. Lin International $5,000 - $9,999 AMEC Earth & Environmental, AMEC Infrastructure, Inc.; David Evans & Associates, Dibble & Associates, Kimley Horn & Associates, KJM & Associates, RBF

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093483396316683312004-08-25T18:14:00.000-07:002004-08-25T18:23:16.316-07:00

Description of False Claims ActThe False Claims Act imposes civil liability on any person or entity who submits a false or fraudulent claim for payment to the United States government. The False Claims Act also prohibits: * making a false record or statement to get a false or fraudulent claim paid by the government; * conspiring to have a false or fraudulent claim paid by the government; *

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093394779176875872004-08-24T17:36:00.000-07:002004-08-24T17:46:19.176-07:00

If the unthinkable happens and the touchscreen voting machines tell us that Proposition 400 was approved by a majority of the voters, then those who recognize that light rail is the biggest scam in Arizona's history can complete this Consumer Complaint form and send it to the Attorney General. We'll help you fill it out when and if we need it. http://www.ag.state.az.us/consumer/

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093140368382598792004-08-21T18:25:00.000-07:002004-08-21T19:06:08.383-07:00

The list of those who will directly benefit from the money raised by Prop 400 includes construction companies, materials vendors, equipment vendors, banks, insurance companies, law firms, and politicians:Abacus Project Management Achen Gardner Engineering Alliance Beverage Distributing Company AMEC Earth & Environmental AMEC Infastructure Amelia Edwards America West Airlines American Council of

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1093074296792569722004-08-21T00:08:00.000-07:002004-08-21T17:30:37.536-07:00

On Friday afternoon [08/20/2004] I taped a show for Channel 10 (Newsmaker Sunday--it will air Sunday 7:30 a.m. I believe). Chuck Coughlin represented the "Yes on 400" side. Generally, the debate went well. Hook wanted to focus on the light rail. Coughlin was dragged along into that sector of Prop 400. Coughlin offered unsubstantiated bromides--rising population and traffic, need to do

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7737047.post-1091836080086823752004-08-06T16:33:00.000-07:002004-08-06T16:48:00.086-07:00

Week of July 26, 2004 Los Angeles County Piles on the Taxes By Jon Coupal In a high tax state, Los Angeles County stands out as a high tax county. And if four members of the board of supervisors get their way, taxes will go even higher. Residents already pay an extra penny in sales tax for a wretched transportation system that has benefited few beyond the contractors who were employed to build

Mark Yannonenoreply@blogger.com0