Oklahoma Independent Media Center

(San Francisco) The 350 ft long military spec transport ship is not welcome on Kauai, Hawaii, local residents made clear to the military / civilian transport officials with Superferry Corporation Monday, November 26, 2007.

The catamaran, twin hulled vessel is a dual use civilian / Troop transport. The 40,000 HP ship is capable of high speed transport at 42 mph on the open ocean, about twice the speed of other transport ships. It gets very poor gas mileage, about 5 gallons per mile, due to military speed requirements.

Andy Parx, veteran reporter on Kauai stated "The people of Kauai object to the high handed way Gov Lingle bent over backwards for such a bad idea for Hawaii. Governor Lingle then had the clueless State Lege re-write some state environmental laws for one special corporation, which, of course, is illegal and unconstitutional."

Union Pacific Engine No. 844 stopped at the Rock Island Railroad museum in El Reno on Wed. Sept. 12, 2007 as part of its Oklahoma Centennial tour of the state.

Saturday, August 11 - 10 AM at Union Station, S. Harvey & 7th, OKC

Elected officials, candidates and citizen activists to speak to save the Union Station railyards for future mass transit

OKLAHOMA CITY - Citizens from around the state will be gathering this Saturday at Oklahoma City's Union Station for what they call a rally to "Save the Rails" network that crisscross Oklahoma and provide a ready-made solution to mass transit needs for the entire region. They are inviting all concerned citizens to join them to demand better transportation choices by our politicians and business leaders.

"The people's needs and expressed desire for viable mass transit are not being considered," said Fannie Bates, who is centering her campaign for the Oklahoma Country District 1 seat on the issue. Bates, a teacher with a masters in public health, will speak at the rally.

MSNBC - Updated: 11:24 p.m. CT Aug 2, 2007

The following state bridges carry at least 10,000 vehicles a day and have been rated as either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete by inspectors, according to an MSNBC.com analysis of the National Bridge Inventory.

A structurally deficient bridge is closed or restricted to light vehicles because of its deteriorated structural components. While not necessarily unsafe, these bridges must have limits for speed and weight.

A functionally obsolete bridge has older design features and, while it is not unsafe for all vehicles, it cannot safely accommodate current traffic volumes, and vehicle sizes and weights.

See chart: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20099119

PassengerRailOk.org went on the road today to Pauls Valley to further push our northbound campaign to Kansas City. We also helped passengers with information prior to boarding the train. We were greeted with smiles from passengers who were glad to have us there. About 15 people boarded the train. Amtrak's conductor was confused as he is used to seeing me in Norman. Fortunately Mr. Nelson Dent, Mr. Don Grissom, and Ms. Donna Jones served as the Norman depot volunteers this morning. They took care of 70 plus passengers. Needless to say, the train was a sellout this morning.

From Tom Elmore:

URGENT: Calls, e-mails, faxes, letters needed to support HCR 1032!

Alright, folks -- here it is: Former OKC City Councilman and now Republican House member Guy Liebman is reportedly prevailing on Republican leadership, specifically Ardmore Rep. Greg Piatt (floor leader) NOT to hear House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 1032 (see text, below, and Bob Waldrop's excellent "mass transit talking points"), the resolution asking the governor to suspend and investigate the "New Crosstown."

We need a flood of calls, letters, faxes and e-mails to Speaker of the House Lance Cargill (who, from his law office in Harrah, a town on the Rock Island line to Union Station has expressed opposition to the New Crosstown plan to destroy the Union Station rail yard) and to Rep. Greg Piatt (Ardmore banker -- Ardmore is on the Santa Fe / Heartland Flyer line, also linked to Union Station...). Tell them what you think of HCR 1032. If you think it worthwhile, it must be heard.

Write and call your own state legislators, as well.

KGOU, Oklahoma City's NPR affiliate has been doing a series on their Oklahoma Voices program entitled Union Station, the New I-40 & the Future of Mass Transit in OKC.

Each installment covers different aspect of the issue, and interview business leaders, elected officials, as well as local activists who have long worked to save the old station -- a welcome addition to this important topic.