WPCNR'S LATIMER OF THE LEGISLATURE. By Assemblyman George Latimer, 91st A.D. November 10, 2005: The report of the firing of David Gunn, President of Amtrak, the national rail passenger system, has prompted this reaction from area Assemblyman George Latimer, who released this statement this morning:
The AMTRAK ACELA Service, picks up speed departing Providence, Rhode Island for Boston. The train is today's successor to legendary luxury expresses like The New England Limited, The Merchants' Limited and The Bay States Limited. Photo, WPCNR News.
I am deeply saddened by the political decision to dismiss Amtrak President David Gunn. I consider it a foolish and ideologically-driven act, which will hurt our progress toward improved passenger rail in this country.
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The Bush Administration and the Republicans in Congress, with their
political base in the South and Southwest sections of the country, do
not truly appreciate the value of high-speed rail, and mass transit in
general. This country benefits by investing in our infrastructure, and
in this case, our passenger rail system. We are penny-wise and
pound-foolish to talk of splitting off the Northeast Corridor of Amtrak
from the rest of the nation; to plan to make deep cuts to our rail
system; to abandon advancements in technology that could give America a
21st Century rail system, rather than a 19th Centrury one.
Places like New York City and Chicago have booming economies and vibrant
downtowns in part because we move people from suburbs to city, and
around the city, with effective mass transit. Places like Houston have
choking traffic
with downtowns dark-at-night in part due to a lack of such transit.
Intercity rail can reduce our fuel use and dependency on foreign oil;
help reduce air pollution; move people from point to point in all
weather conditions; and on and on.
David Gunn - who was a success in managing Boston, New York City and
other major urban subway systems - understood the potential of passenger
rail in our future. His crime was to speak out forcefully, as an
advocate for these ideas, and he has paid for that advocacy with his
job. He will go on to new assignments and new accomplishments.
Our nation, on the other hand, if we continue to deconstruct our rail
system, will regret these short-sighted policies for the rest of our
lives.
George Latimer
New York State Assemblyman, 91st A.D.
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
