Lorain/Elyria, OH
Governor lashes out at rail critics, calls them ‘cheerleaders for failure’
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COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland on Tuesday lashed out at critics of the state’s plan to use $400 million in federal stimulus money for a startup rail service, calling them “cheerleaders for failure.”
Strickland said he’s tired of people who attack every idea that comes along and always look for something negative to say.
“We need cheerleaders for Ohio, not cheerleaders for failure,” said Strickland, a Democrat running for re-election. “I’m getting a little frustrated that every time an idea comes along we devote ourselves to finding all the reasons why we shouldn’t do it or it won’t work.”
He said that attitude is not the way to move Ohio forward.
In a coincidence that seemed to prove part of Strickland’s point, Republican Sen. Mark Wagoner sent a weather-related tweet around the same time that took a shot at the rail plan.
“With this snow and the roads, I should’ve ridden a dog sled to Columbus. Even that would be faster than Strickland’s train,” Wagoner said in his tweet. A message was left seeking comment from Wagoner.
Strickland said the plan will create at least 8,000 jobs and is a first step toward building a passenger rail infrastructure.
Some Republicans have questioned the plan, and newspapers have been full of letters to the editor on the topic, some supportive, some critical.
Ohio’s train project calls for a 79-mph startup service connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. The goal is to lay the foundation for a higher-speed system that eventually will branch off to the Midwest and East Coast.
Although Ohio would not use any state funds to develop the project, the state must come up with $17 million annually to operate the service.
Amtrak released a study in September predicting that a restored service in Ohio would draw 478,000 riders in its first year and has the demographics needed for successful operations, including population density and a concentration of colleges and universities.
Fourteen states already have contracts with Amtrak to operate the kind of startup, conventional-speed service that Ohio is after.
Strickland says other states would have rejoiced to receive $400 million in federal funding.
“It is a first step, but it is an essential first step,” he said. “Trust me, if we had not gotten these resources, if we had not had the opportunity to take this significant first step, Ohio would have been left out.”
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Then perhaps the governor should listen to the “cheerleaders for failure” and find out why people are already complaining about this rail service. If they are just rumours, then squelch them Mr. Governor.
I am reading that as it is set up right now, people that live (for example south of cleveland) will have to drive to Cleveland to board the train. It would be great to have stops in Mansfield and Ashland, etc. Maybe its too early in the planning stages to complain about this. Also, I hear the times for the trains will be very limited. If you want to attend an OSU game you will have to spend the nite of the game and catch a train the next day because of the limited times. What if you want to catch a Browns game from Columbus? same thing.
I personally do not relish the thought of driving to Cleveland to catch a train to columbus. Does not make much sense to me. I am sure I would have to pay for parking, gas, etc when I am only 89 miles from Columbus with my car parked in my driveway. It would be great to drive to Ashland (for example) and catch the train to Columbus or to Cincinnati airport.
Please think about all of these so-called rumors Mr. Governor or give out more factual information. I would hate for you not to listen to the people, get the rail system in operation and then say…”Why didnt you tell me this sooner?”
Just an FYI, I recently rode Amtrak from Elyria to Chicago and it was worth every single penny. The train cars were very clean, modern, the Amtrak personnel could not have been nicer! I hope the cleveland to cincinnati system is as nice.
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Cheerleaders for failure?
More like cheerleaders for common sense.
AMTRAK has been subsidized by the government for decades…we cannot afford to support this at this time.
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