Article Contributed on: 7/23/2008 6:02:06 AM
When RTD was pitching Fast Tracks to voters, I railed against
Jon Caldera who was railing against light rail. I even had a letter to the editor published about it. (Pre-YourHub days)
I was drinking the light rail kool-aid back then. What a great way to get downtown, or to the Pepsi Center, Invesco and Coors Field. And the thought of taking the train to DIA had me salivating.
Turns out Jon was right. And Mr. Caldera I apologize. Profusely.
RTD's FastTracks is indeed a taxpayer rip-off and horribly mis-managed. RTD chief Cal Marsella for some strange reason is hanging on to his $250 thousand dollar job while Fast Tracks is over budget, behind schedule and essentially de-railed.
RTD will once again come hat in hand and knife behind their back to stick it to tax payers. Hopefully at least some of us will heed the advice of people like Jon Caldera.
"Fast" Cal Marsealla (He'd make a great used car salesman) blames the rising prices of materials and lower than expected sales tax revenues.
Life's a bee-otch for us Cal because you over-promised and under-delivered. You won't fool us again. RTD's Board of Directors are equally responsible.
Thankfully Mayors from Lakewood to Aurora are holding "Fast" Cal's feet to the fire. Hizonner, the Lord HIgh Mayor of Denver should just fire Cal's sorry butt and start over again. Clean house, come clean with voters and fix it.
But Fast Tracks has de-railed, and before we spend another dime, it's time to re-think the entire project. Under new management.
Wednesday Memo:
Mark this date on your calendar: May 20, 2010. If Obama is elected, this is the date all American troops will be out of Iraq. 16 months after his inauguration.
This date in history:
21 years ago, I got a chance to
take a flight in Thunderbird 8 when the
USAF Thunderbirds we're appearing at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Fly safe today my friends at the Daddy of 'em All. Flying with you was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.