AORTA Bulletin A publication of the Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates Issue 151 September 2011 Since 1976 Register Today for AORTA Fall Membership Meeting AORTA President Donald Leap Celebrating 35 years of rail and transit advocacy Grabs WA Legislators’ Attention Issues intensify as meeting approaches: Nov. 12 Seattle- AORTA President Donald Portland- Speaker possibilities your calendar: 11:30 am- 4 pm, Leap’s Power Point clearly made abound: The future as seen by Saturday, November 12. And send a powerful impression on Washing- incoming Oregon and Washington in your registration today to reserve ton lawmakers in Seattle, July 27, rail administrators. Amtrak your spot. Form and return envelope when he and a host of regional and promoting its 40th anniversary. are included with this Bulletin. international rail experts addressed a Experts offering answers to HSR The Multnomah Hotel is working special legislative committee. and CRC dilemmas. The latest on with AORTA to keep costs down. Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen Oregon’s new Talgo trainsets, Accordingly, we are able to offer a was outspokenly appreciative in his expected in 2012. And AORTA modest but fine meal (see below) thank-you letter to celebrating 35 years of advocacy! at $37 along with an afternoon of Leap. His presenta- Your AORTA board is working to excellent rail conversation and good tion hit on essential secure presenters who will blow the company. but oft-forgotten room away. This just in: President Donald realities about the And we do have a room. It’s a Leap has confirmed he will replicate his opportunities and great one: the Fireside—cozy and dramatic HSR presentation to Wash- limitations of high- comfortable—at the historic Mult- ington legislators in July, which speed rail in the nomah Hotel (Embassy Suites) in earned him an audience with the new Cascades Corridor downtown Portland. So, ink it on rail division chief in that state. between Eugene and Vancouver, B.C. Floyd Smith, Willamette Valley Lunch Buffet AORTA governmental affairs direc- tor, introduced the production, which Portland French Potato Rosemary Bread with Local Butter was researched by Leap and Mike ~ Morrison, board member. Peach, Local Goat Cheese, Spicy Pecan and Organic Spinach Salad Frisée Dressed in Red Wine Vinaigrette, Local Gouda Cheese, Fresh Blueberries and Hazelnuts -Floyd Smith Whole and Sliced Fruit Platter (local and organic when available) ~ See copy of Lt Gov Owen letter on page 3. Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli, Asparagus, Oregon Bay Shrimp, Pesto Cream Sauce Pendleton Flat Iron Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and NW Wild Mushroom Jus Herbed Roasted Chicken Served with Orzo Garden Pasta ~ Carrot Cake Strawberry Short Cake Rainforest Alliance Certified Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee, Assorted Teas, Honey, Chocolate Shavings, Cinnamon Sticks and Whipped Cream Join AORTA on Facebook One of the ways you can keep in touch with AORTA events Sorry! This AORTA Bulletin is very late! Problems with a new computer and activities is by participating (defective solid-state hard drive) caused long delay. It will take time to master in Facebook and “liking” the the now running pc and the incredible Adobe CS 5.5 Design Premium software, AORTA Facebook page. but I am hoping future Bulletins will be more frequent, entertaining and informative. AORTA Bulletin Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976 1 The AORTA Bulletin is published Salem City Club Hears Rail Call 4-6 times/year by the Association of Salem- Panelists—the Oregon gov- County Commission chair to become Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates ernor’s new transportation adviser, the governor’s chief transportation A nonprofit citizen advocate group working Eugene’s rail promoting mayor, and a strategist and adviser. Peterson holds to educate the public about the need for safe, Salem passenger train campaigner— advanced degrees in civil and envi- fiscally responsible, environmentally sound transportation. Incorporated as the have given Salem City Club members ronmental engineering. She told the Oregon Association of Railway Passengers. a stark lesson on the intricacies of audience, Gov. John Kitzhaber is Portland Union Station passenger rail politics. pushing for “new ways” to enhance transportation and ease highway 800 NW 6th Avenue, Suite 253 The three generally agreed during PO Box 2772, Portland, OR 97208-2772 congestion. 503.241.7185 the May 6 luncheon meeting on the need for improved passenger train Peterson also professed her deep President Donald Leap 503.789.2290 Vice President Dan McFarling 503.642.4077 service through the Willamette Val- support for improvements to freight Secretary Jon Nuxoll 541.684.8883 ley, but they differed on how to get it AND passenger rail. She stated that Treasurer Kenneth Peters 503.646.5034 done and how fast. Oregon needs to coordinate with Past President Jim Long 503.313.7382 Washington and British Columbia to Bulletin Editor Dan McFarling 503.642.4077 Outspoken rail enthusiast Britta upgrade the Cascades Corridor for Franz of Salem, a retired owner of Also serving on the Board of Directors people riding trains. Jim Howell, Claudia Howells, Dave Jannuzzi, women’s apparel shops, brought her Robert Krebs, Mike Morrison, Ray Polani and private-sector drive for immediacy This, she said, is in the works, in Floyd Smith. to the discussion. She called on the part, through the recently convened PNW NARP Leaders governor to empower his transporta- Rail Funding Task Force chaired by Art Poole, Vice-Chair Coos Bay, OR tion adviser to deal directly with host Port of Portland Executive Director Jim Hamre, NW Division Leader Puyallup, WA Stephanie Weber, Rep Coordinator Kirkland, WA railroads, Union Pacific and Burling- Bill Wyatt. Peterson also alluded to NARP State Representatives ton Northern Santa Fe, to enhance the long-term planning importance Robert Flint Alaska (Anchorage) passenger rail service in Oregon. of a new committee announced the Vacant Idaho day following the Salem City Club Barry Green Montana (Glendive) Franz, well known for her Rail meeting—in Eugene by Mayor Kitty Donald Leap Oregon (Portland) Now! organization, acknowledged Mike Morrison Oregon (Portland) Piercy, an ardent promoter of better she has grown impatient with the Jim Hamre Washington (Puyallup) passenger trains. Robert Lawrence Washington (Mill Creek) slow pace of government in address- Stephanie Weber Washington (Kirkland) ing rail issues. She told her hometown The Oregon Rapid Passenger Rail audience, it is now time to move Corridor Committee, which Piercy ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP beyond the bureaucracy and go to the will co-chair, has been given the task Introductory, living lightly $ 18 host railroads with cash in hand to by Gov. Kitzhaber of writing a plan Regular 25 negotiate a deal to improve passenger for the state’s segment of the corridor Family 30 Steward 100 train frequency and on-time reliability which starts in her city. along Oregon’s section of the Cas- Sponsor 250 Mayor Piercy, commenting to her Corporate/Government 500 cades Corridor, which runs from Eu- Salem audience, heaped credit on the gene through Oregon and Washington governor for his “recognition” of the E-Mail: [email protected] to Vancouver, British Columbia. Web Site: www.AORTArail.org need for improved passenger service. That did not get a direct response “The time to act is now,” she said. “I from Lynn Peterson, who recently am committed to more, better, faster gave up her position as Clackamas rail.” -Floyd Smith Register today for 2011 AORTA Fall Membership Meeting and Luncheon! 11:30 am - 4 PM, Saturday, November 12 Multnomah Hotel (Embassy Suites), 319 SW Pine Street, Portland, Oregon 97204 $37/ person 2 Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976 AORTA Bulletin Olympia- AORTAns and friends Mud Bay Blues Band. All-Aboard chair!” are invited to a fun-filled All-Aboard Washington (AAWA) board member “It’s a long story,” says Flem, “but Washington (AAWA) event at the George Barner is a member of the Olympia-Lacy Centennial Station George and I, as then-members of band. According to AAWA Executive UW Alumni Band, are why “Louie from noon until 4 PM on September Director, Lloyd Flem, “George is an 10. Music will be provided by the Louie” - originally made famous by a Old Rocker-- Rock-n-Roll-- not the Portland’s Kingsmen, is now played at every athletic event in western WA.” “The Olympia-based Mud Bay Blues Band are really good with 50s and 60s R&B R&R.” There will be several train-oriented announcements and tables with rail literature. Attendees will “be encouraged to dance on the plaza” says Flem. Food will be available for a dona- tion. Support for more trains in the corridor, and contirbutions to AAWA and AORTA will be encouraged. Train 500 will get to OLW early, but you’d be welcome to help us set up; 506 would still allow you a couple of hours of Rockin’ the Rails. If you really want to drive to OLW, we won’t oppose it. Hope to see lots of you on September 10! Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train at Portland Union Station, Oct 29-30 Portland- Mark a free and fun-filled event on your calendar. To com- memorate Amtrak’s 40th Anniver- sary, a special train with displays of photos, uniforms, china, and memorabilia from America’s Rail- road while also offering a glimpse into the future. A display on the role of the National Association of Railroad Passengers is included. AORTA Bulletin Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976 3 Retiring Rail Administrator Looks Back, Looks Ahead Salem- Oregon