New Anti-McKay Radio Ad...
- Thread starter ylexot
- Start date
MMDad
Lem Putt
Now now, let's not get logical here. After all, if Tommy says that all of the criminals will invade just because we have transportation it must be true.ylexot said:
Of course, we could just continue with the way it is: make one centralized poor area with high crime. Don't do anything to improve the transportation infrastructure. That would mean all of the criminals in the park might get loose and invade Tommy's neighborhood.
It's not like we should really expect Tommy to do anything about crime, though. After all, he only has limited funds available to buy off the cops and prosecuters. Unless he had his son make some more $$$! Now there's a good idea! He could solve the budget deficit with a loser kid, computer, scanner, and printer!
!
IrishGal
Stretch's Mom
ylexot said:
Here is an article I found that describes the effects of light rail on a community very similar to Southern MD:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1568/is_n6_v28/ai_18850963
It does mention the zoning restrictions that come with light rail.
IrishGal
Stretch's Mom
ylexot said:Something tells me that Southern Maryland does not have to comply with Oregon regulations.
Fair enough, I used it as an example...to draw a comparison. Here are some articles that refer to the "success" that is Washington DC's Metro station...especially the rail systems effects on commuter traffic, housing affordability, etc.
http://www.reason.org/ps336.pdf
http://www.reason.org/ps244.html
http://www.publicpurpose.com/pp84-wmata.pdf
And a general one on crime rates associated with light rail:
http://www.globaltelematics.com/pitf/semmens-lrtsafety.pdf
Looked at the study for the crime rate Irishgal...This was done only through out all the big cities of other states from the years of 1991 to 2000 and the study was conducted in 2003. The only city that they have for Md is Baltimore.
I'm sorry...but unless there is another study done just for the big cities in Maryland for more recent yrs, I would still like to see them put a rail system in one of the 2 counties: St. Mary's, Calvert, or possibably something close to Hughsville.
Also if this was to happen....it would all be paid for by Federal Funding
I'm sorry...but unless there is another study done just for the big cities in Maryland for more recent yrs, I would still like to see them put a rail system in one of the 2 counties: St. Mary's, Calvert, or possibably something close to Hughsville.
Also if this was to happen....it would all be paid for by Federal Funding
ylexot
Super Genius
Who said I care about commuter traffic or benefits to the environment? However, there was an interesting quote from one of those links:IrishGal said:
If the rails extended out from the city into the suburban and even the *gasp* rural areas, it could actually have an effect on Beltway traffic. Metrorail use is about commute split. If you drive for 45 min to get to the station, is it worth it to take the metro in the final 30 minutes? For many people, probably not. If you drive for 15 min to get to the station, is it worth it to take the metro in for the final hour? I'm guessing yes. My dad used to commute from Upper Marlboro to the New Carrollton station and then take the rail to downtown. It was well worth it to him. He avoided traffic and got some reading in while on the rail.
This is a weak report for your argument. First, it has nothing to do with the effects on the local area due to rail stations. It mentions crime on the rail system. However, I would rather look at the actual crime statistics from Metro:IrishGal said:
http://www.wmata.com/about/mtpd/mtpd_crime_stats03.cfm
5.21 crimes per million riders and decreasing!
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!Also, that report talks a lot about the safety of light rail and fatalities rates. Anybody that knows anything about the DC Metrorail system knows that you have to want to get hit by a train or be drunk/high to make it happen. What a weak argument.
BTW, I realized another benefit to me (and possibly many in the area) of a metrorail nearby. When I go on travel, I have to give myself several hours to get to the airport (I actually prefer DCA) because the traffic is somewhat unpredictable. I also choose specific times to try to avoid traffic. But even doing those things, I have still missed flights because of traffic. It would be great to just jump on the metro and take it to the airport. Now that they are extending to Dulles, that makes it even better!
ylexot
Super Genius
Oh, forgot to mention...I didn't see anything about housing affordability in any of those links. :shrug:
Also, I was thinking about this a little yesterday on my hour+ drive up to Marlow Heights (coincidentally, that's the closest metro station to me). Here's what I say should be done for the metrorail station and surrounding area. On one side of the station is parking. On the other side is an open-air pedestrian market (similar to the one in Bowie). Surround that with parking and upscale condos/apartments/townhomes. Target the young professionals who want convenience (shopping center) and the ability to make quick jaunts into the city.
I was thinking the Hughesville or Mechanicsville areas for location.
Also, I was thinking about this a little yesterday on my hour+ drive up to Marlow Heights (coincidentally, that's the closest metro station to me). Here's what I say should be done for the metrorail station and surrounding area. On one side of the station is parking. On the other side is an open-air pedestrian market (similar to the one in Bowie). Surround that with parking and upscale condos/apartments/townhomes. Target the young professionals who want convenience (shopping center) and the ability to make quick jaunts into the city.
I was thinking the Hughesville or Mechanicsville areas for location.
IrishGal
Stretch's Mom
ylexot said:
Sorry ylexot, I was doing a lot of reading last night and thought the study about effects on housing affordability was in one of the links I posted. Blame tired eyes. I was just trying to provide some information about studies already done on rail solutions. I also do a lot of business travel, and I do have to allow time for traffic to the airports. I would rather do many things than drive to Dulles to catch a plane. My father (now retired) used to drive from Mechanicsville to Silver Spring every day to go to work...it took him hours. I think the perception of a lot of folks here in Southern Maryland is that running a light rail line in St. Mary's or Calvert County is going to make a difference in the traffic and congestion peole are experiencing as they currently commute to work. I just can't see that a light rail solution will help the commute to Lexington Park, St. Inigoes, or the area around Calvert Cliffs, know what I mean? I do understand your point of view, and appreciate the discussion. I have said before that there is a tremendous amount of knowledge and respectful debate on here, and I am thankful for it. I've got sports events with the kids all weekend, but if I have the chance to do further research and have further discussion with you, I certainly will try to do so.
ylexot
Super Genius
No problem. Really, I would not be surprised at all if the housing prices in the area surrounding a metro station went up. In fact, I'd expect it. Some people are willing to pay more for that convenience. I just believe that instead of trying to fight progress, we should try to understand it, plan for it, and even guide it to our advantage. Therefore, I am against anyone who simply says they want to block progress. I think it's wrong-headed thinking.IrishGal said:
Yup. I agree that if they think that a light rail would decrease traffic to/from Pax, etc. they are wrong.IrishGal said:
Thanks for the research, but I am going to pick apart reports. They are typically slanted to support a preconceived conclusion. I like raw numbers, but even then I will question the collection process.IrishGal said:
ylexot
Super Genius
Just got a McKay ad regarding this in the mail. It mentions the zoning (which I still question) and it also says this (including the underline):
"He would make all of Southern Maryland look like New Carrollton."
Even if Dyson actually wanted that, it would be one heck of a trick to pull it off. They really took the rhetoric right off the deep end.
"He would make all of Southern Maryland look like New Carrollton."
Even if Dyson actually wanted that, it would be one heck of a trick to pull it off. They really took the rhetoric right off the deep end.
ylexot
Super Genius
Oh yeah, I also found this:
Overall, 42 percent of those working in the center core—Washington and parts of Arlington County—use mass transit.
I wonder where Tommy's statistic of 7% came from...
Overall, 42 percent of those working in the center core—Washington and parts of Arlington County—use mass transit.
I wonder where Tommy's statistic of 7% came from...