104 replies to this topic

[UncleVinny]

Yeah, If you park along Tacana or Amaya it's within walking distance.

[FolsomEJ]

You should all consider the purpose of the bridge and then reconsider what you define as walking distance.

 

I say that, noting that there is an area for ADA parking for the dedication.  Everyone else - you could use a little walk.

[4thgenFolsomite]

Saw Rosanne Cash tonight. Beautiful show and she is ready for tomorrow. She said she thought would never in a million years have imagined that famous song would become the name of a pretty little trail through a park. The Cash family is thrilled with the dedication. Cool!

[maestro]

 are you on that funding committee? is that why you have your panties bunched up over someone objecting to the funding, the blatant disrespect of residents by calling them all prisoners by building a prison tower over the bridge, and the incredible mooching of JC name over a stupid song he wrote after a 6 second ride?  

I don't give a wet l& loud toot who paid for it, What I have a problem with is the developers pockets being heavy and the City leaders panting for the goodies in the pockets and being willing to sign off--- on anything-- the developers in this city want. And dont think for one second they werent very influential in the building of that tower.

 

 

Oct 4 14  Sac Bee:   while city used fed & state funds for the trail & bridge, officials say DONATIONs are more appropriate source of money for art on trail (which is on all public land).       Organization of governments (SACOG)  decides who gets the fed TRANSPORTATION/road funding.   They WITHDREW the city's funding for anymore trail, bridge or tunnel construction.     Amount withdrawn is now going to come from donations of $3,000,000.       Why the recall monies?

 

Several reasons are:   

This "folly" structure is out in the middle of nowhere, and does not contribute to road betterment.   It's more of a problem to maintain.

 

The folly-bridge and the tunnel had NO ENGINEER- APPROVED PLANS.    The blueprints were solely for dirt-work, not a full bridge and a full tunnel.

 

The tunnel would endanger all the wildlife on the Folsom Prison property which is open space.   

This WAS NEVER SUBMITTED for REVIEW by federal, state, local, water, Fish & Game, Fish & Wildlife, conservation groups, residents.     There is NO PUBLIC NOTICE nor discussion  of this undesirable tunnel on prison land.    No one even discussed the encroachment onto federal land near a dam (a security issue for our water).

 

This city council has no use for a City Engineer to enforce all the public safety & welfare laws;  no use for a proper full public discussion.    Who really benefits from the big bucks spent on this "folly" bridge?     Did the grant application base its needs upon paying for REAL engineering for a bridge and a tunnel?    Bridges require a lot of very expensive expertise to engineer properly.   

[UncleVinny]

Photos from today's dedication ceremony.
More of my photos of this event can be found at: http://www.flickr.co...s/87249144@N08/

 

 

All are public domain: Use as you see fit.

 

 

 

[Steve Heard]

Great turnout for the ribbon cutting. Roseanne Cash said her family is so appreciative of the city for naming this trail and bridge in her father's honor.

[UncleVinny]

Wow, that was a fun event. Glad to see so many bike clubs, community organizations to lend their support.

[UncleVinny]

Memorial Plaque.

More photos at:  https://www.flickr.c...s/87249144@N08/

 

 

All are public domain.

 

[maestro]

WAY TO GO, SUPERMOM!

 

This is for Supermom.    It is part of a communication thanking the SACOG CEO for rescinding the $3 million additional the city could have taken.    SACOG dispenses Federal Transportation Grants, so it is your tax dollars.    The remark in this thread about the city council depicting an entry to the city as entering a prison ---   it was too terrific not to share with SACOG  (Sac Area Council of Govts) and the State Water Board.    You must be very devoted to your children.... good for you.    The "your numbered remarks" refer to a neighbor/engineer who defended the city's whole process (which made money for him).

 

Your numbered remarks support the Folsom city council contention that as a 'charter city' it can legislate, govern, tax and spend free of all state and federal constraints.     The state process for vetting public projects was not followed.    NEPA review never kicked in because the city never mentioned encroaching.   There is no law permitting the submission of "Phase one" of a multiple stage project which has a potential for tremendous environment damage, and security risks.    There really is no law permitting the city council to place itself above the laws either.

 

Is it in a location NOT befitting "public art" displays?     Yes, because it is a high speed location (like every "city street" in Folsom), and it is adjacent to a sensitive federal project and dam.      How would Homeland Security know about the bridge & tunnel after the city approved the entire project and obtained federal funds grant?    They would never, because the Project was NOT registered, circulated to all agencies, and commented upon by all those agencies.   

 

As you can see from the public discussion, there are people who feel this prison entry to the city depicts the city as a residence of criminals.     (Hard to argue with that.)    But the issue remains, city council has no right whatsoever to subvert the legal requirements and do as it wishes with public land and public grant funds.     Thank you for illustrating the city's position so clearly.     You have a vested interest, but I never singled you out for personal attention, as is your wont.    I have no aesthetic comments about putting a prison tower at a federally-funded entry to the city.    The council made the decision it is apropos.    

 

I do care about the our water, environment, public safety, prison security, and most of all:   the RULE OF LAW which protects us and our children.     I personally wish to thank Mike McKeever for rescinding the $3 million award for cause.    I hope he informs 100% of SACOG membership there is some question about the Fund Granting Review process.      I would like to know if our federal funds reimbursed this folly construction, as there is no certainty this structure was constructed, engineered, and erected appropriately, or funds for maintenance of a bridge are and will be available.    FYI the major reason the trestle bridge was removed from the city was the high cost of maintaining a bridge structure--  not to mention regular Inspections.     I believe SACOG should be aware our federal dollars should not be spent without some hard and fast City Engineer Approval.     Since the city has erased that portion of the Municipal Code without any due process, there really is no City Engineer to do the enforcement duties.  

 

 

[UncleVinny]

I went up there today for a close-up inspection. I really like the design now. The towers have slats like the flat bars of the prison entrance that you can see at the East Gate entrance on Prison Road. Very well designed and engineered. The park next to is will showcase some artwork as a tribute to Johnny Cash. The crossing is already popular with the bicycle community, as they can now ride traffic free from many parts of Folsom.

[Steve Heard]

As Ernie Sheldon said at the opening, it is a great safety improvement, as it will take cyclists and runners off the road.
 

It will also be a tourist draw, particularly after the artwork is installed.

[supermom]

So, I'm the bad person for saying that with all the great things this city can toot their horn about, we are proud of housing criminals here? What about the awesome dam, the powerhouse and incredible engineering feat that it still is today, or the incredible local brain draw at quite a few companies we have here, or the awesome arts community? 

 

Just so much more here to celebrate than a notorious criminal corner thrust upon Folsom by the Feds.

 

Im sorry if my comment upset people and they are mad about it.  I just think our role models and who we show our children who we look up to- should not include a criminal element.

[4thgenFolsomite]

Folsom Prison is here not because of the Feds, but because nearly 150 years ago a local land owner wanted cheap labor to build a dam and water system. So he traded the State of California land for a second state prison to replace the antiquated prison at San Quentin in exchange for convict labor.

[supermom]

Folsom Prison is here not because of the Feds, but because nearly 150 years ago a local land owner wanted cheap labor to build a dam and water system. So he traded the State of California land for a second state prison to replace the antiquated prison at San Quentin in exchange for convict labor.

and so here we are romanticizing a drunk songwriter and convict as the pillars of the bridge our society gives safe passage to cyclists in Folsom. 

 

Doesnt make any sense to me.

[Steve Heard]

So, I'm the bad person for saying that with all the great things this city can toot their horn about, we are proud of housing criminals here? What about the awesome dam, the powerhouse and incredible engineering feat that it still is today, or the incredible local brain draw at quite a few companies we have here, or the awesome arts community? 

 

Just so much more here to celebrate than a notorious criminal corner thrust upon Folsom by the Feds.

 

Im sorry if my comment upset people and they are mad about it.  I just think our role models and who we show our children who we look up to- should not include a criminal element.

 

You're not a bad person for saying that, just misinformed. 

 

Folsom Prison (we actually have 2 prisons on the property) is Folsom's second largest employer (about 1500 taxpayers between the two), and having opened in 1880, is our oldest. There is a lot of history behind it.

 

It is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

Folsom does indeed 'toot' its horn about the many wonderful things it has to offer, from the Historic District, 2 lakes, nearly 40 miles of trails, beautiful parks, an outstanding performing arts center, great schools, a state champion football team, world-famous high school jazz program, low crime, clean streets, only-in-Folsom events such as Folsom Live, the Pro Rodeo, Top of Folsom, Tap Folsom, a great sense of community and more. 

 

The City Council, Chamber of Commerce and Folsom Tourism Bureau spend a lot of time, money and effort tooting their collective horns about all that Folsom has to offer. 

 

Of course, there are those who have problems with all of the above. 

 

Johnny Cash was never an inmate there. He was an entertainer who wanted to do a concert to entertain the prisoners and to record an album there. 

 

It was a huge success, and Johnny became inextricably linked to the prison and to Folsom. Countless Folsomites have had the experience of going to another city, state or even another country and when they tell someone they are from Folsom, they usually get a reply that includes 'Folsom Prison' or 'Johnny Cash' or both. 

 

We cannot and should not hide from our association with the prison nor Johnny Cash.

 

When I shared an office at the Folsom Visitor's Center at the Outlets, people would come in and ask where they could find info on Johnny; a museum. a statue, a shop that sold t-shirts, anything. There was nothing. 

 

I had a guy who I think was from China, who couldn't speak much English, and all he could get out was 'Johnny Cash  and Prison'. 

 

Then there was the guy visiting from Belgium. He had a band called 'Cash Only', and he made a special stop in Folsom to be photographed in front of the prison, where Johnny stood, with the tower in the background. The new over crossing's towers mimic those at the prison. 

 

So, with the opportunity to link the the Folsom bike/ped trail from the area behind Rodeo Park to the trail at Folsom Lake Crossing, and with permission from the prison, the city was able to build the new trail and bridge. They decided to name it the Johnny Cash Trail. 

 

Tourism, and tourist dollars, will be pouring into Folsom because of this, particularly once the artwork is installed.

 

One of the art pieces will be a granite wall engraved with quotes from prisoners who wrote to Johnny, telling him of the impact his visit had on them. Some stayed in for life, while others may have changed their lives because of that visit.

 

So, the newly completed section of the trail (which I've jogged half a dozen times), and the beautiful bridge crossing over the road, are to me and many others, very appropriate and welcoming.