182 replies to this topic

[Warren G]

yeah. People, it's just a train.

"Please don't miss this train at the station
'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you
People all over the world
Join hands
Start a love train
People all over the world
Join hands
Start a love train, love train
Ride, let it ride
Let it ride
Let it ride"

(Fancy polyester suits and group dancing is optional.)

[ducky]

I know that our local community colleges have financial advantages, and I'd encourage kids to think about that before spending the money on a 4 year institution, but as I said, many of the kids seem to just be afraid to leave.

I'll have to take your word for it, but I haven't encountered that kind of thing with my children or any of their friends that are in college right now - San Francisco, Chico, L.A., studying abroad in Europe, Japan. I just don't see a fear factor. It's more a problem of figuring out how to find a job so they can settle back in Folsom. It's a great place to live.

[cw68]

Maybe a topic for another discussion, but I was talking to a friend of my daughter about just that.

She and I both believe that parents here in Folsom have led their children to believe that Folsom is the only safe place to be. They are warned to stay out of Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Sacramento, Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, LA, etc.

She told me that many of their friends had plans of going to school out of the area, but decided to go to Folsom Lake, ARC, or Sierra College because it's safer.

Yes, I know that ARC and Sierra aren't in Folsom, but the point is that so many of us put down other communities and the threat of violence there that our kids have adopted those same fears, and it can stifle their growth.

I know there are plenty of kids who do leave, but I know lots of kids in this town who won't.

Don't know about the college thang, but I hear you on the perceived dangers of living anywhere but Folsom. (Or EDH. Even Roseville gets a bad rap.) Oftentimes when I mention that I used to live in Land Park, I get the, "Oh, you had to move when your kids got older, right? Schools and all. There's so much crime in Sacramento and the schools are horrible." Then they look at me with disbelief when I reply, "Well, actually, no. We pretty much wanted more than one bathroom and no commute. The elementary school's API was highest in the region." I get the same kind of reaction when I say that I usually go to Sunrise Mall or the Downtown Plaza instead of the Galleria. As if I'm putting myself in danger by leaving here.

[ducky]

Don't know about the college thang, but I hear you on the perceived dangers of living anywhere but Folsom. (Or EDH. Even Roseville gets a bad rap.) Oftentimes when I mention that I used to live in Land Park, I get the, "Oh, you had to move when your kids got older, right? Schools and all. There's so much crime in Sacramento and the schools are horrible." Then they look at me with disbelief when I reply, "Well, actually, no. We pretty much wanted more than one bathroom and no commute. The elementary school's API was highest in the region." I get the same kind of reaction when I say that I usually go to Sunrise Mall or the Downtown Plaza instead of the Galleria. As if I'm putting myself in danger by leaving here.

I prefer the Downtown Plaza Macy's to the Galleria any day. Now, the real question is do you ride light rail there? It stops right at St. Rose of Lima. Just trying to get back on topic

[Steve Heard]

Don't know about the college thang, but I hear you on the perceived dangers of living anywhere but Folsom. (Or EDH. Even Roseville gets a bad rap.) Oftentimes when I mention that I used to live in Land Park, I get the, "Oh, you had to move when your kids got older, right? Schools and all. There's so much crime in Sacramento and the schools are horrible." Then they look at me with disbelief when I reply, "Well, actually, no. We pretty much wanted more than one bathroom and no commute. The elementary school's API was highest in the region." I get the same kind of reaction when I say that I usually go to Sunrise Mall or the Downtown Plaza instead of the Galleria. As if I'm putting myself in danger by leaving here.

I visit the Bay Area quite often, usually once or twice a month (was there Feb 23 and will be back March 15), and quite often, I get the reactions from folks around here, 'how can you stand it?', or 'I left and will never go back'.

To get back on topic, my daughters have taken light 2 or 3 times times without getting hassled. There was an incident where they went with some, there were 2 boys and 2 girls. The boys got busted for shop lifting, and the girls took light rail home alone. I was pretty pissed about that.

By the way, I wonder if the owner of the shop the boys got busted stealing from blame light rail for bringing those bad Folsom kids to town.

[wrabbit]

Did any of you see this story? This is for WarrenG because I know he likes anything light rail related.

http://www.sacbee.co...ory/754896.html

Thank you for posting this.

Some posters have gone out of their way to promote building more extended rails for the purpose of getting Light Rail to riders, and have down played any possible danger related to riding it.

My feelings are that negative impacts of Light Rail over ride any positive it may have. This nut case with the gun proves that point. If another rider were to piss this guy off, does anyone in their right mind think he would hesitate shooting them, right then and there? And how much of a chance would that person who was shot, have to survive at that close a range?

There have been comments by some posters has to how brave and protective of other riders they would be, if on the same train with a criminal. But how exactly does one get an upper hand with a criminal carrying this sort of weapon?
I guess if they were super heroes they might be able to over power this guy, but it's highly unlikely of the average guy being able to do so.

My family and I may be politically incorrect, but we will continue to use our cars and feel sorry for those who have chosen to live beyond their means to the point they have to depend on public transportation to get to their jobs.

And for those who want to go someplace for recreation or to shop by way of Light Rail....if you must take public transportation to do that, you probably can't afford that shopping trip or that entertainment. I would advise that person to shop and seek entertainment in their own community. That is what I and my family intend to do.

[ducky]

wrabbit, while I respect and understand your opinions, I'm afraid I don't agree with all of them for the reason I still have hopes that light rail will work. I just think it needs to be improved in the respect of security. I don't disbelieve that it feels perfectly safe to riders during peak commute times. It probably does.

I thought it would be fun to take the kids down the ice skating rink on the train, not because I couldn't afford to drive, but because it would be fun to ride a train. Huge mistake!

This guy serves as an example that light rail needs to advertise and promote that if you do something criminal or accost other passengers you will be caught and prosecuted. I mean, this Einstein got on the train without being aware the cameras were there and got caught because of it. I'd like to see the wrongdoers being harrassed by security instead of the paying passengers. Maybe I should change my name to Pollyanna?

[wrabbit]

wrabbit, while I respect and understand your opinions, I'm afraid I don't agree with all of them for the reason I still have hopes that light rail will work. I just think it needs to be improved in the respect of security. I don't disbelieve that it feels perfectly safe to riders during peak commute times. It probably does.

I thought it would be fun to take the kids down the ice skating rink on the train, not because I couldn't afford to drive, but because it would be fun to ride a train. Huge mistake!

This guy serves as an example that light rail needs to advertise and promote that if you do something criminal or accost other passengers you will be caught and prosecuted. I mean, this Einstein got on the train without being aware the cameras were there and got caught because of it. I'd like to see the wrongdoers being harrassed by security instead of the paying passengers. Maybe I should change my name to Pollyanna?

Well, as nice as it would be for the trains to have security, it would raise the cost of tickets and might defeat the purpose of having low cost public transportation. There's nothing wrong with hoping, but often it doesn't take into account the cost. I'd hate for our taxes to go higher because we have to pay for security on trains that are used by a small section of the population...wouldn't you? And, security officers wouldn't effect the foul language or nasty behavior seen on trains.

While riding the train may have been fun experience for children years ago, I doubt that it is today, with all the foul language and rude behavior we see out in public. One has to be pretty thick skinned to be able to ignore it and not allow it to alter their mood. I don't know how old you are, but I'm in my mid forty's and still believe there is appropriate behavior when one is out in public, and swearing or spitting, is not what I would want to expose my children to, if I wanted to show them a good time. Which is becoming more and more difficult each day.

We may not share every view point, but your posts have always been down to earth and I feel you are basically a level headed individual. We need more of your kind on this forum, and in the world.

[Warren G]

My family and I may be politically incorrect, but we will continue to use our cars and feel sorry for those who have chosen to live beyond their means to the point they have to depend on public transportation to get to their jobs.

You are ignorant of the reality.

Go stand at a train station in Folsom any weekday morning of the week and then come back and tell us how many people are getting on the train because they HAVE to depend on public transportation.

How much pollution and stress and gas expense is created each day by 200 people in cars compared to 200 people on the Light Rail train to and from Folsom?

My wife and I also recycle, but it's not for the money.

[Lauren]

All i can say about the lightrail... is it needs to be syncronized better with the lights!! No matter what time of the day it is, or where I'm going... I always get stuck at the lightrail. I'm at the signal that always gets skipped because they have to lower the gates and then my turn is gone!! It's really irritating!!! I end up spending an additional 5 minutes at the light because it goes through the entire order again before it goes back to the signal it skipped... REALLY ANNOYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Other than that... no issues with it!

[cw68]

Public transportation is not just for those people who can't afford their own car. CA is a car-culture unto itself and there's not a single other place that thinks quite like CA on public transportation. Also, public transportation can ease the load on roads and other public-paid transportation related items. Carpool lanes aren't exactly cheap, you know, and they don't solve any problems long-term, they just create room for more cars on the road, take money from problem-solving solutions and compound traffic problems.

Anyway Ducky, I haven't taken light rail to the mall since moving out here. When I'm down in the hood, I usually stop by and visit friends while I'm there. But, I used to take it from the Curtis Park/Land Park stop. With my young, young, young children. (YIKES!) We'd even hoof it to the train museum too from LR. A few friends of mine and I used to take LR to a park with the kids for a fun afternoon's adventure.

[chris v]

I don't know about you, but I currently have 6 registered vehicles that are all driven, but I still prefer taking light rail to work, because that means that I get some exercise when I ride my bicycle home from work. It actually costs me more to ride light rail than it does to drive to work.

[ducky]

Public transportation is not just for those people who can't afford their own car. CA is a car-culture unto itself and there's not a single other place that thinks quite like CA on public transportation. Also, public transportation can ease the load on roads and other public-paid transportation related items. Carpool lanes aren't exactly cheap, you know, and they don't solve any problems long-term, they just create room for more cars on the road, take money from problem-solving solutions and compound traffic problems.

Anyway Ducky, I haven't taken light rail to the mall since moving out here. When I'm down in the hood, I usually stop by and visit friends while I'm there. But, I used to take it from the Curtis Park/Land Park stop. With my young, young, young children. (YIKES!) We'd even hoof it to the train museum too from LR. A few friends of mine and I used to take LR to a park with the kids for a fun afternoon's adventure.

My first light rail experience was a little after it first opened in '87. We had to drive to the Butterfield stop because that's as far up as light rail came. My oldest two were around five and three then and I had hoped for an adventure like you described. I thought maybe I just had bad luck and tried it again many years later to take them to the capitol building and for lunch. The ride ended up the same where I couldn't wait to get home. Most of the troublemakers got on at 65th Street then. Maybe I just had bad luck both times.

[wrabbit]

You are ignorant of the reality.

Go stand at a train station in Folsom any weekday morning of the week and then come back and tell us how many people are getting on the train because they HAVE to depend on public transportation.

How much pollution and stress and gas expense is created each day by 200 people in cars compared to 200 people on the Light Rail train to and from Folsom?

My wife and I also recycle, but it's not for the money.

Oh, am I really?

I suspect that most of those riders are taking the train because of the very high cost of parking down town, and taking the train gives them several extra dollars each week in their pockets in gas savings.

A few of my neighbors work down town and that is their reasons.

I and my wife have found working in Folsom to be convenient to where we live, which is in Folsom. If people worked where they lived, and the government gave them a good tax break because of it, there would be little need for Light Rail. Further, there would be little deterioration in down town areas, because more people would choose to live down town for the tax break they'd get. More stores would succeed down town compared to now, where business is not always what is desired, because of people moving to the Burbs.

As it is now, the person who tries to do the right thing, gets no rewards and has to pay higher taxes for those who want to have everything their way. They want to work down town, but not live down town. They'd rather move to where the schools are better, than try to improve the schools where they live.

We recycle too, but it's a drop in the bucket when it comes to air pollution. In our family errands are done by importance and we make a route to help cut back on the amount of gas we use. My girls have had to stop asking for us to take them everywhere they want, and are limited to one trip somewhere, every other day, instead of daily. If they want to go someplace close, and it's day light, they have to take their bikes and have to get home by dark. My wife is not an SUV transportation system....she tells our girls to walk or ride their bikes. Our oldest has caught on really good and now asked us if we are going anywhere, so we can drop her off at her friends house and we can pick her up on the way back.

My girls are thrilled that the clocks will be changed soon...you'd think it was some huge holiday or something!
My oldest is going to make a cake to celebrate....I kid you not!!!!

[cw68]

Putting a few extra dollars in your pocket doesn't mean you can't afford your own transportation, it's called being smart with your money. You know, that thang that Americans seems to have lost sight of...

I find it funny that you bring up air pollution and (rightfully) brag about the things you do, but light rail riders are losers who can't afford their own cars. We should each be making our own positive contributions without being judged financially.

Regarding living downtown and moving to the 'burbs, we wanted to stay downtown, but couldn't find work down there. My husband works in the technology field and most tech jobs are not downtown because the cost to retrofit old buildings is prohibitive vs. building new structures out here. We didn't move here because of the schools as the old elementary school our kids would have gone to was better than any Folsom school. We moved here because we could live and work in the same community. And we were able to pick a home from which we could walk and bike to many things we need. I never get in the car to get my kids to school. We walk to the park, to the trails. I ride my bike to the dentist, to the movies, etc. And it's not because I can't afford to drive.