116 replies to this topic

[john]

Someone forwarded me an email saying the train guy by the Zoo may have to close soon. The city raised their rent and shut down a snack bar that he owns. Has anyone else heard this? Seems to me it's in the city's best interest to keep it running - it attracts people to the Zoo, the park, the community center.

[Bill Z]

Someone forwarded me an email saying the train guy by the Zoo may have to close soon. The city raised their rent and shut down a snack bar that he owns. Has anyone else heard this? Seems to me it's in the city's best interest to keep it running - it attracts people to the Zoo, the park, the community center.

That would be a sad loss to the city if they run him out. I know my son loves to ride that train. It is a big attraction.

[kprincesskate]

Oh no! We love the train! I hope this is not true!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

This isn't the first time Terry's almost stopped train operations due to funding issues. I wonder what it would take to keep him there. He's a real asset to the city.

[Darthvader]

Someone forwarded me an email saying the train guy by the Zoo may have to close soon. The city raised their rent and shut down a snack bar that he owns. Has anyone else heard this? Seems to me it's in the city's best interest to keep it running - it attracts people to the Zoo, the park, the community center.

That would really suck. He's been talking about expanding the line for years but I think he keeps getting de-railed so to speak. And I'd have to find a new guy to set my camera since he dials it for everybody who rides the train.

[Darthvader]

Someone forwarded me an email saying the train guy by the Zoo may have to close soon. The city raised their rent and shut down a snack bar that he owns. Has anyone else heard this? Seems to me it's in the city's best interest to keep it running - it attracts people to the Zoo, the park, the community center.

Probably the same email you got but to help spread the word:

I met a woman tonite while having sushi at Mikuni's
> who told me that the Folsom train is on the brink of
> shutting down. I hadn't heard anything about it, but
> evidently the city of Folsom is making it very
> difficult for the train guy (can't remember his name)
> to continue his business. They've raised his rent and
> shut down the snack bar that he owns. It's pretty
> dire at this point and thought maybe Sierra Moms could
> do something to let the city know how important it is
> to keep the train here in Folsom. He could easily set
> up shop in Roseville or other parts of Sacramento
> which would not be good for us.
>
> There is a city council meeting this Thursday evening,
> March 13th at 6:30pm to discuss the future of the
> train. If we want to help keep the train in Folsom we
> need to show support. Can you send out a mass email
> to all the members alerting them about this and
> encouraging them to attend the meeting to show support
> for the train? Or can Sierra Moms write a letter
> showing our support? If the train shuts down, it's
> going to hurt the zoo business as well; I don't think
> the city realizes that. It sounds like they're so
> focused on the Sutter Street development that they're
> overlooking the importance of the train to our
> community. At least that's the way I feel and
> probably a lot of other people in Folsom.

[john]

^ Yep, that was the email...

[Suburban Pool Service]

Maybe it's CARB and the EPA? How much smoke does that train put out? Does it even have emissions equipment? I'm only kidding, but sad at the same time I remember riding that train as a kid when my family moved to Folsom in 1988.

-Ryan

[Robert Giacometti]

Someone forwarded me an email saying the train guy by the Zoo may have to close soon. The city raised their rent and shut down a snack bar that he owns. Has anyone else heard this? Seems to me it's in the city's best interest to keep it running - it attracts people to the Zoo, the park, the community center.

I suspect the real reason is he has lost too many customers to light rail.

[MikeinFolsom]

Well, I have heard his train keeps bringing a lot of homeless people as well as criminals into the city.

Who knows, maybe the city has another genius idea of building a new structure in that area, kind of like the library fiasco.

[camay2327]

The city council meeting was tonight, 11 March 2008 folks. Not on Thursday...

[old soldier]

this is a ploy by the city to expedite annex south of 50. when that happens and developer funds come in there won't be such a crunch to pay current city overhead and raising the rent on the train guy will not be as important.

at least thats a thought

[ducky]

I didn't realize the train guy also owned the snack bar. Did they ever open the coffeeshop that was supposed to be in the library? Maybe that's why. They don't want the competition.

It would be truly sad to lose the train. I just remember all the promises about how good it would be for his business with the new library there. Hope this is just a rumor with no truth to it.

[john]

Update:

On behalf of Robert Goss , Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Folsom, the City understands all of your concerns regarding the emails that have been circulating stating that the live-steam train at Folsom City Lions Park is being forced to close. Let me assure you that the City feels the same as the public in that the live-steam train has been and will continue to be an integral part of Folsom and Folsom City Lions Park. There has been no discussion by the City about shutting down the train. The train operator, Mr. Terry Gold has had an agreement with the City for use of the park site, tracks, concession stand, etc. and he has been operating successfully there for more than 17 years. The contract with Mr. Gold expired this past year, and after several negotiations with Mr. Gold, Parks and Recreation staff and members of the Parks and Recreation Commission subcommittee, the train / concession agreement was voted on and approved by the Parks &
Recreation Commission at their February meeting, with Mr. Gold in attendance at that meeting. In short, the new agreement does increase Mr. Gold¢s rent payment to the City; however, there are several mitigating factors that more than justify the increase:
§ The rent payment had not increased in 10 years.
§ The City owns and maintains the concession building, requiring periodic investment and improvements.
§ The City has made substantial investments in the Zoo and Folsom City Lions Park resulting in increased Zoo attendance and park use (not to mention the new library), substantially increasing Mr. Gold¢s ridership.
§ Beginning last year, the City programs the Picnic in the Park concert series, increasing the series to 10 dates in 2008 which provide unique operating times and a substantial audience of riders for Mr. Gold.
§ Mr. Gold has initiated special events himself related to train operations (annual Halloween Ghost Train), and reports substantial revenue as a result of the event.
§ Mr. Gold has raised the ride fare $.25 which provides more than two times the revenue necessary to cover the increased rent expense to the city.
To clarify, this item will not go before the City Council as the council only approves contracts that are over $41,700. There is a special Parks & Recreation Commission meeting tonight (rescheduled from last Tuesday), and this item is not on the agenda as it was voted on last month. Anyone who would like to discuss an item that is not on the agenda can do so from Business from the Floor which is the first item on the agenda. Anyone from the public is welcome to address the commission at that time; however, the commission will not be allowed to take action on any item that is not on the agenda. If you would like to attend tonight¢s Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, it will be held at 6:30pm in the Council Chambers located inside City Hall.

I hope this helps clear up any confusion about the train. Please feel to contact me should you have any questions.

Thank you,

Katie Parks
Administrative Assistant
City of Folsom
Parks & Recreation
(916) 355-7304

[ducky]

Folsom City Lions Park. There has been no discussion by the City about shutting down the train. The train operator, Mr. Terry Gold has had an agreement with the City for use of the park site, tracks, concession stand, etc. and he has been operating successfully there for more than 17 years. The contract with Mr. Gold expired this past year, and after several negotiations with Mr. Gold, Parks and Recreation staff and members of the Parks and Recreation Commission subcommittee, the train / concession agreement was voted on and approved by the Parks &
Recreation Commission at their February meeting, with Mr. Gold in attendance at that meeting. In short, the new agreement does increase Mr. Gold¢s rent payment to the City; however, there are several mitigating factors that more than justify the increase:
§ The rent payment had not increased in 10 years.
§ The City owns and maintains the concession building, requiring periodic investment and improvements.
§ The City has made substantial investments in the Zoo and Folsom City Lions Park resulting in increased Zoo attendance and park use (not to mention the new library), substantially increasing Mr. Gold¢s ridership.
§ Beginning last year, the City programs the Picnic in the Park concert series, increasing the series to 10 dates in 2008 which provide unique operating times and a substantial audience of riders for Mr. Gold.
§ Mr. Gold has initiated special events himself related to train operations (annual Halloween Ghost Train), and reports substantial revenue as a result of the event.
§ Mr. Gold has raised the ride fare $.25 which provides more than two times the revenue necessary to cover the increased rent expense to the city.
To clarify, this item will not go before the City Council as the council only approves contracts that are over $41,700. There is a special Parks & Recreation Commission meeting tonight (rescheduled from last Tuesday), and this item is not on the agenda as it was voted on last month. Anyone who would like to discuss an item that is not on the agenda can do so from Business from the Floor which is the first item on the agenda. Anyone from the public is welcome to address the commission at that time; however, the commission will not be allowed to take action on any item that is not on the agenda. If you would like to attend tonight¢s Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, it will be held at 6:30pm in the Council Chambers located inside City Hall.

I hope this helps clear up any confusion about the train. Please feel to contact me should you have any questions.

Thank you,

Katie Parks
Administrative Assistant
City of Folsom
Parks & Recreation
(916) 355-7304

I wonder about that statement that the city has made substantial investments in the zoo. I know that the public has donated a lot to the zoo, also. Does anybody know where that money goes that you stick in the mouth of the statue inside the zoo? Does it go directly to the zoo or does it go into some city general fund?

The memo above points out that Mr. Gold's income has increased because ridership has increased, but fails to point out that his costs have probably also increased. I imagine all those "extra" events they point out mean Mr. Gold has to work "extra" hours.

The city is obviously making Mr. Gold out to be greedy (notice the spelling above of Gold's with a dollar and cent sign instead of apostrophe "S.") Mr. Gold is a businessman and is entitled to make a profit for his hard work. I have no idea how much of a rent increase has been asked for because the above memo is vague on that, but if it eats up his profits I don't blame him for wanting to call it quits.