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Fillmore & Western sues Ventura County Transportation Commission
Politicians are not my favorite sort of folk, but let’s be fair. Mr. Simons comment also applies to corporate business; think Sears and Borders and others. Mr. Norton’s comment could be used against various corporate management; perhaps McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, and privately held firms.
Sticking to the issue of the Railroad, I find it interesting that the article does not mention any delay in the termination of the lease. By the time the lawyers and courts grind through the issues, the lease will be history. Where does that leave the Fillmore & Western?
Only socialist government can break a contract with the private sector, and then claim it didn’t break a contract, and do it with a straight face. What is happening in the Peoples Republic Of California is coming soon to a government near you.
Watch out for government once again. 2021 is 8 years away. Yet, rules can big changed in this era of oppressive government!
@Jim Norton, I’m so glad you pointed out that the County Government of Ventura County, Ca is such an oppressive government. I spent years out there and never imagined the county government was that oppressive. Do you think that’s why the SP discontinued thru service on the line?
Long after the Ventura county commissioners are gone and out of office the effects of what they do will still be felt.
Mr. Guse missed the prevailing anti-railroad NIMBY elitist prejudices displayed by several municipal governments. IE reopening NWP in Marin County, CA; forcing conversion to trail and ripping up tracks in Redmond, WA; and this action; all in exurb areas where those smelly, noisy trains ddistract from the suburban vibe – and remind yuppies that some folks earn a living with physical work. Ewwww, how totally gross!
It’s seems that Ventura county has been subsidizing the Fillmore for a number of years. Each year the railroad gets something like 600k and In the last 11 years the county has spent over 7.2 million. Predessor SP pulled out due to lack of traffic though UP still has a few customers on a portion of the line.
liberals
Give en hell Dave and Teresa!
Good for F&W, Ventura County is making a stupid decision in trying to eliminate the railroad for a bike trail. Why can’t a tourist railroad AND bike trail co-exist? Seriously, a bike trail is not going to generate the revenue that the tourist railroad can bring in. What the VCTC really needs to do raise money to extend Metrolink’s Ventura County Line from its current terminus at East Ventura to at least Santa Paula & connect w/F&W. Just like what Riverside County is doing with Metrolink’s Perris Extension that will soon link up w/Orange Empire Railway Museum. If VCTC was smart, they’d realize the potential for increased tourism & revenue by extending Metrolink & keeping the F&W.
Joseph Petit misses the point. Fillmore & Western bring business to the town of Fillmore. Business reap lots of patronage whenever there are events on the railroad. The one major hotel in town fills up; restaurants are busy feeding visitors all other shop’s cash registers are ring up sales. The fillmore & western is a win- win for Fillmore. Now what is a yuppie bike trail going to do?
Sorry Mel and Mo but I did not miss the point.
I was merely commenting on certain postings.
I see some similarities with what Wisconsin is doing to Talgo!
Oh Ventura County when will you learn? This is like ripping out all the trees on main street.(because they were dangerous). Something finally gets going well and gets to be known so that it attracts tourists then they kill it. Just how many people are going to ride a bike from Ventura to Fillmore (in the summer)?
Same thing the city of Ulster County, NY, is doing to to the Catskill Mountain Railroad Company. Has there been any thought of forming a coalition of Railfans to come to the support of Railroads facing early termination because counties / states thinks rails and trails can’t co-exist? Maybe one of us fans has enough capitol to support the Rail litigation if required (unfortunately it aint me).