[at-l] FW: Rail Trail funding in Jeopardy.

[jbryankramer at msn.com (J Bryan Kramer)]

>
> +> Bryan,
> >
> > Reference your post, dated 8-30-03.  I have some objections to
> your post.
> >
> > You recommend, ?If local communities want rails-to-trails, then
> > let them pay
> > for it.?
> >
>
> But why is it federal? I can see the feds leasing the land to the
> local communities but otherwise the funding should be local.
>
>
> > The rail system is federal.  It is not a local concern.  It?s
> > incongruous to
> > require all the rail purchases be made by local governments, especially
> > since federal revenue has been redirected and the states now
> must pick up
> > the tab.  There are no free lunches.
> >
>
> That's possibly true, but bringing in tourists boosts the local
> economy. It isn't a drain on local resources. Again here in
> Florida we have a tax on Hotel rooms to generate money to pay for
> local attractions to pull in more tourists.
>
>
> > Enjoyment of trails is not just local.  If trails become solely locally
> > funded, localities will seek revenue directly from their users.
> > This seems
> > fair.  It is, however, shortsighted.  An additional bureaucracy will be
> > needed to collect fees, monitor membership, etc.  This will
> > eventually cost
> > citizens more for the trails than if they paid for a federal
> > expense; it?s
> > ?economy of scale.?
>
> I don't get what you are trying to put across here. I can think
> of at least 5 of these paved trails put in this area. Some of
> them are locally funded and I assume some are on the federal
> dole. Florida has the most elaborate structure of Parks, Springs,
> Historical and Archaeological Parks and Urban Parks of any state
> that I've been in. And I've been in most of them. These are
> funded locally with the state trust fund (funded by the
> documentary stamp fees), each year local governments make
> requests for land to be purchased for various recreational or
> preservational uses and the state ranks these requests and buys
> them from the top of the list down until all the money is spent.
> This pulls in lots of tourists and residents. Many of them are
> elderly and all seem to be great supporters of the concept. The
> campgrounds are packed full especially in the Winter but
> generally year round you better have a reservation.
>
> Go ye and let your state do the same. In the end it is a money
> maker. But I don't see why I should happily pay for these here in
> Florida and have to pay unwillingly again for them in New
> Hampshire or Taxachussetts.
>
>
> > You advise, ?We have a state trust fund in Florida for land purchases.?
> >
> > This puts a wide interest at the jeopardy of narrower self interests.
> > Florida has warm weather which is much sought after by the
> > elderly, many of
> > whom relocate there.   Many of these people encounter difficulty
> > walking, or
> > anticipate they will in the not too distant future; they could
> > not care less
> > about hiking trails.  It doesn?t seem fair burdening them, paying for
> > something they will not use.  The trail concept will not find a very
> > receptive, or representative, electorate in Florida.
> >
> > You believe, ?Otherwise we can do without the Josep(h) Stalin School of
> > Economics rants ...?
> >
>
> Sounds like the Democrats doesn't it: "To each according to his
> needs..." And by the way, Josep is the spelling I've seen used by
> Russians.
>
> > Joseph Stalin was a politician who used economic fears, among
> other fears
> > and distortions, to achieve and maintain political leadership.  I?m not
> > aware he had a school of anything.  He probably had numerous
> institutions
> > named after him, but just titular.  Tying the name of some
> > notorious person
> > with another person, having differing views, does not enlighten the
> > discussion through persuasion on the merits; it merely serves to
> > distort the
> > disagreement in an attempt to ?win.?
> >