Foxx's Streetcar Idea Borrowed From DC's Adrian Fenty?

Anthony Foxx's dreams of developing a Streetcar line in Charlotte may have come from none other than his "buddy" DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Why do you think Foxx keeps running to DC?

Apparently he wants to become a Political "Star" like Fenty i.e., Personal Gain.

Yes Foxx has found a new political idol and now wants to turn Charlotte into a Washington, DC "lookalike".

Let's see Adrian Fenty doesn't really want to help the Homeless or DC's less fortunate and neither does Anthony Foxx.

Seems Fenty only wants to invest money into helping provide for DC's Elite, ditto for Foxx.

Does anyone remember last Winter when Adrian Fenty had city crews to plow and shovel DC's Wealthy communities first while leaving the city's less Wealthier citizens to fend for themselves?

Fenty wants to develop a Streetcar line, ditto for Foxx.

What's wrong with Anthony Foxx wanting to follow in Fenty's footsteps?

Well for starters Washington, DC already has a Modern, well-developed Public Mass Transportation system with high ridership.

Charlotte on the other hand does NOT!

Charlotte's Public Mass Transportation consists of a Segregated City Bus system.

Nice, Clean, well-maintained, on-schedule buses for Charlotte's White citizens and Bankers.

Raggedy, Cold/Hot, Late buses for Charlotte's Black citizens.

All of this even though both Black & White citizens pay the SAME exact fares.

Charlotte does have a Light Rail system but its incomplete.

Instead of Anthony Foxx using Federal funding to help expand the Light Rail as he promised while serving on the Charlotte City Council back in 2007, he wants to funnel millions of dollars into a 1.5 mile Streetcar.

Has Mayor Foxx ever considered that what works for DC might NOT be what's best for Charlotte at this time? (a Recession)




Well now you know where Mayor Anthony Foxx borrowed his Streetcar idea from.

Why doesn't Foxx focus on helping to lower Charlotte's extremely HIGH Crime rate and expanding the city's Light Rail system before copying his "buddy" Adrian Fenty's Streetcar project idea?

If Anthony Foxx forces the City Council to develop his "Streetcar named Desire" at this time during one of Charlotte's worst Economic crisis, do you think he will more than likely be a one-term Mayor?

I'll leave that decision up to Charlotte's voters in 2011.

I'm just saying.

Check out the articles and videos below.






Extra Car Could Be Added To Charlotte Lynx Light Rail


Crowded commuters on the city's light rail line could be getting some relief after transit officials this week proposed the addition of a third car on Lynx trains during peak travel times.

Longer trains would require the extension of passenger platforms and more powerful electrical systems to propel the additional car. Engineers believe the modifications would cost $66.9 million.

About 16,000 passengers ride the south corridor line each day, far exceeding original projections for the two year-old service, said Carolyn Flowers, CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System.

Three-car trains were originally planned, Flowers said, but the project was scaled back due to concerns about the cost of the line from I-485, near Pineville, to Uptown.

During the evening rush hour, Lynx trains are filled to near capacity, said Reggie Smith, a south Charlotte resident who said he has been riding the train since the service was launched in November 2007.

"You’re barely moving, and when the doors open up you’re praying 'please don’t let anyone else come on because I’m about to die'," Smith told NewsChannel 36.

An extension of the Lynx system is planned for northeast Charlotte, including stops along North Tryon, UNC-Charlotte, and I-485 in University City. Cost estimates for the project top $1 billion, and transit planners have said a recent decline in local funding could delay the start of service for the expanded system until 2019.

Officials have said the modifications on the south corridor could be made at the same time the new line is constructed.

The three-car trains will be required along the full length of the expanded light-rail system, transit planners have said, because the Lynx line is projected to draw nearly 25,000 daily passengers by 2030.

Still, some transit leaders are questioning the proposal to modify an existing train service when funding for other rail projects remains uncertain.

"It’s very difficult for me to justify expanding a line that is successful until we provide rail to the other areas who need it," Huntersville Mayor Jill Swain said during Wednesday's meeting of the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

A sharp decline in money collected from Mecklenburg's half-cent sales tax for transit has sparked recent debate among MTC members about which transit projects should be built first.

The commission is scheduled to decide next month whether to pursue federal funding for at least part of the modifications to the south corridor.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx said said the MTC will continue to weigh the plans for modifying existing transit service against the funding that is available for all construction.

"There are other projects that are in line for support and we have to listen to the professionals and then make a decision," he said.

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D.C. Mayor Says Federal Funds On The Way For Snowstorm Cleanup


The federal government will reimburse Washington authorities for snow cleanup in the wake of two massive snowstorms that recently hit the region, according to D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.

The mayor said that city agencies have done the best possible job clearing snow from roadways and sidewalks, but that the federal government will kick in disaster relief funds in order to defray growing costs for local governments.

Asked on MSNBC if the city has done the best job possible, Fenty said, "There's no question," but admitted that "there's always things you could do better."

Fenty also said that he spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Wednesday, who assured him that the federal government will reimburse the cost to the D.C. government, a move he called "a big help."

Many area residents have become frustrated with the D.C. city government as well as Virginia and Maryland authorities because they believe not enough has been done to clear roads, sidewalks and transit lines.

But Fenty said D.C. averages 15 inches of snow per winter, and does not have the capacity to handle the 65 inches that have fallen on the city this year. He did say that in the future, the city would seek to expand agreements with private contractors and keep snow removal equipment better maintained.

Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) said Wednesday that federal disaster relief funds administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, are likely on the way for the region.

Over 30 inches of snow has fallen on the region since last Friday, essentially paralyzing the city. The federal government has been closed all week and the House of Representatives has called off its votes for the rest of the week.

The Senate voted Tuesday, but it is unlikely it will vote again this week.

Both the House and the Senate are expected to keep their Presidents Day recess next week, meaning they will not return for votes until the following week.


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Sources: CNN, MSNBC, The Hill, Washington Post, WCNC, Google Maps