Norwood, Ohio to benefit from Amtrak locomotive manufacturing

NOTE: Some jobs for Ohio in this contract award from Amtrak....

 

by Amtrak on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 10:24pm
AMTRAK AWARDS $466 MILLION CONTRACT FOR 70 NEW ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES

Improved performance and reliability for Northeast passenger rail services

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – As part of a comprehensive plan to modernize and expand its fleet of equipment, Amtrak is buying 70 new electric locomotives to provide improved performance and reliability for its Northeast intercity passenger rail services.  The six-year, $466 million contract was awarded to Siemens and will create 250 jobs primarily at a facility in Sacramento, California, but also at plants in Norwood, Ohio and Alpharetta, Georgia.

"Amtrak is a critical transportation provider in the Northeast and modern locomotives are essential to meet the service reliability expectations of our passengers and for us to handle the growing ridership demand in the coming years," said President and CEO Joseph Boardman.

Boardman explained the first Amtrak Cities Sprinter ACS-64 electric locomotive is to be delivered in February 2013 and will operate at speeds up to 125 mph (201 kph) on the Northeast Corridor from Washington, D.C. to Boston and up to 110 mph (177 kph) on the Keystone Corridor from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, Pa.  They will replace locomotives in service between 20 and 30 years with average mileage of 3.5 million miles traveled.

"Amtrak's order for 70 new electric locomotives will not only create new manufacturing jobs, it supports the Department of Transportation's strategy to use transportation to build the infrastructure needed to support a modern growing economy, while helping make our cities more livable, improve the environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said Joseph C. Szabo, Federal Railroad Administrator.  "This new equipment will go far in meeting the rapidly growing demand for intercity passenger rail service in the Northeast."

"As the global leader in rail innovation, we are thrilled that Amtrak has selected our proven locomotive technology which will create 250 green manufacturing jobs in the United States," said Daryl Dulaney, president and CEO, Siemens Industry, Inc.  "These locomotives will be built in America using renewable energy and provide cleaner, more efficient movement of people on the most heavily traveled rail route in the country."

The new Amtrak locomotive meets the latest federal safety regulations and includes additional safety features not yet required such as crash energy management components like anti-climbing technology and push-back couplers designed to keep the train upright, inline and on the tracks in the event of a collision.  The design also allows for easier maintenance leading to faster turn around times and increased availability of locomotives for service.

In addition, the new locomotives will be more energy efficient and will replace older units that presently do not have regenerative braking systems that can automatically return electricity to the power grid.

As the new units come into service, Amtrak plans first to retire all current 20 DC AEM-7 electric locomotives in its fleet, followed by replacement of all 29 AC AEM-7 units.  The remaining 21 locomotives of the order will be used to replace all 15 HHP-8 locomotives with the additional units supporting anticipated service expansion.

Boardman added in February 2010 Amtrak released an ambitious, long-term Fleet Strategy Plan to replace aging and outdated locomotives and passenger cars in order to enhance operations, attract more riders, reduce maintenance costs and delays, improve on-time performance and expand services on current and new routes.  The report lays out the basis for recapitalizing the entire fleet over a period of time in a manner that will not only provide new and modern equipment for passengers, but will also develop and sustain the domestic production capacity needed for the long term viability of intercity passenger rail in the United States.

The new 70 electric locomotives are a key element of that plan and is the second major equipment procurement undertaken since July 2010 when Amtrak announced the award of a $298 million contract to build 130 single-level passenger rail cars to support growing ridership on its long-distance trains.


About Amtrak

As the nation's intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2010), the railroad carried over 28.7 million passengers, making it the best year in the company's history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the

partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.


About Siemens

Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors.  For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions.  With 405,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported

worldwide revenue of $104.3 billion in fiscal 2009.  Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $21.3 billion and employs approximately 64,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.  For more information on Siemens in the United States, visit www.usa.siemens.com

_______

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

More Ohioans are riding Passenger Rail

This ODOT press release is posted at:

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/news/Pages/NewNumbersshowMoreOhioansridingPassengerRail.aspx

 

_________

New Numbers show More Ohioans riding Passenger Rail

COLUMBUS - Based on new passenger rail ridership figures from Amtrak, a review by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Rail Development Commission shows that the demand for transportation choice is on the rise, with 14 percent more Ohioans riding passenger trains over the past year.

Nearly 147,000 passengers got on or off trains in Ohio in fiscal year 2010, according to data released earlier this month by Amtrak – the nation's leading passenger rail operator. That's up from 128,174 passengers in 2009.

The increase of more than 18,500 in Ohio helped Amtrak set a new annual ridership record of 28.7 million passengers for the fiscal year ending September 30. Since 2000, Amtrak says national ridership is up nearly 37 percent.

Currently, Amtrak provides limited long-distance service in Ohio, with seven station stops.

The biggest Ohio ridership gains were in Toledo, where 65,667 people got on or off at the historic Toledo Union Station - up 21 percent from the prior year - and in Elyria, where ridership jumped nearly 30 percent.

In Cleveland, ridership increased 12 percent, with 44,075 000 boardings and alightings at the Amtrak station downtown.

These increases come despite the late-night and early-morning schedules currently offered. Ridership in Cincinnati slipped 3 percent, due in part to the limited thrice-weekly service on the Cardinal line.

To boost ridership even more, Amtrak is considering service upgrades to the Capitol Limited service (Chicago-Washington DC), which has stops in Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland and Alliance. The improvements would include a new connection to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York City for through-service without changing trains at Pittsburgh. Amtrak is also considering an upgrade to daily service on the Cardinal in Cincinnati.

The Lake Shore Limited service (Chicago-New York City/Boston) stops in Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria and Cleveland and has been upgraded with refurbished dining cars within the past year.

Below is a breakdown of the station stops and the increase in ridership:

Station               2009            2010
Alliance              3,364           3,641
Bryan                 5,942           6,562
Cincinnati          14,777         14,228
Cleveland          39,371         44,075
Elyria                 3,719           4,862
Sandusky           6,513          7,826
Toledo               54,488        65,667
TOTAL:          128,174       146,681

###

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Media Alert

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release:  October 27, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

COUNCILMEMBER PALEY TO HOLD PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE HEARING TO DISCUSS PROPOSED 2011 WATER AND SEWER RATES

 

WHO:

Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley

 

WHEN:

Thursday, November 4, 2010

5:00 PM

 

WHERE:

City Council Chambers

City Hall

90 West Broad Street

 

WHAT:

Columbus City Council Member Eileen Y. Paley, Chair of the Public Utilities Committee, will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposed 2011 water and sewer rates and other related issues. Tatyana Arsh, P.E., Director of the Columbus Department of Public Utilities, and staff will present recommendations to the Committee. Public testimony will be accepted. Free parking is available after 5 PM in the City Hall surface lot at Gay and Front Streets. Attendees should enter City Hall at the Front Street security desk where they may also fill out a speaker slip prior to the meeting.

 

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Media Release

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE   For Immediate Release: October 26, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 Council Passes Tougher Penalties for Absentee Landlords

 

The Columbus City Council has passed legislation designed to better hold owners accountable when their property or properties violate city codes.  The ordinance, the Penalties for Disappearing Real Property Owner law, was sponsored by Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares and sends a clear message to property owners that they must maintain their property to acceptable community standards and be available when city leaders are trying to work with them to remedy code violations on their property.

 

“Many times, these property owners are nowhere to be found when homes, duplexes or complexes fall into disrepair,” said Tavares who chairs the Housing Committee.  “These properties present a nuisance to our neighborhoods and in some cases are a clear danger to the community.”

 

The new law allows the City Attorney’s office to charge a property owner with a first degree misdemeanor when the owner cannot be contacted at the address they have listed with the City, county Auditor’s or Recorder’s office.  The City must also prove to the court they have made a good faith effort to locate a property owner by other means.  A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by 60 days in jail and a $1000 fine.  Currently, the City can only pursue third degree penalties.  The ordinance is the result of many months of hard work between Councilmember Tavares’ office, City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr., and interested parties.  Councilmember Tavares hosted four public hearings on the matter and secured the support of such groups as the Columbus Board of Realtors before submitting final legislation to Council.

 

“This has been a true collaboration to build consensus in the community for a common sense law that will help Columbus clean-up vacant or abandoned properties in a quicker, safer manner,” said Tavares. 

 

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Meeting Highlights 10-25-10

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: October 25, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

HELPING COMPLETE THE SCIOTO-ALUM CREEK CONNECTOR:  As part of the Columbus Bicentennial Bikeways Plan, the city of Columbus has developed a bike trail system along the north-south corridors however, a deficiency exists in east-west bikeway routes to connect these systems.  The Scioto-Alum Creek Connector (formerly named Downtown Bikeway Connector) is an east-west connector that runs through the downtown and connects the Scioto Trail to the shared use path along I-670.  In order to complete this project it is necessary to designate portions of existing sidewalk at two locations as shared-use paths. Columbus City Code anticipates the potential for shared use paths in the public right-of-way serving pedestrians and bicyclists.  Shared use paths can be composed of asphalt, concrete or bricks, and are typically 8 feet to 12 feet wide.  Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1496-2010 to designate portions of sidewalk as shared-use paths to complete the connector and allow pedestrians and bicyclists to use the path without fear of violating the City's prohibition of riding bicycles on sidewalks. Those locations consist along the east side of Neil Avenue from Long Street to Nationwide Boulevard; and west side of Cleveland Avenue from McCoy Street to Jack Gibbs Boulevard.

 

SUPPORTING THE COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY:  The Columbus Metropolitan Library has been serving residents of central Ohio for more than 125 years and earlier this year received the Library Journal's Library of the Year award, one of the highest honors bestowed on library systems in the United States.  City Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley will be introducing resolution 0147X-2010 to express support for Issue 4 on the November 2, 2010 ballot. The passage of Issue 4 will allow for the replacement and increase of the current library levy to maintain the exceptional service and valuable resources the library provides everyday to the residents of our community.  The Columbus Metropolitan Library lends over seventeen million items and has over eight million visitors each year.  

 

COUNCIL HELPING RETAIN AND CREATE jobs IN columbus:  As part of the ongoing strategy to retain and create job opportunities for Columbus residents, City Council will authorize an Enterprise Zone Agreement of 75 percent for 10 years and a Job Creation Tax Credit agreement of 65 percent for 6 years with The Coca-Cola Company.  In return, Coca Cola has committed to expanding its Watkins Road Syrup Plant by investing $120 million and creating 35 new full-time jobs and retaining 116 current positions.  Development Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 1515-2010 to authorize the agreements. The Coca-Cola Company operates in more than 200 countries and markets more than 3,000 beverage products.

 

PROVIDING PROGRAMS FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH:  Each year the Recreation and Parks Department uses funds appropriated by City Council to provide opportunities for disadvantaged children to participate in certain fee-based programs.  Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 1458-2010 to appropriate $44,112.00 from the Private Leisure Assistance for Youth (PLAY) Fund for scholarships to pay the fees of these programs.  In 2009, the Recreation and Parks department dispersed $56,861 in P.L.A.Y. grants to 5,500 participants, and so far in 2010, the department has given out $50,148 in grants to approximately 4,500 kids from low-income families. 

 

IMPROVING ACCESS TO ON-LINE GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 1420-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $72,760.75 from the Department of Technology Information Services Fund for the purchase of new virtual servers for its Accela application from Agilysys.  Currently, the Accela application servers are installed on physical servers and need to be replaced in order to provide redundancy in the event of a server malfunction. These replacement servers are used to issue building permits, track code enforcement activities and monitor the performance of the One-Stop-Shop. Replacement of the database servers is crucial for the Department of Technology to maintain the Accela Automation (AA) application; without it the department would lose the ability to provide web access for building permits, data and information utilized by the local building industry and citizens of the City regarding issues such as building permits and inspections.

 

PROMOTING LEAD SAFE HOMES IN COLUMBUS NEIGHBORHOODS:  Lead-based hazards can still be found in many Columbus homes.  Through local and grant funding, the Lead Safe Columbus program offers resources to remove hazardous lead-based materials for eligible property owners.  Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 1507-2010, which authorizes the expenditure of $75,344.05 from the General Government Grant Fund to pay for expenses associated with the Lead Safe Columbus program.  Funds are provided through the 2007 Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grant received from the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The program demonstrates the city’s commitment to generating lead-safe affordable housing and the prevention of lead poisoning in children and adults.

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Response to Dispatch article

To all:

 

The Dispatch has done another hatchet job in its Oct. 24 article "Railroads weren't in on new 3C rail study." The reporter, whose beat is politics and not transportation, went into an article with a premise and disregarded much information that did not have anything to do with a premise. That's the very same thing the Dispatch accuses the Ohio Department of Transportation of doing in estimating a 50 mph average speed.

 

What it missed -- AGAIN -- was a context. Is it normal for freight railroads to be consulted at this stage of analysis? I told the reporter it was premature for the freight railroads to be involved at this stage of a rail project's development. Also I reminded him that the freight railroads have issued letters of support for the process the state is pursuing, and that Woodside Consulting is staffed by former freight railroad executives who use methodologies supported by the freight railroads. None of that made it into this cherry pickers' special.

 

The article noted the higher speed doesn't depend on different trains. So? A 50 mph average speed is in the ballpark of other states' average speeds for new train services started over the past 30 years using gleaming new trains or rebuilt 50-year-old trains -- which I told the reporter. And, saying "the higher speeds don't depend on any improvements to tracks other than the $236.2 million in upgrades that state officials outlined last year" ignores that the earlier 39 mph average speed was a baseline estimate by Amtrak which didn't account for any of these job-producing improvements to freight rail infrastructure. Their political writer did a nice job in omitting that, too.

 

Sadly, I should not be surprised the reporter excluded my qualifying remark that this project's timing will likely keep it from being in the state's next biennial budget, despite faux concerns raised by the Dispatch's conservative editorial board that it would. The reporter's condescension, referring to me as Ohio's biggest rail cheerleader (I previously worked for 15 years as a full-time reporter and shot down bad rail projects throughout my professional life), has no place in a professional, commentary-free, journalistic piece.

 

The next time you see my name in a Dispatch article, it will be accompanied only by a "no comment." I will no longer be party to their plans to destroy a crucial starting-point investment in Ohio's future, one that is so common elsewhere in its characteristics and its sponsors' approach (both of which Ohio is copying) it is sad that some still have a "blinded by the sun" response to it. I keep hoping the Dispatch will illuminate the masses rather than blind them with irrelevance. And I keep getting let down.

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Jolene Molitoris - 2010 Public Servant of the Year gala

From the Ohio Environmental Council....

 

Fellow All Aboard Ohio Members-

Please join me in honoring Jolene Molitoris as the 2010 Public Servant of the Year at the Ohio Environmental Council's 2010 Green Gala—Saturday night, November 6^th at the Columbus Athenaeum.

We are recognizing Director Molitoris for her remarkable leadership to make passenger rail, public transit and a truly integrated transportation system top priorities for the State of Ohio.

 

Let's give Jolene a hearty hurrah.  Go to Green Gala to get your tickets now!  I hope to see you there!

Jack Shaner

Deputy Director and Senior Director of Legislative and Public Affairs

Ohio Environmental Council

Desk: 614-487-5822

Cell: 614-446-1693

Come out and see the stars at this year's Green Gala, Saturday night, November 6th! 

And don't miss Green Screen, our monthly film series.

Please think of the environment before you print this email.

Election issue correction

Dear members and friends, there is an error in the special election issue. The RSVP e-mail address for the Go Ohio workshops is incorrect. It is missing the .us at the end of it. Thus the correct e-mail adddress is Go.Ohio@dot.state.oh.us

 

Sorry for any inconvenience.

 

KJP

SPECIAL ELECTION ISSUE - eEdition of AAO newsletter

Dear members and friends:

 

Kindly share this special elections issue with others!

 

Download the issue at:

http://freepdfhosting.com/bd2d18def6.pdf

 

In this issue......

 

> Comparing the 3C/passenger rail statements of the leading gubernatorial and senatorial candidates -- you decide!

> Akron Beacon Journal staff editorial "Ride the rail"

> Columbus Dispatch article "State now says 3C train will average 50 mph"

> Columbus Business First article "Report Ties Jobs to High Speed rail Bid"

> Columbus Dispatch article "Rail plan touted as fueling economy"

> Go OHIO Public Workshops by ODOT, locations and dates

> Please help All Aboard Ohio in this time of crisis! We need your financial help!!

 

For more information, contact:

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Did you forget our meeting Saturday?

Hello, if you haven't already done so, please let me know by tomorrow if you will be attending!

 

Oct. 23rd/Saturday -- 9:30 a.m.; FALL MEETING -- Spaghetti Warehouse, 42 South Superior Street (at Lafayette Street, one block south of Fifth Third Field baseball stadium), TOLEDO. Featured speaker: Derrick James, Amtrak's Director of Government Affairs-Central. Registration is $20 per member or $45 per non-member (includes 1-year membership in All Aboard Ohio). Continental breakfast and lunch included. Register by phone by contacting Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883 or e-mail at kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org

 

KJP

 

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Media Alert

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT   For Immediate Release: October 20, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson to Host Public Hearing on Nomination of the Old Beechwold Neighborhood to the Columbus Register of Historic Places

 

Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson will host a public hearing on the nomination of the Old Beechwold neighborhood to the Columbus Register of Historic Places. Old Beechwold is located in the Clintonville area of Columbus and is one of city’s oldest neighborhoods.

 

The Columbus Register of Historic Places is the city's official listing of individual properties, groups and districts of historic and architectural significance. Columbus has 17 historic districts and 59 individual buildings listed on the Register.

 

WHO:
Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson

Columbus Historic Preservation Officer Randy Black

Old Beechwold Neighborhood Representatives

 

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
5:00 pm

 

WHERE:
Columbus City Council Chambers

City Hall, 2^nd Floor

90 West Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

 

 

 

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ODOT responds in a big way to a growing demand for public transit

ODOT responds in a big way to population

changes and a growing demand for public transit

All Aboard Ohio urges $250 million per year for transit

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — October 18, 2010

 

Contact:

Ken Prendergast

All Aboard Ohio Executive Director

(216) 288-4883

kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org

 

Today, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced it will quintuple the state's support for public transportation. All Aboard Ohio urges ODOT to quintuple it again in the coming years to address minimum transportation needs.

 

ODOT's significant new public transit initiative will help keep more than 1 million of the most-vulnerable Ohioans mobile and involved in the state's economy. All Aboard Ohio, a nonprofit association that advocates for improved passenger rail and public transportation, welcomed the new effort as an important step toward addressing a decades-long under-funding of transit statewide.

 

ODOT's new program is the "21st Century Transit Partnerships for Ohio's Next Generation." Through significant project savings and additional federal resources, ODOT has identified up to $50 million in the current fiscal year – and is pledging $50 million in each year of the next biennial budget – to invest in a sustainable transit partnership for Ohio's next generation, with targeted funding to preserve existing transit services ($25 million), provide 'clean and green' new vehicles ($15 million), and add innovative new service starts ($10 million). Download the ODOT program description here: http://freepdfhosting.com/e82dcda099.pdf.

 

"This is a major step forward for Ohio which has invested less per year in public transit ($10 million) than it has for cutting grass along its interstates ($12 million)," said All Aboard Ohio President Bill Hutchison. "Ohio has ranked 45^th in the nation in transit funding in recent years but is the nation's ninth-most densely populated state. This new level of investment in transit is a welcomed step forward and more is needed."

 

The need for additional funding is great. Too much of Ohio is inaccessible for the 8½ percent of Ohio households without cars (US Census 2000). Many more Ohio households have multiple wage earners where one car must be shared. And there are elderly who have cars but can seldom use them, especially for driving longer, tiring distances. If Ohio allocated just 8½ percent of its $2.5 billion transportation budget for public transportation, it would be investing nearly $250 million.

 

America's two largest demographic groups are driving less and seeking more transportation alternatives:

 

Generation Y, aged 21-30 years, is the largest generation in American history – 80 million strong. According to Kiplinger.com Generation Y motorists make up only 14 percent of the miles driven in the U.S., down from 21 percent by the prior generation in 1995. Younger Americans are more apt to consider driving to be a waste of time and expensive, competing for time and money with computers and smart phone applications.

 

Baby Boomers, the second-largest generation in U.S. history, start turning 65 years old in 2011. Retirement is followed by decreasing physical ability to drive as frequently or over longer distances. They need more mobility to reach health care, activities and amenities so they stay independent and involved in their communities. Many of Ohio's elderly are shut-in and isolated from family or friends without public transit.

 

"Cities as large as Lorain and Warren have little or no public transit within them or to larger cities nearby like Cleveland and Youngstown," Hutchison said. "If we want to keep our young people in Ohio and our older citizens engaged in the state's economy, we cannot ignore our public transit systems anymore. ODOT's new transit programs are a big step forward in addressing that growing need."

 

END

Meeting Highlights 10-18-10

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: October 18, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

KEEPING THE CITY’S FIRST RESPONDERS SAFE: Ensuring the safety of the men and women who protect Columbus residents from crime and fire remains one of the city’s top priorities.  Public Safety Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring two ordinances to provide new police and fire recruits with protective uniforms.  Ordinance 1452-2010, authorizes the expenditure of $183,115 from General Fund to purchase uniforms for the new Division of Police recruit class and ordinance 1445-2010, authorizes the expenditure of $174,400 from the General Fund for the purchase of uniforms for the new Division of Fire recruit class.  Both classes will have 50 members and are scheduled to begin in December.   

 

DEMOLISHING A PUBLIC NUISANCE:  The abandoned Hamilton Plaza/Howard Johnson Plaza hotel, located at 2124 S. Hamilton Road continues to impose health and safety concerns for Columbus residents.  Ordinance 1404-2010, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson, authorizes the expenditure of $28,000 for an asbestos survey mandated by the Ohio EPA prior to demolition of the property.  The site is an abandoned 151,043 square foot, multi room hotel with a pool, three stop elevator, whirlpool and associated service areas whose continued existence constitutes a danger and a public nuisance to the area and the city.  

 

UPDATING THE CITY’S WEBSITE: Administration Committee Chair A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 1417-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $200,000 from the Information Services Capital Improvement Bond Fund for the modification of a contract with COMSYS to enhance and update the city’s current web environment and “e-Gov” services.  The contract modification will allow for the migration of the existing content into a redesigned and more usable web site, utilizing a new Ektron Content Management System (CMS).  The updated system will allow the city’s website to be more user-friendly for area residents and visitors to the city.  

 

ENSURING CHILDREN ARE VACCINATED AGAINST DISEASES:  The Columbus Health Department has been awarded a grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for the Vaccine Safety Outreach Initiative Program.  The intent of the program is to identify sub-populations with concerns about vaccine safety and educate residents about vaccine safety within the community.  Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares, chair of the Health and Human Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 1398-2010 to allow the Columbus Department of Health to accept the grant in the amount of $200,000 for the Vaccine Safety Outreach Initiative Program.  The goal of the program is to educate residents about the safety and importance of childhood vaccines and maximize the number of children being vaccinated against diseases.  The program will run through August, 15, 2011. 

 

PURCHASING NATURAL GAS REFUSE TRUCKS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS: In 2008, the city of Columbus received a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant to purchase compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to help reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles.  Public Service Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig is sponsoring ordinance 1427-2010 to authorize the expenditure of $134,200 for the purchase of two CNG flatbed trucks for the Public Service Department’s Refuse Collection Division.  CNG vehicles produce significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and toxic and carcinogenic pollutants.  Natural gas is readily available, clean-burning and costs less than gasoline or diesel fuel. The city will save 46% in fuel costs while operating the new vehicles.   

BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS AT CITY HALL:  The landscaping at City Hall is a reflection of the pride Columbus residents have in the building and the City.  That’s why the Columbus Apartment Association and volunteers provided the material and labor throughout the year to maintain the nearly three dozen flower beds that improve the look of City Hall.  Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley will present Certificates of Recognition to association members as a way of thanking them for their hard work during the 2010 season. 

 

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Rock the Rails! at 5PM Oct. 23 in Columbus

After the All Aboard Ohio Fall Meeting in Toledo (keynote speaker Derrick James of Amtrak!), join us for Rock the Rails! at 5PM Oct. 23 in Columbus. See the flier posted at....

 

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb90/Peepersk/3C%20Corridor/RocktheRailspromo1s.jpg

 

Or at....

 

http://freepdfhosting.com/ae2dfebcd3.pdf

 

KJP

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Train foes have roads agenda

Some guy from All Aboard Ohio wrote this op-ed that appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer this morning......

Train foes have roads agenda
By Ken Prendergast • October 15, 2010

Once again, the Buckeye Institute reveals its love for the free market so long as its beloved highway monopoly is immune from liability while being lavished with billions annually in taxpayer subsidies.

The latest example is "Let's throw the brakes on proposed 3C train" (Oct. 10) by Mary McCleary, policy analyst at the Buckeye Institute. It likes to raise awareness of small subsidies for rail while ignoring far larger subsidies for roads and highways. Why would a so-called "free market think tank" slam a proposed increase from zero dollars to $1.50 per Ohioan in annual subsidies for rail in Ohio while ignoring $110 per Ohioan in yearly taxpayer subsidies for highways?

Follow the money. Buckeye gets funding from foundations that made their money from oil, asphalt and other petroleum-based products, according to the independent watchdog group Media Transparency.

READ MORE AT:
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101015/EDIT02/10160333/1019/EDIT/Train+foes+have+roads+agenda

 

 

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

High-speed rail: If they don't want it, we do

If Ohio doesn't use the $400 million for 3C (the Midwest's busiest travel corridor between metros), it goes back to the Federal Railroad Administration for it to reassign to other rail project applications submitted on Oct. 2, 2009. Ohio had no other funding-ready applications, and other states and regions are already chomping at the bit....

 

GLOBE EDITORIAL
High-speed rail: If they don't want it, we do
October 10, 2010

If politicians in states such as California, Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin can't stomach the idea of a high-speed rail system, the Obama administration should redirect billions of federal dollars to where they belonged in the first place: the busy Northeastern corridor, where population density and public appreciation for train travel both run high.

When the administration handed out $8 billion in rail grants, New England came up mostly short, landing a mere 2 percent of the money. Yet many of the big winners in this competition hardly seem grateful. As The New York Times reported last week, Republican candidates for governor in a number of states are campaigning against the rail projects their states received gobs of federal money to build.

Full editorial at: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/10/10/high_speed_rail_if_they_d

 

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

RE: Avail. for 5XNW Area ARBOR Meeting 9/23 @ 6:30pm @ 1500 W. Third Avenue

Can you come to our meeting on the 19^th, that is really about Community Gardens – but at the end of it speak about this Green Legacy project? We are holding it at 1500 W. Third Avenue, 6:30 – in the basement conference room.

 

Rebecca S. Obester | Financial Associate | Treasury & Securities Services | Pricing Strategy & Analysis | J.P. Morgan Chase| 1111 Polaris Parkway, 3E Columbus OH 43240-2050 | T: 614 217 1399| M: 614 516 8577 | rebecca.s.obester@jpmchase.com |

 

From: duhassau@columbus.k12.oh.us [mailto:duhassau@columbus.k12.oh.us]
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 2:21 PM
To: Rebecca S Obester
Cc: duhassau@columbus.k12.oh.us; cgirves@uaea.org; gary.baker@huntington.com; cac.district9@sbcglobal.net; contact@universityareacommission.org; chuckpatterson@theghac.com; bshalter@columbus.rr.com; Bruce Mortland; JOSEPHINE ROND; Nathan A. Durst, Esq.; Angie Meeker; bruce McKibben; Susan Moseley 2
Subject: RE: Avail. for 5XNW Area ARBOR Meeting 9/23 @ 6:30pm @ 1500 W. Third Avenue

 

Hi,
Just for clarification, the Green Legacy project was between the University District Organization and Ohio State. Would be happy to talk with you about it. It was not a city project per se.
Doreen

Please Note Time Change

***time of the event is 1:30 pm, not 11:00 am as previously indicated.

 

For immediate release

October 12, 2010

 

Contact:  Dan Williamson, 645-5300

               Cynthia Rickman, Development, 645-8795

   John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798

 

Mayor to Oversee Demolition of Two Homes as Franklinton Revitalization Continues

 

The city’s Home Again Program was kicked off four years ago in Franklinton in an effort to revitalize the neighborhood.  Revitalization efforts continue with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2008.   

 

WHO:

Mayor Michael B. Coleman

City Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares

Jim Sweeney, Franklinton Development Association

Franklinton Neighborhood leaders

 

WHEN:

Wednesday October 13, 2010

1:30 p.m.

 

WHERE:

38 & 40 West Park Avenue

 

-30-

 

 

 

 

Dan Williamson

Communications Director

Mayor Michael B. Coleman

614-645-5300

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rec Sports Member Update

Member Update

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

 

1. American Red Cross Blood Drive October 28
2. Intramural Badminton Tournament to be Held October 24
3. New for 2010-11: Themed Birthday Parties with Rec Sports!
4. Need Child Care During Ohio State’s Home Football Games?
5. School out? Camp Now & Then is Open!        

 

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to recsportsmembers-unsubscribe@lists.studentaffairs.ohio-state.edu from the e-mail account to which you are subscribed for this listserv.

1.        American Red Cross Blood Drive October 28

By donating blood and saving someone's life, you could win Ohio State football tickets or                                                a weekend getaway in Hocking Hills! The Marathon Club is sponsoring a blood drive on                                     Thursday, October 28, 2010 from 1 - 7 p.m. in the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. Sign-up to

give blood by contacting Ashley Latta at latta.24@buckeyemail.osu.edu

2.        Intramural Badminton Tournament to be Held October 24

                                Get your serve ready for the Intramural Badminton Tournament on Sunday, October 24,

                                from noon - 4 p.m. at the RPAC North Gym. Cost is $10 per participant, and registration   

                                takes place at the Intramural Office (RPAC Office Suite B147) until Saturday, October      

                                23.

 

3.        New for 2010-11: Themed Birthday Parties with Rec Sports!

                                Do you have a little princess who needs to be treated like royalty on her birthday? How   

                                about a sports nut whose special day would be made just being near the Horseshoe? 

These are two great ways for your child to celebrate their special day! Pick a theme that your child is most interested in and book your climbing or pool party with Rec Sports today. For more information, check out: http://www.recsports.osu.edu/community-programs/family-programs/birthday-parties

 

4.       Need Child Care During Ohio State’s Home Football Games?

Hosted by the Department of Recreational Sports’ Community Programs, children of those attending the home football games can spend their afternoon or evening participating in a number of different activities at the RPAC during Scarlet and Gray Saturdays. Scarlet and Gray Saturdays are available for the following home games: October 23 (Purdue-Homecoming) and November 13 (Penn State). 

      Member rates are $21 per child per game. For more information, visit:

       http://www.recsports.osu.edu/community-programs/child-youth-school-days-off/football-saturdays

 

5.       School Out? Camp Now & Then is open!

During the school year when Columbus City Schools and many other districts are closed, the Department of Recreational Sports’ Community Programs hosts Camp Now & Then. Hours have been extended for this school year. Parents may drop off children as early as 8:30 a.m. and pick up as late as 5 p.m. Visit http://www.recsports.osu.edu/community-programs/child-youth-school-days-off/camp-now-then

for more information. Advance registration is required. Member rates are $31 per child per day, and space is limited. Autumn dates include October 15, November 24, December 8, December 20-22, and December 27-30.

 

SPONSOR

Good Gauley!

Experience the biggest whitewater on the planet this fall with West Virginia’s best rafting outfitter, River Expeditions. Paddle the Gauley River, if you dare. This trip is not for the faint of heart– only serious whitewater enthusiasts, please. River Expeditions offers cool ‘BOGO’ specials on select dates. Mention codeword OSU Rec and Save 15% on regularly priced trips/packages. Check out their special events at http://www.raftinginfo.com/specials-and-events.php or join their Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/raftinginfo

 

*************** IMPORTANT CONTACTS ****************

RPAC Welcome Center – 292-7671

ARC Front Desk – 247-8686

Comments to the Interim Director – Kurt Carmen, carmen.7@osu.edu, 688-3587

Adapted Recreational Sports – Lindsay Meyer Bond, bond.217@osu.edu, 688-3693

Adventure Recreation Center  – Jason Percival, percival.8@osu.edu, 688-5780

Jesse Owens Centers – Diane Jensen, jensen.8@osu.edu, 688-3988

Aquatic Center – Diane Jensen, jensen.8@osu.edu, 688-3988
Community Programs – Marci Guckeyson Hasty, hasty.11@osu.edu, 292-5328

Facility/Meeting Room Scheduling - Andrea Hall, hall.794@osu.edu, 292-6481

Group Fitness Classes and Massage – Scott Holmes, holmes.508@osu.edu, 292-8755

Intramural Sports - Ken Hill, hill.521@osu.edu, 292-5292

Lockers, Sport Shop, and Welcome Center Operations - Rob Jech, jech.2@osu.edu, 688-8788

Membership Sales - Kris Myers, myers.785@osu.edu, 688-8461
Ohio State Swim Club – Kyle Goodrich, goodrich.89@osu.edu, 292-1303

Outdoor Adventure Center - Steve Hawkins, hawkins.264@osu.edu, 247-8063

Personal Training - John Katsares, katsares.1@osu.edu, 292-5153

Racquetball and Squash Reservations - 292-8590

Recreational Sports Learning – Brendan Greisberger, greisberger.5@osu.edu, 688-3297

RPAC Operations – Dave DeAngelo, deangelo.1@osu.edu, 247-6009

Special Assistant to the Director – Marci Harrington, harrington.69@osu.edu, 688-3983

Sponsorship – Kristin Smith, smith.1424@osu.edu, 688-4619

Sport Clubs – Charles Anderson, anderson.1859@osu.edu, 688-3879
Web Site – Katie Thomas, Thomas.2407@osu.edu, 292-5287

***************************************************

 

 

AMTRAK SETS NEW RIDERSHIP RECORD

Sent by e-mail.......

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2010
 ATK-10-134

Contact: Media Relations
202 906.3860

AMTRAK SETS NEW RIDERSHIP RECORD,
THANKS PASSENGERS FOR TAKING THE TRAIN
Strong performance shows demand for passenger rail continues to grow

            WASHINGTON – Amtrak set a new annual ridership record of 28,716,857 passengers for the fiscal year ending September 30 and collected a record $1.74 billion in ticket revenue.  The strong performance is evidence that the demand for passenger rail service is rising and that more Americans are choosing Amtrak — a greener and more convenient travel mode.

            "We thank every passenger for choosing Amtrak to meet their intercity travel needs," said President and CEO Joseph Boardman.  "More and more people see passenger rail as a way to get to where they need to go, and when our front line employees put them first, it helps to bring passengers back for another trip."

            A year-over-year comparison of FY 2010 to FY 2009 shows total Amtrak ridership grew by 5.7 percent, or about 1.55 million passengers, and all Amtrak business lines experienced growth including the Northeast Corridor (up 4.3 percent), long-distance trains (up 6.6 percent), and state-supported and other short-distance routes (up 6.5 percent.)  Over the same period, ticket revenue increased 9 percent, or more than $140 million.

            Boardman said Amtrak's relationship with other customers such as states and commuter agencies are also crucial. "Just as we must earn the loyalty of the customers who ride our trains, we must work to build stronger ties to our state and commuter customers," he added, noting that Amtrak operates in an increasingly competitive environment.

            Factors that contributed to Amtrak's success in FY 2010 include a moderately improved economic environment allowing some recovery of business travel along the Northeast Corridor, the increased appeal and popularity of rail travel, effective marketing campaigns, the introduction of Wi-Fi on the high-speed Acela Express trains and sustained high gasoline prices. 

            In addition, continued difficulties with air travel and consumer dissatisfaction with air service are moving passengers from planes to trains particularly along the Northeast Corridor, where Amtrak now enjoys a 65 percent share of the air-rail market between Washington and New York and a 52 percent share of the air-rail market between New York and Boston.

            Since FY 2000, Amtrak ridership is up nearly 37 percent.  To continue this long-term trend, Amtrak is pursuing several initiatives including partnering with states to expand existing services and establish new routes, buying 130 new single-level long-distance passenger cars to modernize its equipment fleet, and beginning the process to expand capacity along the Northeast Corridor to support growing demand.  Amtrak is also promoting its vision for a world class next-generation high-speed rail service capable of achieving 220 mph (354 kph). 

Furthermore, as required under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, Amtrak recently completed the first of several comprehensive reviews of its long-distance trains exploring every aspect of operations from on-time performance to on-board services to identify opportunities for improvement.  The initial group of reports analyzed the Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, California Zephyr, Cardinal and Capitol Limited.  The reports are available on Amtrak's website.

About Amtrak

As the nation's intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2009), the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company's history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.

 

 

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Amtrak's new train gets one-year profit party

FYI: the director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Thelma Drake, is a Republican from Elyria, Ohio......

  

Rail birthday: Amtrak's new train gets one-year profit party
by Hawes Spencer
published 11:03am Thursday Oct 7, 2010

The new Amtrak train in Charlottesville celebrated its one-year anniversary with a Thursday morning party that brought together state and local officials and revealed— sort of— that what might have been a subsidized extension of the Northeast Regional train is actually making a profit.

"They've exceeded all our expectations," said Mayor Dave Norris at the October 7 event.

Last October, the wheels began rolling with a promised three-year state subsidy as Amtrak brought one of its Boston-terminating trains though Charlottesville and as far south as Lynchburg.

Read more here: http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/10/07/rail-birthday-amtrak-new-train-gets-one-year-profit-party/

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Cincinnati local meeting

From our SW Ohio Director and Cincinnati Coordinator Beau Tuke (beautuke@yahoo.com)....

 

All Aboard Ohio - Cincinnati Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 630pm

 

LOCATION: Hyde Park Public Library

2747 Erie Ave. (between Michigan & Shaw)

Library's Meeting Room

 

 

_______

 

 

 

Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org