Saintswrath

Don Ames Reporting
High-speed light rail service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge may not be entirely off-track.

Greater New Orleans, Inc., the chief economic development arm for the New Orleans region, thinks the concept is still viable, despite Governor Jindal's refusal to seek federal funds for the project last year.

Michael Hecht, president and chief executive officer of GNO Inc., says Jindal was against going to Uncle Sam for the money, because local officials had not come up with a plan to finance it and state taxpayers would have been responsible for the operation and maintenance expense.

"We believe there a number of ways, including public/private partnerships or local support that can help defray some or all of the operating costs," Hecht says.

He says his group and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce are currently working with the feds on funding, and some residual may be available in President Obama's budget for the project.
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skymike

I'd be happy with just LaPlace to N.O. light rail, and park n ride. put a parking tower there, charge 5 bucks, and say **** you to Central Parking!

Saint_LB

Reminds me of a story, Mike. I was living in Slidell and had an early flight to catch out of Moisant. Anyway, I always "went to the airport" before I went to the airport...and this morning was no exception.

As I cruised down I-10 contemplating the problems of the universe and how I would either solve them or profit from them, I left the car on auto-pilot, so to speak.

When I finally came out of my "funk", for lack of a better word, I saw that I was passing an exit that was past the airport. Loyola Blvd. maybe?

Anyway...it wasn't that exit, but the one after that...and it was the last Kenner exit before going onto the spillway. I had to go all the way to La Place before I could turn around.

I missed my flight. But...get this.

I went down the next day and got there real early...so early that I went to get breakfast. When it was about 12 minutes before boarding, I walked across the concourse and over to the counter at my gate. I handed the guy my ticket, and he informed me that the flight was full.

I informed him that I had a guaranteed seat. He started to tell me that I was too late, but when he glanced at the clock, he realized I wasn't...by about a minute.

Delta ended up giving me twice the fair in the form of a check, and I was able to take the next flight out to boot.

When I returned from my trip, I remembered how my wife had recently taken a new job and was wanting to upgrade her wardrobe. I handed her the check from Delta and said, "Here...knock yourself out!"

Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right!

skymike

As always, you're educational. I never heard that before.
I have let The Force drive for me many times. My Force drives better than other people's consciousness's, especially in Houston.
I love that feeling. I just got some sort of retro-raise, and had a nice check to hand my wife last night, to use as she pleases. I always put in the memo space, "for intimate relations."

Hey LB, where I come from, I am considered a Hippie.

Saint_LB

Oh how I love the early morning...


People say I'm crazy doing what I'm doing,
Well they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin,
When I say that I'm o.k. they look at me kind of strange,
Surely your not happy now you no longer play the game,

People say I'm lazy dreaming my life away,
Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me,
When I tell that I'm doing Fine watching shadows on the wall,
Don't you miss the big time boy you're no longer on the ball?

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round,
I really love to watch them roll,
No longer riding on the merry-go-round,
I just had to let it go,

People asking questions lost in confusion,
Well I tell them there's no problem,
Only solutions,
Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind,
I tell them there's no hurry...
I'm just sitting here doing time,

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round,
I really love to watch them roll,
No longer riding on the merry-go-round,
I just had to let it go.

Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right!