Honyocker's Perspective

Jake might have something to say about that.

Infrastructure & Planning vs. Petty Politics

Who could possibly argue that a few hundred grand in a county of half a million isn’t a drop in the bucket?  In high times and low, we all need to recognize that the publicly paid pension of a single retired police officer (namely the likely new mayor of Santa Rosa) is somewhere around $150k annually – which is significantly greater than the cost of the next stage of study for a core piece of planning infrastructure.

So why then would this important connector between one of Santa Rosa’s largest employers, largest & thriving educational institutions, a future railway station and an expanding retail mall get the squelch treatment?  Because of petty, petty divisiveness and bitter politics.  That’s why.  Namely: councilman John Sawyer.

I had the chance to send a message to the folks I most respect on the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board last week – and through the accidental “reply-all” feature by one of the most outspoken members of the BPAB, my original message is now into the public record.  (Brown Act, etc)

So, I’d like to share that whole give & take with you.  First is my message to the BPAB members, then a response by the “senior at large” member, and finally my response.  Along with all the CC’s and BCC’s. I’ve merely removed the personal email addresses out of respect for the recipients.

from Jake Bayless
sender-time Sent at 8:04 AM (GMT-08:00). Current time there: 9:35 AM. ✆
to Beryl Brown,
Beth Dadko,
Dusty Rhodes,
Mark Adams,
Paul Klassen,
Peter Stanley,
Steve Frye,
Tracey Jones,
Barbara Moulton
date Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 8:04 AM
subject Video of a cyclist riding on Steele Lane vs. 101 Overcrossing…
mailed-by gmail.com
Dec 5 (2 days ago)
Hello there-
I hope this note finds you & yours doing well. 

I’m sure you are probably aware of the various things at stake at the upcoming City Council meeting this Tuesday.  Councilman Sawyer has made it clear he intends to revisit the SRJC/101 overcrossing item in order to potentially kill or stall the project.

This morning I came across this recent video of a cyclist riding on Steele Lane & Guerneville Rd from Mendocino to the railroad tracks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMd8jqZtvo8

What I’m most struck by isn’t how appalling an unsafe conditions are for a cyclist (they are, and City planners need to be held accountable) but by what a mess this route must be for a pedestrian.

Thanks for your service to Santa Rosa – please speak at Tuesday’s at City Council’s meeting.  For the life of me I cannot understand how good planning, foresight and infrastructure have become the petty political pawn that they have become.  The public and the council need to hear from you if you agree.

Fondly,
Jake Bayless  (former BPAB member)

from Dusty Rhodes
sender-time Sent at 10:21 AM (GMT-08:00). Current time there: 9:36 AM. ✆
to Jake Bayless,
Beryl Brown,
Beth Dadko,
Mark Adams,
Paul Klassen,
Peter Stanley,
Steve Frye,
Tracey Jones,
Barbara Moulton
cc John Sawyer
date Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 10:21 AM
subject RE: Video of a cyclist riding on Steele Lane vs. 101 Overcrossing…
mailed-by sonic.net
Dec 5 (2 days ago)

What crap!

If one is afraid to cross under the freeway on a bike just get off and walk in the ped. lane.

Note that most of this route shown is marked with bike lanes.

It is not worth $20 million of tax payers’ money to build this overpass for a very few people on bikes.

Pedestrians on Steele Lane will not walk a half mile out of their way to use the overpass.

If this overpass is needed for SMART (read dumb) access let them pay for it.

Dusty Rhodes, Member, bpab

from Jake Bayless
sender-time Sent at 10:42 PM (GMT-08:00). Current time there: 9:36 AM. ✆
to Dusty Rhodes
bcc Beryl Brown,
Beth Dadko,
Mark Adams,
Paul Klassen,
Peter Stanley,
Steve Frye,
Tracey Jones,
Barbara Moulton,
John Sawyer,
eolivares@srcity.org,
Vas Dupre, Marsha,
gwysocky@srcity.org,
Veronica Jacobi,
Susan Gorin,
Bender, Jane,
jours@srcity.org,
sbartley@srcity.org
date Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 10:42 PM
subject Re: Video of a cyclist riding on Steele Lane vs. 101 Overcrossing…
mailed-by gmail.com
10:42 PM (11 hours ago)

Hi Dusty-

Nice to see you’re still not afraid get in the muck and express your extreme views from the anti-tax, anti-infrastructure perspective!  An admittedly unusual ax-to-grind for a board who’s M.O. is “developing project lists and priorities” for planning recommendation.  Nevertheless…
Fact is, Dusty (and Mister Sawyer), we live in a society that values planning, foresight, and (amazingly – please don’t be surprised) paying it forward.  Noble projects usually are expensive – and long term.  This one is hardly a surprise to anyone – the fact that it has become some sort of “payback’s-a-bitch” affair says more about the sponsor of its demise, frankly, than anything else.
I really just wish there was some way to make you realize this isn’t about bikes – it’s about bitter politics.  It’s just a transportation project.  It’s a connector.
It’s about doing the right thing. It’s about our kids, and the community we wish to leave for them.  Hell, we’re certainly not leaving them any gasoline.
Hope you change your mind and do the right thing.
~jake

12 | 07 | 2010 Posted by | Bikes, Neighborhood Activism, News, Trains | Leave a Comment

   

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