Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
All Aboard?
This past 4th of July I attended the celebration in Penngrove. Local resident Steve Phillips and friends were operating two antique railroad inspection cars on what used to be the North Western Pacific Railroad Line that operated in Marin County and traveled North through Sonoma County and beyond. The railroad, under various ownerships including Southern Pacific, played a key role in developing and serving Marin and Sonoma Counties. During the late 1800's most of the cobblestones used in Oakland and San Francisco were quarried in the foothills just North of Penngrove, hauled by wagon into Penngrove, and hand loaded onto railcars for transportation.
My girlfriend Christine and I accepted an invitation to go for a ride on Steve's rail inspection car down the tracks South of Penngrove. As the inspection car clattered along at 15 mph I noticed the recent work on the tracks that has been done in anticipation of the SMART Train going into service. It appeared that about every 8th wooden railroad tie had been replaced, it is likely the legal bare minimum of repair needed to be able to operate other track maintenance and repair vehicles including trains before going into full service.
In 1988, 1989, and 1990 I worked at Southern Pacific Railroad in San Francisco as an external auditor. The emphasis of our work was of course focused on the accounting and financial aspects of Southern Pacific and its subsidiaries. The data that is forever ingrained into my memory includes things like for every mile of main-line of track there are 3,249 wooden ties placed at 19 1/2" centers and new locomotives, built by General Motors, cost $1,071,000 each.
As the ride continued I remembered asking employees of Southern Pacific's accounting department why its subsidiary North Western Pacific was sold, it was the very set of tracks we were riding on. The answer was simple, "it didn't pay." The cost of track maintenance vs. the revenues generated for every (loaded) ton per mile was a losing proposition. All the lumber, aggregate, grain, and other freight into and out of Sonoma and Marin County wasn't enough. Keep in mind the land and right-of-ways the railroad operated on was for the most part given to the railroads in the 1800's for free by our Federal Government, it was the incentive for the railroads to develop the West.
Before I knew it we had arrived at the Ely Road Crossing, it was the end of the line and time to reverse direction and return to Penngrove. Keeping in mind the voters have made a commitment to restore rail service for both passengers and freight, I remain concerned about the railroad and its future. It is my understanding that in a number of places there is not enough easement to develop a second parallel track that will allow for both North and Southbound rail traffic at the same time. Will the public support it through high volume ridership? Will there be enough demand for freight to help offset the railroads operating costs for passenger service? I know of no other form of land transportation that has priority for travel i.e. cross traffic must stop while the trains continue on. Railroads have proven they are cost effective in terms of fuel burned per ton transported, many people do not understand that what moves the trains is electricity. The diesel engines simply turn the generators that provide electricity for the electric traction motors.
Well, the station has arrived and the trip was fun.
As 2nd District Supervisor I, John King, will do everything possible to support and promote the success of the railroad while minimizing the costs to Sonoma County taxpayers.
All aboard?
My girlfriend Christine and I accepted an invitation to go for a ride on Steve's rail inspection car down the tracks South of Penngrove. As the inspection car clattered along at 15 mph I noticed the recent work on the tracks that has been done in anticipation of the SMART Train going into service. It appeared that about every 8th wooden railroad tie had been replaced, it is likely the legal bare minimum of repair needed to be able to operate other track maintenance and repair vehicles including trains before going into full service.
In 1988, 1989, and 1990 I worked at Southern Pacific Railroad in San Francisco as an external auditor. The emphasis of our work was of course focused on the accounting and financial aspects of Southern Pacific and its subsidiaries. The data that is forever ingrained into my memory includes things like for every mile of main-line of track there are 3,249 wooden ties placed at 19 1/2" centers and new locomotives, built by General Motors, cost $1,071,000 each.
As the ride continued I remembered asking employees of Southern Pacific's accounting department why its subsidiary North Western Pacific was sold, it was the very set of tracks we were riding on. The answer was simple, "it didn't pay." The cost of track maintenance vs. the revenues generated for every (loaded) ton per mile was a losing proposition. All the lumber, aggregate, grain, and other freight into and out of Sonoma and Marin County wasn't enough. Keep in mind the land and right-of-ways the railroad operated on was for the most part given to the railroads in the 1800's for free by our Federal Government, it was the incentive for the railroads to develop the West.
Before I knew it we had arrived at the Ely Road Crossing, it was the end of the line and time to reverse direction and return to Penngrove. Keeping in mind the voters have made a commitment to restore rail service for both passengers and freight, I remain concerned about the railroad and its future. It is my understanding that in a number of places there is not enough easement to develop a second parallel track that will allow for both North and Southbound rail traffic at the same time. Will the public support it through high volume ridership? Will there be enough demand for freight to help offset the railroads operating costs for passenger service? I know of no other form of land transportation that has priority for travel i.e. cross traffic must stop while the trains continue on. Railroads have proven they are cost effective in terms of fuel burned per ton transported, many people do not understand that what moves the trains is electricity. The diesel engines simply turn the generators that provide electricity for the electric traction motors.
Well, the station has arrived and the trip was fun.
As 2nd District Supervisor I, John King, will do everything possible to support and promote the success of the railroad while minimizing the costs to Sonoma County taxpayers.
All aboard?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tired of Being Ignored?
For the past ten years while involved with groundwater issues, the County General Plan, traffic circulation, and other problems here in the second District, what I have heard over and over again is that people are convinced their elected representatives have forgotten the very people who put them in office. It's true. I want to hear from you and know your concerns.
Tired of being ignored?
Do you want someone who will set quarterly or bi-annual meetings throughout the 2nd District to keep you informed of the issues facing Sonoma County?
Do you want someone who listens with great concern and acts on your behalf?
Do you want someone who understands how important every taxpayer dollar is?
It's your money. Elect the only candidate who cares about you, your property, and your future.
Elect John King!
Monday, August 31, 2009
John E. King Bio
John King is the descendant of Irish immigrants who first came to California for the infamous Gold Rush. While some relatives did in fact find Gold, other family members discovered the real “Gold” was in Sonoma and Marin County’s farmland. John learned the importance of protecting the land and the need for clean, safe, sustainable groundwater supplies while growing up on a ranch in Penngrove.
Educated at the University of California at Santa Barbara, John earned a degree in Business Economics. His diverse background ranges from farming and hauling cattle out of state, to public accounting and commercial loan underwriting for Small Business Administration Loans.
John’s first hand experience, with his well going dry in 1996, was the beginning of a 10 year campaign to evaluate the need for Sonoma County’s water supplies to be safeguarded for quality, safety, and sustainability. His efforts successfully challenged Rohnert Park's failure to analyze groundwater pumping impacts beyond the city limits in surrounding areas. John took that experience and public support to the 6 year long Sonoma County General Plan update process and challenged the Citizens Advisory Committee to develop policy that would protect groundwater supplies, address traffic circulation issues, land use and other concerns of Southern Sonoma County.
"Having a background as an auditor gives me an edge in recognizing how important fiscal responsibility is. The relationship between rural Sonoma County and its cities has been ignored far too long. Rural Sonoma County is losing its groundwater supplies, elected officials have failed to inform the public that the natural resources we depend on are dwindling quickly. It’s time for true leadership, someone with a clear vision of what decisions need to be made for our communities' best interest – I have the qualifications and experience for that job here in the 2nd District.”
You can contact John King at:
P.O. Box 127, Penngrove 94951
email: penngrove@sonic.net
phone: (707) 763-7023
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