outline from Austin Neighborhoods Council panel, which included myself (in opposition), Sam Archer from Cap Metro, David Foster and Jim Walker on the pro-plan side, and ROAD guy Jim Skaggs also in opposition (but presenting the Neanderthal anti-rail-yes-even-light-rail opposition):
- Didn’t get to use half-bridge analogy. Time was my enemy.
- Pro-transit people continue to swallow the “if we don’t pass this we’ll never get another chance” kool-aid – mention 2000 failed and we’re here in ’04, so obviously a different rail plan could be put up in ’06 or ’08
- Despite that, preparing for loss and documenting historical record (ala Shoal Creek) to try to slightly reduce rail’s forthcoming dark ages in Austin
- Feeling very very dirty at sharing a podium with Jim Skaggs and getting occasional nods from Gerald Daugherty, whose bald-faced lies contributed to light rail’s 00 defeat. Their ability to good-ole-boy it up with the pro-transit guys reminds me of why I’ll never succeed at a higher-level in politics.
More to come when I eat lunch at desk.