tx railroad closing due to lack of state park funding

[hepkatmama]

http://www.kwtx.com/news/headlines/4751241.html

Texas State Railroad (one of the only tourist trains left) is planning its last run on Dec. 30. The train runs from Rusk State Park to Palestine State Park. There is tent camping & picnic areas at both sites. This is a great day trip for kids or ppl into camping, hiking or alternative travel. But its time has almost run out. www.texasstaterailroad.com

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...and_palestine/

Our governor doesn’t feel keeping this historical treasure as financially feasible. So if you would like to be helpful, please give the train a visit one weekend. If you feel very deeply, a strongly worded note to the governor’s office would be appreciated. http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact

Someone has also put up an online petition to send to the State legislature here http://www.petitiononline.com/txprks1/

“We the undersigned are requesting that our Governor and State Legislators work toward a solution for the problem of inadequate funding for our state parks system. Our state parks contribute to the success of education, historic preservation, tourism, economic development and quality of life. We ask that the Governor and State Legislators read the Texas Parks and Wildlife mission statement: To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. We ask that our Governor and State Legislators keep this mission statement in mind when TPWD funding decisions are made. Thank you.”

TRAIN RUNS every Saturday and Sunday:
Depart Rusk or Palestine Depot (11 am)
Arrive at other depot (12:30 pm)
Depart other depot (2 pm)
Arrive at Starting depot (3:30 pm)

[GodlessSodomite]

sad, i used to ride on that as a kid.

[Element4040]

Yeah good job Texas on voting that douche Perry back in.

[hepkatmama]

http://www.topix.net/content/kri/094...63684030560171

"Meanwhile, an emergency request for $650,000 to keep the railroad running in 2007 appears to have received a thumbs down. But Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick wrote in a letter Monday that the parks department still should have sufficient money to keep the historic locomotive running for at least nine months.

The two Republican leaders made the announcement in their capacities as co-chairmen of the Legislative Budget"

The cop out in this scenario being that they won't give the emergency funding to keep the train RUNNING long term, there is enuf money for the train to sit still & gather dust after 9 months... but that kinda isn't the same.

If you would like to contact the fiscally conservative Lt. Gov. to tell him how u feel, click here http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/Contact...3f30b925a28c17

House Speaker Craddick can be contacted here: http://www.tomcraddick.com/content/view/60/70/

i love getting the webbernet in on this kinda stuff. Remind your elected officials why you feel taking care of our state parks is good for Texas.

[Element4040]

Originally Posted by hepkatmama

http://www.topix.net/content/kri/094...63684030560171

"Meanwhile, an emergency request for $650,000 to keep the railroad running in 2007 appears to have received a thumbs down. But Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick wrote in a letter Monday that the parks department still should have sufficient money to keep the historic locomotive running for at least nine months.

They 'should' still have the money because they 'stole' extra this year from special freshwater fishing stamps they tacked onto our fishing licenses this year. That 'should' have been used solely for Texas Parks and Wildlife Fishing Centers/Hatcheries, but instead was 'diverted' to a general fund to be spent on 'parks'

But alas, it appears now that that extra money they collected the last couple years has been also 'misplaced'.

Crooks

Thus one of the main reasons I will never vote Democrat or Republican for any office in Texas much less Federal government ever again. We need all the career politicians associated/pandering to their parties/contributers out of our Government. They will be the doom of us all.

How's that water issue coming along in N. Texas. How's that planning coming along for overstressing our water resources by greedy politicians and contractors overbuilding without the infrastructure? How low is Lake Lavon now? How about Texoma, and when push comes to shove you think they'll keep letting water out of Texoma to fill Lavon? I doubt it.

How's the expansion of 35 coming along? Oh that's right the Trans-Coridor will fix that problem.

Crooks

*breathes* lol

[hepkatmama]

they are trixters. i like the use of "should" in their responses.

"oughta" doesn't pay the bills.

[molecule]

That train sucks, and runs from nowhere to nowhere Im more pissed about the money "misplaced" I spent on fishing licenses. Texas needs more hacheries, both fresh and salt water.

[thumpcbd]

Eh, I would rather spend the $650k on something that does more then make one round trip a day between two state parks.

Casey

[hepkatmama]

Originally Posted by thumpcbd

Eh, I would rather spend the $650k on something that does more then make one round trip a day between two state parks.

obviously it is more about the destination than the journey for u. that is sad. u are missing out.

well if it makes u feel better, write them an email & ask them to drop that $650K on improving public transit in cities like dallas, houston & austin. i LOVE the dart rail. but wtf is the deal with north south but no east west?

[randyc]

some of you are not getting that this isn't about one park.

welcome to the slippery slope.