Eliza Ruth
10 years ago
21 July 2008
19 July 2008
I'm Famous!
One day I was looking around on newsok.com and was browsing the Edmond section and I made a comment about Edmond voting to extend the Heartland Flyer rail service. The next day the author of the following article e-mailed me to ask if he could use my quote. My comment is about half way through.
By John A. Williams
Long before sport utility vehicles and stoplights ruled the earth, the railroad and Edmond forged a friendship.
The relationship began in 1887 when Edmond was only a coal and water stop at mile 103 on the Santa Fe Railroad. Edmond's agriculture and trading centered on the railroad. Many of our original streets were named after men who worked for the railroad. The friendship was a beneficial one for both sides for decades, but in the late 1970s, passenger service to and from Edmond ceased.
Now hopes have been renewed for the railway's return. This week, city council members approved a resolution supporting the expansion of Heartland Flyer service through Edmond and on to Kansas City.
Shelva Sleeper of Edmond said she would welcome the return of rail service. "Yes, I certainly would ride the train. We have a daughter in Frisco, Texas. A train would make it possible to visit more often, plus the grandsons love trains. Come on Edmond — get the train,” she said.
Ann Griffith of Edmond said she would love it if train service were extended to Kansas. "I have family in Wichita and Kansas City and would get to visit them more often. However, I'm 75 years old, and I doubt this will happen in my lifetime. This kind of progress takes a long time to realize. When I was a little girl living in Winfield, Kan., I used to ride the train to Kansas City to visit my grandparents. It was great,” she said.
"I was hoping that 9/11 would encourage our nation to develop our rail system into something like the Europeans have. You have probably guessed that I don't like to fly. I know several people, even young ones that prefer to drive when possible. But, that limits the places you can travel to. I hope the expansion of the route is successful,” she said.
But Jeffrey Hale of Edmond said he would rather see commuter train service. "Look at Salt Lake City's commuter train set up. It is wonderful,” he said.
Aaron Welch said he also would use commuter service. "Make it happen, I would ride daily from Edmond to Norman just to go to work,” he said.
Northern Flyer Alliance supporters estimate the cost to expand the service to Newton, Kan., would be about $5 million. Edmond also would have to commit to build a station and provide long-term parking to serve passengers.
I rode the Heartland Flyer a few years back. I thought the trip was pleasant and the service was good. Another alternative to the high-cost of fuel could be a welcome relief for travelers as long as the tickets stay at a reasonable price. But it will take a major shift in our thinking to give up the freedom of having a set of wheels to take us where and when we want to go.
By John A. Williams
Long before sport utility vehicles and stoplights ruled the earth, the railroad and Edmond forged a friendship.
The relationship began in 1887 when Edmond was only a coal and water stop at mile 103 on the Santa Fe Railroad. Edmond's agriculture and trading centered on the railroad. Many of our original streets were named after men who worked for the railroad. The friendship was a beneficial one for both sides for decades, but in the late 1970s, passenger service to and from Edmond ceased.
Now hopes have been renewed for the railway's return. This week, city council members approved a resolution supporting the expansion of Heartland Flyer service through Edmond and on to Kansas City.
Shelva Sleeper of Edmond said she would welcome the return of rail service. "Yes, I certainly would ride the train. We have a daughter in Frisco, Texas. A train would make it possible to visit more often, plus the grandsons love trains. Come on Edmond — get the train,” she said.
Ann Griffith of Edmond said she would love it if train service were extended to Kansas. "I have family in Wichita and Kansas City and would get to visit them more often. However, I'm 75 years old, and I doubt this will happen in my lifetime. This kind of progress takes a long time to realize. When I was a little girl living in Winfield, Kan., I used to ride the train to Kansas City to visit my grandparents. It was great,” she said.
"I was hoping that 9/11 would encourage our nation to develop our rail system into something like the Europeans have. You have probably guessed that I don't like to fly. I know several people, even young ones that prefer to drive when possible. But, that limits the places you can travel to. I hope the expansion of the route is successful,” she said.
But Jeffrey Hale of Edmond said he would rather see commuter train service. "Look at Salt Lake City's commuter train set up. It is wonderful,” he said.
Aaron Welch said he also would use commuter service. "Make it happen, I would ride daily from Edmond to Norman just to go to work,” he said.
Northern Flyer Alliance supporters estimate the cost to expand the service to Newton, Kan., would be about $5 million. Edmond also would have to commit to build a station and provide long-term parking to serve passengers.
I rode the Heartland Flyer a few years back. I thought the trip was pleasant and the service was good. Another alternative to the high-cost of fuel could be a welcome relief for travelers as long as the tickets stay at a reasonable price. But it will take a major shift in our thinking to give up the freedom of having a set of wheels to take us where and when we want to go.
15 July 2008
Road Work
I found this picture that shows the changes that are planned for the intersection of Memorial Road and Broadway Extension. I have been wondering what exactly they would be doing so i was really excited when i found this. I decided to post it because i figured others would be interested also. It looks like it is going to be a pretty good plan but i think the city has gotten a little stoplight happy.
12 July 2008
Hot Pocket!
Tonight me and Stephanie went and saw Jim Gaffigan at the Rose State performing arts center. If you don't know who he is then you should Google his name or just Google "hot pockets". He is very funny and the best part is that he is pretty clean too. Some guy named Richard ... I think, opened for him. He was pretty funny also. It was time well spent that's for sure. After his act he came out to sign autographs and take pictures with people. We just wanted to get a picture of him up close. He ended up walking right in front of us. We didn't stick around to wait in line though because there was a lot of people there and the "line" was pretty much a big group of people.
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