Just got this e-mail from Geof Logan, one of the Monorail's most dogged critics. It looks the Monorail is done. Let's just hope the end is both quick and final. The last thing we need is for the same collection of clowns and idiots to keep collecting the MVET while they wank us around for years in a hopeless attempt to deliver what they are obviously incapable of delivering.
I told many people that, based on my past experience in 15 years of mega project litigation, when the end came for SMP, most people would be shocked by it's sudden and shocking swiftness.
It's happening.
Tonight the Finance Comm. is pulling off the table the authorization for $350 million in new short term financing.
Rumor has it that Joel is gone tonight or very shortly (I think it will take longer, but he is gone by the end of the month).
The contract is DOA. A City Council majority is now committed to voting against the contract, if the SMP Board doesn't do it first.
Council is getting buried by angry phone calls and emails, Council Staff are saying they've rarely seen a response like this. Those 110,000 voters who supported I83 are being heard, as are the 94,000 who voted against the monorail. 3 years of pent up, building resentment is boiling over. We are entering a whole new, turbulent phase of debate, about everything to dissolving the Agency asap, rebidding with Bombardier, a revote for new taxes, renegotiating with Cascadia, or whatever. In the end, none of this will happen, both the Council and the State will want to see this end asap. The longer this drags on, the more debt the Agency incurs on a daily basis, the more we have to pay back. Yet, still, are absolutely clueless Mayor softpedaled this on KUOW today. What is this guy thinking. He needs an opponent - now. More on this later. I was just on Dave Ross discussing this. He is absolutely ripping SMP in all respects, as did Dori Monson earlier today. Essex Porter interviewed me today for Ch 7 at 5 and 6 -7 pm. At this point I wouldn't be surprised to see the "hearings" next week canceled, though they will likely continue. This is what happens to all poorly run mega projects.Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at June 30, 2005 05:01 PM | Email This
Once the monorail is dead and gone, he will shift the tax to paying for his Tunnel of Love. He already had that planned. But, he needs to be careful not to make it look like he killed the monorail just so he could get the money for the his beloved tunnel.
The only way to kill the stupid tunnel is to kill the gas tax.
So, get those petitions in!
Posted by: BananaLand(aka Iguana) on June 30, 2005 05:17 PMThanks to dumbass Horn, we will be paying off the SMP debacle for the next 3 to 4 years. So, don't start spending that money just yet.
Posted by: BananaLand(aka Iguana) on June 30, 2005 05:29 PMFunny thing is, there was already a monorail running from the MGM to Bally's before Las Vegas decided to build the new one. It already covered about half of what the new monorail covers today.
Posted by: Mark D on June 30, 2005 05:41 PMGood riddance to the Nonorail. Bury it in a potter field with no marker.
Posted by: JCM on June 30, 2005 05:51 PMWill wonders never cease?
(Is that really you, Unkl?)
Posted by: KB on June 30, 2005 06:52 PMRemember 1-695 ? It took the MVET off the books, I guess we need a new one for Seattle
Posted by: Jim L on June 30, 2005 06:53 PMPosted by Jkap at June 30, 2005 06:00 PM"
That's okay, the PI is gonna go the way of the monorail soon anyway -- and good riddance. Let those myopic pompus fools find real jobs...
Posted by: dano on June 30, 2005 07:41 PMI remember when he was overheard boasting when he first took on the Commons project. Not because of what he thought it would do for the city, but rather because of the fact that it was so controversial and would be tied up in litigation for ten years while he drew a fat salary. And we know exactly how that chapter ended. Just brilliant.
I'm glad that people eventually see through his crazy schemes, but I am always baffled as to why it takes so long so see that the emporer is naked.
I know this is going to be a shock, but us 'tax and spend liberals' want a good bang for our buck too. And the MONOrail ain't it.
Surely we can do better coming up with a comprehensive solution to our transportation problems than this.
Now how 'bout we get down to shucking the partisan labels and finding something that really works for our beloved city.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on June 30, 2005 08:27 PM
About 15 years ago, I worked for a company that he ran. He is a very charismatic and persuasive leader. And he is very loyal and kind to his staff. But he cooks up these zany ideas that are all but guaranteed to fail. And there is never a shortage of people willing to go along with the scam.
It's not whether you win or lose, it's for how long you play the game and draw a salary.
Posted by: Mr. Grabbit on June 30, 2005 09:24 PM(Deborah now can lower her soapbox one step...on to the next issue of wasted tax dollars!....Did I mention that NO ONE hestiated to sign my No More Gas Tax initiative form?)
Posted by: Deborah on June 30, 2005 10:00 PMhttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/230910_monorail01.html?dpfrom=thead
Methow Ken
I find it hard to believe that no one is willing to run against Mr. Greg "Staypuft" Nickels. He is like a twisted superhero with one mighty hand a rubber stamp and the other shifty and deep in our collective pockets.
Posted by: Rex on June 30, 2005 10:26 PMLet's not get carried away. I had very little to do with the Monorail's (hopefully soon) demise.
Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on June 30, 2005 11:53 PMNo shock whatsoever. While I agree whole heartedly with your “comprehensive solution to our transportation problems” remark, I find it amusing that you suggest that shucking “Partisan labels,” would somehow help. “Tax and spend liberals'” are the problem not part of any putative cure.
However, I am sure that we would all listen raptly to your suggestions and regard them with the attention they deserve.
Do tell.