HomeMy WebLinkAboutResident Letter - 2Re: No Rush Line Coalition ALERT! Wed. March 22nd - 6-8pm - Come, Hear thiE
Deliberations of Maplewood BRT Advisory Committee - Maplewood City Hall
]eanneGieOlet <giernetj@vahoo.corn>
Wed 3/22/2Oz31O:59AK4
To: Diana Longrie <Iongrie@hotmad.com>
I noticed my comments were not listed in the Google Engagement survey so I am including them here
(I've also submitted them to the council members, Victoria Reinhardt, and my legislators):
I strongly oppose using the Bruce Vento trail for the Purple Line. I have lived in the Maplewood neighborhood for over
30 years and have enjoyed using the trail for recreation and to bike to work.
In my thirty years, I have tried carpooling, busing, biking, and driving. When I took the bus (15 years ago), even then
the bus was not filled! The service was inconsistent and I quickly decided it wasn't for me or my family. Additionally, I
did not save any money due tothe expense ofthe tickets.
I have three reasons NOT to use the Vento Trail for the purple line:
Mental health & obesity. Research shows that being in a natural environment improves mental health. The Gateway
and Vento trail provide an accessible way to connect to nature without the danger of vehicles. Adding buses will
detract from that natural environment, increase pollution and be more dangerous for people, pets and wildlife.
The most enjoyable experience was when I biked to work. Using the trail helped me connect to nature and I felt a
general sense ofcommunity (much more than taking abus).
Pedestrians, pets and wildlife. Pedestrians, pets, bikers, and wildlife will beinMORE danger of(dcadk) accidents. |
see alot ofchildren mnthe trail 0t'sagreat location tolearn bike riding without the danger ofbusy madd.Adding a
bus line will increase the risk to children, pets, and bikers. The Vento trail is also close to an elementary school where
students use the trail towalk toschool.
Irresponsible and reckless. K4etCound| has proven to be irresponsible and reckless with taxpayer money. They have
lost mytrust intheir ability toperform responsibly and listen tothcp°op|cofK4inncsma.The^6ui|JitanJthcyviU
come" is an outdated model of thinking. Times have changed, there are more people working from home (I am one of
them). Additionally, they must consider other modes of transportation other than buses/lightrail.
Building this line will divide the community NOT unite it! Other communities donot support the Purple Line and yet
MetCouncil is still NOT listening to the community. Who says they must "build" a new line anyway? If it's federal
money, it's still my tax dollars and I suggest they look at other alternatives to spending the money, such as increasing
e-bikes or fixing the existing roads (like Hwy 01) to facilitate bikes and buses.
Respectfully,
]eanneGiemet