Rotkin should know better about cost of train

I was disappointed in Mike Rotkin’s Guest Commentary (March 7). He’s served on the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) for many years representing Metro, and yet he’s one of the loudest promoters of passenger rail. Metro serves a broad network of routes and service frequencies at about the per-rider cost of a pack of gum, something no train will ever do on our one-way single track, which will have to be completely replaced for any future train. Of course, Mike knows this, making us wonder why we should believe him when he asserts that if we tear out the tracks “we will never get that corridor back for public transit.”

With three rail studies behind us reporting ever-increasing costs and limited ridership, Mike continues to lobby for more study, alleging that’s what voters want.

No, Mike, voters don’t want more studies, they want intelligent decisions based on facts. Is it any wonder the community has lost faith in this commission’s effectiveness when its members know the facts but flim-flam us with misinformation and conjecture?

— Nancy Yellin, Aptos

Weller op ed brought sane voice to rail conversation

Thank you, Jim Weller, for – again – bringing a sane voice to the rail conversation (March 9). In this one phrase “… your dogmatic naysaying opinion (is) based on nothing conclusive, but nothing of the kind has been established by the responsible, professional transportation planners, designer or engineers” sums it up, although your multiple facts and statistics demonstrate admirable research and a host of valid points. But a vitriolic opposing letter on the same page paints we who read Mike Rotkin’s earlier Guest Commentary differently charged with not believing in our democracy (democracy needs no capitalization). This, followed by a screed of hyperbolic accusations of censorship and demand for a personal apology. That’s chutzpah.

I live within walking distance of the tracks and wish I could use them for transportation. Not, at age 79, as a bike trail but a train. And to the angry writer who doesn’t believe I believe in our democracy, I also am “engaged in my government and in my community.” Thanks, Jim Weller, for being engaged with me; with us.

— Susan I Stuart, Santa Cruz

Misled on using Measure D funds to build rail trail

Mike Rotkin is correct when he writes in his March 7 Guest Commentary that “a modest 8% of Measure D funds” was to study the feasibility of a train. I voted for Measure D on that basis. I thought it a good idea to study the feasibility of a train before chopping down trees. I was assured by the fact sheets on Measure D that no Measure D funds were earmarked to build the rail trail itself.

But that is not what has happened. A hefty sum of Measure D funds is being spent to build Segment 7 Phase 2 of the rail trail, for example. At a council meeting when Measure D funding for building the rail trail was on the agenda, I asked how this could happen given that Measure D funds were limited to studying not building the rail trail. The answer from staff was that they take the funds for building the rail trail out of other Measure D accounts. I wish I had known that before voting.

— Gillian Greensite, Santa Cruz

Wrong on transgender men in women’s sports

I’ve stood in the rain holding a sign supporting women’s rights, donated money to organizations that fight for women’s rights, purchased tickets to events to support women’s athletics, volunteered at a local STEM symposium to create new opportunities in the sciences for young women, and attended a basketball game at the Warriors Stadium where they were celebrating women’s empowerment. I am engaged in these behaviors because I have a mother and two daughters.

After doing what I can to support women, I am saddened by the decision of our two U.S. senators to vote against a bill that would have excluded transgender men above the age of 12 from competing in women’s sports. An ABC poll had the bill supported by 79% of the country, yet every Democrat voted against it. Can any of us recall when 79% of us agreed on anything?

If we keep this up, we will probably lose the next 10 elections. While I still support the party, our two senators just lost my vote.

— Owen Hendricks, Santa Cruz