Fast Trains For Oregon:
Sustainable Transportation, Part 2
Noon - Friday, May 6, 2011
Register Online,
RSVP to rsvp@salemcityclub.com
or 503-370-2808
by Wednesday, May 4th at Noon
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| Paris to
Strasbourg
TGV
In 2007, Strasbourg connected to
Paris
with a special train called the TGV (train de grande vitesse - high-speed train). Instead of covering the nearly 200 miles in the usual 4 hours, passengers can now arrive there in half the time, with trains testing to halve that time again.
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| Amtrak at Union Station
(Photo by Andrew Hall)
How do we improve the regularity and speed of
Oregon
passenger rail, on our way to a TGV-like future?
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On February 18, 2011, Salem City Club launched a two-part sustainable transportation series, focusing on the most efficient use of transportation energy both in the personal and public realms.
In that first program, we heard about the policy changes and infrastructure improvements that are now making possible the increased use of electric cars here in the Willamette Valley and beyond.
On May 6, in Part 2 of this series, Salem City Club will provide answers as to how can we achieve improved rail and related mass transit, in the public realm, both near term and long term.
Strong ridership on public transit systems is directly related to service that is:
- regular;
- safe;
- convenient; and
- affordable.
Strong ridership reduces demand on our roads and highways and reduces energy costs per passenger mile.
Come prepared to learn and ask questions of our three expert speakers. They will describe how we can best move to a well functioning and accessible rail system that attracts riders and thus earns the label of “sustainable” in both the environmental and financial realms.
Lynn Peterson currently serves as Governor John Kitzhaber’s Sustainable Communities and Transportation Policy Advisor. Lynn is the former Chair of the Clackamas County Commission and a nationally recognized transportation and land use integration expert. In her role with the Governor’s administration, Lynn leads the Governor’s policy efforts on transportation initiatives including, high speed rail, freight and highway planning and improvement, the Solar Highway, and linking transportation to housing and sustainability. Prior to serving on the Clackamas County Commission, Lynn worked as a transportation consultant and as a Strategic Planning Manager for TriMet. She also was a Transportation Advocate for 1000 friends of Oregon and a Transportation Planner for Metro.
Lynn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of Wisconsin – Madison and two Masters degrees from Portland State University, in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Urban and Regional Planning. Lynn has dedicated her career to building safe and healthy communities.
Kitty Piercy has served two terms as Eugene's chief political officer. A former teacher and legislator, Mayor Piercy is married and is the mother of three grown children and two grandchildren.
As part of her city duties, Mayor Piercy serves on the Metropolitan Policy Committee, the Oregon Metropolitan Policy Committees Consortium and the Oregon Department of Transportation Flexible Funding Committee. She is co-chair of the state Committee on Rail Alignment. She is vice-chair of the Lane County Area Commission on Transportation. Additionally she serves on the city's Human Services Commission and the Police Commission.
Mayor Piercy is a member of the Oregon Commission for Child Care, the Lane County Commission on Children and families, the University of Oregon Wayne Morse Center Advisory Board, the Wayne Morse Family Farm Board of Directors, and the Lane County Domestic Violence Council Steering Committee. She also is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Oregon Mayors Association and the Mayors Innovation Project.
Mayor Piercy was recognized by The Nation Magazine in 2011 as The Most Valuable Local Elected Official in the United States.
Britta Franz, Long time community volunteer and activist, Britta Franz founded "Rail Now!" the frugal, timely, Right-Now alternative to the coming high-speed rail future.
Transportation interests found Britta studying train systems in Japan, Africa, China, Europe-wide, and most recently Spain. She is convinced that improving Eugene-Portland rail connections will immediately contribute to Oregon's economic recovery.
Britta served on Salem's Downtown Development Board, two streetcar studies, various commissions, and boards during her successful business career, the working President of La Pointe's Fashion Stores Oregon, later Executive Director, Western Oregon University's Fine Arts Series. She initiated Oregon Women Lead, the Salem Boys Choir, Messiah Sing Together and participated in a variety of arts and civic organizations. Today Britta is a Mentor and Executive Coach region wide.
You are invited come and participate!
Please join us on May 6, 2011, in the Dye House at Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill for this opportunity to learn and become informed. For those not on our “continuous attendee” list, you may register online, e-mail lunch reservations to rsvp@salemcityclub.com or call 503-370-2808 by Wednesday noon, May 4, 2011. SCC members lunch cost is $12, all others $15. Doors will open at 11:30 AM. The community is welcomed and encouraged to join us! There is a $5 charge for visitors who would like a coffee and cookie. For more information on upcoming programs, and directions to this event please go to www.salemcityclub.com.
