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Uploaded: Monday, August 24, 2009, 7:18 AM

Palo Alto plans high-speed-rail meeting Sept. 12
Six-hour session planned to inform residents Peninsula plans for high-speed trains

Posted by biker, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2009 at 7:47 am

Is this a City sponsored event or High Speed Rail authority event? Who will facilitate? City staff? HSP Authority staff? I'm remembering the fiasco in February when the City hired David Early - the consultant on the project, to facilitate a meeting on a proposed development around California Ave. Mr. Early displayed bias and lost control of the meeting. Better be prepared for a heated conversation on this one.

Posted by citizen, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2009 at 11:22 am

Representative Anna Eshoo has a High Speed Rail meeting planned for this Wednesday in Menlo Park. According to her web site, the Town Hall Meeting will be August 26th from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers - 701 Laurel Street in Menlo Park. Experts from the High Speed Rail Authority and Caltrain will make presentations and answer questions.

Posted by Clare, a resident of Mountain View, on Aug 24, 2009 at 1:15 pm

High speed rail should stop at San Jose. Period.

Posted by musical, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2009 at 2:47 pm

Why San Jose? I'd be happy with the Altamont route, and skip Santa Clara County entirely. HSR has no right of way south of San Jose anyway.

Posted by Frank, a resident of the Ventura neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2009 at 6:45 pm

Even if the High Speed rail stops in San Jose or crosses through Altamont or never gets built at all - we will still need to raise the tracks, lower the cross streets or some combination. Too many people have died - even if you claim these people (children mostly) will only find some other way (I disagree) but not all of these deaths are suicides, some are accidents and we can prevent them.

Posted by letha dilauro, a resident of the Charleston Meadows neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2009 at 7:17 pm

Is the High Speed Rail Authority here to tell residents how it is going to be done? Is it going to be an exchange of ideas or just the high speed rail? Is this a closed matter or are they open to ideas???

Why does there have to be a reservation only for the meeting?

Why 9 am on a Saturday and why to 3:30 pm.

I feel strongly that HSR should stop in San Jose or be in tunnels.

Thanks

Posted by letha, a resident of the Charleston Meadows neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Just tried to made advance reservation at Web Link and internet states "not found".

????? How do I sign up??????

Letha

Posted by PCC attendee, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2009 at 10:38 pm

You can get tickets to the event here:

Web Link

It is my understanding that the City is well aware of the public's concern and that they plan on hosting a "balanced" meeting. This will not be an HSR sales job - this will be an informed discussion with people from both sides of the issue coming together to educate the community on what is happening. This includes having experienced speakers who will help educate the community on how to effectively advocate for their ideas in large transportation projects.

Posted by biker, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Aug 25, 2009 at 8:12 am

PCC you seem to have an inside knowledge of the City's plans. Do you happen to know if the City is the sponsor of this meeting? Will City staff facilitate the meeting? If so who?

Are we to be coached on how to advocate for a particular position? That seems to be what you are implying in your posting.

PA Weekly staff, have you followed up? Do you happen to know the answers to these questions?

Posted by biker, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Aug 25, 2009 at 8:17 am

Ignore my last post. The link PCC provided above supplied the information.