ANOTHER TAKE ON $CHUYLKILL VALLEY

The Norristown Times-Herald offered its take on the delayed and often controverisal $chuylkill Valley rail project.

More time is needed to study options aimed at producing a "leaner, meaner" Schuylkill Valley Metro project, according to Congressman James Gerlach, R-Pa./6th.

"The number-crunchers need more time to crunch their numbers and the techies need more time to gather technical information," Gerlach said this week. Times-Herald

Thanks, Congressman. They've only had about 4-5 years to do so...

"To the contrary, everyone involved is making a good-faith effort to make this project realistic, particularly when it comes to the cost issues," said Gerlach. "Everyone is working to find a way to make this cost-effective and get this project moving forward. I for one am pleased with the progress they are making."

Also optimistic about the project's future is Montgomery County Commissioner Thomas J. Ellis, one of the county's representatives on the SEPTA Board.

Noting that the concept of the project is supported by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, Gov. Ed Rendell and officials in both Berks and Montgomery counties, Ellis said, "It will get built in some fashion."

"It sort of has to be built," said Ellis, explaining that highways in the area will not be sufficient to accommodate a projected growth in population. Times-Herald

Sort of has to be built? Sort of? Someone's been taking public relations lessons from SEPTA's Ministry of Mis-Information...

In addition, said Ellis, the project is important to revitalization efforts in Norristown and Pottstown and will bring needed workers from Philadelphia to jobs that are now going unfilled at the two shopping malls in King of Prussia. Times-Herald

The only way they could revitalize Norristown is, well, evacuate the town and start over. There has been a lot of political controversies within Norristown in recent months, centering around Mayor Ted LeBlanc, who was recently ensnared in a similar federal investigation to what Emperor Street is enduring in Philadelphia. Overall, Norristown is basically a dump, but that's another story for another time...

Most of the rest of the article has been discussed at length in previous posts...