http://www.wmata.com/about/Met_news/200110...pr_olympics.htm

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For Immediate Release:
October 25, 2001

Metro's Operations Committee recommends sending Metrobuses to the Olympics
Today, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (Metro) Operations Committee voted to loan 40 new CNG Buses to Salt Lake City for the upcoming 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Final approval on this loan will occur at the next Board of Director's meeting, scheduled for November 8.

In April 2001, the Operations Committee was briefed on the Salt Lake Olympic Committee's (SLOC) request that Metro provide 40 of the total 700 buses needed for transportation at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. At the time, the Committee approved a resolution allowing Metro's General Manager the authority to sign an agreement with the Olympic Coordinating Committee to loan them 40 Metrobuses.

Metro expects to have 100 new CNG buses delivered by January 2002, with the first deliveries arriving in November. However, construction of the specially designed CNG fueling facilities and maintenance facility modifications will not be ready to handle the buses until after January 2002.

"From January 10 to April 1, the SLOC would be able to house and store 40 CNG buses," said Jack Requa, Chief Operating Officer for Bus. "The SLOC would assume full responsibility for the buses once they leave Metro, which includes transportation, repairs, and providing a personal maintenance supervisor. Furthermore, by loaning these buses for the Olympics, Metro is being responsive in assisting the needs of the Olympic Committee by meeting their ‘clean fleet' goal of having 10 percent of their bus fleet utilizing newer and cleaner alternative forms of fuel, other than diesel."
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So what's your point? Several cities (Denver, Dallas, Portland) have already sent busses and light rail cars to assist with Olympic transportation. How much tax money do you think flows into Washington, DC every day of every year from all over the country to run the government?

So we get a little thrown this way once in a while. I say it's about time! Someone needs to explain to people in the rest of the country (meaning not the Mountain West) that the US Government OWNS over 80% of the land in Utah. That means a big difference in property tax, development, and the ability to grow. We have millions of acres of National Parks and Federal land that cannot be used or touched (and I AGREE with this!) So when the Federal Gov't is the biggest landlord in the state, it has an obligation to do some "fixing up" once in a while.

My point is that I am paying for the buses to be used here. WMATA's press release tells us what a wonderful gesture this is, but I don't recall being asked whether I wanted the newest buses in the system to be sent to Utah. Why not generously send them some old ones? Further, the Feds are already spending millions on the Olympics. In return, do I get to watch them live? Nope. I get to pay for them; then NBC gets to choose what I can see.

Go to http://w3.access.gpo.gov/usbudget/fy2002/f...y2002_srch.html and type "Olympics" in the box to see how much federal money is headed to the Olympics. For the years 1998-2002, the total federal support is $361 million. Surprised? I was.

I'm not surprised at all.. Guess what, much of that money that appears as "Olympic money" is for roads and other transportation projects that were going to be done anyway. Everybody in the country pays a hefty Federal gasoline tax on every gallon we buy, then when the money is used to build a new freeway here, it looks like the feds are giving YOUR money to us? c'mon... the budget to run the pentagon, the Supreme Court, all the FREE Museums, the metro (subway) and other stuff in YOUR area costs us all. Nearly all of Washington, DC is funded by FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS (I used to live and work there in the tax business). I don't remember getting to choose on my 1040 where that money should be spent! So your area is loaning us a few buses for a few months... and we get to pay for your Permanent subway, roads, etc. Wanna trade?