Editor: It has been a week since the passing of our good friend, Jon Christensen, who wrote on occasion for both the OB Rag and the San Diego Free Press, writing under his initials, JEC. Here, below, we repost his two-part series on “Riding the Rails in the West – The State of Amtrak”:
Part I: Are We There Yet?
by JEC
Its 6am – still dark with a morning fog when we board the Pacific Surfliner in San Diego. While there is a train leaving at 6:35 am, Amtrak urges passengers booked on the Coast Starlight to take the first train out at 6 am, likely based on experience with frequent delays. But today’s train leaves on time with a few dozen blurry eyed passengers. We were bound for Chicago via Oakland.
Days before we departed, I had mentioned to my doctor I was about to leave on a train trip, from San Diego to Chicago via Oakland. He looked up, surprised, “what, you can do that, take a train from here to Chicago?”
A more common response – why would you want to? Ask yourself, to get from one city to the next; to go from LA to the Bay Area or Sacramento, or San Diego to Phoenix – does Amtrak come to mind? If you’re like 96% of the population the answer is a simple no. In California only 5% rely on public transportation to get to and from and Amtrak accounts for only a small portion.
lyle June 5, 2023 at 1:32 pm on Circulate San Diego’s Undue Influence at City Hall and Lobbying for Legislation Violate Non-Profit RulesNo Paul, the CSD website (provided by Vern) lists many sponsors, some of which are public agencies. I didn't say VOSD in is tax-supported. Sorry...
Kh June 5, 2023 at 12:21 pm on OB Planners Have 3 ‘Hot Topics’ on Agenda, Wednesday, June 7Info item on Bacon street roundabouts was also added probably after this was sent, see updated agenda on the OBPB website. 
Chris June 5, 2023 at 10:14 am on Circulate San Diego’s Undue Influence at City Hall and Lobbying for Legislation Violate Non-Profit RulesProperty owners who want to use their property for STVR purposes are a whole separate matter. 
Tom Cairns June 5, 2023 at 9:52 am on San Diego Planning Commission Chair: ‘SB 10 is fatally flawed’ — Decision Put Off Until AugustGrowing up in Point Loma in the 50’s, most families had only one car, which the husband used to get to work. Goods were available...
Robert Burns June 5, 2023 at 9:32 am on Circulate San Diego’s Undue Influence at City Hall and Lobbying for Legislation Violate Non-Profit RulesRight on. Also, awhile back 50% housing costing $500,000 or more nationwide was purchased by foreigners (e.g., Russians, Chinese); that, too, is rarely discussed. México...
Paul Webb June 5, 2023 at 9:21 am on San Diego Planning Commission Chair: ‘SB 10 is fatally flawed’ — Decision Put Off Until AugustWill, you have to live in the era in which you live, and you have to deal with the conditions of that era. This is...
Paul June 5, 2023 at 8:36 am on Circulate San Diego’s Undue Influence at City Hall and Lobbying for Legislation Violate Non-Profit RulesWait, do you think the Voice of San Diego is taxpayer supported? 
FrankF June 4, 2023 at 10:37 pm on Breakfast Republic Sued by Employees for Failure to Pay Wages, Overtime, Tips and Provide Meal PeriodsAs an old restaurant hand myself, my recommendation to any employee, restaurant or not, is to know the labor law and not be taken advantage...
Thomas L Gayton June 4, 2023 at 11:45 am on Tina Turner: Simply the BestVIVA Tina Turner! 
Will June 4, 2023 at 7:50 am on San Diego Planning Commission Chair: ‘SB 10 is fatally flawed’ — Decision Put Off Until AugustI was not trying to use the word boomer in a discriminatory sense, but recognizing the different circumstances each generation faces. If you bought a...
JTM June 4, 2023 at 6:48 am on Circulate San Diego’s Undue Influence at City Hall and Lobbying for Legislation Violate Non-Profit RulesThese YIMBYs and so-called housing crisis “experts” almost never talk about the impacts of vacation rentals, which have pushed thousands of San Diegans out of...
