Wally,

Your post contradicts itself, but you're too oblivious to reality to get it. On the one hand, you once again try to make LRT a partisan issue; on the other hand, you note the large amount of Republican support for LRT. To point out the obvious, all those Republicans are supporting it because it's a livability issue.

In the case of Virginia Beach, what happens when the remaining greenfields north of the Green Line are soon exhausted? LRT is the key to redevelopment and transportation north of the Green Line.

Henry,

There was no intent to make LR a partisan issue. If anything, it indicates the sympathies of the Norfolk circle of influence.
The post questions the rationale of a fiscal conservative attitude and the relationship of a heavily local taxpayer subsidized mass transportation program that not only addresses light rail but extensive growth in a supporting omnibus feeder schedule.
Mr. Rigell has been elusive, unlike other candidates, to pose a response to this issue. Since the studies and construction costs of each LR planned segment is contingent on congressionally approved funding, it is an issue germane to the district that has been avoided by the money-raising leader. Henry, I'm just following the money, not partisanship.

Wally, didn't Scott Taylor support light rail in his campaign for mayor of Virignia Beach? Didn't he finish dead last? Didn't HRT's Henry Ryto campaign hard in support of Scott Taylor for mayor?

Wally, where do the rest of the candidates in the 2nd Congressional District race stand on the question of their support for extending Norfolk's train wreck into Virginia Beach?

Reid:

Yes, Scott Taylor was personally in favor of light rail; however, he also was in favor of a electorate referendum and indicated he would abide by the results as did Mayor Sessoms.

I know that all the candidates, and/or their staff monitor this blog. Perhaps if they are so inclined they will post their current opinion on this issue.

Wally,

First you made it about smaller government and lower taxes. Now about a Norfolk circle of influence.

No, there's a much bigger issue here: Hampton Roads overdependence on the automobile. In fact, our region is 6th in the nation on automobile dependence. The McDonnell Administration, like the Kaine Adminsitration before it, recognizes that a much-improved mass transit system is vital to improving our transportation network. A bipartisan consensus exists.

As for Reid's remark about Scott Taylor, let me point out over 84% of the Mayoral vote went to pro-LRT candidates.

Henry:
Rudely, you accuse me of "too oblivious to reality to get it".
Yet you post "LRT is the key to redevelopment"
Now you post "the bigger issue . . . over-dependence on the automobile.
Henry, which it? Redevelopment or transportation.
As for bipartisan, party affiliation has little to do with fiscal irresponsibility when it comes to increasing unsustainable debt and bigger government.

Gov. Bob McDonnell has said the state plans to sell a total $2.2 billion in bonds (25 yr) over the next six years for transportation projects. More debt service without a firm identification as to supporting source revenue. Just like a nightmare, it gets worse and worse.

Wally,

Both are important.

According to one Colorado Think Tank, citizens who are in support urban renewal, also believe that Cities should not be in the development business and take risks with taxpayer's payers money that developers themselves may not take. Nor should developers be "subsidized" when their developments directly competes with "unsubsidized" retail, office, and housing projects. All of this should be privatized with all the inherent risks all businesses face. If congestion will genuinely be substantially reduced than LTR is an appropriate mandate for this City. However, in VB that may be a reach due to the large East/West & North/South sprawling landscape where driving one of the 350,000 vehicles is not only practical it is a necessity. In the mean time, the primary taxpayer in this City is the residential community with 85% of the tax base, debt ceiling, and retail base.