amusing sidenote

In another unreported story, except what a local tv station news cast aired: Facebook protest. It is amazing that the more people find out about the old technology train, the more unfavorable it becomes.

Trains were a wonderful technology when they were introduced in the 1,800s. Our society has evolved intellectually over the past 150+ years. There is much less expensive technology available that is far superior to old fashion heavy trains.

Nonetheless; caught-up in tradition, we are forced to watch political jealousy in the fight for the proposed maintenance yard for California's fantasy train: it is pathetic. The Bakersfield newspaper, the Californian, reported Monday 180 acres has been offered to the CA HSRA in an effort to bring the maintenance yard of the proposed fantasy train to Bakersfield. This is like a sacrificial offering. The Fresno Bee reported the story a little different.

Want to know the real story behind the scenes in the world of politics with the HSR? The significance of choosing Shafter; it happens to be the home of one of the HSR Board Members: Fran Florez. Why would this matter or have any say in anything? Politics is favors and Fran's son is CA State Assemblyman Dean Florez. Dean had launched a strong campaign for Lieutenant Governor and was several months into the campaign when he suddenly withdrew to comply with the party line and handed over his efforts to that mayor from SF.

Since the mayor of Fresno is a staunch supporter of the other governor candidate Whitman, a Jerry Brown win as governor would logically cement the selection of CA's proposed HSR maintenance yard to the city of Shafter. Jerry Brown likes to thank people who have supported him.

Having said this, the Bakersfield paper article says the Paramount Farms 180 acre property is worth $7million to $8million. This must be prime real estate to be able to capture a huge write-off like that. Everywhere else in the Valley, developed farm land is only worth $3,500 to $7,000 per acre.