General Manager’s Note — March 2007

General Manager’s Note — March 2007

Written by CJ Geoffroy Wednesday, 07 March 2007

Ending confusion..yours and ours

I voted against a proposed electrically-powered 52-mile Light Rail Transit, along with the majority of Austin voters. I did this because the cost of the equipment was too expensive. I was also dissatisfied with the fact that the precise route, as well as the exact station locations, would not be presented until 2001, after the election.

That was 2000 and that was Light Rail. Thanks to Capital Metro’s redesigned All Systems Go proposal which was approved in 2004, Austin is now a little more than a year away from having a rail system, but this time it’s commuter rail. It will be built on existing lines drastically reducing system construction costs.

We realized too late that we misidentified the tracks for this commuter rail in our aerial view of The Domain and IBM in our last issue. From the response of readers both applauding and correcting our coverage, we realized that the commuter rail is a topic of interest and concern.

The more meetings I attend, whether they are with neighborhood associations, members of the chamber of commerce or in transportation workshops, I realize just how important a role transportation plays in the city’s development. The expansion of highways, the emergence of toll roads, the creation of transit-oriented developments and soon a commuter rail system are all signs of how important transportation is to residents and city officials.

Taxes are another item of interest this time of year. When our accountant explained the complications of the new business tax laws, we realized most readers would be as confused as we were. If you haven’t heard much about this yet, it is time to pay attention. Taxes for 2007 are being calculated now, and you might be surprised at how big an impact this will have on your business.

Thanks again to all the readers who wrote in celebrating the presence of a new paper in the area, which focuses on local news. As someone who was raised in Northwest Austin, I am privileged to be serving this community. Let us know how we are doing.

CJ Geoffroy