There is an enormously important event coming up on June 1st.
The Virginians for High Speed Rail (VHSR) organization will conduct its next Annual Meeting, a lunchtime event, here in Hampton Roads on Friday, the 1st of June. I understand this is the first-ever VHSR Annual Meeting in Hampton Roads. The entire VHSR board (from all over the state) will be here. You will meet the Hampton Roads members of the VHSR board. Two federal officials (one from FRA and one from FTA) will serve as Panelists, along with DRPT Director Thelma Drake.
We need to make sure that Hampton Roads provides evidence of huge public and business interest in these matters. As was mentioned at a recent conference in DC, fed officials are very busy, and if the feds detect little or no public interest, then that is fine with them and they act accordingly. But on the other hand, when huge, massive public and business interest is evident, then they will respond, support and put a shoulder to the wheel. We must make sure that these two federal officials (and all the VHSR board members) see learned and huge interest here in Hampton Roads for both high quality passenger rail and for continued light rail systems in our metro area.
We just checked and got an unfortunate surprise – only 60 people have registered so far. We need to totally fill the room. FYI - Tomorrow is the deadline for reduced price tickets. In any case, drop what you are doing; contact every one of your colleagues, all of your neighbors, your family and children. The links to the updated flyer and to the registration form are below
· Find the Updated VHSR Annual Meeting Flyer at:
http://www.vhsr.com/system/files/16AMSaveDate.pdf
· And, Go to this website to register: www.VHSR.com/AnnualMeeting
I hope to see you on June 1st.
