" Tell me again why our federal taxes are going to support a private commercial enterprise in the amount of $45 million. Couldn't we just purchase the Wine Train and the railroad right of way and close it down? It might have been a whole lot cheaper, and we could be close to finished on the flood project. And when the Train finally goes out of business, it will all have been for naught. "

" cue wine train complaints in 3....2....1 "

" They are still collecting money for the flood project? 2 months ago the chairman of the project said in a letter to the editor of the NVR they had already collected the $350 million necessary to complete the project. Not only that, but they stand to collect an excess of $100 million more because they refuse to cut off the Measure A sales tax that will go on for another 10 years - whether they need it or not. "

" The tracks will be needed if we can build a light rail system -- new tracks would cost much more. "

" Ok so the feds give the money to the army corps who in turn give it to some other guy to move the railroad tracks? I am so confused about all of the red tape and political bs that is hindering this project. "

" nut - that would be Federal law. "

" First St bridge, about 10.5 mil, relocating tracks 45 mil, I think we need more info. "

" To Heck with the freakin Wine train tracks! What about puttin the money into the worst flood area in the Valley, Beherns St. Bridge-Napa Creek project. But God forbid we do amything for the Local Business's & Residents.. We sure will have the nicest bridges in our Tourist Trap Town while the locals sandbag and repair the Flood damage to their Homes and Offices every other year! Nice Job Guys!! "

" Most of this earmarked money shoulg be sent tn Arnold in order to put a dent in the current buget crisis. If it was returned to the legislators, they will certainly use it for anything else. "

" I am totally sickened by the expenditures earmarked for "railroad work" and "track relocation." Since when has it become acceptable for taxpayer money to be, in essence, granted to an individual enterprise primarily created for profit?

This is the most disgusting thing I've read. If the rail tracks are in jeopardy or 'in the way' of the FLOOD CONTROL project, then let the independent owner/investors cover that cost.

This Disneyland inspired 'train wreck' is not a transportation service, it does not remove autos from the road, it is not commercial in that it moves product from one point to another...no...it is an adult's play thing supported for by taxpayers. Even though the original owner is now deceased, this boondoggle continues to drain tax filled coffers.

When will sanity prevail? This joke is about as bad a joke as is the downtown Trolley...all toys to amuse the braindead among us. "

" As of June 2007 the total flood project cost was estimated to be $311 million dollars. The total that has been spent to date by the Flood Control District is $170 million. According to the NVR article by Brad Wagenknecht 6-26-8, projections of the flood project show a funding shortfall by the end of the Measure A sales tax (2018).
The total that has been spent to date by the corps of Engineers is approximately $75 million. The State Subvention Reimbursement funds to date are $63 million. Cash in the bank is $22 million. Over 20 years, revenue from the ½ cent sales tax is approximately $213 million, with about $25 million in accrued interest. The current available funds for the flood project are almost $400 MILLION DOLLARS!
The allocation of Measure A funds is set forth in the JPA between the district, county and cities. That document provides that if there are excess Measure A Funds at any time, they are to be used in this order of priority: first, to satisfy debt financing; second: to make up shortfalls from prior years; third: to return to the county and cities its share of funds temporarily reallocated to the project. If Measure A Funds can be used for debt financing, why can’t the county and cities loan the flood project the needed funding to complete the project? This loan could be repaid by the excessive 20 year ½ cent sales tax.
They would like you to believe that the flood project’s finances, like all government finances, are complex and difficult to understand, and that these restrictions on the use of money are there as a safeguard to the taxpayer. Do you feel safer? Isn’t time for some creative financing? "

" Im with concerned citizen and pinotnut!

Hey Mike Thompson, my small business is located in an "industrial" area of Napa. and is an eye sore for toursists. Can I have $1 Million tax dollars to spruce up my business? CRAZY!

I understand however that if the money is not "used" or at least even "asked" for, the hed hanchos in Sac will think Napa doesn't need ANY money for the flood project.

However, an interesting point has been made with regards to the rail system - Why not build a public transportation system that will carry tourists AND napans up and down valley not just the wine train?!That way we can get these cars and tourists off the highways AND get revenue for transportation and other projects?!

who do we write to for this?! "

" I completely support tax dollars used to upgrade and enhance our railroad infrastructure. As the future comes with more traffic and population, this is a valuable investment in our future transportation needs. I applaud the efforts of the Napa Flood Control project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Rep. Mike Thompson. Thanks for the long term vision! "

" Well Tony, thanks for massaging the numbers again. I really don't know whay your position that you have such detailed information. You say the total cost of the flood project is $311 million and the current available funds are $400 million! That's just about what Wagenknecht said. So you are telling us you have an $89 million in excess income. Good, we want it back! The taxpayers in Napa County want the money in our pockets not yours. We want the sales tax repealed now since the flood program has too much money. "