Kraft needs to remember he represents more than Canton. I, for one, am extremely disappointed in this decision.

I did not send him a postcard because I attended his legislative breakfast where he told me he was strongly in FAVOR of the Boston Street alignment. Shame on me for taking him at his word. Now he says he is bending to the will of the vocal few. He just lost my vote.

I am deeply disappointed. Like so many of my neighbors, I chose to live in this city, specifically in the Patterson Park neighborhood, and willingly accepted all of the attendant risks, aggravations and enormous responsibilities that such a choice entails. And like my other urban pioneer neighbors, I had hoped that eventually, we would be rewarded for our commitment. Better mass transit for our district would have been such a reward, but a vocal, backward-thinking minority has jeopardized our hopes. Healthy cities have modern mass transit. Desirable neighborhoods are those that enjoy access to mass transit. Without the Red Line, this city, and our neighborhoods, will wither. Those of us in neighborhoods like Patterson Park bear crushingly high property tax burdens that are completely out of proportion to our quality of life. But we put down roots anyway, investing our energy and faith in the hopes that our efforts, and those of our public advocates, would lift Baltimore from the ashes. Seems it has all been in vain. I’m disappointed not only for those of us who took the risks for nothing, but also for those who will never settle in Baltimore, will never give this city or my neighborhood a chance, because of our lack of modern mass transit. So much for revitalization.

I recall Kraft saying he was for a Boston St alignment in tunnel.

Nate Payer
TRAC

Mr Kraft has no conviction and blows in the political wind. He does what he is told and also does whatever Cantonites want him to do. I hope someone with guts unseats him on the council. He is now opposing the Red Line only because it's the politically expedient thing to do.

Build it down Eastern Ave. It's not that complicated folks. I would actually use it if it went down eastern, not down Boston.

Baltimore politics is freaking awesome! But hey, let's keep voting the same clowns in, always from the same party where they get to run after they've kissed enough party ass. We're getting what we deserve since we've let our city "leaders" work without accountability.

Nate,

I was at that same meeting with Summer. He didn't qualify his support for the Red Line. He likes to tell Canton one thing and tell everyone else another.

Of course, if he had just listened to the rest of his constituents who don't live in Canton, he would have found overwhelming support for the Eastern Ave/Fleet St alignment- tunnel or above ground. He knew that the Boston St tunnel wasn't feasible, yet he decided to support 4-C and delude Canton into thinking that they would be getting a tunnel.

This is great! Thank God Councilman Kraft finally came to his senses.

Nate,

Kraft did say he is in favor of a Boston St. alignment, in tunnel. He's been vocally supportive of increased mass transit all along, just not at surface level.

He has said for awhile now that he would oppose any surface alignment, because the majority of his constituency that he has heard from is opposed to it.

Robbyn,

The Red Line as currently envisioned would be of almost no benefit to Patterson Park anyway with the alignemnt chosen. Getting anywhere would be easier on foot or by bus than going out of the way for the Red Line. (Patterson Park area has significant access to mass transit, currently). An eastward extension of the Metro, however would be more advantageous to Patterson Park.

Nate Payer
TRAC

The argument isn't about whether to modernize the transit system, but rather should it be located in a tunnel or above ground. I would prefer it be located under-ground. With the recent outrage over pedestrians being struck by light rail trains why would anyone want this above ground. The above ground light rail would also require overhead electrical wiring while the underground subway has been shown to be able to move a greater amount of people more efficiently.

Bottom line is the light rail is a cheaper alternative and something that O'Malley and Dixon can use to get the feel good liberal votes.

As if O'Malley and his cohorts haven't done enough to ruin this city.

Jim Kraft is an honest, principled individual who works closely with his constituents. It is clear what the community wants here and he is representing their interests. The real story here is Ed Hale. Why isn't the Red Line going down Eastern? Because Boston Street is where Mr. Hale's tower is and that is the driving force behind the option O'Malley has chosen to support.

This is btw the same James Kraft that was all about banning plastic bags in the ENTIRE city - that that would be good for the ENTIRE city. What the blessed rich in Canton don't understand is that this, in fact, would be GOOD FOR the ENTIRE city. Toronto THRIVES where light rail travels through it's RICHEST of neighborhoods. Please consider thinking about more than yourselves - it's like watching the health care "debate" - so much screaming from the most vocal (read: privileged, well-off, well-funded (prints postcards and can afford stamps to O'Malley) takes time off work from one job or is retired to complain about how this will ruin their life etc.) yet not representative majority.

It seems the "Baltimore Oriole" has this figured out. Hale only wants it to use as a marketing tool for his beloved Canton Crossing to the Bayview MARC. No one is going to ride this thing anyway - above or below ground. But let's not forget how the the "Hapless Quartet" backed into this plan to make the "cost effectiveness" numbers.

I agree with Summer. Kraft needs to remember that his district does not just consist of Canton. I am extremely involved in the Highlandtown Community, and have had interaction with Kraft a total of 2 or 3 times.

When attempting to contact him about murders in the area and potential ways to halt these problems he has brushed it off for weeks at a time, and then just having his assistant respond. The emails and suggestions resulted in NO action what-so-ever. We have COP walks once a week and he has not once attended these. I have seen him at 1 community meeting in the past 3 years that I have lived here.

All of these problems that we have, and he wont respond. But then the highest tax base wimpers a bit and he goes crazy.

It sounds like someone is nervous about the next election!

In regards to the redline alignment, and those that say no one would ride it, speak for yourself! I would ride it to fells point, the inner harbor and other westward destinations on a regular basis.

Councilman Kraft would do well to remember that he represents a wider constituency than that solely of Canton. I for one would be thrilled to ride the Red Line across town to work on a regular basis. I wonder what campaign promises he will make to the people of our Patterson Park neighborhood which he will ultimately reneg on in the next election. He certainly will not be receiving my vote. The minority numbers that comprise the NIMBY crowd in Canton should be very pleased by this reversal of position.

Kevin - It has been my experience that Kraft is very involved with the community associations in his district. In fact, with little effort and the right attitude, it is very easy to get to know many of the key players in Baltimore and throughout the state. I would hope that you've spoken with Delegate Hammen since he lives in Highlandtown and he's very well connected...

Certainly, the folks who don't live in Canton are right to advocate that they want this to go through, just like the folks in Canton are right to say "underground."

I just think at the end of the day, it is very interesting to think about which route was selected and why. Funny, if the "rich" folks along Boston Street had advocated for the Red Line to come down Boston Street, everyone would be up in arms over something else that Canton (i.e. the waterfront communities) would be getting at the expense of others in the city. If you want to serve the most people and make public transportation as viable as it can be, you build along Eastern and tie in the various business, cultural, and residential communities of Fells Point, Canton, and Patterson Park since that's where the majority of the traffic is now. Traffic along Boston Street is all about getting in and out, accessing the highway as quickly as possible.

Finally, TOD (Transit Oriented Development) would allow Eastern Avenue to really flourish (look at a city like Chicago where nearly every CTA stop in the city is surrounded by a business district in each neighborhood). You can forget about new shops and a business district springing up along Boston Street - unless you're talking about Ed Hale's business district.