Communities push Red Rock line

Judy M.
Hastings, MN     02/12/2010 10:56 AM

The information that author Don Davis included in the article about the Red Rock Line contains some information that is in error. The current Highway 61 Bridge will not be closed during new bridge construction. It is important to communicate this information from now until the new bridge construction is completed so that travelers will continue to travel through Hastings and support our businesses. Judy Misencik Board Member, Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Chairperson, Hastings Bridge Coalition

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R C.
Hastings, MN     02/11/2010 2:09 PM

Tony, I was working at the MOA when the MTC Drivers went on Strike. I can tell you that we did see a drastic decrease in the amount of thugs, theft, etc. in our establishment during that time. Of course, once the buses were up and running, we saw a significant Increase. We even had a KARE11 reporter speak with us. She was going to do a story about all the lost business, but she said that all she had been hearing from other store owners/managers was how nice it was without the gangs etc. You can draw your own conclusion. Also, I am not sure comparing the light rail situation with the MOA is really apples to apples since the MOA is a private establishment and has since created policies to limit that type of behavior. As a city, we cannot post rules at the city limit stating that no one under 16 can come into Hastings after 9PM without and adult.

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WT F.
Hastings, MN     02/10/2010 7:33 AM

The comments sections on these stories on this website is a great feature. Great entertainment value.

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Jack M.
Prescott, WI     02/10/2010 7:29 AM

Jeffrey, your comment is based on false assumptions. There is no evidence to support the flimsy claim you are attempting to make us believe.

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jeffrey t.
Hastings, MN     02/10/2010 5:27 AM

This is such a bad idea, now we get to have easy access from the cities to Hastings for all of the criminals to come down....real nice city of Hastings lets keep coming up with all your great ideas, now parents who live in the cities are going to put there troubled little children on the train to come to Hastings IDS 200 and corrupt our school system too...

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jeffrey t.
Hastings, MN     02/10/2010 5:20 AM

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Tony A.
Hastings, MN     02/09/2010 7:00 PM

The comment regarding "bangers" is misinformed, and suggests confusion between correlation and causation. Light rail did not bring crime to the Mall of America, any more than roads did. (Bangers drive too, right? Thus DRIVE-by shootings? You didn't think they were all waiting for their drivers license before balancing that gun against the steering wheel, did you?) Hastings cannot throw a figurative wall around itself and expect bad things to stop, or even slow down. What keeps violent crime down is stronger family and community ties, more and better-trained police, well-designed public utilities and spaces, low-to-zero tolerance of "broken windows" and graffiti eyesores, and strong schools. Incidentally, you'll access a bigger pool of well-trained police officers and teachers if you have more transportation options. Best of luck to all involved in the efforts to bring this to Hastings. Tony Alongi, Ward 1 Representative, Hastings City Council

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Jack M.
Prescott, WI     02/09/2010 10:15 AM

JQP, you are confused. Those are location-based issues, not issues brought on by public transportation. Those people were there, and going there already. No "bangers" are going to commute to Hastings in order to commit crimes and then commute home again via the Park n Ride or a Metro Bus.

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Gary H.
Hastings, MN     02/09/2010 8:41 AM

J.Q. Public , Hate to to tell you but Hastings is way above the average suburb for crime and especialy drug use by the kids that live here

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J.Q. Public .
Cottage Grove, MN     02/09/2010 8:18 AM

Where public transportation goes, so goes the "bangers". The reason Hastings doesn't have a lot of problems like the inner suburbs is that troublemakers rely on public transportation. If you don't have public transportation to your location a large number of them can't get there. Take a look at the problems the Mall of America had once light rail went there. I would rather drive then have to deal with the problems they bring. I work downtown and see them and their issues all the time.

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