NEECE CLARIFIES STANCE ON BIKING, WEST RAIL TRAIL

By Ben Neece

Candidate for City of Brownsville
Commissioner for District 4

There seems to be a misconception circulating about my position on quality of life projects in
Brownsville, and, in particular, those revolving around Biking, in Brownsville.
I’d like to make my position clear through this statement.
Yesterday, April 22, is good place to start. I attended, performed at, and helped produce the Seventh Annual Earth Day Festival, here in Brownsville. Shannon Guerrero, Rose Timmer and I have
worked on this event for 7 years. The event is held at the Linear Park, which is the origin of the
Palo Alto Hike and Bike Trail.

This year’s event was the largest and best attended of any of the past events. This is a positive event focusing on all of our citizens and our relationship to our Planet. The Farmer’s Market, which began after our first Earth Day Celebration, was part of the event, as it has been, in the past and benefitted from the additional surge of people attending the Earth Day Event.

Additionally, I was a member of the Brownsville Society for the Performing Arts for over 20
years, which was responsible for such annual events, such as: the Latin Jazz Festival (20 yrs) and
the Brownsville Guitar Festival (16 yrs). The BSPA has produced dozens of other events over the
last 22 years, including the annual Messiah Performances at the Performing Arts Theater.
Although I have, recently, retired from the Board, I am still involved in the Performing Arts
Academy Project and the BSPA Radio Station. These efforts have contributed, tremendously, to
the quality of life Brownsville enjoys.
I am, currently, a member of the Brownsville Historical Association, having previously served as
its President, as well. The BHA has been an integral part of the quality of life in Brownsville. We
recently merged with the Historic Brownsville Museum to provide support to its museum, which
joins our existing museums, nationally recognized resource center, the Stillman House, Market
Square and Alonso Building. The BHA has promoted Brownsville in many ways, contributing,
not only to our quality of life, but promoting Brownsville to academics and tourists, alike.
A little over 5 years ago, I started focusing my efforts to more humanitarian projects, after I was
appointed to the Board of the Ozanam Homeless Center. I decided that it was time to devote my
energy to the less fortunate of our community. We have instituted several programs toward that
end and have maintained operations, even during fiscally challenging times. Recently, we were
the beneficiaries of a generous donation to construct a Community Center, where we will have
our first clinic on Immigration issues April 27, 2017. This and our downtown homeless initiative
re real humanitarian programs that help the neediest of our citizens and residents.

Cyclobia:

I am not against biking or cyclobia. I have issues about its location, i.e. downtown, instead of the
Palo Alto Hike and Bike Trail. This is because I have heard the voices of the downtown
merchants, who are suffering, rather than benefitting from the street closings.
I am opposed to closing heavily travelled traffic lanes for “bike lanes,” especially when “bike trails” are immediately adjacent to the “bike lanes.” This is not, in my opinion, a appropriate allocation of
resources for our citizens. Many have expressed, to me, their displeasure with the increased
traffic congestion caused by the closures. More input from the citizenry would be helpful in
determining the proper allocation of municipal resources.

Friends of the West Rail Trail:

I would like to clarify my position, to assure that the Friends of the West Rail Trail are aware of
it. It is not often that an opportunity like the one presented by the abandonment of the Union
Pacific Railroad easement comes along. These are long term considerations that cannot be easily
undone. I understand the urgency of the Friends, because of loss of opportunity, after having
suffered for so long with blocked train crossing, the sounds of the locomotives and the danger
involved in having a train pass through your neighborhood.

I have stated, in writing, to your leaders, and twice in public forums, that I SUPPORT a “car free” West Rail. As stated, above, I helped develop usage of the Palo Alto Hike and Bike Trail, i.e. the Earth Day Festivals, and would do my best to develop the West Rail Hike and Bike Trail. My son and I spent many a wonderful time riding the bike trails, both on the Palo Alto and the Montebello “off road” trail, where we took our spills and spilled our blood, riding at Montebello.
I hope I have helped to clarify my position on these issues.

Please feel free to send comments or questions to my website at:

www.benneececampaign.com
Thanks for your consideration of me as your representative.