scottc80

Do you think this would be different if they considered 2005 graduates? I know we will still have another 7 years for that statistic. I moved here for college, moved to Raleigh after graduating (and very surprised that they retain ANYONE after college---I did not like it there at all) then moved back here, and am VERY glad I did move back here. Of those I graduated with in 2005, most of my friends still live in this area. Most of us are not from this area originally. It seems to me that with all of the improvements HR has seen in the last few years, there is a lot more to keep talent in the local area. I also saw an article on Tuesday (I cannot remember where I saw the article) that was speaking of the HR area having the strongest small to medium sized companies in the country (an improvement for us over previous years, and signaling hopefully more growth in the coming years). I am going to try to find that article again, as I do not remember the specifics of the content. Based on what I know of this area in 1998 and what I have heard from people who lived here at that time, it doesn't surprise me that many of them would not have stayed. I truly believe this area has come a very long way. I have seen it come a long way since I moved here in 2002.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25290355/ I am not too worried about it. If you look at the above link, it gives a great visual of areas of the country with high foreclosure rates. As you will see, the bulk of the increase has been in NOVA, which I think most people expected. The foreclosure rate for HR and Richmond is still very low in comparison with other areas around the country. Even Charlotte has more color to it than here. We complain, but it is still so much better here than most parts of the country. I like this map because it gives a true visual, and allows you to see the progression by year. Very interesting...

Gosh, Henry. Sorry that you didn't get to sleep in I was hoping for some type of announcement from the meeting, as I am sure many of us were hoping for. Thank you for reporting back so quickly. I may have to send Wright another email on the LR. I really had hoped for some type of direction on this by now. To me, the most logical pathway for the LR would be -> Up Colley Ave. making Colley a one way street, with the LR sharing the road. Follow Colley up to 27th, then turn West to Hampton Blvd. From there, pass through ODU and straight up Hampton Blvd. to the Base (using the northbound side of the road for tracks to not impede afternoon traffic). Also, maybe a branch off at Terminal towards Ward's Corner and OV. The concern has always been Hampton Blvd through Ghent from my understanding because it is so narrow, and this would keep the traffic moving on Hampton Blvd. towards the tunnel, and also bring the train right by the shops on Colley. It would also bring the train directly through the ODU campus. Seems to me to be the most logical path for the train, with 2 major stops (ODU and the base) along the way. Again, thanks Henry, and I guess we will just wait and hope for something soon. If the LR goes to the Ocean Front, it only makes sense to have it go to the base on the other end.

I was amazed at the positive responses as well. I think there were 8 positive posts about the LR before there was a negative comment. It seems it is always the same few people who complain about everything on the Pilot. I don't understand why they don't move to one of the far-out suburbs instead of complaining about everything. So, I wonder if this was what may have been eluded to by Henry, or if there might be something else tomorrow (considering that nothing has been said about a "North" line yet)?? I am so ready for some transit. If this doesn't expand in our area, I will probably move to a place with transit. I am sick of paying for gas! If the LR went to the Convention center, I would hope that there would at least be a trolley or something to transport to the beach, although I would love it if the LR went all the way to the dome site. I love going to the Oceanfront, but I won't drive all the way down there with gas prices. Gosh, I wish I could make it to the meeting tomorrow. Henry, will you be able to update us after the meeting, or will someone else be going to the meeting?

Oceanfront to WC and the base would be a dream. The only thing that could make it better would be to connect it to the Amtrak station in NN, but I am not holding my breath on that one. I always hate driving all the way to NN to catch a train. At least having the LR further developed on the Southside would help temendously. I hope that it is an announcement for WC and the base!

Henry, I hope you didn't mind me posting that here. I want to attend the meeting, but I cannot because of work conflict. I just got very excited by the very mention of the idea. I live in Sussex, so LR coming through Ward's Corner would be the best news I have had since I bought my house

I don't know if you guys saw this, but if you read the comments from Henry Ryto, it sounds like something may be announced soon. God I hope so, I would love to see the LR at Ward's Corner! http://wardscornernow.com/2008/06/06/task-...l-presentation/