Nope I'll fight it tooth and nail. I have grandchildren living next to the tracks. Yes the majority of people will be decent people using the track, but just a minimally chance of a perv leering at them~NO WAY!! The man at super fresh trying to get support who was with your little boy~I doubt you would be supporting too if your house sat on the tracks!!! The innocent need to be protected! Take a walk in the park~ there are plenty around.

Why is this brought up again? It was nixed in Southampton and Newtown? The people who want it are mainly nonresidents. So a nonstory and an old story.....

I did take the survey and supported the trail, but I do have the concerns that Teri (above) has. I feel I can't walk alone in Tyler State Park and this is what I'm worried about with the trail.

I do believe that it is a great way for the communities to be connected. You could go from one park to the other. There is the canal trail in New Hope and that has no problems. I think that it is a wonderful idea. It would also give kids a safer route to get to a friends neighborhood. I lived on Churchville Road with the tracks at the back of the property. There is no place to walk the street and I coild not always get the kids to their friends house. This would be a great help. I vote YES

Teri
If someone wanted to "leer" at your grandkids, wouldn't it be easier for them to hide in the over grown bush and weeds that are the tracks today?

I vote YES!The rails to trails idea is not a new idea.It's an idea that is being successfully implemented around the country.Surely,one must look past the initial eyesores of construction to see the finnished product and the benefits it provides for each community involved.I say, find one single rails to trails program in America that has failed.It simply does not exist.This will help get walkers,bikers and dog walkers off of the roads which will in turn make our roads safer for everyone,including motorists.It's a win/win for everyone.

While I do see great positives in this idea, I can't help but have paranoia creep into me as this is a quick access for wrong-doers to get in and out of our neighborhoods. I am not terribly close to the tracks, but enough that I valid to have an opinion about it. Another concern is at the street crossings - how will this affect the crossings where there are no traffic signals (i.e. County Line Rd below Jaymor), Byberry Road (below the new development - Heaton?)

*enough that I have an opinion...

See this article for statistics on child abduction.

http://missingchild.wordpress.com/2006/08/17/how-dangerouus-is-childhood-cont/

I vote yes. I would rather have a trail to ride/run on then have to share the road with cars/trucks. Where I live there are virtually no sidewalks and I live very near the tracks so I would be happy to be able to make the short walk over to the trail for a run or bike ride with or without my kids.

who said anything about child abduction?

While I'd be the first one to be personally removing the testicles of any perv after my kids, I have to agree with the people that say not building this isn't going to change if they're on that property or not. It must be easier to hide the way it is now - with no one around to spot them - so if they're going to be there, they're going to be there. I think it's more important to teach the children to watch for the danger, and be observant parents. Just because the tracks get built into a park doesn't mean you should let your kids roam it alone. And maybe a condition of building it can be a secure fence along the borders (which you probably dont have now).

YES!! I am a Northampton resident. I will fight tooth & claw to bring this to fruition!

Whatch out for karma Pam. What goes around comes around in your backyard!!

Teri, They make things like Curtains and blinds, Close them when you are getting changed. What is to say your neighbor is not a dirty old man and looking at you using binoculars...... really now.

No fences necessary, keep nature as it is.

Teri maybe if you would like to pay for my gym membership I would love to go. That luxury is not in anyway shape of form in my budget anytime in the near future. Have you ever walked on any of the trails? Have you ever been to the back of Tamemand Park??? It runs right along the tracks. There already is public access to a portion of the tracks.

You are way overthinking this whole thing. This is something that the community could benefit from greatly! Exercise and getting outdoors is exactly what we need! Apparently you have never walked to anywhere in our community because you have no idea how dangerous is really is!

I have been in parks all of my life and have never experienced this type of thing. I am attactive and I take my kids to the parks all of the time. Maybe it is just you that draws them out. I am sorry I don't know what to tell you. You could have a pervert anywhere. That is absolutely no reason to hide and shelter yourself in a house.

I teach my children to be care and show them what can happen and what to expect. They should be ready for life not be afraid of it. We don't live in a Ghetto where the is crime unfolding 24/7. There is no need to be so paranoid.

Teri
Try investing in some window shades.

. I was walking with a school friend, Sharon. Help me Sharon if you are out there. A man asked if we wanted a balloon.He was holding a yellow balloon. Before we knew I was a child was looking at a grown man exposing himself. Yeah maybe I shouldn't be walking. I don't think they are looking for attractive runners to victimize. And there lies the problem I'm talking about.

I think we need to at least consider this idea. I lived with these abandoned train tracks right behind my house for several years with our young children. You know what I found back there all the time? Empty beer bottles, trash, clothes and drug paraphernalia. I never felt really comfortable with our kids around there. Might actually be nicer if it was a well lit, cleaned up exercise trail. Just a thought.

Water runs along there from the sewer that's what brings the trash.

@ Teri - Uh oh! Should we close Midland Road?
http://newtown-pa.patch.com/articles/police-suspicious-man-approaches-16-year-old-girl-in-wrightstown

As a runner, I would love this! I practically grew up in Tamanend Park and never once felt threatened.

Teri
You wouldn't happen to be related to the woman who was on Patch a couple of weeks ago wanting to change Nashaminy's mascot are you?

I was 10 in 1970 before we knew about this stuff. Do you know there is a family of foxes that will be homeless if this goes through? And a bald eagle that's best will be disturbed.

Dunacn, that lady fighting to change the mascot was amusing, lol!
I agree with Teri! I am picturing teenagers sneaking back there to do drugs, and I'm sure there will be some creepers luring. What an easy place to grab a young girl jogging, rape her in the bushes and jog away. I have young children and if I lived next to the tracks, I'd keep my kids indoors! I vote NO!

I couldn't agree more with Richard. I cannot tell you how many times I have been out jogging in the morning with my yellow balloons on a trail ready to expose myself to some sweet little lass and been like "man these balloons are really interfering with my running cadence....I should probably get rid of them and rape someone. "

I understand we are all entitled to different opinions and views of whether this trail is a beneficial movement or a bad idea. However, all day long my email notified me of the mindless comments that have nothing to really do with the trail, but rather bullying a commenter who obviously has strong opposing feelings. Regardless of this story, the jokes being made above are not funny and I pray that none of you are parents let alone adults. I hope the Patch is monitoring these and can remove the unnecessary off topic comments.

That's really funny!! It really did happen to me (yellow balloon).but I really think DJ is funny and lightened me up. I still vote no!!! Thanks Richard and HAE

I think the trails area great idea! There have always been perverts in parks but I doubt they would hang out on open trails. The tow path that runs from Bristol to Easton is a great thing.

There will be constant underage drinking, drug use and trash dumping in those trail areas. It’s already happening in and around water basins around township. Kids are dumping trashbags full of empty beer cans and liquor bottles not to be busted at home. Township workers are too busy to pickup that stuff and residents seem to be too lazy or simply don’t care because it’s not on their lawn. In addition, who will patrol trails? Northampton would have to assign an officer to keep “runners” safe and respond to all the trouble that will be going on there? I don’t feels like paying for it with my tax dollars. I’d rather have cops to respond to burglaries, car break ins, and other crime that’s on the rise. There are huge parks in the area with the rangers and paved roads to run or bike all year round. My vote is NO.

I have a problem with this survey since it is skewed to only elicit answers as to its use. A proper survey would accept answers that are from people who do not want it. Each answer I tried to answer as other the survey would not accept. It requires me to choose an answer that I do not want in order to accept the survey. This artificially inflates positive response and kills negative answers.

We have enough parks and recreational sites for use in and around our communities. We do not need to add trails that run in our backyards. I am greatly concerned about privacy and safety. One just needs to look at the police blotters and see the problems already occurring. We do not need to add greater accessibility to our private properties and homes with trails in our back yards.

Ms. Ferris- Thank you for your comment. The purpose of this survey is to help our group frame our strategic plan, as we are incorporating. This strategic plan is an integral part to the formation of our non-profit (necessary to seek grants). You are more than welcome to complete the survey and write in your own answers (we have had many respondents do this). If you don't intend on using the trail you can state that. You can also check the box that you "would not" support a trail.

We appreciate that you believe there are enough parks, but this is much bigger than "parks". This trail will provide a safe riding area for many cyclists who are looking for a safe place to ride as well as increase the connectivity between existing and proposed trails within the Bucks County Park systems. We invite you to check out Lorimer Park (a rail/trail along the same line) in Montgomery County and see how homeowners have embraced the trail. It is a wonderful community asset and will soon provide the same benefits right here in Bucks County. If you have specific concerns please feel free to email us at buildourtrail@gmail.com and we would be happy to meet with you.

Bot, the adjacent home owner on the pennypack trail @ lormier park with an 8 ft fence has adjusted nicely hasn't he. Why won't you place a picture of that home on your web site and petition so people can see what the newtown trail would look like if completed.

As a weekend cyclist I would love to ride this trail if it is built. I grew up in Southampton in the 60s and 70s. I am very familiar with the area around the tracks. Back then it was a great place for keg parties, often kids would steal cases of beer from peoples garages along the tracks. There were also two rival teenage gangs that hung around the 3 tunnels, the Nabaha and the Debanches. That would terrorize the locals. Kids watch alot of Tv these days and play on the computer. But there is not doubts there will be alot of teenagers traveling this new Highway for Hoodlums. I wonder if the police will have a presence on the trail, also I would be concerned about litter, and property damage. If I lived along the tracks and had kids or grand-kids, I would say NO to the trail. Pedophiles love parks and there are many escape routes for them. I wouldn't want my kid to be playing in his yard and being approached by men looking for their puppies. Maybe a wall like they have on the turnpike might do the trick.

Still waiting for the pics and some truth from the Bots.

Yeah, and I'm still waiting for someone to check me and my yellow balloons out. Can't figure out what i'm doing wrong. Maybe I should use yellow balloon animals....I think that's the ticket.

BOT - you haven't really answered Ms. Ferris' concern. The survey says "From the list of above activities..." It does not say you can write in your own answer, and it is a required answer. I don't think it's fair to say several hundred completed it without issue, since it's not a technical issue, it's a survey design issue.

Had this been designed by a third-grader, it might be forgivable. But with your history of misrepresenting data and hiding your own agenda, it sure looks like it's engineered to skew the results in your favor.
Individuals taking the survey who 1) follow the directions, while 2) oppose the trail are absolutely UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY WITHOUT CHANGING THEIR ANSWERS TO MATCH YOUR VIEWPOINT. It's rigged, and when you produce the results, many of us will be at that meeting to point this out.

Not to mention the irony of requiring an email address when you still haven't identified yourselves or where you actually live.

DJ it is a pretty simple survey, it just doesn't allow those opposed to the trail to complete it without choosing an activity they would use the trail for, from a list.

Your suggestion, while perhaps technically possible, isn't one of the options as it is not "from the list of above activities."

The survey also makes a presumption that you will access the trail. If you don't want to go on the trail, you wouldn't use any of those options. Even if you did, those options aren't really accurate. For example, many people might cross through private property to access the trail. That's not a choice, is it?

Without more info on the actual access points, how can you commit to an answer how you'll get there? What if the only access is from the Newtown bypass? Will you still bike or walk?

I am in no way an experienced survey maker, but wouldn't writing "I wouldn't" be a viable option under "other"?

Other choices not listed on the survey to access the trail: Airplane, tricycle, helicopter, hot air balloon, magic unicorn, pegasus or pegasii if you have a friend, or those shoes with the roller ball things in them.

I really don't get why you are ticked about this survey it seems pretty straight forward.

I would access this trail by unicorn given the opportunity just btw.

It says "From the list of above activities." "I wouldn't" is not on that list.

While this may be splitting hairs, the point is if you are not in favor if the trail, you can't finish the survey unless you ignore the directions.

As a result, you can't rely on the results, because the survey selects out a pretty significant group of individuals - those who are honest, oppose the trail, and prefer to follow directions. You can't predict how many bailed out when they realized they couldn't fill it out consistent with the directions. Some may bail, some may ignore, and some may lie.

So I'm not saying you can't get around it. I'm saying that it is by design unscientific. Further, both the design and the results are controlled entirely by the group lobbying for the trail (or in one case, sitting in an appointed township position, hoping nobody outs her conflict of interest). Just like the online petition the group stuffed with fake names, the survey is worthless.

Meh, I don't get that. Seems okay to me.

Oh, so sort of like how the President of the railroad station society is on the historical board...

Well we'll see when the results come out. Hopefully BOT will be fully transparent and produce each entry, emails redacted of course. BOT? Any takers?

Neither the station society nor the historic society are government agencies, so who cares? They are not elected nor appointed. Obviously, they've been forthcoming, or you wouldn't know this fact. Nice try though.

Wheres the money coming from for building and maitaining. For the hundredth time police cannot protect you they only respond to your calls for help. What about private property rights and protections. What part of all this is associated with agenda 21 from the U.N. We as a state, county, township, country already have more responsibilities than we can pay for. All these things are nice but we don't need them. Our elected officials arent being responsible with our money things like this can wait.

I was referring to the NBPF and the SSRRS. I don't know anything about this historical advisory board, so I'm not sure which individual you're referring to.

If that dual board membership has been made public, though, it's not a big deal. In BOT's case, one of the founding members apparently denied her association with BOT at a Southampton EAC meeting. That EAC has expressed a desire to bring commuter service back to the township. Meanwhile, one of its members is secretly trying to prevent that. That's the conflict. Which organization does she serve?

I think you know exactly what is being referred to.

I looked into this "desire to bring commuter service back to the township" and all I could find was a letter written by an EAC where only 2 of those 5 members remain on the board. Is there something else that I am missing?

This is one of the benefits of term limits. Boards can change and opinions can change. I hardly think you can use that letter and say that it speaks to the feelings of the current board when 3 of the members weren't even on the board when that letter was signed.

http://www.stopthenewtowntrail.com/

A letter signed by a board has precedential value until a new one has reversed it, but that's not really the point. The point is that someone who was appointed to the board is secretly also pushing a rail trail agenda. The board and the township merely need to be aware that this person has a dual loyalty - one to the EAC, and another to BOT. The cover-up is always worse than the crime, so to speak, and the township could decide that it's ok that a BOT founder sits on the EAC. But maybe not - maybe some people believe that someone with a trail agenda is too "single issue" to be serving on a township committee. It wouldn't be the first time a "single issue" group was asked to step back.

In any case, that decision should be made by the township and it's residents. The EAC/BOT member is doing a disservice by hiding this dual affiliation from them.

As far as the historical society, I honestly don't know who you're referring to.

BOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. TL:DR

http://uppersouthampton.patch.com/articles/build-our-trail-group-seeks-non-profiT-status

Read these old posts very enlightening to what's really going on here. Lisa you'll never have that gym membership money~ it'll be going to taxes. Lisa want to trade houses? Your not a fearful person. BE AWARE!! of what's going on in your little trail setting. Anyone really live in Upper Southampton besides Lisa Kathy and I? Its the BOT's against the EAC's ( and DJ you thought Mike Ryan's gangs had funny names) with some board member who has a fence company that will benefit from the tax payers money during a recession. Alleged heavy breathing on phones. Crazy!! And I was afraid of the pervs. This is more than happy little people building a happy little sunny trail. Any of you mob associated? My real names is not Teri just saying.
DJ I love Batman!

Ive lived in Southampton my whole life, and I never thought there were this many crazy people here. Most of us can read between the lines and see this is really about keeping the train out since there's a group or two out there promoting it.

I have an idea who is running BOT and its shameful they've engaged in phone-breathing and other harassing tactics to scare away the critics. There are too many characters with this group to trust them. A fence guy, a township official on the EAC, and a guy who claims to have dual residency in Upper Southampton and Northampton Townships so he can speak "as a resident" at multiple public hearings. You can't dream this stuff up!!!

No truth in advertising (pics of trails with out backyards & homes)
No truth in data aquisition (survey's and petitions)
no truth in identy ( NHT meeting, SHT politico;s)
no truth in profiteering (fencing)
no truth in research (rtt gobbly goo)
If these are the good local folks who will be using the trail, I wonder what the out of town drifters and hoods will be like!

Hello BOT
Hello?
hello??...
Im still waiting for you to post truthfull pictures of what the completed trail will look like.
You know the hundreds of homes that back up to the rail line (some as close as 50')
why are they not seen on your web site or petition?
Hello
Hello???.
Has any heard fom BOT?
Did they call it quits already?
or are they hiding from the truth.

hi. these concerns are valid i think. the track is very close to homes and peoples backyards. i have friend live near Spring Mount I believe close to what is called perkomen trail. nice trail, pretty area but very rural. many access points by streets. i think redding rr abandoned in 1970s so it gone for a long time and land owned by county i believe. what i trying to say is that this line is not good for trail if so many people are angry about it. i cannot think why a politician would support this if so controversial. i support it, but i not poltician. maybe wait until the econony is better. i think Komelasky said meeting (i saw video) that very little money, gets calls from people complaining about potholes.

Township money would apparently be better spent on spell-check software than a trail. Just saying.