4.2. SR 10-20-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 12, 2003 Honorable Tim Pawlenty Governor State of Minnesota 130 State Capital St, Paul, Minnesota 55155 Dear Governor Pawlenty: Once again, my sincere thanks for devoting so much time last February visiting and touring our facility prior to the briefing on the Northstar commuter rail project. It is the status of that project that is the reason for writing to you now. It is my understanding that funding by the state was not approved in the last legislative session. It is also my understanding that there are federal dollars available for this project, but they cannot be earmarked indefinitely for Minnesota, as the competition by other states for this money is very keen. Governor, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to you how beneficial such a service would be to our employees and our visitors in the hope that you would strongly endorse the Northstar project and encourage the leadership of the Legislature to enact funding for it during the next session. You will recall that United Defense employs nearly 1700 personnel at our site in Fridley. We are always in need of and looking to attract skilled employees. A large portion of our workforce lives along or near the proposed Northstar project line, and I know that our current employees would benefit from the line given the significant traffic congestion that plagues the north metro area, especially the Anoka - Coon Rapids - Fridley corridor. The Northstar rail line abuts our property and a station is planned less than a mile from our facility. I am convinced that only building more highways within the metro area will exacerbate congestion problems, forcing even longer commutes for my workers and unnecessarily using valuable real estate that has other economic development potential. We must look at different ways to move people, and the Northstar project makes sense to me as one of the best ways to move the people to and from work and the airport (given the planned connection to the Minneapolis light rail line). Your consideration of my thoughts on this issue is deeply appreciated. I look forward to your response, as well as suggestions how I may help to further the advancement of this necessary Row rail service. Sincerely, Keith B. Howe Vice President and General Manager CC: Commissioners Erhart & Berg, Paul McCarron, Jay McLinden, Tim Yantos, Steve Novak, Lona Schreiber, Elliott Perovich, Jon Olson, Julie Shortridge, Mary Richardson United Defense LP Arm~tment Systems Division 4.800 East River Road Minneapolis Minnesota 55421-1498 Telephone 763 571 9201