Gee and none of the places are located in WA which would at least give him an apparent excuse for living there.

From the interview:

"say you need three things to get a light rail or streetcar system going — heat, streets and leadership."

He forgot two things, gullible politicians and lots of taxpayer slush money.

For Erik H. and others,
There are comment sections in both the Kansas and Madison articles (links above)
for some here to let them know about viewpoints other than Charlie's Power-points.
I noticed that businesses in Kansas are very concerned about being taxed for this.

It's nice that the Kansas City Star has this lengthy article, with analysis and numerous comments from those being affected by a proposed streetcar line BEFORE it's slammed down peoples throat. Unlike the Oregonian.

And better yet, it looks like they will get to vote on it. How novel.
And so non-democratic.

Poor Madison....doomed!

Madison Reader, read and weep:

Where does Madison stand?
Hales; "[we're] conducting a feasibility study and seeing if it all makes sense."

Does it?
Hales; "Yes it does."

If you're conducting a "feasibility study" then how can you make this conclusion, Charlie?

Would it take away from the bus system?
Hales; "I don't think so."

Not true for Portland, TriMet has given over $20 Million directly to building streetcars, plus operation dollars have been well hidden in their budget.

Is it justifiable to spend this big money for streetcars?

Hales; "Streetcars support and pay for themselves."

Tell that lie to the property owners in the Pearl District, the Central Eastside, and SoWhat that have LIDs that tax them directly. And what about the meter parking revenue that goes directly to streetcars? And the federal and state tax dollars directly to the streetcars? Besides the METRO and TriMet dollars directly to streetcars. Fares, when collected, which is less the 50% of the supposed ridership hardly pays for an operator.

Hales, how can you expect us to believe you on other city matters when you spoof us on streetcars?

"Spoof" is not the correct word Lee, you are too kind.
The correct word is LIE. Charlie Hales is a liar, pure and simple. He may even be elected unless the voters pick another one of the liars on the ballot.

I don't know what it is about Kansas City, but a guy from Virginia (Clay Chastain) has been fighting for years to get light rail in there; he's enmeshed in what I think is his third legal battle because the state rejected his initiative measure again.

And here's Streetcar, coming from the other coast, pushing monorail. What is it that drives them like lemmings to Kansas City? Neither of the clowns live there.

Charlie is a carpetbagger in the true sense of the word. He is a con man who travels around the country trying to steal money from the locals.

He calls it "vision" but it is nothing more than a con. He should be tarred and feathered and run out of each town he visits.

On a rail?

Clinamen: I grew up in KC, so let me explain that downtown Kansas City -- where the streetcar is proposed -- is in Missouri, not Kansas. There is a smaller Kansas City, Kansas, and there is a huge suburban network of Kansas towns that surround both Kansas Cities. There are also a huge network of suburban towns that surround Kansas City, MO., on its eastern side including Independence, Mo., home of Harry S Truman.

While a streetcar may have some use in downtown, the expense, in my view, outweighs said use.

Light rail -- and there has been some discussion of it there -- would be an expensive disaster in KC. It's just way too sprawling -- population of the metro area is similar to Portland's metro, but the size of the metro area is several times larger.

Plus the core of KC has plenty of crime issues, and mindful of how Portland light rail has become a conduit for both crime and intimidating behavior, I just don't see this sort of public transit ending up as a benefit.

Added to that, the sprawl to the burbs would make light rail an hour plus trip to downtown from some of the more populous burbs. Midwesterners love their cars too much to stand for that.

For what it's worth, I posted my comment on the Madison site, giving the perspective of a jaded Portlander. I urge all public minded readers to do the same, for the sake of the unshorn sheep in Wisconsin.

Max:I don't know what it is about Kansas City, but a guy from Virginia (Clay Chastain) has been fighting for years to get light rail in there;...

Interesting, Charlie Hales comes from Virginia too.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2012/03/12/despite-setback-chastain-isnt-giving.html

Chastain, who lives in Virginia but has pushed light rail petitions in Kansas City for years,......

Sure his name isn't Lyle Lanley?

Mono-doh!

Good thinking, JS. I propose that every new story about Charlie Hales comes with an accompanying picture of Lyle Lanley near the top for reference.

Monorail!

Apologies to Dr. Seuss

“My friends”, he announced in a voice clear and clean,
“My name is Sylvester McMonkey McBean. 
And I’ve heard of Your troubles. I’ve heard you’re unhappy. 
But I can fix that, I’m the Fix-It-Up Chappie. 

I’ve come here to help you. 
I have what you need. 
And my prices are low. And I work with great speed. 
And my work is one hundred per cent guaranteed!”

...

Then, when every last cent of their money was spent,
The Fix-It-Up Chappie packed up. And he went. 
And he laughed as he drove In his car up the beach, 
“They never will learn. No. You can’t Teach a Sneetch!”