HomeMy WebLinkAboutOffice of Lieutenant GovernorOFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
~TATE OF MONTANA
May 17, 2005
JOHN BOHLINGER
LT. GOVERNOR
Dear Local Elected Official:
You are cordially invited to attend the Governor's Whistle Stop Tour in Support of AMTRAK on June
1-2 of this year. Attached is a copy of the tour schedule, which will include a series of town hall
meetings in Glasgow, Havre, and Whitefish, as well as stops in Malta, Shelby, and East Glacier Park.
As I am sure you are aware, President Bush's proposed budget cuts to long distance rail would
effectively be the end of The Empire Builder and passenger reil service in Montana. The loss of the
Empire Builder Line would be of great detriment to families across Montana who rely on AMTRAK
service for basic transportation. Such a loss would also have tremendous negative impacts on
Montana's economy.
The goal of the tour is three-fold. First is to highlight the necessity of passenger rail service to the
citizens of Montana by having national transportation officials attend town hall meetings in Montana.
The second aim is to provide a venue for the people who would be most affected by the loss of
passenger reil service to express their voice and opinion over this pending decision. Finally, the
Whistle Stop Tour is intended to bring national attention to the dire situation of long distance
passenger rail transportation across the Western United States.
The Governor's Whistle Stop Tour is being coordinated from my office with the assistance of the
Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Montana Department of Commerce. At the
local level we are coordinating with various local economic development groups; including, Two
Rivers Economic Development in Glasgow, Bear Paw Economic Development in Havre, Sweet
Grass Economic Development in Cut Bank, and the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. We are also
working closely with the nine elected mayors of the towns with Empire Builder stops.
The Governor and I understand your strong commitment to the Empire Builder and would like to
thank you for the leadership and support you have provided for Montana on this issue. We have a
historic opportunity--as elected officials from all levels of government--to stand up and voice our
unified support for AMTRAK.
Sincerely,
John Bohlinger
Lieutenant Governor
STATE CAPITOL · P.O. BOX200801 * HELENA, MONTANA59620-0801
TELEPHONE: 406-444-3111 · FAX: 406-444-5529 · WEgSITE: WWW.MT.GOV
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
STATE OF MONTANA
BRIAN SCHWEITZER ~
GOVERNOR
Governor's Whistle Stop Tour
In Support of AMTRAK
June 1-2, 2005
West Bound Delegation Number I Wednesday June 1st
Town IvlCeting-in-Ola~gow; M'I~(AMTRAKRalYDep~t~ .... lff:30 to 12:00 PM
Special Lunch--Buffalo Hotdogs
Depart Glasgow
Arrive Malta/Stop
Arrive in Havre
Depart Havre with West Bound Delegation 2
West Bound Delegation Number 2
Town Meeting in Havre, MT (~,e, lcs Hall)
AMTRAK PRESS CONFERENCE
Depart Havre with West Bound Delegation 1
Public Rally for AMTRAK in Shelby (Elk8 Lodgel
Arrive in Shelby to Meet Montana's Amtrak Crew
AMTRAK PRESS CONFERNCE
Arrive East Glacier Park/Stop
Welcome to Whitefish--Brass Band and Desert
East Bound Delegation
Depart Local City or Town
Arrive in Whitefish
All Delegations
Town Meeting in Whitefish, MT (AMTRAK Depot)
AMTRAK PRESS CONFERENCE
Amtrak Support BBQ--Featuring all Made in Montana Food Products
12:00 PM
.12:26 PM
1:15 PM
2:39 PM
3:04 PM
Wednesday June 1st
1:00 to 2:30 PM
2:45 PM
3:04 PM
4:00 PM
4:55 PM
5:10 to 5:20 PM
6:35 PM
8:55 PM
Thursday June 2-d
Various
8:00 AM
Thursday June 2nd
10:30-12:00 AM
12:00 PM
12:15-1:15 PM
STATE CAPITOL · P.O. Box 200801 · HELENA, MONTANA 59620-0801
TELEPHONE: 406-444-3111 · F~: 406-444-5529 * WEBSlTE: WVAV.MT. QOV
JOHN BOHLINGEN
LT. GOVERNOR