The FARRC "traveling road show" visited Manchester Center on October 6th and 7th, 2001 and presented the Fresno Rail Consolidation story to over 500 people.  The hi-lite of the two day show was a visit by Amy Allen of  KGPE TV (Channel 47) and a very nice feature story shown on the evening news.

June 9 & 10, 2001:  Members of FARRC Board of Directors manned a “Fresno Rail Consolidation Information & Petition Display” in the “Whole Foods Market” in Fig Garden Village. Many thanks to Leonard Chabiel, Store Team Leader, for his wonderful hospitality and support for the rail consolidation effort. Many residents stopped at the display to sign the petition and to learn more about the project. The response was very gratifying.

June 2, 2001:Assemblymember Dave Cogdill, based in Modesto, but whose district includes the northern portion of Fresno, held a Town Hall meeting in the Fig Garden Retirement Residence in northwest Fresno. The large attendance also included FARRC members Ferdinandi, Tom Bailey and Ruth Kent plus City Councilman Brian Calhoun and Assemblymember Mike Briggs. Assemblyman Cogdill discussed various topics affecting Fresno, including the energy problem, and then called on Councilman Calhoun and Assemblyman Briggs to speak. Rail Consolidation was a key issue discussed with strong support declared from the three officials and all those in attendance. FARRC Chairman was then asked to make a presentation where he brought everyone up to date on the project.

                                  “Opportunities and Solutions Summit”
On April 20, 2001, the City of Fresno brought together local, state and federal elected officials and a number of technical specialists to discuss three specific areas of interest: DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and TRANSPORTATION. Congressmen Cal Dooley and George Radanovich, State Senator Jim Costa, State Assemblymembers Mike Briggs, Dean Florez, and Sarah Reyes, Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, Fresno City Councilmen Henry Perea, Brian Calhoun, Jerry Duncan, Dan Ronquillo, Brad Castillo and Tom Boyajian made up the panel. Rail Consolidation was an important issue discussed and FARRC Chairman Ferdinandi was invited as a technical specialist to address the issue. State Senator Costa discussed his measure SB685 concerning the Fresno County measure C extension and said, “with the approval of the measure C extension, there could be $300 million available for Fresno Rail Consolidation.”  At the end of the conference Mayor Alan Autry stated, “If we get nothing else from this Summit, Rail Consolidation must be done. Not one more lost limb, not one more injury.” Council President Perea echoed the Mayors sentiments.