The concern for the Mariposa people was that Mariposa County was going to be possibly denied two board seats on this committee according to a letter circulated by CalTrans.
As Ken Gosting was about to speak to the committee, one of the members asked "Is anyone opposed to this?"  As he tried to bring the idea of letting Mariposa have two voting seats on this committee to a quick close but he was rebuffed by the chairman that had laid down the ground rules. Ken Gosting then read the government code that would let Mariposa County on to this committee.
Paul Hall, representing Yosemite Medical Supply, then stood up and said Mariposa County needed the full vote as Highway 140 to Yosemite is known as the 'All Year Highway'. Elaine Seymour owner of Chocolate Soup, touted the safety of Highway 140 in the winter months versus Highway 120 and 41. Mariposa resident Ruth Sellers said that the Merced - Yosemite route was a very important part of Amtrak tourism. Mariposa County Supervisor Brad Aborn said that he thought we were a shoe in until a letter was circulated by CalTrans requesting that Mariposa County be denied two full voting seats and to make a new position on the committee as an Associate Member with no voting rights for Mariposa County. Mr. Aborn read a letter to the rail committee from the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors. One of the committee members from Kings County asked why can't they be a full member. Lee Goldenberg of CalTrans was concerned that if Mariposa County was admitted with full voting membership that other counties all the way into Oregon and points north would want to be on the committee. Another committee member said that wasn't Mariposa County part of the San Joaquin Valley? The Vice Chairman of the committee said "I don't see what it would hurt" to give Mariposa county full voting membership? Another committee member said that they would just have to take each county case by case as Mr. Goldenberg had said forty-five other counties could possibly be on the board. Another committee member asked if the by laws would have to be amended and after much discussion the committee came to the conclusion that the by laws would have to be changed to give Mariposa County two seats on the board. Fresno County Supervisor Perea supports Mariposa County and another committee member said that he will support Perea in allowing Mariposa County on to the committee.

Mariposa County will be brought in to the rail committee as a full voting member when the by laws are changed, hopefully by the next meeting. Supervisor Watson representing Kern County said that we need more people involved and that he supports Mariposa County being admitted to the committee.  Another committee member agrees that Mariposa County be admitted as a first class member not a second class member also that he does not buy the forty-five county count presented by CalTrans representative Lee Goldenberg. Another committee member wanted it known that the committee is supporting Mariposa County not Transportation Involves Everyone (TIE).

A motion was made to allow Mariposa County full membership with two voting members subject to the approval of changing the by laws.
 It was unanimous decision.

Mariposa County Supervisor Dianne Fritz said that "We thank you very much" and that Mariposa County thanks you.

Also during the meeting a representative for CalTrans made it known that the Merced Rail Station is the stop for its customers heading to Yosemite on busses.

As a side note: A big thanks to Doug Shaw of the Yosemite Bug for supplying the bus that brought the Mariposa citizens to the Merced Rail Station. Also for supplying us with sandwiches that we ate on the way back to Mariposa after a very satisfying and fulfilling day.