Tulsa Topics

Rejuvenating Rail Transportation in Our State

When: Monday, September 22, 2008, 6pm

Where: Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis, Tulsa, Oklahoma

What:
'Oklahomans Taken For A Ride' 
A Don Grissom film, Oklahomans Taken for a Ride, to be screened at the Circle Cinema on Monday, September 22, at 6:00 p.m.

A discussion will follow the 24-minute film featuring Tom Elmore, Executive Director of North American Transportation Institute of Oklahoma City
who has worked diligently for many years to protect the rail infrastructure
of Oklahoma. With the current fuel crisis, it becomes more and more apparent we need to begin using rail transportation where possible;
and that is why this film and Tom's efforts are so important to all
Oklahomans.

The film is free and the public is invited. This is a one-time showing so
please come see this important film.

"Oklahomans Taken for a Ride" highlights the importance of
protecting Oklahoma's remarkable rail infrastructure and putting it to better use.

The event is being sponsored by the Coalition to Save Union Station Terminal Facility in Oklahoma City, but their work has ramifications for the Tulsa community and future transportation options in the state.

This film explores the extent to which Oklahoma's transportation future is threatened by plans of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
(ODOT) to rip out the originally 12-track, 8-block-long Oklahoma City Union Station terminal facility as a part of the I-40 Crosstown relocation. The film details ODOT rerouting plans while also detailing efforts to fight the destruction of the magnificent rail asset. The video also shows how the facility could be readily and economically reused as an Oklahoma
multi-modal transportation hub.

The filmmaker, Don Grissom, was a graduate of Norman High School . He
worked in film and video production in Washington , D.C. for 28 years,
recently returning to Norman in 2007 to continue his documentary career. He
had been involved in the production of One World Quest (Muheim Motion
Pictures), Benny Andrews Route 66 Tour (Ogden Museum of Southern Art), Intel Wars (CNN Documentary), Extreme Makeover (ABC), Drugs (Frontline, Resolute Films), and many other films. Unfortunately, Don Grissom passed away this summer.