Dear Editor,

A YARTS (Yosemite Regional Transportation System) park and ride station may be heading to Oakhurst. I have been watching earth moving crews reshape and flatten a large area near the True Value Hardware store on Highway 49. Rumors say the developer has spent $350,000 moving dirt. While the grading project is permitted, there are no other permits for the property.

I have heard the property is being prepared as speculation for sale or development. I wonder how with a weak economy over all, and a community that is just barely making it, anyone in their right mind would spend big bucks on this property without a purpose. My wife is still hoping for a Target, good luck.

In Mariposa, a YARTS park and ride is on the table with property already identified. It seems logical to me this will be the Oakhurst location. The whole YARTS subject brings strong opposition and support. I have not quite decided if this is a good idea or not. I do know there is a master plan to exclude cars from Yosemite and I don't support that.

YARTS would be the first step to limiting cars in Yosemite. Having a park and ride may not help our community. Visitors would just turn left at Highway 49 and miss most of Oakhurst. There are big bucks for the operators and property owners as there is no way the YARTS bus system could be operated without government subsidies.

I fear this will hasten the process to remove cars from the park and make Yosemite a difficult place to visit. We need visitors coming through our town.

Marc Sobel, Oakhurst