To whom it may concern:

I would like to set the record straight on a few things I just read that are very false. One, the taxes where let go because for the last seven years there has been on again off again talks with state/county for the sale of that property for various uses including trail and widening of highway 95. Both parties being cash poor, tax forgiveness was much easier then them writing a check. The fact that Mike Williams is a scrapper is a nonfactor in this whole issue. He has held on to the line longer then anyone I know would have in his situation. He paid 1.1 mil for the line and at it highest value in 07 it was worth 13 mil; yet it was not pulled out. The fact that the line was already abandoned when purchased, Mike had no reason to mislead anyone since it could have been torn out at any time. Nothing was lifted until the city of Cottonwood wanted it gone and even then it was only pulled where it was not wanted. I would especailly like to comment on the fact that it was announced the line would open again. Coming from myself, the person that "did the declaring" of reopening the most, I can attest that it was always the goal. If not for multiple missfortunes it would have happened. The line was put into service all the way to Cottonwood. Bridge work was done and grain shuttle cars were prepared for service; all so UP could give us cars. However, the 60 cars/week agreed upon (as stated in contract with UP) showed up 300 cars/week. This lead to the cars needing to be stored at the bottom of the hill instead of between Craigmont and Cottwood as intended because we could not shove them up the hill fast enough. Why would anyone planning on scrapping a shortline put any money, labor, or time into it? Any comparisons of Mike or his company to A&K are a down right insult. A&K is a ruthless company and are the farthest thing from how Mike conducts business. We started to prepare the line to be reopened for this harvest and the barge outage. One week into the process our bridge foreman hurt himself off the job. It is very difficult to find someone quailfied and willing to work on those trestles. Mr. Williams should be thanked for the fact that this line has been in place since 2003. Anyone that had the privelage to experience the 2nd sub from a motorcar or even driving by should be grateful. Mike was the only one who would stick his money where his mouth was and buy the branch. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but my god, have the facts first, if not all at least some!! If anyone would like to take up this disscussion one-on-one please call me at 208-290-8148. I would love to chat with anyone who thinks this @#$%&. Stan Patterson