Re: Hey Chuck in Wallowa County! what about rail to trails?
Author: Chuck in Wallowa County
Date: 01-29-2013 - 14:55
That happens when local officials cave in to outside pressure. Here on the east side of the Cascades, we are tempered against outsiders telling us what to do. I've been here only three years from liberal California and already I'm in the mold. :-)
No taxpayer money is involved, so the local rail board could mothball the line for years without any tax money being spent. (Incidental maintenance would be financed from the railroad's own bank account and whatever is raised from passenger excursions.) I'm familiar with most of the rail board's members, and I am confident about what I'm saying here.
Despite being outvoted frequently by urban-area legislators, rural Oregon has prevailed in the past and is fighting on several fronts right now for what we stand for. If we had to add the railroad to the campaign, no prob. Personally, I don't think that will be necessary.