Port Manatee Plans to Make Up For Lost Time

A friend sent to link below about Port Manatee. If we think that the rail hub in Winter Haven will only be 300 acres and have a few more trucks a day, read what's coming our way. Port Manatee plans to make up for lost time http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071029/BUSINESS/710290435/1006/SPORTS

Commission On Open Government Meeting

I've been told this is a must attend meeting for any interested parties dealing with the CSX issue. Ask your neighbors to attend with you. Commission on Open Government Tuesday, November 27 Meeting Location: Clarion Resort & Conference Center 2261 East Irlo Bronson Highway Meeting Room 3 Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Meeting Schedule:2:00 – 4:00pm Public Hearing4:00 – 6:00pm Break6:00 – 8:00pm Public HearingCommission on Open Government website: http://www.flgov.com/og commission home Open Government Contact Person: JoAnn Carrin Phone: (850) 921-6099 Email: cristopengov@eog.myflorida.com Address: Office of Open Government The Executive Office of the Governor LL08 The CapitolTallahassee , Fl 32399

CSX In Indiana

CSX Railroad Says It's Not Interested in LaPorte County Intermodal http://www.wsbt.com/inside/team/reporters/5134271.html

(WSBT) One of the nation's largest railroad companies says it won't build an intermodal rail hub in LaPorte County. CSX Railroad was considered by some to be the most interested company in building the hub, and many are now asking if that means the end for the controversial project. Multimedia Task Force Meets To Discuss LaPorte County Intermodal Plan The proposed intermodal hub would link dozens of railroad freight lines with storage areas and semi trucks on hundreds of acres surrounding State Road 39 and U.S. 6 near Union Mills. Ruth Minich's phone rang off the hook Tuesday morning, and every call started off the same way: "They thanked me for being involved," she said. "And they were excited about it." "It" is an article in the LaPorte County Herald-Argus newspaper. The headline? "One Down." It's a reference to a surprise announcement from rail giant CSX this week. "[The LaPorte County site] is a private developer's site in which we're not involved," CSX spokesman Garrick Francis told WSBT by phone from the company's Jacksonville, FL headquarters. Francis says CSX has decided to build an intermodal in Northwest Ohio instead. It's the first concrete confirmation or denial from any railroad on potential interest in building on the heavily rumored proposed site near Union Mills. And because CSX was considered by some to be the leading rail company interested in the project, some think that means the project is dead in the water. At first so did Minich. And she would know. She's one member of the county's new 21 member "intermodal task force," set up three months ago by county commissioners. She also owns a 150 year old home on a 160 acre farm near Kingsbury, and an additional 160 acres of farmland square in the heart of the proposed project boundaries near Union Mills. But after she did some digging, Ruth changed her tune. "I'm not convinced," she said. "I'm excited, but I'm not saying to anyone that it's over." And on that county leaders agree. "[It] changes absolutely nothing," said LaPorte County Commissioner Mike Bohacek, in reference to the CSX announcement. He says that's due in large part to the fact that most new intermodals across the country, including the closest one to LaPorte County near Joliet, IL aren't being built by railroads at all. "These facilities are constructed for the most part by private equity firms, with options given to the railroads if they want to purchase," Bohacek said. "For the most part, it's an industrial development." That's one big reason why signs bearing the slogan "No Intermodal" remain scattered across the landscape near Union Mills. Neighbors say they want to send a message to other companies that they don't want an intermodal, no matter who's building it. It's a message Ruth Minich says she'll continue pushing until she gets answers and knows her lifelong home is safe. One of those questions still being asked is, if CSX is out, who might be in? The logical answers are Canadian National and Norfolk Southern Railroads. Both have lines that run near the area, but not into Union Mills, as CSX does. But so far, county leaders say neither has contacted them about making a proposal. But that doesn't mean they haven't contacted the developer who owns options on that land, Cressy and Everett Real Estate. Intermodal task force chairman Dave Christian tells WSBT that he still expects to see a proposal from the developer for that land sometime in January.

Opposition to CSX Reaching Boiling Point

Opposition to Florida Governor Crist’s Department of Transportation to give CSX nearly one half billion dollars is mounting in Polk and Hillsborough Counties. And, the intensity of the opposition may be reaching the boiling point. The governor and FDOT have agreed to transfer $491 million of taxpayer monies to the monopolistic railroad giant to help move a rail yard. One hundred and ninety-eight million dollars will go to CSX to improve its “S” line tracks running from Jacksonville down through the center part of the state to Plant City, Lakeland and Winter Haven; fifty-two million dollars to CSX to improve its rails outside of the “S” line; $23 million to relocate an Intermodal Logistics Center (ILC) from Taft, Florida to Winter Haven, Florida; $9 million to build a connector road to the Winter Haven ILC and $59 million to be spent by FDOT to provide grade separations in the Gainesville/Ocala area on the “S” line. Early reports predicted an additional 66 trains would be traveling through downtown Lakeland daily. One hundred fifty million dollars is being paid to CSX for a 61-mile section of its “A” line running from DeBary to south Orlando. CSX would retain exclusive rights to continue to haul freight on that line for seven hours a day and rights to an additional 10 hours of combined use with a commuter rail connecting DeBary and south Orlando. During the recent special session of the Florida Legislature to come up with $1 billion in budget cuts not one penny was sliced from the more than $9 billion transportation budget. Instead, the governor and the legislature cut services to Florida taxpayers and water resources despite the fact that Florida and much of the southeast is in a severe long-term drought. Fueled by resentment over being left out of the discussions on the multimillion dollar giveaway to CSX, Lakeland area businesses and angry citizens are demanding public hearings to expose the details of the negotiations between the FDOT and CSX which were held in secrecy over a period of several months. A website, www.StopCSX.blogspot.com is distributing bumper stickers calling for the public to “Stop CSX.” Polk County leaders have joined Senator Bill Nelson in asking Governor Crist to come to Polk County to meet with officials and concerned citizens to explain the secrecy surrounding the negotiations and why he thinks it appropriate to subsidize one of the nations most profitable and fast-growing railroad companies. Last year, CSX paid its CEO more than $16 million.

Mulberry Contamintion

Do we really want this possibility in Eastern Polk? Contaminated groundwater and wells Toxins on Tap in Mulberry Fuller Heights residents file suit against major corporations. By Dana Willhoit The Ledger MULBERRY The residents of Fuller Heights, a Mulberry community whose wells have been contaminated with toxins including arsenic and radium, are suing six companies that own or manage property bordering them. They have named CSX, Purina, Mosaic/Cargill, Kaiser, KC Industries and Environmental Risk Solutions in the lawsuit, alleging that the companies produced the toxins that have soaked into the groundwater and contaminated their wells.Some in the community have developed health problems because of the contamination, according to a lawyer for the residents.Nada Harrison, a board member of the Fuller Heights Community Association, has lived in the area since 2003, but her mother has lived there for more than 30 years.When residents were told by the Department of Environmental Protection in 2005 that their water supply was contaminated, "We were shocked. We couldn't believe it," she said.The DEP installed filters for their drinking water, but it could only treat three gallons at a time, she said. And because her well had been found to have unsafe levels of arsenic, she was still concerned about drinking the water, so for two years she and her family bought drinking water rather than using tap water.In March 2007, most of the approximately 50 households in Fuller Heights were connected to the county water service for free.The $716,589 cost was paid by the DEP and Polk County. Some households did not want to accept the water service because they are living on fixed incomes and didn't want to have to pay a water bill, Harrison said.According to the lawsuit filed in Polk County on Wednesday, Kaiser formerly owned and operated a chemical manufacturing facility at 2420 Old Highway 60, Mulberry, and then sold it to KCI in 1999.They discharged wastewater into two mining pits and a drain field on the north and east sides of their property.In 2004, according to the lawsuit, Kaiser informed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that contaminated water had spilled over from the two mining pits, which are managed by Environmental Risk Solutions, or ERS.This was caused by the hurricanes in 2004, according to Joseph Giannell, a lawyer representing the residents.However, Giannell said, there is no way to know how long the contaminants had been leaking into the Fuller Heights community's groundwater.The DEP began testing the groundwater of the Fuller Heights community for the first time in December 2004 and determined that the water supply was unsafe for human consumption, the lawsuit claims."Based on its sample study, the DEP determined that the contamination in Fuller Heights was likely coming from the KCI property, the Purina Property, the CSX property, or from another related source, including, but not limited to, the Cargill Property. KCI, Kaiser, CSX, Purina, Cargill and ERS have caused or permitted pollutants, contaminants, and/or hazardous substances on their property to discharge into underground waterways, groundwater and in the air, and said contaminants have migrated to Plaintiffs' properties and persons," the lawsuit said.Because of this, Giannell said, the residents have suffered and will most likely continue to suffer health problems, including cancer, tumors, and heart and kidney ailments, and they have suffered a loss of value in their property.Harrison said it has affected quality of life in the community as well.She stopped having her grandchildren come over until the community was hooked up to the county water, she said, because they would not be able to bathe or drink water in her house.Residents who used to grow vegetable gardens, fish and hunt no longer do so for fear of the contamination.One thing they hope to gain from the lawsuit is to discover who has caused this contamination, Harrison said."We feel like, if they can put a man on the moon, they can figure out where this stuff is coming from." [ Dana Willhoit can be reached at dana.willhoit@theledger.com or 863-533-9079. ]

Intermodal Hubs Add Marketability For Inland Ports

Where will the growth stop? When is enough, enough? http://www.worldtrademag.com/Articles/Column/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000197034?from=email

Tampa Truibune Editorial

This was taken from the Tribune editorials. It's a good read! Relegating Public To Caboose Derails Confidence In CSX Published: Nov 4, 2007 The best thing about our recent visit with CSX railroad executives is that they finally answered questions about some troubling business practices revealed by The Tampa Tribune over the course of this year. That wasn't why they came, of course. The five senior executives for public relations and governmental affairs hoped to build support for a mega-deal the railroad struck with former Gov. Jeb Bush before he left office. The deal calls for the Jacksonville-based carrier to surrender a 61-mile rail line through Orlando, where it owns a second parallel freight track, so that Central Florida can begin building a commuter rail system. In return, the railroad would be allowed to build a new hub in Winter Haven for long-haul freight trains. Oh, and taxpayers would pay the railroad $491 million. Like the image ads running on television, CSX officials said the hub would help take big-truck traffic off the roads. Interstates 75 and 95 in north Florida would see the most relief. But given the railroad's lack of interest in tapping the growing container business at the Port of Tampa, no drop in big-truck traffic would be seen around here. In fact, Bartow, Lake Wales and Mulberry would see a significant uptick in big wheelers needed to distribute goods from the hub. The company's overemphasis on reducing truck traffic is just one of the flaws in its public pitch. The Deal's Ups And Downs If you've stayed abreast of the CSX deal - not an easy feat, given the secrecy demanded during negotiations - you know the proposal's glow has faded as details have leaked out. On the plus side, the plan would pave the way for commuter rail in Central Florida, where relief is needed for creep-and-crawl traffic. Given that Tampa is joined at the hip with Orlando, our regions should support one another's opportunities, where it makes sense. Another benefit is the business success of CSX, a Fortune 500 company doing so well that it plans to buy back $3 billion worth of stock. It's good for Florida when companies headquartered here exceed the expectations of shareholders and customers. Stalwart companies help drive our economy and create a backbone for community giving and civic-mindedness. Still, there's a substantial downside to the proposal to relocate a freight line and railyard from Orlando to Polk County. The hub would generate a new stream of mile-long trains that would change the character of such communities as Plant City, Dade City, Lakeland, Ocala and Wildwood. The railroad failed to alert these communities before the deal was inked, another significant flaw. Feeding At The Public Trough Before discussing the plan in depth with our visitors, we had to pardon our interruption. Something's been sticking in our craw. Plainly put, people in this community find CSX to be an arrogant, dictatorial and enormously frustrating company to deal with. It exudes a culture of secrecy and issues half-truths that hurt its credibility. The executives weren't surprised by our assessment. They've heard it before. In their defense, they said CSX is a private company answerable only to shareholders, customers and the Federal Railroad Administration. Their business hauls freight, not commuters, and they see no role in helping urban communities address transportation problems. They say communities get upset when they hear that news. Fair enough. The railroad is a private company, and free enterprise is a cornerstone American value. But once the railroad started asking taxpayers for handouts, the dynamic changed. Taxpayers are footing the bill for more than 20 rail projects in this state, including lines through the boondocks, and they deserve a seat at the table. If private companies are unwilling to advance the public good, they should not feed at the public trough. Finally, Some Answers But back to brass tacks. This newspaper, led by reporters Lindsay Peterson and Billy Townsend, has drawn back the curtain on CSX this year to reveal a culture that, quite frankly, treats Florida taxpayers like serfs. It's not the nature of this editorial board to scold people who come to visit. We prefer a lively exchange. But someone had to talk straight with this company who would be king. First, we asked why taxpayers must pay flagmen exorbitant sums to sit and watch highway repairs, even those a good distance away from railroad crossings. The Trib has reported the railroad refuses to negotiate fees with local governments and that's that. Ellen Fitzsimmons, senior vice president-law and public affairs for CSX, said the railroad is held hostage by union rules and federal regulations. But CSX is no victim. Union contracts can be renegotiated and federal regulations rewritten if the company made them a priority. But CSX has no incentive to change. Next, we probed their claim that the hub will create 8,500 jobs in Polk County. The Trib has reported that CSX promises only 200 jobs, a number that could grow to 2,000 if a second phase proceeds, but there are no guarantees. Our visitors said the number includes spillover jobs created at convenience stores and dry cleaners, but the nuance is missing from their public proclamations. And regarding that second phase. CSX initially pitched a phased project so as to avoid the legal tripwire for a Development of Regional Impact, a category of development that requires greater environmental reviews and the mitigation of negative impacts on roads, water systems and schools. Without question, this hub will have a regional impact, and it was duplicitous of the railroad to suggest otherwise. That's the problem with CSX. It's hard to trust. Yet on one point they were crystal clear. The railroad has little-to-no interest in helping Tampa achieve its transit dreams. CSX owns no parallel rail lines here that would allow freight trains to share tracks with commuter trains. Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, who received a similar visit, has all but given up on using CSX lines for commuter rail. To work, she says the rail line must place a priority on commuters, not freight. We wouldn't call our meeting pleasant, though it was certainly an icebreaker. We hope our visitors took our concerns back to CSX President Michael Ward. For if the railroad wants this region to embrace this project, which will cause more inconvenience than benefit, culture change must come from the top.

Land Use Workshop

1000 Friends of Florida Building Better Communities Hold the Date! Join Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelhamand Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousosfor Toward a Regional Framework: A Transportation/Land Use DialogueFriday, December 14 New College, Sarasota 1000 Friends of Florida is convening this day-long seminar, to be held on Friday, December 14, at New College in Sarasota . In addition to Secretaries Pelham and Kopelousos, a host of speakers will discuss such hot topics as transportation and land use linkages, climate change, habitat protection, rural land conservation, and the role of regionalism. Please plan to join us for this lively discussion. The $25 registration covers lunch and other refreshments.

Downtown Lakeland Partnership Meeting

Press Release November 14, 2007 Downtown Lakeland Partnership Rep. Dennis Ross will attend the CSX Public Forum on Thursday, November 15. Senator Paula Dockery will be out of town and is unable to attend but has been working tirelessly on the issue. We thank her for all of her efforts.See below for the agenda and goals of the forum. This is hugely important for the future of our city. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. CSX Public ForumThursday, November 15 • 7pmPolk Theatre127 S. Florida Ave. Downtown LakelandAgendaIntroductionsSummary of the Key Facts/IssuesPresentation of the Goals: 1. We want state hearings before any money changes hands between the state and CSX. 2. We want the legislators who helped FDOT slip the $491 million dollars into the budget to step forward, be identified and defend their actions. 3. We want Governor Crist, the people's governor, and FDOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos to travel to Lakeland and explain to us why it is necessary to harm our city to theoretically benefit Orlando. Presentation of the action plan to accomplish these goals and the public's rolePublic Questions/DiscussionAdjournContact Information: Julie Townsend Executive Director, Downtown Lakeland Partnership 863-513-3669 info@downtownlakelandfl.com

No Big Tax Dollars For Polk

Currently CSX is disputed taxes owed in other counties on intermodal sites! Why would the City of Winter Haven advertise aggressively that Polk will cash in to the tune of $40 million, when no one else has! Can the city be sued for false statements and representations? Any lawyers who care to answer? Email us at StopCSX@hotmail.com and we'll be glad to post the answers! http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/12/Hillsborough/Facing_taxes__fightin.shtml

Intermodal Questions

A group from Kansas email these to me and I thought they were well worth an answer. Questions for our elected representatives and public servants: Do you understand the health risks of Intermodal Rail Yards and their associated warehouses and diesel truck transportation? Do you understand that the proposed CSX Intermodal Rail Yard will increase cancer rates for those living nearby? Do you understand that the diesel exhaust from Intermodal locomotives and truck traffic to warehouses will trigger asthma attacks in children? Do you understand that Intermodal Rail Yards increase death rates of those living nearby? Do you believe there is nothing you can do to prevent health damage from the CSX intermodal? Do you think that the proposed CSX Intermodal Rail Yard will be good for Polk County? Do you think that you can trust CSX to do your job and protect the health of the citizens of Polk County? Do you understand the traffic congestion and other impacts of the proposed Intermodal Rail Yard? Do you believe you have a responsibility to assess the impacts of the proposed Intermodal Rail Yard, and protect the citizens? Do you know that 80 percent of the health risks can be mitigated - if and only if public officials assess the impacts and ensure the necessary protections are put in place?

Tell It Like It Is!

This article was taken from today's Ledger editorials and should reflect everyone's sentiments! Thank you for speaking your mind! What's Good for the State Isn't Necessarily Good for Polk According to the Oct. 22 op-ed column "State Acts for Own Good in CSX Deal," by Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and CEO of CSX Corp., he seems to think he knows what's best for the state of Florida, which includes the city of Lakeland, which he does not mention. I think Mr. Ward is paid millions for knowing what's best for the CSX railroad and not for a biased view in playing salesman for "railroading" this deal through. If the state agrees, it will pay CSX nearly one-half billion dollars for 61 miles of railroad right-of-way that CSX would no longer need or want to maintain. This would pay for the new automated switching yard near Winter Haven. So far I only see a good deal for CSX.Mr. Ward says the deal allows the state to create a passenger-rail system [a commuter system around Orlando]. Does the state want to get into the passenger business? How much would it cost (besides the nearly $500 million) to put the track and public crossings in a safe condition? This must be completely investigated. Does the public want it?Our city fathers, donators and taxpayers have worked hard to make our downtown one of the most beautiful in Florida. This deal would turn it into a thundering, endless stream of freight trains 24 hours a day. Nobody, not even Mr. Ward, knows how many freight trains will thunder through downtown Lakeland in the near future. Remember, this "deal" will make it forever.Florida, and Lakeland, don't let them "railroad" this good deal for CSX. JAMES E. SOGARD Lakeland