tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88715912478642018482011-11-27T19:43:14.333-05:00Stop CSX in Polk CountyWe, as concerned citizens, do not believe that the CSX Intermodal site is a good choice for the residents of Polk County. This site is dedicated to providing information otherwise not known about CSX, their counterparts in the railroad industry and the general attitude of ignorance by governing bodies.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comBlogger2411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-13359692043435133902009-12-09T09:10:00.000-05:002009-12-09T09:11:22.220-05:00SunRail Moving Faster than ExpectedClick title for video link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-67718536658573275082009-12-03T08:31:00.000-05:002009-12-03T08:33:02.731-05:00Lawmakers To Consider Sunrail In Special SessionClick title for full story link. A special session will start on Thursday with lawmakers meeting to tackle issues, including the proposed Sunrail commuter train project.
The train, if approved, would travel on existing rail right-of-way currently used by Amtrak passenger trains and CSX freight trains. It would connect central Volusia county to Poinciana in Osceola County, running straight Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-42666446126979306242009-12-03T08:19:00.000-05:002009-12-03T08:26:17.419-05:00McCollum v. Dockery on SunRailClick title for full story link. Yes, they would tell you they're both talking about policy, not politics. But we can't help pointing out that Attorney General Bill McCollum and state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, are also Republican gubernatorial rivals.
So take their Wednesday press releases on the merits of the SunRail project -- sent out within an hour of each other -- for whatever Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-43608084065901796032009-12-01T08:50:00.000-05:002009-12-01T08:51:59.221-05:00Winter Park mayor uncivil at rail meetingClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-1776440509806278902009-11-14T09:09:00.000-05:002009-11-14T09:10:34.499-05:00McCalla rail hub officials hear issues at hearingClick title for story link. Does this sound familar to anyone?Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-16766222864050202522009-11-13T09:38:00.000-05:002009-11-13T09:40:11.979-05:00Legislators close to SunRail dealClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-11724248056443168302009-11-12T12:51:00.000-05:002009-11-12T12:52:31.544-05:00Anti-union rant clouds factsClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-52079472645967832302009-11-10T12:27:00.000-05:002009-11-10T12:28:44.311-05:00Opinion: Anti-union rant clouds SunRail factsClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-46138110617258932412009-11-10T11:56:00.000-05:002009-11-10T12:08:33.166-05:00Mass. Agreement May Pave Way For SunRail Liability BreakthroughClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-66589773130779775042009-11-10T07:36:00.001-05:002009-11-10T07:40:56.387-05:00Dockery: No Reason for Dec. SessionClick title for story's link. Why are Florida lawmakers wasting tax payer dollars with a special session?Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-45615415000220413132009-11-09T13:41:00.000-05:002009-11-09T13:42:35.718-05:00A Desperate Ploy To Rescue SunRailClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-63472215899096914162009-11-09T13:22:00.001-05:002009-11-09T13:24:26.267-05:00Rail Yard Held Hidden PerilClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-55823913283201815562009-11-03T15:54:00.000-05:002009-11-03T15:56:29.034-05:00Incumbent Says His Work With the City Is Not Done YetClick title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-67961913506596774282009-11-03T15:41:00.001-05:002009-11-03T15:45:18.010-05:00What Did MyRegion.org Do With All That State CSX Money?Click title for story link.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-70703496373855210802009-11-03T15:31:00.002-05:002009-11-03T15:40:57.906-05:00Hey Orlando, Get Your Act TogetherClick title to story link. You may have seen that US Secretary of Transportation, Ray Lahood supposedly said recently that Florida won't get high speed rail money unless the state senate agrees to CSX's blackmail payment, eerrr, Sunrail deal.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-15128997977699019462009-09-16T07:13:00.000-04:002009-09-16T07:14:59.186-04:00High Speed Rail Public Information MeetingOn Wednesday, September 16th, the Florida Department of Transportation will hold a High Speed Rail Public Information Meeting at The Lakeland Center, Sikes Hall K, 701 West Lime Street in Lakeland. The “Open House” meeting format will begin at 4:00 p.m. and conclude at 7:00 p.m. For those of you who are interested in learning more about High Speed Rail and/or showing your support for this Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-60593950508992042332009-09-16T07:07:00.001-04:002009-09-16T07:11:58.798-04:00Senator Paula Dockery Nixes SunRail Again Today.Visit With Dyer & Vested Special Interests Fails To Sway Dockery. Dockery Denounces Attempts To Bring Up Rail Boondoggle In Special Session. September 3, 2009 Letter from Senator Paula Dockery to the Florida Senate. – Today, as a courtesy to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, I met with him and other SunRail proponents for a brief presentation and tour of the proposed commuter-rail project. While the Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-16486963109441356372009-09-10T15:20:00.000-04:002009-09-10T15:25:25.567-04:00SunRail supporters look at Amtrak to get the train movingClick title for story link
ORLANDO – After twice watching the Florida Legislature reject funding for a local commuter rail system, supporters of the project are turning to the federal stimulus package in the hopes of reviving the SunRail line, only this time they’re taking a different approach. “We’re trying a new model,” said U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando. Since the state’s agreement withConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-41634953755264531262009-05-26T09:54:00.000-04:002009-05-26T09:56:22.168-04:00Backroom dealsClick title for story link. Just when you thought the Florida Legislature couldn't look any more out of control, along comes Sen. J.D. Alexander.
Alexander, R-Lake Wales, is chairman of the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee. As such, he is the chief budget writer in the Senate and one of the most powerful people in Tallahassee. So when he offered a last-minute amendment to Senate Bill Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-23970388805706840362009-05-24T08:03:00.001-04:002009-05-24T08:06:39.107-04:00Storms Recounts CSX Battle for PanelClick title for story link. By Bill RuftyLedger POLITICAL EDITOR
LAKELAND Sen. Ronda Storms held members of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce almost spellbound Thursday with a passionate description of the battle over CSX in this year's state Legislature.
Complete with sound effects, the Valrico Republican told how she and Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, worked to defeat a bill that Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-84849835477227963782009-05-19T10:37:00.002-04:002009-05-19T10:39:45.481-04:00Power Player of The WeekClick the title and watch the video. Senator Paula Dockery was named Power Player of The Week.
http://www.sayfiereview.com/index.php?doDate=20090505Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-19337634189298785672009-05-19T10:20:00.001-04:002009-05-19T10:23:04.920-04:00CSX Haven Project to Be DelayedClick title for story link. (Didn't CSX and the City of Winter Haven say these two projects weren't connected?)
By Tom PalmerTHE LEDGER
Published: Friday, May 8, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, May 8, 2009 at 9:12 p.m.
WINTER HAVEN The combination of the economic downturn and the failure of commuter rail legislation in the Florida Legislature will delay construction of the CSX Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-48761214298693825782009-04-15T07:45:00.000-04:002009-04-15T07:46:46.540-04:00Internet Site Gives Lakeland PlentyClick title for story link. By ROSEMARY GOUDREAU
Published: Friday, April 10, 2009 at 1:32 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, April 10, 2009 at 1:32 a.m.
Readers of The Ledger's two articles about my contract with the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority might think that downtown landowners got next to nothing for their money ["City Board Shells Out $40K for Very Little," March 14, page B1, and "Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-75251879094103356092009-04-15T07:41:00.000-04:002009-04-15T07:43:07.803-04:00Winner and loser of the weekClick title for story link. Winner of the week: State Sen. Paula Dockery. It’s mainly through the sheer doggedness and determination of the Lakeland Republican that approval for the 61.5-mile SunRail commuter rail project near Orlando looks anything but certain more than halfway through the legislative session. Up against legions of SunRail supporters, Dockery has been relentless in raising Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-21762805046407923802009-04-15T07:20:00.000-04:002009-04-15T07:28:22.776-04:00SunRail foe kicking our buttsClick title for story link. I'm a choo-choo guy. But still I can admire the way Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland is kicking our butts on SunRail. She led the charge to kill it last year. She has even odds of doing so again this year.Watching her take on our local legislators is watching a woman among boys. "My objective is not to derail it but renegotiate it," she says of the deal. "But nobody Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-54762452959321533892009-04-15T07:19:00.000-04:002009-04-15T07:20:52.200-04:00SunRail friends, foes turn up the volumeClick title for story link. State legislators got two very different samples of public opinion on the $1.2 billion SunRail commuter rail proposal that awaits a key Senate vote Wednesday.
First thing Monday morning, the project's leading opponent in the Capitol, Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, e-mailed her Senate colleagues a summary of critical editorials in 10 different newspapers all over theConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-22445456557649225952009-03-31T19:30:00.001-04:002009-04-13T07:54:35.969-04:00City Bypassed Bidding Rule for Internet SiteDidn't the City of Lakeland beg for help in the beginning?
Click title for story link.
LAKELAND The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority ignored city purchasing policy when it awarded a $42,500 contract to a Tampa woman to produce a Web site opposing a state rail plan.
Anne Furr, executive director of Lakeland Downtown Development Authority Click to enlarge
Jim Verplanck
"It should have been Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-56465826364352585542009-03-31T19:10:00.000-04:002009-03-31T19:12:13.733-04:00SunRail Lobbying ContinuesClick title for story link. Backers of the planned SunRail commuter train that would run through Central Florida sent a letter to state Senate President Jeff Atwater Monday extolling the virtues of the $1.2 billion project. Signed by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty -- among others -- the two-page letter touts the anticipated economic benefits of the train, Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-16634272617640588512009-03-31T19:02:00.000-04:002009-03-31T19:04:34.665-04:00Breaking Through The CSX No-fault ImpasseBy James McGovern and Timothy Murray
The Herald News
Posted Mar 27, 2009 @ 05:35 PM
Fall River —
A historic agreement that would improve and extend the commonwealth’s rail system for both passenger and freight service, and boost the economy of the region, has been stalled for months because of an unreasonable demand for no-fault liability from CSX, the national railroad serving Massachusetts. A Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-15053382066952200992009-03-31T18:54:00.000-04:002009-03-31T19:00:40.252-04:00Will state's deal with CSX be a train wreck?Click title for story link. By Bill ThompsonStaff writer
Published: Monday, March 30, 2009 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.
Seven years ago, a speeding northbound Amtrak passenger train derailed in Putnam County, killing four people and injuring more than 140 of the nearly 500 riders on board.AC = -->
.art_main_pic { width:250px; float:left; clear:left; }
Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-69398037456380430612009-03-31T18:47:00.000-04:002009-03-31T18:49:09.021-04:00Commuter Rail Proposal StagnatesClick title for story link. By LINDSAY PETERSON
lpeterson@tampatrib.com
Published: March 31, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - With only a month left in the state legislative session, the going has gotten slow for Central Florida's commuter rail project.
A bill with a key liability agreement won't come up for at least two weeks in the next Senate committee scheduled to hear it. At the same time, the head of Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-82875155525006057852009-03-31T18:40:00.000-04:002009-03-31T18:47:16.843-04:00Train Activity Will IncreaseClick title for story link.
By LAURA KINSLER
lkinsler@tampatrib.com
Published: March 26, 2009
DADE CITY - Dade City will see a 50 percent increase in freight train traffic even if the state's commuter rail deal with CSX falls apart, a rail executive told city commissioners.
Commissioners called a special workshop this week with officials from the Florida Department of Transportation and rail Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-54645129663857640522009-03-25T07:29:00.000-04:002009-03-25T07:37:21.389-04:00Winter HavenClick title for story link.
Winter Haven touts itself as the distinctively different community to live, work and play in, and now that city officials have secured a deal with CSX, the goals that have been set for the future landscape will be attainable, those officials said.AC = -->
Construction of the proposed Evansville Western Intermodal Terminal Facility in southeastern Winter Haven is closerConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-83552049328947259452009-03-10T07:37:00.000-04:002009-03-10T07:39:36.093-04:00Bills in Legislature Would Give CSX Free Ride on LiabilityClick title for story link.
Published: Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 11:05 p.m.
Joe Follick, in a Ledger article Feb. 19, was a bit misleading about the transfer of liability for accidents in the proposed Central Florida Commuter Rail Corridor to state taxpayers.AC = -->
Mr. Follick wrote that "The only thing lawmakers need to approve to complete Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-74507959462978679512009-03-09T09:38:00.001-04:002009-03-09T09:41:51.042-04:00Outrage.. Florida's economy crashes, state holds $795 million in cool cash for CSX.Click title for story link.
Posted by madfloridian in General Discussion
Thu Jan 22nd 2009, 03:29 PM
The CSX deal is one of Jeb Bush's legacies to this state. It was rammed through in 2004 and 2005 so secretly that some moderate Republicans never knew about it. This is an outrageous situation. It really is. It is going to hurt most of Central Florida by cutting cities in half with long Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-33717173452417515082009-03-05T09:28:00.001-05:002009-03-05T09:29:53.223-05:00Why Isn't Winter Haven Worried?Click title for story link.
By Laura Kinsler
Tampa Bay Online
DADE CITY - City Commissioners are keeping an eye on Tallahassee as state legislators debate the $1.2 billion commuter rail deal with railroad giant CSX.
The 61-mile commuter rail line around Orlando would have a direct effect on Dade City because dozens of additional freight trains could be rerouted directly through the town on their Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-55366000464975778892009-03-04T07:45:00.000-05:002009-03-04T07:47:15.570-05:00Stop Winter Haven Rail YardClick title for story link.
It is not too late to stop the proposed CSX rail yard in Winter Haven. None of the construction has started. This bad idea was first proposed quietly three years ago while Jeb Bush was governor. He favored the proposal.AC = -->
This rail yard will cause pollution in Winter Haven to adjacent residential areas.
The rail yard will bring endless freight trains through Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-70152655245405336482009-02-27T08:38:00.001-05:002009-02-27T08:44:41.914-05:00Chicago CSX Intermodal Site Devastates LivesIs this the fate of SE WinterHaven?
COPYRIGHT 2006 Chicago Tribune
Byline: Antonio Olivo
Apr. 10--At night, while most of Chicago sleeps, families near the CSX Intermodal rail yard in West Englewood lie awake, their homes shuddering from something that sounds like trucks falling from the sky. In daylight, they watch cracks spreading across ceilings or walls and wipe clean the black diesel dust Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-82802532238505347912009-02-14T09:28:00.000-05:002009-02-14T09:36:38.474-05:00CSX, Commuter Rail: Let Us See ClearlyClick title for story link.
By Glenn Marston
Published: Monday, February 9, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, February 9, 2009 at 7:48 a.m.
This would seem to be CSX day on the opinion pages.
We have an editorial about Gov. Charlie Crist promoting Orlando's proposed commuter-rail project.
We have an op-ed column by Noranne Downs, P.E., District 5 secretary for the Florida Department Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-55995027848898196642009-02-05T08:45:00.000-05:002009-02-05T08:47:09.550-05:00Crist On Board For Orlando Commuter RailCRIST ALL BOARD FOR ORLANDO COMMUTER RAILBy KEITH LAINGTHE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDAEnhanced resources for this story:are available at www.newsserviceflorida.comTHE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Feb. 4, 2009.............Gov. Charlie Crist lent his support Wednesday to commuter rail in the Orlando area, something that was missing from the failed effort to get the project on track last year. Crist mostly Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-90953963967486821102009-02-04T09:14:00.000-05:002009-02-04T09:36:20.119-05:00Dear Cindy HummelClick title for story link.
Cross-posted from Metro I-4 News.
As you may have noticed, two of the possible freight realignment routes - seemingly the only available routes - for downtown Lakeland involved reactivating the track that became the Van Fleet Trail between Wildwood and Auburndale. At least one of them would then reactivate closed tracks that run through the very heart of downtown Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-49075127054308716642009-02-03T07:36:00.003-05:002009-02-03T07:40:18.411-05:00Why Is It So Hard For The Sentinel To Say "CSX"? Click title for story link.
The Ocala Star-Banner took a hatchet recently to the state’s $1.2 billion CSX/Orlando freight expansion and dump deal, both in a straight news story and in an editorial.
Versions of the editorial promptly appeared in The (Lakeland) Ledger and the Gainesville Sun. Two of several money paragraphs:
“Why aren’t the fiscal conservatives, or just the fiscally responsible,Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-43297545203298177892009-02-02T09:26:00.001-05:002009-02-02T09:28:46.900-05:00Wrong Track For FloridaPlease visit the website below for all the latest CSX and commuter rail information.
http://www.wrongtrack4florida.com/Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-83773288979862405062009-01-22T20:47:00.002-05:002009-01-22T20:53:28.231-05:00Recession Rides the Rails
Click title for story link. The state of FL paying CSX money seems like throwing good money after bad at this point.
John D. Boyd Associate Editor
Across the rail freight industry, the only business piling up is debris from a worsening economic crunch.
Shippers, watching demand evaporate from their own industrial and retail customers alike, are booking far fewer trains as they close plants and Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-20515556923921483562009-01-17T07:05:00.000-05:002009-01-17T07:07:20.004-05:00Blog: Trial Lawyers drop rail oppositionClick title for story link. Aaron Deslatte at the Orlando Sentinel's Central Florida Political Pulse blog reports that the trial lawyers have dropped their opposition to the pending deal that will be surfacing in the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature to approve a deal to make commuter rail happen in the Orlando area.
The lawyers' position comes at the price of dropping sovereign Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-33266478760968190482009-01-13T07:36:00.001-05:002009-01-13T07:39:59.201-05:00More rail traffic through Ocala hinges on deal for commuter line
Click title for story link. By Bill ThompsonStaff Writer
Published: Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 9:30 p.m.
Just before Christmas, vehicular traffic began rolling over westbound lanes of the new railroad overpass on Southwest 17th Street, about four months before the bridge is expected to be fully operational.
So, when will the trains - or Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-5828535231173971432009-01-12T08:59:00.001-05:002009-01-12T09:05:08.541-05:00Winter Haven Terminal Facility & ILCClick the title to link to the report or click below.
http://www.tbrta.com/tbag-issues/TBAG-2008-10_CSX-Winter-Haven.pdfConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-40330248465622500562009-01-09T10:05:00.000-05:002009-01-09T10:07:31.483-05:00Lack Of Debate On CSX Rail Deal Riles LawmakersClick title for story link. By LINDSAY PETERSON, The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 28, 2007
TAMPA - Several Florida lawmakers are fuming over a $491 million deal the state is on the verge of signing with railroad company CSX Transportation.
They say it passed through the Legislature without most members knowing anything about it, and they want to find out why. The deal would give the railConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-32647128561128364162009-01-08T07:36:00.000-05:002009-01-08T07:38:57.180-05:00Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce BlogClick title for story link. Sundance, Reed and Staging … Chamber Stands By Integrity of Visit
Posted by Bob Gernert on January 7, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Ledger reporter Tom Palmer in a blog post today (January 7) reports that the Polk County Commission heard residents from the Sundance Ranch Estates demand the CSX Transportation buy their property located adjacent to the planned inter modal rail Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-43493879867275780102009-01-07T19:37:00.000-05:002009-01-07T19:39:07.690-05:00County Asks CSX to Buy Out Rail Yard NeighborsClick title for story link. By Tom PalmerTHE LEDGER
Published: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 12:02 p.m.
BARTOW County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to send a letter to CSX asking them to buy the homes of residents in the Sundance subdivision.
The rural subdivision is across the railroad tracks from the planned CSX freight Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-29013529403954479582009-01-07T07:57:00.000-05:002009-01-07T07:58:56.563-05:00Intermodal Grows UpClick title for story link. While fuel prices are now on the wane, the stings of exceedingly high gasoline costs, and now the global recession, are factors weighing heavily on shippers as they consider transportation options. Most contend lower fuel prices will be short lived, and no one can predict how long the economy will remain in the doldrums. But one fact is certain: Business is off, Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-23226229061748506342009-01-04T10:33:00.000-05:002009-01-04T10:36:41.774-05:00Freight train derails in Santa Rosa CountyClick title for story link. Six engines and 13 of 46 cars in a CSX freight train derailed this morning in Milton, causing no injuries but leaving a monumental mess.
CSX crews and others planned to work through tonight to repair the tracks.Officials hoped that rail traffic could be moving as early as Sunday across the stretch of railroad near Avalon Boulevard.Late this afternoon, workers Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-74063913546855077922009-01-03T11:26:00.000-05:002009-01-03T11:28:06.551-05:00Norfolk storage plan concerns residentsClick title for story link. This story sounds like the Sundance neighborhood. By DAN DEARTHDecember 17, 2008dan.dearth@herald-mail.com
HAGERSTOWN — A handful of residents on Tuesday spoke against a proposal to annex into the city about 95 acres of land south of Hagerstown that the Norfolk Southern Railway Co. would use to store vehicles.
The residents, who live on Oak Ridge Drive, spoke Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-17208584352951673172009-01-03T11:09:00.002-05:002009-01-03T11:14:06.107-05:00Crucial 17th Street bridge debuts tonight
Ocala gets a bridge to handle traffic from the Winter Haven ILC but Polk County is told traffic won't increase. Why a new bridge then? By Joe CallahanStaff writer
Published: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 5:49 a.m.
OCALA - Westbound traffic will finally get a chance to cross over the 17th Street bridge tonight, the first time the public will Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-46002489665721615882009-01-02T09:24:00.001-05:002009-01-02T09:28:40.014-05:00OUR READERS SAY By Amanda RyanClick title for story link. OUR READERS SAY
CSX Bad for Neighborhood
Published:
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 6:08 AM EST
AMANDA RYAN WINTER HAVEN — CSX states responsibility in the community as one of their concepts.They claim they want to be good neighbors, then why are they not considering Sundance Ranch Estates and the families who live there as they plan their new Intermodal Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-67402525070032213332009-01-01T18:33:00.001-05:002009-01-01T18:37:45.847-05:00Orlando Sentinel EditorialClick title for story link. This comes from what seems to be a very biased Orlando Sentinel. Approve commuter railNo project can help the region more than commuter rail. Central Florida's lawmakers have one chance left to deliver. Last year they botched it, believing the state's agreement to purchase 61 miles of track from CSX Corp., plus Washington's commitment to help fund it, would provide Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-41378260251300719672009-01-01T12:05:00.000-05:002009-01-01T12:11:32.657-05:00Mica vows rail pushClick title for story link. Jan. 1, 2009By Isaac Babcock
Observer Staff
Central Florida Commuter Rail may be on the back burner for some politicians during the holidays, but for Florida Congressman John Mica, all railroads lead through him these days.
The chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met with Gov. Charlie Crist and other state officials Dec. 18 to Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-82939533498422242822008-12-31T17:51:00.000-05:002008-12-31T17:53:12.207-05:00“Transportation: Florida’s Road Map to Economic Recovery”The Florida Department of Transportation would like to invite you to attend our 3rd Annual Regional Transportation Forum,hosted by District Five in collaboration with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. This year’s theme is:“Transportation: Florida’s Road Map to Economic Recovery” Date: January 30, 2009Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Location: Florida’s Turnpike EnterpriseConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-61831452294661681242008-12-30T12:30:00.000-05:002008-12-30T12:31:24.111-05:00Winter Haven Residents To Protest At CSXWinter Haven residents to protest at CSX
Jacksonville Business Journal - by Christian Conte
Winter Haven homeowners concerned about an intermodal and automotive terminal being built near their neighborhood will conduct a protest outside CSX Corp. headquarters Tuesday.
The protestors said they’ve asked to sit down with the Jacksonville-based rail company, the parent company of Evansville Western Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-15270238889638339862008-12-29T18:44:00.000-05:002008-12-29T18:48:34.602-05:00We think: Commuter rail's benefits extend far beyond getting from here to there Click title for story link. We think: Commuter rail's benefits extend far beyond getting from here to there
December 28, 2008
Anyone tracking commuter rail in Central Florida knows how it was waylaid in May by trial lawyers who attacked the limits on lawsuits in case of accidents, the same kind of limits placed on other systems like it.Commuter rail's lead supporters are working with them toConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-54218969307381883172008-12-25T09:15:00.000-05:002008-12-25T09:27:10.947-05:00State Budget Crunch May Push Huge CSX Deal Off TrackClick title for story link.
By LINDSAY PETERSON The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 24, 2008
A multimillion dollar deal with CSX Transportation could face problems in the Legislature in 2009 as lawmakers try to plug a growing budget gap.
"When we're scrambling to come up with $2.3 billion in the budget, it may give people some incentive to take a second look at this deal," said state Sen. Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-8132502044851135382008-12-24T12:02:00.001-05:002008-12-24T12:07:50.177-05:00CSX Intermodal Expands Florida ServicesCSX announces it's new shipping option: TRUCKING A great "economic development" plan for CSX and the sad thing is..... we, the taxpayers, paid for it.Weren't they supposed to take trucks off the roads?
The company has received virtually all necessary permits to build a modern new terminal at Winter Haven in Central Florida. Hertwig said additional business in Orlando will be seamlessly Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-83180446096995851452008-12-23T08:50:00.000-05:002008-12-23T08:52:32.451-05:00Rail gets renewed go-aheadClick title for story link.
County revokes bond amendment By JAMES MILLER Staff Writer
DELAND -- The proposed Central Florida commuter rail system got a renewed go-ahead from the Volusia County Council on Thursday, when the council revoked a month-old protective amendment opposed by state transportation officials.
With a 6-1 vote, the council undid the amendment it adopted Nov. 13 in response Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-52061592474768445912008-12-22T13:13:00.000-05:002008-12-22T13:18:38.158-05:00Orlando commuters may ride Sunrail and no one sees the ironyClick title for story link.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that the likely name for the planned Orlando commuter rail is Sunrail.
I'm surprised no one's pounced on that one. One of the recurring criticisms of the DOT-CSX deal is that it was done out of public view. Out of the sunshine, as some say.
This was legal. The meetings part of the Sunshine Law applies to elected officials, not Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-76057490636511782882008-12-19T07:53:00.000-05:002008-12-19T08:14:49.235-05:00Council wants commuter-rail safety netRachael Jackson Sentinel Staff Writer
December 18, 2008
VOLUSIA COUNTYWhen the Volusia County Council extended its commuter-rail agreement in November, it added a provision to protect taxpayers from footing the bill if the Legislature did not support the 61-mile rail line from DeLand to Orlando to Poinciana. But the county soon got letters from the Florida Department of Transportation and CSX Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-21436627048981252272008-12-17T17:54:00.000-05:002008-12-17T17:58:26.626-05:00CSX offers a commitment but will it be enough?Click title for story link. CSX and partners are making threats again!!!
Volusia County officials today received a letter from Jacksonville-based CSX Transportation saying the company will not close on its sale of the 61.5-mile corridor for commuter rail until the state Legislature agrees to provisions that would limit the company's financial liability for accidents involving commuter rail on Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-74786934629828253082008-12-16T17:19:00.001-05:002008-12-16T17:21:12.720-05:00CSX on Lakeland LocalThe Lakeland Local site has done a great job at keeping up with the CSX events. Click the title to link to the site and catch up on what you may have missed.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-15455025960827794992008-12-15T09:20:00.000-05:002008-12-15T09:22:11.755-05:00State Road 60 residents weigh in on CSX planClick title for story link.
By Shelly GodefrinNews Chief staff
Published: Friday, December 12, 2008 at 4:01 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, December 12, 2008 at 8:14 a.m.
HOMELAND - A rail-truck freight terminal is expected to bring growth to the State Road 60 corridor, but residents there want to maintain their rural lifestyle.
About 50 residents and city and county officials attended an Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-65592295256303826502008-12-12T07:42:00.000-05:002008-12-12T07:43:30.977-05:00Official: Alternate Route Must Be Good for CSXClick title for story link.
By Tom PalmerTHE LEDGER
Published: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:20 p.m.
LAKELAND Any plan that diverts freight trains from downtown Lakeland won't work unless it makes business sense for CSX, a state transportation official said Wednesday.
The meeting Wednesday at The Lakeland Center was to unveil five Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-58746569408098703372008-12-11T16:20:00.000-05:002008-12-11T16:21:05.470-05:00Centtal Florida Folks Huddle On Commuter RailCentral Florida folks huddle on commuter rail posted by Aaron Deslatte on Dec 11, 2008 3:42:13 PMDiscuss This: Comments (0) TrackBack (0) Linking Blogs Add to del.icio.us Digg itOrlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, state Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and state, local and regional chamber folks huddled for about an hour Thursday at City Hall with editors, reporters, editorial writers and columnists Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-27286346615531866972008-12-09T07:43:00.000-05:002008-12-09T07:46:11.419-05:00Rendell Promotes National Rail SystemIt seems more states are buying in to what CSX is selling.
Click title for story link. Gov. Ed Rendell Friday visited the CSX Chambersburg Intermodal Facility to promote the CSX's National Gateway project to build a rail corridor from North Carolina to Ohio, crossing through southwest Pennsylvania.
At a cost of $724 million, CSX, the federal government and six states propose to fund the effort Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-67284198875405513752008-12-06T20:16:00.000-05:002008-12-06T20:18:47.952-05:00Future Land Use Study Planned for State RoadPublic Meeting Notice Future Land Use Study Planned for State Road 60 Area The Polk County Long Range Planning Division is partnering with the City of Winter Haven to conduct a future land use study for the State Road 60 area. The purpose of the study is to develop a vision and plan for the future. The plan will protect natural and community Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-57148413007086082182008-12-05T09:09:00.000-05:002008-12-05T09:10:32.621-05:00Pelham to Recommend DCA Approval for CSX ILCClick title for full story link. In a conversation held this morning (December 4, 2008) Senator J. D. Alexander has learned from Secretary Thomas G. Pelham that he will recommend Department of Community Affairs (DCA) approval of the Winter Haven inter-modal rail terminal planned by Evansville Western Railroad (EWR). EWR is a subsidiary of CSX Transportation. The 318 acre project is a Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-77312111667212849712008-12-04T22:42:00.000-05:002008-12-04T22:46:13.860-05:00CSX gets a favorable draw in Senate committee assignmentsclick title for story link
State Senate President Jeff Atwater named two Central Florida lawmakers who are stong backers of the region's commuter rail dreams to key committee chairmanships Wednesday.
Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, was tapped to lead the Senate Transportation Committee and Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, was chosen to lead the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Last spring, Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-14872533832476331602008-12-03T08:03:00.000-05:002008-12-03T08:04:42.389-05:00Mass Transit 'Critical' For Bay AreaClick title for story. By LINDSAY PETERSON
lpeterson@tampatrib.com
Published: November 26, 2008
TAMPA - U.S. Rep. John Mica said he came to Tampa on Tuesday to encourage local officials to get in line for transportation money that soon will flow from Washington.
He also had a warning.
The Tampa area is years behind other cities in developing mass transit, he said. "It's critical that Tampa Bay Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-61605372898316290082008-12-02T07:25:00.001-05:002008-12-02T07:28:48.300-05:00Meeting on Possible Alternative Rail SetClick title for story link. By Tom PalmerTHE LEDGER
Published: Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 11:19 p.m.
LAKELAND Updated information on the state study examining alternative rail routes in the area will be the topic of a public meeting on Dec. 10.
The meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Lake Hollingsworth Room at TheConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-67085794961523837202008-12-01T07:44:00.000-05:002008-12-01T07:45:13.966-05:00Exhaust From Railroad Diesel Linked to Lung AilmentsClick title for story link.
TUESDAY, Nov. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust fumes may increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes lung conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema.
U.S. researchers studied the job and health records of more than 30,000 railway workers and found that those who worked on diesel trains (engineers, Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-82410482079014801992008-11-25T08:10:00.001-05:002008-11-25T08:12:48.717-05:00Tony Sasso respondsClick title for story link. Check out comments to the story on the site.
October 30, 2008
A few months ago, the Orlando Sentinel endorsed me in the February special election saying, "Mr. Sasso has the experience and command of the issues facing the district. . . . He's been a champion of managed growth . . ."While I wasn't surprised that the Sentinel endorsed my developer opponent for Florida Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-31107506768442953062008-11-22T10:03:00.000-05:002008-11-22T10:04:56.779-05:00DCA wants Haven to rethink SR 60 growth amendmentClick title for story link. State planning officials at the Florida Department of Community Affairs have finally weighed in on Winter Haven's latest major growth map amendment. I wrote last month that regional planners thought this was probably intense enough to be considered a DRI whenever development is proposed for the property on either side of SR 60 (the idea that Winter Haven extends Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-71200844717619242952008-11-21T07:41:00.000-05:002008-11-21T07:43:02.030-05:00Residents contribute suggestions for growth planClick title for story link. By Shelly GodefrinNews Chief staff
Published: Friday, November 14, 2008 at 4:01 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, November 14, 2008 at 8:05 a.m.
WINTER HAVEN - Residents had a chance to help plan the future of Winter Haven at a community meeting Thursday morning.
The information received during this and other meetings will be used in preparation for the city's Evaluation Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-86366674666408248032008-11-20T07:34:00.000-05:002008-11-20T07:35:13.629-05:00FDOT District One Rail Traffic EvaluationThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One Rail Traffic Evaluation study team will hold a second workshop on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. The purpose of this workshop will be to review the work accomplished to date and receive feedback from the public.
Meeting time, place and agenda are as follows:
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Presentation at 6:30 Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-83892338650459082472008-11-18T09:46:00.002-05:002008-11-20T07:44:54.647-05:00ALL ABOARD!!!Click title for story link.
Can the insane people of the City of Winter Haven be stopped? This is ridiculous.
Meeting in special session, Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong, convened a special meeting of the Winter Haven City Commission for the purpose of holding the final public hearing on the development order for the Evansville Western inter-modal rail terminal to be built on 318 acres of land south ofConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-25376969401800584142008-11-17T07:35:00.001-05:002008-11-17T07:37:28.701-05:00Why Is The State Paying CSX Based on 2005-2006 Land Values?Click title for story link.
Very brief point to ponder, and I’ll come back to it later.
No one seems to know exactly how much the state is paying CSX and for what in the rail realignment deal. It all depends on how you define it. But figures I’ve heard range from $491 million to almost $700 million. All of those numbers are bound up in one way or another with the value of the 61 miles of land andConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-84869062731709762902008-11-14T10:21:00.000-05:002008-11-14T10:24:41.263-05:00Critics grow louder about rail costClick title for story link
Nov. 13, 2008By Isaac Babcock
Observer Staff
Critics of Winter Park's entry into the commuter rail system argued for a re-examination of the costs of the project at Monday's City Commission meeting, citing that it would be the most expensive system per mile in the country's history.
The new angle of attack came as part of a prolonged push from City Commissioner Beth Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-20245401209248421022008-11-12T07:54:00.002-05:002008-11-12T07:59:16.071-05:00BNSF Railway looking at new technologies to reduce air pollutionClick title for story link. Winter Haven dismissed cancer concerns, but other parts of the nation do not look the other way when the health and welfare of it's residents is at jeapordy!!! Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/10/2008 01:55:40 AM PST
SAN BERNARDINO - Experimental exhaust filters, locomotives with multiple engines, and diesel engines with built-in brains are among Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-68127228573785402062008-11-10T08:02:00.000-05:002008-11-10T08:04:21.127-05:00Amtrak weighs return of direct route to MiamiClick title for story link.
It would use Florida East Coast Railway tracks paralleling I-95.
By LARRY HANNAN, The Times-Union
It's a little early to get nostalgic for 2001, but Amtrak officials have begun talking about turning back the clock and taking a second crack at a passenger train route from Jacksonville to Miami.
Amtrak offers passenger service from Jacksonville to Miami on its SilverConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-11147835829382604172008-11-10T07:55:00.001-05:002008-11-10T07:59:19.030-05:00Amtrak seeks arbitration over delays on Union Pacific tracksClick title for story link. More than a year after a breakthrough deal was reached to help Amtrak trains operate on schedule, the passenger railroad is seeking arbitration to resolve disputes with the Union Pacific Railroad, officials said Monday.
Freight disruptions and slow zones on track owned by the Union Pacific are severely delaying Amtrak trains, including on routes through Illinois.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-91374030279352770242008-11-07T07:49:00.000-05:002008-11-07T07:51:42.248-05:00Calif. voters approve $10B bond for bullet trainsClick title for story link. Nov 5, 5:44 PM (ET)By DON THOMPSON
LOS ANGELES (AP) - California voters are green-lighting the nation's most ambitious high-speed rail system, approving a nearly $10 billion bond to put speeding bullet trains capable of topping 200 mph between the state's major metropolitan areas.
The measure, which passed with 52 percent support Tuesday, will fund the first phase of Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-82629221344454990572008-11-07T07:45:00.000-05:002008-11-07T07:46:51.163-05:00Mass. To Acquire Some CSX Rail AssetsPosted Oct 2, 2008> TRANSPORTATION> > Mass. to acquire some CSX rail assets> > > By Susan A. Baird> PBN Web Editor> > BOSTON – A multi-year rail-transportation agreement between the> Commonwealth of Massachusetts and intermodal transportation giant CSX> Corp. “significantly increases options for commuters and lays the> groundwork for improving the flow of product shipments,” state and> company Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-11214083524194248452008-10-26T12:53:00.001-04:002008-10-26T12:56:25.057-04:00CSX deal will help SouthCoast rail planClick for story link
October 24, 2008 5:25 PM
A comprehensive multi-year rail transportation agreement for the $100 million purchase of CSX Corp. rail lines across the state, including tracks needed to bring commuter trains to Fall River and New Bedford, was announced recently by state officials.
"This is an historic day for all of Massachusetts, and most especially for Worcester and the Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-18488172835258188592008-10-24T07:33:00.000-04:002008-10-24T07:49:46.267-04:00CFDC approves commuter rail resolutionClick title for news link
The Central Florida Development Council has approved a resolution supporting commuter rail. The resolution was approved Monday.
The County Commission will be approached next month by Orlando and Tampa business leaders to support a resolution, perhaps the same one CFDC considered.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-60021652571223517962008-10-23T07:31:00.002-04:002008-10-23T07:41:03.144-04:00Federal Bail Out And Rail ProfitsYes... We taxpayers are asked to bail out our Nation's financial system .... but our rail system doesn't seem to have any problems at all ..... see the rail financial news below.
But Orlando City Hall, Winter Haven City Hall, and our Tallahassee State House still seem to think the State's taxpayers need to pay extortion to CSX Railroad at the expense of many good statewide public services just toConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-31629702347649470792008-10-22T07:30:00.001-04:002008-10-22T07:32:38.711-04:00The Impact ProjectClick title for site link.
What is THE Impact Project?
The Trade, Health & Environment Impact Project (THE Impact Project) is a collaboration of community and university partners focused on reducing the impacts of trade, ports and goods movement activities on health and community life. The collaborative is funded by The California Endowment.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-79754351254901211802008-10-21T06:59:00.001-04:002008-10-21T07:07:00.750-04:00Rail/Road MathClick title for story link.
Same song and dance, different company.
October 20, 2008
Rail/Road Math
Jim Young, chair of Union Pacific, was interviewed in a "Q&A" in Sunday's Oregonian (if it's online, I haven't found it).
Here's an interesting exchange on Commuter Rail:
Q: Do you see Union Pacific getting into the business of passenger rail with the new emphasis on mass transit?
A: There's an Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-24279266900288920512008-10-19T19:34:00.000-04:002008-10-19T19:36:45.116-04:00Art The Plumber Supports ThompsonThe comments within this story are very enlightening. Click title for story link.
Contributed by Bill Rufty - Posted: October 17, 2008 6:16:11 PM
There has been a lot of ink and Internet time devoted to "Joe The Plumber," who the Republican presidential campaign team has adopted as their battle cry signifying what they say is their concern for the "little guy."
But Art The Plumber is supporting Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-78282176722178837872008-10-18T08:32:00.002-04:002008-10-18T08:36:23.756-04:00Rail Traffic EvaluationI've copied and pasted the email message sent out yesterday from FDOT representitives.
The Florida Department of Transportation District One Rail Traffic Evaluation Website is up and running. You may visit the website by clicking on this link: http://www.fdotrailtrafficevaluation.com/. Please note that some applications cannot open a web page directly from an email link. If this happens to Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-17379482247827139032008-10-16T07:28:00.001-04:002008-10-16T07:31:19.731-04:00Transportation at a Crossroads."Click the title above to link to the story site. Turn on your speakers and watch part II. It is informative.Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-43084010077127896582008-10-15T07:18:00.002-04:002008-10-15T07:23:26.315-04:00Public Private Partnership Brings New GenSet Ultra-Low Emission Locomotives to CSX TransportationCSX knows of air pollution problems in Michigan and is willing to limit these cancer causing emissions there. Why not in Winter Haven? Are we to presume that diesel emissions only cause cancer in another state?
DEARBORN, Mich., May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CSX Transportation (CSXT), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-79973708511418936872008-10-14T07:35:00.001-04:002008-10-14T07:38:01.588-04:00Sweetest Fliers Arrive in MailboxRemember JD Alexander bought a business next to the proposed rail hub and stands to make millions off the backs of Polk County!
By Lonnie Brown
Published: Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 2:36 a.m.
The Coffee Guzzlers Club members were gathered at the usual table at the Sam 'n' Ella Cafe. Nevermore, the club's pet raven and mascot, had a special Concerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871591247864201848.post-78337762614293556012008-10-13T08:57:00.000-04:002008-10-13T08:59:17.188-04:00Railroad cargo fee neededClick title for story link.
Article Launched: 10/05/2008 12:28:28 AM PDT
The representative from BNSF at the community meeting held at San Bernardino's City Hall on Oct. 1 did little to lower my concerns about the railroad's commitment to lowering the health risks to residents living close to its San Bernardino rail yards.
Studies presented by California's Air Resources Board showed that the airConcerned Citizenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06274408983262944231noreply@blogger.com