Steve Pickering wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:13 AM:
Once the tracks are removed they will never (EVER) return. That is not an opinion but a solid fact. Railroads are no longer able to obtain the rights of way needed to construct lines. Once abandoned they become bike trails and real-estate. With the nature of Highway 101 a rail line is an absolute necessity to attract family wage jobs, now or in the future.
I do not think the Port should be in the railroad business, but they are the only player. If they do not get this line then it will become history. I support the purchase, but not the operation, by the Port. Once we stop CORP from destroying the line we can seek competent operators to provide rail service.
Citizen wrote on Aug 23, 2008 7:36 AM:
Let's back up. When has the government known how to run any business? They are operating so far in the red it's insane. What was needed to keep the railroad in this area was and is industry. The Casino, resteraunts, the downtown, tourism, new air terminal, or Costco do absolutely nothing to make a rail road profitable. Government involvement, like super complainer Peter DeFazio, will make any investor nervous now.
Edward wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:09 PM:
To gain a railroad in addition to a deep water port is a perfect cornerstone for future growth. I fully back the Port and wish them well. And perhaps one day we'll also have a steam engine taking passengers across the coast range in addition to the usual products!
Thomas wrote on Aug 22, 2008 4:27 PM:
I'd really like to read a comment about this situation from a Republican politician.
Camby Collier wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:19 PM:
I was at the hearing ALL DAY yesterday. It is admirable the Port wants to get the rail going, but it should be another private/public/or state agency. The Port is NOT elected, they are appointed, which is why they do not need to hear our ideas for the North Spit. They do not know anything about running a railroad. They have TOO much on their plate right now unresolved. i.e. LNG, cargo terminal, and pursuing chemicals plants....how about permanently fixing our jetties? If they were interim (like 3 months) to get things going and then hand it over to an ELECTED group of people, that would be OK. The local businesses that use the rail are being overburdened by trucking costs. WE NEED THE RAIL, but you need to know it is a LOOSING venture that will be paid by the taxpayers....$140 million and probably a lot more (up to $400 million) to fix and $1.5 million a year in maintenance costs that will be paid by YOU. Let's talk about it...come to the Port Meeting, Monday, Aug 25, 7 pm at Port officies and sign in for public comment
Thomas wrote on Aug 22, 2008 1:26 PM:
" ... and the only way to save service is through a public-private partnership."
Fine ........ so please elaborate on how The International Port of Coos Bay represents the "public" partner?
Join Jihad wrote on Aug 22, 2008 12:30 PM:
The Cleric McCaffrey has issued a Fattah – infidels beware your jobs are expendable if they have any ties to the great Satan! Mill workers go start getting training to be a barista or start your own home business making tie-dye shirts for the surfer dudes and join the LNG Jihad! The middle class is just a myth of the infidels! You can only be rich or serve the rich.
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