by Rich Campbell: I’m about to spit into the wind.
I fully expect this request to fall on deaf ears.
Still, it is a request that must be articulated — even if it is ignored or rejected.
The Florida Development Finance Corp. — the quasi-governmental agency that will decide the fate of a bond application from All Aboard Florida — should hold a public hearing in our region before voting on this issue.
To do otherwise would be an affront to Treasure Coast residents who have grave concerns about the impacts the rail project will have on our communities.
And, unlike the finance agency’s public hearing Monday in Tallahassee on All Aboard Florida, the agency’s five board members should attend the meeting.
In a few years, train traffic on the Florida East Coast rail line may be nothing short of a nightmare scenario for local residents.
All Aboard Florida plans to begin running 32 daily passenger trains between Miami and Orlando in 2017. FEC, which now runs 12 to 14 freight trains a day through our region, also is laying the groundwork — with the recent purchase of new locomotives — to double the number of freight trains.
Read the entire story online:
http://www.tcpalm.com/opinion/columnists/rich-campbell/rich-campbell-state-agency-should-hold-public-hearing-on-aaf-bond-request-on-treasure-coast_71045104