Meeting(s) Update

There were two important meetings early this week.  For those of you who were unable to attend, here is an update:

Village of Swanton

Monday evening, Village Council held their regular meeting with a standing-room only crowd.  Council members went into executive session, and upon their return to the meeting voted unanimously to withdraw the sale of village-owned land by the Hallett overpass. By this vote, Village Council was saying they were NOT going to sell any land to Norfolk Southern.  They received a huge round of applause for this action!  

Several people in attendance who had asked to be added to the agenda had their chance to speak, among them Linda Cannaley - who shared the negative effect the proposed rail yard is already having on real estate in the Swanton community.  Swanton Township officials, Jeff and Peggy Michael, spoke on the importance of everyone working together to fight the project.  Other township and village residents also spoke.

All who attended said this was a very good meeting with Village Council.

Swanton Township

The very next evening, Swanton Township held their regular meeting, after which they opened the floor for questions and discussion.  Several Village Council members were in attendance, as well as school board members.  Village and township residents were able to ask their questions and be heard.

Senator Randy Gardner was contacted. He indicated his plan to work with us to fight the project, and was scheduled to meet with Jeff Michael (and a Council member, if available) Wednesday morning to tour the area in order to understand the scope of our problem.  Another meeting will be scheduled with Senator Gardner in the near future.

While unverified, there was found a statement online that indicated Norfolk Southern has already won the coal contract from CSX, and will take it over at the first of next year.  If true, this would explain the perceived "rush" by NS to move the project along quickly.

Along with that information, Jeff Michael shared that he had obtained a copy of the NS site plan (some 300 pages) submitted to Lucas County, which includes the plan to close Scott Road - not leave it open with multiple tracks on the north side.  It is this question of closing Scott Road that must go before the PUCO before the project can continue and finish.

Other small communities have fought against the railroad and WON - communities with similar circumstances to ours, which gives us hope that we stand a good chance of winning this fight.  As was mentioned at the meeting Tuesday night, if we are able to get NS to abandon their plan before filing with PUCO, that would be great!  But  if not, we are still prepared with our case.  

With our entire community joined together, organized and prepared, with appropriate legal counsel, we are READY for whenever NS files with the PUCO !!

p.s.  If you are on Facebook, please go to our page, "Citizens Against Norfolk Southern" for other information and videos that you may share with any resident you know who is despairing that it is a "done deal" when it clearly is not!  Get the word out, friends!