After C-K council voted to purchase a rail line connecting Chatham, Wallaceburg and Dresden for $3.6 million, we asked our readers what they thought about it.
Here are the poll question results:
Are you happy C-K council is spending $3.6M to purchase a rail line?
No 61.94% (83 votes)
Yes 38.06% (51 votes)
Total Votes: 134
Here is our story with full details about the issue: Council spending $3.6M to purchase rail line
Our poll question sparked some feedback on our site and on social media as well, some for and some against the move.
“It is quite evident by your poll that more then 50% of the public are not aware of the value of rail and the service it provides,” wrote Wallaceburg’s Bill Namink on the Sydenham Current.
“Here are some simple facts… one, if the rails were lifted and removed, the cost to replace them would be more then 10 times the cost. Two, our Ontario government bought about 35 miles of track last year from Georgetown to Kitchener from CN for the sum of $76M and CK purchased the rail and property for about $4.4M. Three, our largest industry in CK is agriculture and each year grows hundreds of thousands of tons of beans, wheat and corn.
Namink added: “Each hopper (can) handle two transport loads which will not be on our community roads. It takes 0.8 HP per ton to operate a train and 10 HP to move a loaded truck. Four, show me a large industry, and I will show you they have rail service. Five, rail service is a tool for economic development, if you want big industry and good paying jobs to come to CK, CK needs a industrial rail line to entice large industry to CK.”
Kip Betts said on Facebook: “Yes…I’m a locomotive engineer and stand by Joe Faas’ comments. Trains can haul much more bulk commodities such as grain, fertilizer, etc. Just look at our roads in this area. All destroyed by these 18 wheelers hauling these types of commodities. If it all works out, this may be one decision Chatham-Kent may have gotten right.”
Josh Faubert said on Facebook: “Should there actually be a fertilizer plant constructed somewhere along the line then it will be great, because there is just no way trucks can keep up with heavy transport demands involved in that industry… now, let’s actually see a fertilizer plant materialize, seeing this is the “reason” for the purchase.”
Tim White said on Facebook: “No I am not. Maybe they should have taken that money and fix the problem that we have at the intersection at Electric line & 40 highway. This would save lives.”
Crystal George Vankoughnett said on Facebook: “At least its not money spent on so called “business” trips to China. We at least know these tax dollars were spent locally.”
Harold Snary said on Facebook: “Can’t imagine Chatham-Kent can run a railroad better than the former owner. Funny so many other grain elevators manage without the rail road. All this money for 5 or 6 people’s benefit. What a dumb mistake, I have sat on a board who had to deal with rail roads, and moving grain. Not Good.”
Matt Marchand said on Facebook: “They were sold in the first place because they are junk. Don’t you think if there was money to be made the Railroad company would of kept it? It will cost twice as much just to fix it and for what? It’s another Capitol Theatre joke.”
Feel free to keep the discussion going by commenting below.
