Editorial on the Star-Telegram’s bashing of Colleyville by LNO Editor Nelson Thibodeaux
The conclusion by the “Editorial Board”, in today’s Star-Telegram or (“3 liberal writers”), is meant to sway the public that this (used to be powerful publication) has somehow uncovered a great wrong that the recently elected officials of the Colleyville City Council have created by a Resolution opposing Tex-Rail.
ST-We respect their opinions and sympathize with their desires, but we cannot agree with what their political leaders are trying to do. Because they don’t want TEX Rail to run near the homes they built next to the railroad tracks, they are doing their best to scuttle a transportation project that’s clearly best for the region.
Further that the City of Colleyville was awarded some great nugget of concessions from Tex Rail, because of the “quiet zones” it was granted. These are the same zones that Colleyville taxpayers paid for (all be it a Grant), however, Colleyville remains responsible for at least partial maintenance into perpetuity rather a Tex Rail ever comes to existence or not.
ST-Many Colleyville residents and their elected leaders don’t want the TEX Rail line. We get that.
Well no the three “wise men” of the “Editorial Board,” DON’T GET THAT! Colleyville is an autonomous city with it’s own governing body and it’s own citizens that elected the two new Council Members and a new Mayor, all with more than 62% of the vote. The Resolution about Tex Rail was a major campaign issue and the voters have spoken in Colleyville. The citizens of Colleyville, in other words, are not in favor of some “Un-elected Regional Board” having priority over the wishes of the residents of Colleyville.
S-T The RTC can easily afford to make the loan from its regional toll revenue accounts. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority, which is building TEX Rail, would repay the loan with interest by next April 15. Failing cancellation of the loan agreement, the Colleyville council requests that the council of governments and the RTC “put the project up for public referendum in the November 2016 general election.”
No. That train has left the station.
Oh yeah, well WHEN did that train leave the station. When was there a county-wide vote held to determine if the Citizens of Tarrant County want to take up an $800 million boondoggle that will be the gift that keeps on costing.
There simply is no FINANCIAL justification for Tex Rail, it is that simple. Look at the other rail transportation in the area. It was reported that the Dart rail from Dallas to DFW Airport, had a grand total of 500 riders last year. What about the Ft. Worth Rail System? It has been estimated that each passenger cost $45 to go from Ft. Worth to Dallas and $45 back. Certainly the few dollars it costs to ride to the public does not compensate taxpayers for the expense to keep it operating.
Tex Rail is loved by those cities that see a boost in “some ridership, in fact any kind of ridership,” because they think it will put more money in the city coffers. They couldn’t care less if the rail line, with an estimated 60 DIESEL trains daily, barreling through the center of Colleyville, causes traffic jams and dangerous train traffic slicing through residential neighborhoods, ain’t their problem.
Wouldn’t it make sense for Tex-Rail advocates to look at existing ridership on the other rail options in the area before jumping head first into a project that is virtually guaranteed to be a boondoggle with taxpayers picking up the tab for years to come?
The fact is that representation of certain members of the Colleyville City Council for too long have been “regional pawns” versus being a true advocate for the City of Colleyville. The new majority of Colleyville City Council, while understanding we are part of a greater community, were elected to represent the positions of a majority of voters, not represent the “regional mindset” of any appointed group.
Well, let’s face it, the Star-Telegram “EDITORIAL BOARD,” is frequently out of step with the conservative, small government attitude of a majority of citizens in Tarrant County, much less Colleyville. So no one should be surprised they advocate that Colleyville, where Tex Rail will have a major impact, and NOT just on homes next to the rail, but literally slicing the town down the middle with 60 trains a day, would have a different view. Now finally there is a Colleyville majority of City Council that believes they represent Colleyville citizens FIRST not the Regional mandates. But then again, the “Editorial Board of the Star Telegram” have missed the message before with their endorsements of David Kelly for Colleyville Mayor and Wendy Davis for Governor, just to name two, there are many, many more.
Seems they just don’t get it. Apparently they would rather NOT have a county-wide vote for fear of the outcome! That Train has never left the station!
Colleyville has already received “quiet zones” at its railroad crossings like this one on John McCain Road at Texas 26.Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
At its monthly meeting Thursday in Arlington, the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled to consider a request from Colleyville officials to delay, disrupt or destroy the TEX Rail commuter rail line between Fort Worth, Grapevine and the north entrance to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
As with most other items on its agenda, the council has scheduled 10 minutes for discussion and action on Colleyville’s request.
That’s too much time.
The RTC’s 44 members, who are elected or appointed officials from the 16-county North Central Texas Council of Governments and representatives of the region’s largest transportation providers, should quickly reject what Colleyville is asking.
Many Colleyville residents and their elected leaders don’t want the TEX Rail line.
We get that.
TEX Rail trains will ride on Cotton Belt Line tracks that have run through Colleyville for decades.
Many of the city’s residents say they do not intend to ride those trains, and they fear “negative impacts to property values, noise, safety, traffic, general character, and way of life in Colleyville,” according to a resolution approved by the City Council on May 17.
The RTC has a 50-year history of private- and public-sector requests for passenger rail as one of the solutions to the region’s transportation problems.
Colleyville requested and received “quiet zones” at the rail crossings in the town, so the TEX Rail trains will not be blowing their horns as they roll through.
Specifically, the Colleyville council wants RTC members to reconsider their agreement in May to offer $80 million in interim financing for TEX Rail construction should it be needed before expected federal funding comes through.
The RTC can easily afford to make the loan from its regional toll revenue accounts.
The Fort Worth Transportation Authority, which is building TEX Rail, would repay the loan with interest by next April 15.
Failing cancellation of the loan agreement, the Colleyville council requests that the council of governments and the RTC “put the project up for public referendum in the November 2016 general election.”
No. That train has left the station.
