Peoria Commuter Rail Service? Part I

As a dog of some stature, I was able to sneak into the Peoria Public Library Sept. 11th, I entered as a service dog, since a “regular” dog is not allowed. I was able to sit in on the discussion of the pro-rail group and listen to the angle presented to “save” Kellar Branch from the tunnel envisioned, granola chewing trail advocates. Let me say this, the whole Rail vs. Trail issue going on in Peoria is a rather funny doggy-doo mess. Here we have a city that thinks that they know what is best and how the method of giving away a railroad is done. Van Winkle is obviously related to Rip, since he seems to not have any clue (Vanna is selling vowels) to how it is supposed to be done (abandoning a working rail line) and then the glorious Peoria Park District, which I must say is a great organization, myself I prefer the Morton Park and Bark. But back to the matter at paw, I heard it mentioned that Peoria needs a commuter line to help handle the zoo like mania of traffic coming into and leaving Peoria downtown, which made me laugh, what zoo, what traffic, sure if I was from Ellisville and didn’t know what the big city of Peoria traffic was like, but really, I have ridden with my master before and I would have to say that the comment was totally a joke. Drive from Morton to Peoria downtown in 10-15 minutes top. Also just how many middle and upper class folks ride the bus, anyone? Anyone? Well since none of you do, I figured you couldn’t answer that, let me tell you, NONE! So why would I ride a “trolley” to work? I/They won’t.

This is all a smoke screen to give the Peoria City Clowncil a new toy to play and think about. Next time I post I will bark more on this wonderfully insane idea. And get to the real reason why Peoria needs to keep the rail and skip the trail…

Cruise out…

Hat Tip To Peoria Chronicle on Kellar Branch Questions

Peoria Chronicle's Chris Summers has some excellent questions as they relate to the ongoing Kellar Branch debacle.

The Journal Star has another editorial on the Kellar Branch today. I’m surprised it took them this long to write it, considering all their editorials on this issue follow the same boilerplate. Once again, it’s time to set the record straight:

Recall that Carver was the Kellar branch’s only customer, and that the city of Peoria built the company a $2 million extension so it could continue getting deliveries.

This is revisionist history. Peoria did not “buil[d] the company a $2 million extension.” The resolution which passed on May 15, 2001 stated explicitly the reason for extending the spur was “to retain long-term cost effective, direct rail service to Pioneer Industrial Park and future rail service to Growth Cell #2….” It was not just to benefit Carver Lumber, unless the council was lying about their reason for building it. (Insert cynicism here.)

It’s also worth noting that there were several other businesses on the Kellar Branch before the city started their attempt to de-rail it. So the fact that Carver is the “only” customer now is to the city’s shame. Is the Journal Star happy they’ve run these businesses out of town for the sake of a trail?

I encourage everyone to read his excellent article. Vonster also has placed some maps of the proposed trail. 

Kellar Branch – Industry – Trails – Bikes – Sexual Assault

How wonderful that we have the Peoria Park District, the City of Peoria and my favorite fools Greg and Dan at WMBD 1470 telling us that the Kellar Branch, once turned into a bike/recreational trail will be all about improving our health, economy and pride.

Let's see, the park district files for a grant for a future bike trail that is a currently operating railroad, and don't even have ownership, then we have the wonderful city of Peoria, who has the priorities of a 2 year old, no they listen to the spoiled little child Peoria Park District and ignore the federal laws (STB) and the Peoria Rail Commision, creating what has to be large sums of taxpayer money on lawsuits, and WMBD's star monkey team that feels that it would be better if Carver Lumber was gone so they could have a trail, though the city of Peoria is doing their best to make that happen, costing Carver over $60,000 to date for bungling of a short 9 mile railroad, hiring a new operator to deliver cars to Carver, who's former corporate officer was charged with a murder for hire scheme, who on their first day of business lose control of 3 rail-cars, damaging the cars, the track and surely damaged the product they were to deliver. I say Peoria needs to cough up $60,000 to Carver for their neglect and reckless disregard of a longtime Peoria business.

But the best part now, is that the great savior of our health and economy, could be a path way for the sexual perverts we have living in Peoria. On May 5th in broad daylight a women was attacked on the upper part of the Rock Island trail, the same trail that will be connected near the Pioneer Park area and finish up down by the river. Imagine that in broad daylight, near the Dunlap section a women was assaulted, now imagine that we have the wonderful trail going threw some of the higher crime infested areas of Peoria. Is it now too much of a stretch to think we may see similar crimes against those eager trail folks in some of the higher crime areas of Peoria?

David Jordan has been very vocal and has even rallied on WMBD to bring out the issues, only to have the wonderful monkey crew tell the Peoria listeners that for the greater good, we need that trail, we don't need jobs, namely Carver Lumber. Even more alarming is that we haven't even been told the true costs for this great health and economy booster for Peoria.

More to Come…

Cruise Control
I Have An Agenda…