The news of Norfolk Southern looking at McCalla as a site for one of the inter-modal hubs has finally hit the news and as expected a group has arisen to resist the efforts. I got wind of this a month ago when I was made privy to an e-mail that the Land Development Office of Jefferson County sent to County Commissioners.
My initial response was resistant to the idea and while I probably continue to lean that way, I am undertaking some efforts as time permits to get both sides of the story. The first step was to e-mail our area's county commissioner, Bobby Humphreys. I will pass along any response, if I get one, but for the time being, here is the rather quick written e-mail I sent this morning.
I have had communication with the city of Austell, GA which also have a hub outside of Atlanta, GA. I will relay what I have found out in another post. But for now, here is my communication with our Commissioner.
Commissioner Humphreys,
As you are aware the recruitment of and the apparent shared
interest by, Norfolk Southern, to build an inter-modal hub has now come to
light. As is usually the case in such situations, a lot of emotionally
charged rhetoric is being tossed about. As a resident of the area, I am
simply trying to understand the facts and your prompt response is
appreciated. I have the following questions.
1) As commissioner of roads and transportation, how
can such a project be sustainable in the area without vast upgrades and support
for new and existing roads in the area. The current roads will be barely
sufficient enough for the continued projected residential growth and it is my
understanding that there are no plans on improvement to Eastern Valley or other
road in the area. Please comment.
2) I have a copy of a memo that Dan Voketz of Land
Development e-mailed to you and other commissioners on June 19th, expressing
concern and admitting to being unaware of the situation. Yet, news
reports claim that the MDB has been working on the project for 3 years. I
find this amazing. So my question is how long have you known about this
project in your district, if you haven't known for three years why not, why has
the resident that comprise this community not been made aware, why is land
development unaware of such a massive project and why is the approved
comprehensive plan being disregarded.
3) I would like an response to each of the claims by
the group No Hub 4 McCalla, which I
am sure you are aware of, which include this charges:
·
The hub would deteriorate property values due to
1) noise, 2) 24 hour lighting, 3) smoke from engine and trucks operations.
·
The hub would increase noise and pollution in
the area
·
Would increase 18 wheeler traffic by
300,000 per year in the area
·
Would jeopardize wetlands?
·
Would burden the county, which I might add, runs
out of money in a couple of weeks, significant costs?
·
And finally and perhaps the charge that garners
the most emotional response is that the railroad has the power of eminent
domain and will exercise that power to purchase property against the will of
the property owner.
4) What do you know about the community impact of area
in and around other like Norfolk Southern hubs such as Rutherford in
Harrisburg, PA or Austell, GA? Perhaps finding out could dispel growing
myths. I don't mean impact such as a job number, I mean how did it affect
the residents, the property values, the quality of life.
This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate leadership
and responsiveness to your constituents. I look forward to your reply.
