One can always depend upon the Rio Grande Sun to fail to research a story and to settle instead for dueling quotes. Makes for entertaining reading, but prolonged exposure to the Sun can turn one's mind to mush. Fortunately, it's only published weekly.
To say that the changes in the C&TSRR Commission were about the CTSMC contract negotiations is a little like saying that the last election was about Bush's appointments to the FRA.
For those interested in the public policy reasons underlying the actions by the Governors of Colorado and New Mexico, which have been a long time in formulation, please take a look at the substantive provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding which are reproduced below. That's the real story.
"...Whereas, New Mexico and Colorado find that, while the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a historic landmark, it is also a competitive business competing with other railroads and other regional attractions. That after careful assessment, New Mexico and Colorado have determined that the future sustainability and success of this business now requires professional oversight. That this oversight can only be achieved by appointing commissioners with significant experience in an oversight role of a major business enterprise, and
"Whereas, New Mexico and Colorado have found that the citizen commission have managed the railroad to the best of their ability but the long-term success and viability of the railroad now requires substantial business management expertise.
"NOW, THEREFORE, the Governor of the State of New Mexico and the Governor of the State of Colorado hereby agree as follows:
"1. That New Mexico and Colorado shall thank the incumbent commissioners for their dedicated and meritorious service and immediately replace them with members that have at least five (5) years experience in a substantial oversight role over a major business enterprise.
"2. That future commissioners appointed by either Governor shall each have the minimum qualifications of at least five (5) years experience in a substantial oversight role over a major business enterprise.
"3. That the Commission shall serve an oversight role on the model of a board of directors to a corporation.
"4. That each Governor shall direct the state’s primary economic development official to designate one representative to serve as a marketing liaison to the Commission. These representatives shall provide assistance, expertise and professional resources to the Commission in order to most effectively promote the state owned railroad. These representatives shall be available as requested by the Commission but shall attend, at a minimum, a Commission meeting before the Railroad opens each season and a meeting after the Railroad closes each season. This arrangement will ensure that the states, as owners of the railroad, provide adequate professional resources for the Railroad to compete.
"5. That each Governor shall direct the state’s Department of Transportation to provide expertise and resources as deemed necessary and requested by the Commission. This arrangement will ensure that the states, as owners of the railroad, provide adequate professional resources for the Railroad to compete..."
