Protestors oppose TSRR privatization
March 7, 2007
By Kelly Young
news@jacksonvilleprogress.com
RUSK - Several members of Save Texas Parks held a protest Tuesday at the 2:30 p.m. meeting of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority at the Rusk Depot of the Texas State Railroad.
The protesters, led by Michael Banks, president of Save Texas Parks and the Friends of the Neches River, were on hand to oppose NETRMA’s potential involvement in the possible privatization of the TSRR. Save Texas Parks has come out against privatization of the TSRR.
“The NETRMA is a potential avenue for privatization, and we want to let them know we don’t feel they should get involved,” Banks said. “The main reasons NETRMA does not need to get involved are the lack of funds available for privatization, the fact that the Texas Legislature will not release any tax money for privatization and the operation history of American Heritage Railways.”
During the meeting Bob Goldsberry, director of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, addressed the board regarding the TSRR.
“In February of 2007 the RFQs (request for qualifications) were due. The operating agency met and discussed the four submittals given to us by private operators. On a ranking system, we ranked not only their presentation and the amount of information that they gave us on their companies, but also ranked them on a question and answer session,” he said. “From that point, we have selected American Heritage as the first operator to negotiate with, but if something falls through, we still have a backup to go to.”
Goldsberry explained the difference between being told about something and experiencing it firsthand to stress the importance of the trains.
“Our children don’t understand something until they actually experience it. That’s what is so important about the railroad – that is what the railroad represents,” Goldsberry said. “If you can’t see it, hear it, feel it, touch it, listen to it – you miss out on so much of the history.”
Banks addressed the board during the citizens’ comments portion of the meeting.
“We have heard that you, the regional mobility authority, have offered to be an entity that would receive the railroad if privatization is used, and we urge you not to become involved in the privatization of the Texas State Railroad,” Banks said. “Everyone wants to save the train, but we feel the best way to save the train is through state funding and operation.”
Jeff Austin III, chairperson of the NETRMA, thanked everyone for their interest in the trains and promised to take everything said under advisement.
“I grew up here in Cherokee County and the Rusk State Railroad means a lot to me personally. It is one of the crown jewels of East Texas,” Austin said. “Your comments are duly noted and appreciated. We want to stay close to this topic and stay up to date on things.”
Despite all the recent talk about privatization, Banks remains hopeful that the legislature will agree to fund the trains further into the future.
“Our state senator, Robert Nichols, our state representative, Chuck Hopson, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner John Parker of Lufkin are all for the state funding the Texas State Railroad. We are following their leadership,” Banks said. “Senator Nichols told me a while back that he thought it was about a 50-percent chance he could get the state to fund and operate the railroad. We are working with him and Representative Hopson to improve those chances.”
