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Old 09-29-2010, 10:40 PM   #29
onthebay
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Default WOW Trail

I was told about the proposed WOW trail before I purchased my property from both my real estate agent and my lawyer. I can't and won't say I didn't know it was a possibility. We actually viewed it as a potential positive feature as we usually walk the tracks down towards the Weirs or back towards SouthDown. We are familiar with other walking biking trails in many states. If properly implemented and maintained they can have a positive affect for both residents and businesses in the area.

I am not advocating the WOW trail because I see that there are serious problems with the way things are progressing. I have see the stretches of trail along Opechee and the condition of the fencing. Until they remove this requirement I will be opposed. The proponents are expecting South Down and other residents who will be affected to stand behind the trail and be assured that they will work with the state to get the requirement for the fence removed. They want the trail with or without the fence. It doesn't matter to them. Some along the trail don't want a trail with or without the fence, some like myself will fight the trail if it includes the fence, or stand aside if it is done properly without the fence. The proponents of the trail would be better served by fighting against the state to lift the fence requirement then to fight against the community who they will need to ultimately make it succeed.

Your not hearing from the other develoments further along the trail stepping into the fight just yet not because they aren't opposed to it with the fence requirement but because it doesn't affect them yet. If Southdown and the people affected by this phase succeed in either stopping the trail or having the fence removed as requirement they have won without spending a dime.

Every day people walk and cross the tracks all along the proposed route with no fence. The train has no problem sounding its horn whenever it feels it needs to alert someone. Has there ever been a documented accident with a pedestrian or ATV and the Scenic Train along these tracks. The train goes no more than 10 miles an hour. It runs every hour from 11am to 4pm for three months out of the year. People co-exist with it now without the fence.

If you step off the paved trail and into the path of the train you will get hit. If you step off the sidewalk and into the path of a bus you will get hit as well. Do we then line all the sidewalks that abut roads with a 4' fence so no one can walk into the street and get hit.

Where is the common sense.

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