I spent the entire day/night (15 hours with drive time) at Wednesday's bond hearing in Orlando and I positioned myself so I could speak to the senior management and staff of AAF. I also spoke briefly to U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown and two of the members of the bond hearing commision. At the very end of the evening Jim and I rode the elevator car with no one else but the head of Citizens Against Train herself, K C Traylor.
I heard plenty about the bonds themselves and the jobs they are intended to create. And I also listened to the commission carefully consider the vote that they were there to take.
I also listened to Stuart's First Responder and Fire Chief Mr. Waters explain how seven thousand of his charges would die within five minutes from toxic chlorine inhalation caused by this project. I also heard something about scrubjays that wouldn't be astute enough to fly high enough to survive decimation by the dreaded trains. I heard sworn officials tell of residents in their 5 CRA areas who wouldn't be able to walk off the tracks fast enough because the new trains would be traveling 110mph instead of the accustomed 30mph.
And I heard passionate testimony from a historical society counterpart of mine different from the society that I sit on about the dangers of liquefaction to historic buildings. I will say to the esteemed director from this historical society that as serious and debilitating as this problem is, that at no time should anyone ever attempt to stop it by laying your body across the tracks. That tactic just isn't going to resolve anything.
I could go on and on, but impassioned pleas of both the proponents and opponents did nothing to alter the bond hearing except delay it to an unreasonable hour. You see, the patient committee people were there to make a singular judgement of whether the bonds would create jobs or not. Simple as that.
After thinking about it, I find that the most important take away of the whole mind-numbing event was provided to all of us by AAF's assistant counsel: It is time to start showing a little more respect to each other.
And he meant both sides.
Best regards, cabooseMikey.
Jupiter Depot Report 8-1-2015
It will be nice to see the Jupiter Depot again as today marks the 100th anniversary of the FEC Jupiter Depot. The Town of Jupiter and the Loxahatchee Guild have every right to be proud of all that they have accomplished with this great little building.
The building site has been stabilized and the depot is permanently installed in Sawfish Bay Park. Exterior work has transformed the shabby appearance that we saw back on moving day into a real eye-catcher with outstanding Flagler ochre and white trim. The roof and almost all the roof joists have been replaced and much of the siding, too. New decking around the outside including steps and access ramp was completed this week.
Interior is bare and dark. No electric or anything else inside. Last evening's preview party was a cozy affair in the open depot without lighting or air. The only window is in the north end facing the Jupiter draw span. Neat to watch the bridge descend for FEC950 from there.
Master carpenter Stephen Agnelli was proud to point out the hand built doors and astonished when I remarked how accurate the tram-way hangers were on the baggage doors. South Brevard historian and FECRS member Ed Vosatka had supplied me with the plans for the originals and what a great match they are!
They have saved one original wooden pew bench and a couple of the partitions but there is such a long way to go on the interior. We did stay dry, though, throughout very heavy thunderstorms last evening.
The preview party featured speeches and congrats, plenty of photos and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. About fifty invited guests enjoyed refreshments and beverages supplied by many fine local companies. A barbershop quartet sang 'God Bless America' as the dignitaries snipped the ribbon stretched across the doorway.
My thanks to Town of Jupiter Mayor Karen Golonka and Loxahatchee Guild's Mary-Therese Delate for their splendid hospitality.
Also a pleasure to see FECRS member Jon Gilbert again and, of course, Seth and Myrna Bramson.
What I noticed most was how proud everyone was of all the hard work and how the depot appearance has been transformed.
Be sure to join the FECRS 2015 Convention tour on Friday September 25 to see it for yourself.
Best regards, cabooseMikey.
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