02/17/2015 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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amounts tax payer dollars on Railroad Attorney's and legal actions to fight AAF and who is participating in anti AAF demonstrations in other counties. That kind of attack is very hard to battle without a support organization. B. Accept the fact that the present AAF plans do not include a stop here. YET. AAF will be the first to tell anyone who will listen that the current project as defined is PHASEI. They will also be quick to tell you that whether there is a PHASE II or not depends on the success of PHASE I. I have been told that a PHASE II will happen IF all AAF plans pan out as conceived. In the meantime the plans are to run what they have already described since most of the facilities needed OR land required is already in FECI'S hands. In PHASE II, there will eventually be more stations. Where? Why not VERO BEACH? Work needs to start NOW. AAF is asking for input NOW! This county needs to correct the negativism and get on with developing a workable plan for bringing AAF stops here. Perhaps there are local inducements that would sway AAF to build a station here? If we don't do something in Indian River County, and a new station is built on the treasure Coast, the terminal will probably go to Fort Pierce. Why? Of course they have a bigger population base; BUT FECI has a rail yard there. That gives Fort Pierce an edge even with its high crime and gang problems. C. Perhaps other counties who have expressed a desire for a stop and also exhibit a positive attitude about the railway would be interested in working with Vero Beach or Indian River County. There is much to lose by not trying! We have the potential for some wonderful things happening if we can convince the folks at AAF to plan a stop in Indian River County "if and when" their plans are successful wither their Phase I. They have said they are willing. The only thing standing in our way right now is the IRC County Commission. To look the other way and not do anything or worse, to alienate AAF would be a terrible waste of a potential major opportunity, not to mention the millions of local taxpayer dollars the county is looking to waste in trying to stop progress from happening here.. HA, A.4.