Billy Dennis has posted an e-mail he received from Peoria Heights Mayor Mark Allen regarding the Heights’ role in the Kellar Branch saga. In it, Mr. Allen states:

I have spoken with representatives of Pioneer Line, and have made them aware that we would appreciate that Peoria Heights be considered as the SEPARATE entity that it is from Peoria. I do not plan on following lock-step with the City of Peoria, or the Peoria Park District. While we will always consider what is best for the area, we must also put first priority as to what is best for Peoria Heights.

I’m guessing this might have something to do with the fact that the Heights has just lost Cohen’s warehouse at the site of the former Pabst plant, and it may behoove his village to keep the Kellar Branch in order to lure a good rail-served business to that location.

However, if Mr. Allen wants to be considered “separate” from Peoria, I hope he’s aware that the Village of Peoria Heights is a co-petitioner with the City of Peoria in the Adverse Discontinuance proceeding against Pioneer Industrial Railway (PIRY) that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) just reopened. If the Heights now wants to retain PIRY as operator of the line, they need to inform the City of Peoria and the STB that they are withdrawing themselves as parties to the petition.