If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’ve heard me say many, many times that the Kellar Branch provides neutral access to eight rail lines, whereas the western spur only has access to one — Union Pacific — and that this means service over the western spur will always be more expensive because there’s no competition. So this letter to the editor from Carver Lumber Co. should come as no surprise:
We receive deliveries only two days per week, a 60 percent reduction from when the Kellar branch was operating.
It takes two to four times longer to get cars delivered from Downtown to our yard than it did over the Kellar branch.
Because the Union Pacific is not required to publish a rate, our suppliers must use its general tariff rate for forest products, which adds $1,000-$1,500 per car over Kellar line rates.
Carver goes on to hope that the city will help negotiate a better arrangement with UP. That’s not going to happen. First of all, the city has demonstrated that it’s not concerned about Carver at all (not enforcing its contract with DOT Rail, wanting to tear up the Kellar Branch before verifying Carver has comparable service via the west, etc.), and even if they were concerned, they have no bargaining power with UP.
The city should immediately start negotiating with Pioneer Railcorp to sell the Kellar Branch line. If they want to continue pursuing the trail, they should build it side-by-side with the rail line.
You neglected to mention Mr. Happach’s correction of his position with Carver Lumber. He is not the “owner”. Of course the propagandists at 1 “News” plaza (ha, ha) used that same tactic against Mr. Brenkman (now retired, but still villified). Personal attacks seem to be their stock in trade – but there is method to their madness. They think people will have no sympathy for a “fat cat” business owner; they don’t want the public to know that Carver’s employees are its shareholders. People might be less inclined to cavalierly put them out of work. Pity we can’t put the propagandists out of work.
C. J. and The Mouse,
I’m surprised the JS Forum allowed that correction to be published, but I guess that’s secondary to the issue at hand.
Mouse, you’re reading waaaaay too much into what was clearly a simple typo. How exactly does calling someone the “owner” of a business versus the “president” of a business constitute propaganda? Besides, the JS has repeatedly reported that Carver is employee-owned.
Can’t we just tear up all the rails, the beds, etc. and put in a canal system? That way, the wood can travel just like the old days… and good luck to any trash throwin’ pube on a bike tryin’ to roll down THAT trail.
“reading too much into”. No, I don’t think so. If it was a one-time “mistake”, maybe, but they repeatedly referred to Brenkman as the “owner” of Pioneer, knowing full-well that Pioneer was a publicly-traded corporation. There is a pattern of deception. Words matter. Propagandists know that. They may be a lot of things, but stupid they are not.
Great letter in Saturday’s Journal Star from Kevin Carrigan, about using the Kellar Branch as a sort of light rail system. Since Peoria is certainly growing north, it seems logical to me. I’m new to this issue, though, so forgive any naivete if this has been floating for a while.
But having lived in Seattle for 6 years, I know what a horrible battle light rail can be. Seattle has wanted a light rail system since the movie Singles came out (1992). To the best of my knowledge, it still hasn’t been completed. When I moved out in 1999, they were just surveying and still battling many neighborhoods.
Not necessarily a good thing to rip up an existing rail line, given the unimagineable battles that could ensue when we do want one in the future.
Cara: Amen girl!