EDITORIAL: Opponents of intermodal facility should have waited for the facts

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| Friday, September 14, 2007 | (8 comment(s))

Even before an intermodal facility is formally proposed in LaPorte County, opponents are already becoming vocal.

It is a curious development.

Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Tollroad, the people who fought the Illiana Expressway proposal, are among those fighting the plan for an intermodal facility. Their rationale is that if an intermodal facility is built, the Illiana proposal will be given necessarily follow.

An Illiana Expressway would certainly help if an intermodal facility is built, but it isn't absolutely necessary.

In any case, it's too early to oppose the intermodal facility before any facts are known.

There are many suppositions, including that it would bring 5,000 to 10,000 permanent full-time jobs, paying an average wage of around $40,000.

Even at 2,000 jobs, that would be more than the biggest employer in LaPorte County.

No one has suggested the use of eminent domain to acquire land for the site. It's not a case of the government seizing land so industry can use it.

There are many potential benefits. What those benefits are can't be explained in detail yet, because there isn't a formal plan in place yet.

Even as proponents of an intermodal facility are blasted by critics, they have no ammunition to use in response because everything is so vague.

Opposition to new transportation ideas -- and the many high-paying jobs the intermodal facility would bring -- is misguided.

The opponents should wait until the plan is outlined before weighing the pros and cons and reaching a reasonable conclusion.

Until then, they are operating strictly on hysterics, not facts.

Your opinion, please

Are you opposed to the construction of an intermodal facility in LaPorte County?

Share your thoughts at http://nwi.com/opinion

What's an intermodal facility?
Shipping containers are transferred between railroad cars and trucks at intermodal facilities. Trucks generally haul freight shorter distances than trains. Warehouses and distribution centers are likely to be developed at or near an intermodal facility.

Your opinion, please
Are you opposed to the construction of an intermodal facility in LaPorte County?
Share your thoughts at nwi.com/opinion.

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ew keane wrote on Dec 5, 2007 7:05 PM:

" Home rule still lives in North West Indiana! Hurrah! The intermodal seems to be a part of the global logistics system. It benefits trans-national companys. Dollars, schmallers. The us dollar is a joke anyway, due for a big drop. Land is more valuble than dollars, and if the people of the land feel their land is worth more than worth-less dollars, they seem pretty far sighted. Free trade isnt free. "

Get real wrote on Sep 28, 2007 1:09 PM:

" Rural Lp get real, the income is so low in that county, you need all the help you can get. "

Stop Intermodals - Save Our County wrote on Sep 17, 2007 10:53 PM:

" Consultants hired by LaPorte County confirmed, when asked, the Illiana would be needed if an intermodal was built in LaPorte County. Where else would over 8 trucks per minute go on US6 without the Illiana? 2000 new jobs at Union Mills? Dare we suggest that Simos Insourcing Solutions (Memphis) be selected to provide leased employees to various warehouses? Simos is NOW advertising in Suburban Chicago News to hire at $9.00 - $10.75 for warehouse positions in the Elwood intermodal facility. Hardly $40,000.00 jobs. Ask Simos about the hiring of illegal aliens in Dallas. Port of Indiana has indicated interest in a LaPorte County intermodal. Their power of eminent domain exceeds that of the county itself. 13 square miles of rural Indiana covered with roads, tracks and warehouse roofs is not in our interest. And don’t forget the acreage required by the Illiana. Don’t give away the farm. "

KLAN??? is a Racist wrote on Sep 17, 2007 9:14 AM:

" The people who do not want this are worried about LOSING THEIR HOMES. It has nothing to do with race. You are obviously just trying to stir the pot. "

young wrote on Sep 14, 2007 2:02 PM:

" Its never too early to stand up for a cause you feel so strongly about. My children are important to me and I would never sell their lives as they know it out for the all mighty dollar. Our employees would also have something to say about that as they will be added to the unemployment percentage if we are displaced. The officials might not speak of eminent domain now but once they get this ok'd you better believe they would use it, we are not stupid. We know our facts and reserched this more obviously than our officials have. Maybe they need to educate themselves on the facts of an intermodal and see what their opinion is. www.post-trib.com/news/520016,mitchtoll.article this article tells you how much our gov wants this and who cares about the hard working citizens. This is why all the hysterics "

KLAN?? wrote on Sep 14, 2007 11:24 AM:

" What is going on is LP County is the haves (rich white farmers) do not what their little piece of heaven to be interrupted by anyone especially anyone of color. These people are racist as well as elitist. They don't care because they already have jobs. This project should become a case study for NIMBY. I hope the elected official do the right thing. Evaluate the facts and make a determination based on the benefits to everyone and not just the 400 people that like things just the way they are. While that may cost some elected official their office, at least they will be able to sleep at night knowing that they voted for something that will allow LP County to immerge from the top 200 poorest county in the US! "

Ms. Laporte wrote on Sep 14, 2007 11:01 AM:

" This article is laughable. Wait for the facts = loss of homes/lives. I believe emminent domain has been hinted to by the governor himself. He said "some farmers will lose their land for the good of progress". If the farmers are not willing to sell, then how do you think they're going to "lose their land"? The opponents are doing WAY more research than you give them credit for. They're not a bunch of uneducated radicals that you make them out to be. "

rural lp county wrote on Sep 14, 2007 7:14 AM:

" I find it interesting that the Times states the opponents should wait until the facts come in then asks if you are opposed to it. Unfortunately the 40K$ figure includes benefits. The pay is about 12-14$ per hour. Much research has already been done. The people questioning this are educated, well informed people, not a bunch of malcontents others may want you to belive. "

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