Two views, two different opinions on Amtrak proposal
Local lawmakers disagree on future viability of train blueprint
By Pat Caldwell
Argus Observer
PatC@argusobserver.com
Thursday, October 8, 2009 11:14 AM PDT
Ontario — A final draft of a study regarding the restoration of the Pioneer Amtrak Route will be presented to Congress next week, but Ontario Mayor Joe Dominick said he already has some concerns regarding the train system.
“I saw the (first) report and read it. It’s scary. Where is the money going to come from?” Dominick said.
Last month, an initial feasibility study determined the Pioneer Route start-up costs could exceed $400 million and the train service would lose money.
Two Northwest lawmakers — Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. — backed the feasibility study.
Crapo expressed concerns about the report and sent the president of Amtrak a letter recounting his misgivings.
While Dominick also said he is concerned about the results from the report, Ontario City Councilman Ron Verini said the Amtrak concept is a good one and worth further research. Verini said when he first learned of the Amtrak Pioneer Route idea he was encouraged.
“I thought, what a beautiful thing, giving us another check on that check list for economic development. It gives us that little bit of an edge from any town around,” he said.
Verini said he was surprised there was not more enthusiasm for the concept from the rest of the council. Verini said elected leaders right away began to talk about what kind of cash contribution the city might be forced to make, but a discussion he said was premature.
“Some of the response from the City Council was a little extreme in the fact they were immediately talking about dollars and cents, instead of looking at the future of the city. I was surprised by that because I thought most of us would be looking at the bigger picture,” he said.
Dominick, though, said the issue is a simple one: Whether Ontario can afford to provide any kind of subsidy for such a train system? The answer, he said, is no, especially after he read the initial feasibility study.
“The way I read it, this is going to be federal, state and city money. This is more of a want,” he said.
And, Dominick said, he has not seen the same kind of public input for the Amtrak service he glimpsed during the discussion about the city transit service.
“When Snake River Transit was being discussed for funding, the City Council had approximately 50 citizens show up and let us know of the need. I have not heard personally anything from citizens of Ontario whether this is a “need” item. I've heard a few say it would be nice to have, but no overwhelming need right now,” he said.
Dominick said he supports the Amtrak Pioneer Route concept — just not the idea of pouring taxpayer dollars into it.
“It is one thing to let a business know you support them coming to town. But when it becomes a taxpayer burden to bring the “want” item into your town, it becomes a whole other discussion,” he said.
