Voice of the People

Northwest Indiana seems to be rapidly evolving into two parallel universes- a universe of common sense and one of no sense.

The South Shore expansion is one example. While those who concocted the plan want to raise $500 million by any means to run rail lines to Lowell and Valparaiso, taxpayers demand that taxes be reduced.

Most people want our federal government to cut spending, while others want to spend another $500 million from the feds before “someone else” gets it.

Millions of dollars in tax incentives are given to “destination locations” like the gambling boats in Hammond, Gary, and Michigan City; and sports venues like Cabella’s, Bass Pro and the Railcats‚ stadium; then rail lines are proposed that would lead people away from these attractions.

Millions more dollars are spent promoting tourism in Lake and Porter counties and our lake front, the plans are made to send trains 20 miles away from this investment.

Some want to spend $1 billion dollars for 750 people to ride the train to Chicago, while the thousands that ride the train every day deal with poor service, no parking, old stations, antiquated cars and rough rails.

From the universe of Common Sense I propose spending much less money to improve the system we have by building new stations with parking garages for Hammond, Gary and Michigan City and investing in new cars and rails. Monorails or electric lines could then be added to connect the existing line to the “destination locations” to make it more convenient for people to access them.

From the universe of no sense we get endless, duplicated, short-sighted reports from consultants, studies and other nonsense. This is unproductive and expensive. To know how to improve the South Shore, the riders should be surveyed - or better yet, those who want to know should ride it.

Which universe are you from? Share your thoughts at nwiposse@yahoo.com. (POSSE - People Opposed to South Shore Expansion.)

Kevin L. Cornett

Posted 1/18/2008