From Sun City Democrat Billie Reaney to Council Member Steve Fought (who represents Sun City on the City Council.) From: Billie Reaney To: [email protected] Subject: Lone Star vs North Star Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:29:57 -0500 Dear Steve, Having heard comments about last Tuesday$B!G(Bs Council meeting, I admit astonishment. The Dems arguing strongly, passionately for economic expansion at the core of Georgetown, and the Republicans saying No! No! Not on my watch! Who woulda thunk it? Governor Perry gives away millions of taxpayer $$$$ to bring in businesses. Georgetown fellows of the same political persuasion demonstrate unseemly eagerness to do the opposite! North Star Rail in Minnesota, has an eerily similar comparison to Lone Star Rail. North Star is newly opened passenger train service that connects Minneapolis to Big Lake, Minnesota, about 40 miles upstream. (Actually upstream, since both are on the Mississippi.) North Star began operation in 2009 at the depth of the Great Recession. An additional 40 mile segment connecting to Saint Cloud, a city with population similar to Georgetown (65,852), is on hold, as is Georgetown$B!G(Bs rail option. Business expansion at Big Lake has been astonishing, especially along the route in anticipation of North Star Rail commuters. Banks and mortgage companies, lawyers, accountants, retail of all kinds, apartments and townhouses and restaurants sprouted. Yes, schools expanded and clinics and new roads and a shopping center were added. Population of Big Lake expanded by 66%, in the last U.S. Census, as did the surrounding area. Saint Cloud, on the other hand, saw population expansion of 11%. A train terminal, especially one at the end of the line, entices a hive of entrepreneurial activity. It is an economic hub that reaches out many miles into a broad area to bring in customers, and bring them in on a very regular basis. It would make Georgetown a destination city. Rejecting rail, is rejecting growth for years to come. I would like to know the reasons behind your vote. A singular focus on $50,000, I suspect. Penny-wise and pound foolish. I am stuck in Minnesota until our new septic system is installed, so will miss the next Council meeting. Thank you for your response. Respectfully, Billie Reaney
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:40:51 +0000
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