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Judge rules Catskill Mountain Railroad can stay on leased county property
Its heartening to have Judge Mott display the common sense that the imperious County Executive Hein lacks.One would think any politician would seek a reasonable compromise rather than drum up what the Judge dismissed as patent nonsense. It will be interesting to follow if any negotiation can be afforded as the CMRR seems more than willing to try. This sort of extreme obstinate behavior on the part of Hein makes him appear to either be in the back pocket of anonymous interests or simply has a Napoleonic Complex. It is sort of a microcosm of national politics these days…and so it goes.
A collection of refreshingly diverse, but enlightened, comments, even with one being posted three times.
as a resident of ny state, I am amazed at government officals finding ways to spend taxpayer money on pie in the sky hair brain schemes, 2 million for studies and design, 5-8 million for the first 8 miles, ny state is broke, the money is needed for roads and bridges, not rail trails, the csm has done much with very little, just think what they could with just 1 million?
I know the property and feel that there is a bigger value in it as a railroad than as a railtrail. The day is not too far off when the use of automobiles will be deemed a danger to the environment, especially the air and water, in the Catskills and the use of the railroad to bring people in and out, as well as for some freight products (forest?) will be desired. The millions for a walking trail will not bring a return that a railroad will bring.
I know the property and feel that there is a bigger value in it as a railroad than as a railtrail. The day is not too far off when the use of automobiles will be deemed a danger to the environment, especially the air and water, in the Catskills and the use of the railroad to bring people in and out, as well as for some freight products (forest?) will be desired. The millions for a walking trail will not bring a return that a railroad will bring.
I know the property and feel that there is a bigger value in it as a railroad than as a railtrail. The day is not too far off when the use of automobiles will be deemed a danger to the environment, especially the air and water, in the Catskills and the use of the railroad to bring people in and out, as well as for some freight products (forest?) will be desired. The millions for a walking trail will not bring a return that a railroad will bring.
I would challenge those out there with money to blow (there are plenty out there) to make a donation in the railroads interest to keep the rails going. Like we need any more trails. If you want more places to ride your bike, look for the nearest street and go.
I agree that this is good news. Having grown up in the Kingston area I know the track a bit. It’s a very nice area to ride into on the train. Now if NY State can get it’s act together and start helping small tourist railroads like the CMRR and the Adirondack Scenic rehabilitate their tracks and develop trails then everyone can win. The benefits to local tourism would be terrific in both cases.
County signs a lease and then turns around and breaks it? I dare anybody to make the case of how big fat socialist governments are beneficial at all times. More like looking out for the socialist hogs in the pen known as government. This is quickly turning into nothing more than another instance of government acting illegally. But then, the Constitution is dead, which means that any laws under the Constitution can be neglected by government as it sees fit. That’s the problem with the idiots voting for bigger government in states like New York. Eventually the money runs out and they start going after other things and adherence to the law is irrelevant because they have been ignoring it for all this time. So why start now?
People are riding the trains in earnest. Yet, the existing area trails are scant. The county might have a small point if area trails were at capacity. They are far from it.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, this is not the end nor is it the beginning of the end, it is the end of the beginning. This is going to be continuing for a while in higher courts.
I sent the Catskill Mountain Railroad Legal Defense Fund $100. Not much, I agree, but I’m sure it helps. Dat be “real” Montana money – no sales tax!
Nothing like a power-hungry politician wanting another “trail” for granola-munching yuppies, is this the same town that parked a municipal dump truck on the tracks?
Would be interesting to see if the City of New York steps in and nixes the trail outright due to security concerns for the Ashokan Reservoir. It’s more likely a train would be allowed through than an open access trail.
I think security concerns for Ashokan Reservoir are moot. M-NR traverses many NY DWSE&G reservoirs (Muscoot, Croton, etc.) without undue concern. Maybe Ulster County should tie Exec. Mike Hein to the tracks, ala Eliza. Would the CMR train stop? Prob’ly not!
As a NY resident I am amazed that the local politicians are trying to eliminate one of the few tourist attractions in an economically depressed area. While not mentioned in this story, the county politicians are refusing to spend federal funds granted to repair railroad damage from Hurricane Irene 2 years ago. The judge should have referred the County politicians activity to Federal prosecutors.
As a NY resident I am amazed that the local politicians are trying to eliminate one of the few tourist attractions in an economically depressed area. While not mentioned in this story, the county politicians are refusing to spend federal funds granted to repair railroad damage from Hurricane Irene 2 years ago. The judge should have referred the County politicians activity to Federal prosecutors.
On my first trip to state, in May this year, my wife and I made a point of driving through the Catskills in the hope of seeing some railroad activity. I enjoyed being able to stop and photograph some CSR equipment. In my local suburb, the council is building the cycle/path way beside the tracks, separated from the railroad by a wire netting fence. It even include a foot crossing, fully protected by gates and flashing lights. And I’m sure that it’s not costing $1 million per mile.
I like rails to trails and use them often, but this is over the top. Oh by he way I am not a granola munching yuppie.