Dated: October 7, 1999
Published by: Milan News-Leader
Author: Diane
Hovatter
Renee Gregory
Jim Gulau
Carol McCrae Hokenson
Diane Hovatter
To the Editor:
I have been watching the developments in the proposed Ann Arbor Railroad project over
the past few months in the local newspaper. I was especially disturbed by the recent
mailing of an anonymous letter encouraging the "silent majority" who are in
favor of this project to make their voices heard. I searched the letter fir an address or
phone number in order to respond, but found none. This makes me highly suspicious of the
motives of the letter writer.
In all the articles and letters to the editor that I have seen, the feeling seems to be
strongly against this project. I am extremely concerned about the impact a
project/facility of this scope would have on this community. Milan Township is a rural
community and I believe that the majority of its residents continue to be residents for
that reason. This type of project does not seem to fit, in any way, in this type of
community. I am concerned about the light, noise and truck traffic that we would be
subjected to. I don’t think that landscaped buffers and berms are going to hide this
facility or even minimize its’ presence to the surrounding area. The tremendous
increase in traffic alone will make it j very visible. Is there not a site in an already
industrialized area where this project would be a better fit and where the increased truck
traffic would not adversely affect the area?
As for the Ann Arbor Railroad being a good neighbor, I take exception to this. Within
the past year, several acres of land and some buildings were set on tire by sparks from a
passing train. To my knowledge the railroad did not feel any responsibility for the
damage. Several years ago, I lived on Allen Road where I had to cross the track everyday.
It was not unusual for a train to be blocking the crossing, at times for as long as 20 or
30 minutes. There were frequent complaints on this issue, but it continued to happen. This
doesn’t fit my definition of a good neighbor. It also seems uncertain that there
would be any real tax or infrastructure benefits to the community.
The only favorable opinions of this project seem to come from those who will benefit by
selling their land for this project. From what I see in the public forum, the anonymous
letter writer has not found the "silent majority" they were so sure existed. My
message to my Township officials is to vote no on this project. The majority of your
constituents do not want it. This is not the type of business that I believe would be good
for our community. In addition to overwhelming the area where it would be built, I do not
believe it is the type of business we want to attract.
Diane Horvatter
Renee Gregory
To the Editor:
The last two Milan News-Leader editions contained letters to the
editor that debunked the contents of the anonymous letters Milan Township residents have
received regarding the proposed Ann Arbor Railroad project. One letter to the editor
suggested the anonymous letters were dictated to a township resident by someone firm the
Ann Arbor Railroad. I disagree. Instead, I strongly suspect that the anonymous letters
were written and posted by someone from the Ann Arbor Railroad.
Why am I suspicious? Before I burned out on seeing mass death and
destruction, I was a Senior Investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board in
Washington, D.C. Investigators look for patterns. Earlier this year, I received a letter
promoting the project firm Ann Arbor Railroad president Jim Erickson, dated May 17, 1999.
1 laid Mr. Erickson’s letter next to the two anonymous letters and found persuasive
evidence that all three have the same author.
All three letters use my maiden name and an identical incomplete
address. The type font and font style used to print the address labels of the two
anonymous letters are identical to each other and to the type font and font style used to
print my name and address at the beginning of Mr. Erickson’s May 17, 1999 letter.
All three letters are written in first-person. Mr.
Erickson’s letter stated that the Ann Arbor Railroad has been "part of your
community for over 100 years and always focused on being a good neighbor." The first
anonymous letter states, "The Ann Arbor Railroad has been a friendly neighbor for
more than 100 years in our community." Sound familiar? Mr. Erickson’s May 17
letter and the second anonymous letter are printed in identical type font and font style.
Both have fully justified paragraphs with identical bullet point methodology and spacing.
Both anonymous letters were posted by the same Ann Arbor postage meter
#6778642. I am still searching for the envelope that Mr. Erickson’s May 17 letter
came in (I’m a pack-rate—it’s here someplace.) Maybe the Concerned
Citizens Group's attorney should get a court order to reveal the owner/lessor of postage
meter #6778642.
Good neighbor? What kind of business sends out anonymous letters
intended to trick us into doing their bidding? Previous letters to the editor published in
the Milan News-Leader have done a far better job of detailing the false statements
and misinformation in the anonymous letters than I can. Who but the Ann Arbor Railroad had
both motive and access to all of the misinformation in the second anonymous letter?
Isn’t using the United States Postal Service to perpetrate a fraud some form of
felony? At the very least, the anonymous letters are extremely disrespectful to township
residents, the township board, and planning commission. This behavior gives us a clear
picture of what kind of "good neighbor" the Ann Arbor Railroad would actually
be.
By the way, I’m acquainted with National Transportation Safety
Board Investigators who won’t buy homes or let their children buy homes that are near
railroad tracks much less a rail yard because of high potential for train accidents and
hazardous spills. I bought my house before I worked there and learned about rail
accidents. The existing nearby tracks are sufficient cause for concern. Additional tracks,
switches, and rail traffic will only increase the potential for an accident that could
negatively impact our entire community. I am asking the township board and planning
commission to invite our "good neighbor" the Ann Arbor Railroad to find some
place else to build.
Renee Gregory
Jim Gulau
To the Editor:
With the coming millennium and a focus on the future, Milan Township has the
opportunity to lead all other townships in land use, by denying the railroad our precious
resource, farmland. While all the surrounding townships fail to control growth and are
unable to pass land use guidelines, Milan Township can be the model, and the envy, by
preserving this land, and its way of life.
Let’s have a vision of what we want the township to be now and in the future. Take
a Sunday drive east on Ecorse Road from Willow Run airport to 1-94. Will this be our
vision? How about lush green corn, and soybean fields bordered by golden brown
wheat—sights that rival any national park.
Finally, wouldn’t it seem practical for the railroad to locate in the Detroit
area, where the infrastructure currently exists? Where industry is encouraged to develop
via tax breaks, and local government welcomes that commerce with open arms? Would it make
more sense for all parties to reclaim abandoned factories and reuse that space rather than
use up Milan Township’s natural resources?
Jim Gulau
Carol McCrae Hokenson
To the Editor,
Milan Township stands at a crossroad. Our township officials are faced with decisions
that will change the direction of the township forever. Times of change are difficult for
many reasons. My great concern however is the current atmosphere in which these decisions
for change are being made.
I hear township officials speak of fear; the RR will take this land if we don't
cooperate with them and they will give us nothing. I hear words of resignation; big
business always wins. I hear a sense of powerlessness; we are a tiny township and we can't
defend ourselves against a big business. I hear voices of desperation; we need money so
badly we'll just have to accept the negative impacts. This is an unhealthy environment
that has been created in the development process. Wise decisions can not be made in this
atmosphere.
Leadership looks beyond today or even tomorrow and envisions a future that brings life,
hope and prosperity to its people. Leaders make tough decisions based on a strong
foundation of openness: carefully listening to and weighing the concerns of their
constituents. A wise decision is based on integrity: knowing the names of the
people who share facts and voice their honest opinions publicly. These decisions should be
based on solidarity: not asking others to make sacrifices they are not willing to
make themselves. Decision-makers need keen insight: judging sources of information
with a clear sense of the motivation of the people involved. Wise decisions come from a
sense of vision: seeking to create a community they would want their grandchildren
to grow up in. In this environment, our democracy works best. Wise decisions can be made
in this productive atmosphere.
Milan Township officials have the names and addresses of more than 500 area residents
who stand united with them in a quest to build and maintain a community based on openness,
integrity, solidarity, vision and insight. We are willing to embrace changes that enhance
our small town, rural way of life. And we are willing to defend our township against the
profit-motivated interests of big business. We are not afraid, or resigned, or feeling
powerless or desperate. The people of the Milan area have fought hard to say no to stop a
super collider and a toxic waste dump. Milan Township officials need to know, we can say
no to the rail yard too.
Sincerely,
Carol McCrae-Hokenson