GOOD SENSE PREVAILS
MAINE EASTERN PASSENGER TRAINS TO CONTINUE TO USE THE ROCKLAND STATION
The Rockland City Council voted on November 14th to kill a proposed ordinance amendment that would have prevented Maine Eastern Railroad passenger trains from utilizing the recently restored historic downtown passenger train station for its intended purpose.
[TrainRiders submitted written testimony and spoke in opposition of the proposal before the City Council when the issue first came up this past summer.]
Among other things, Article II of the proposed amendment - "Nuisances Affecting Health" - would have allowed the city to levy fines of $1,000 per day for as long as the company continued operations at the train station.
The railroad has argued that passage of any ruling by the city would have no jurisdiction because federal preemption supersedes local regulation.
Following the meeting, railroad spokesman Gordon Page said that logic and common sense prevailed over emotion. He said that the railroad is willing to continue to work together with the city and with the state to achieve mutual goals.
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