Bonk: “A very selfish act”
KINGSTON – Once again, as has happened several times over the past
couple of years, rail loves turned out in huge numbers to voice fear Ulster
County is about to derail tourist trains.
A “Very selfish act” is how Russ Bonk, one of over 50 who signed up to speak during 90 minutes of public comment, put it.
“This one act is what you’re going to be remembered for,” Bonk proclaimed. “Tearing up the historical rail corridor from the Hudson River to Delaware County will be your legacy. I’m a father, I’m a grandfather and I’m a son. Four generations in my family has ridden this train many, many times, and that will come to an end.”
Some legislators later said there are no plans to tear up any track.
Another resident, Kevin Smith, co-chair of the Friends of the Catskill Mountain Rail Trail Committee and chairman of the Woodstock Land Conservancy, dispelled the contention that this is a disaster for rail fans. He cited the compromise reached late last year that preserved rail in some areas.
“There will be continued tourist rail in Kingston over a longer stretch of track than the Catskill Mountain Railroad uses now,” Smith argued. “There will be continued tourist trains in the Shandaken-Phoenicia area over an extended length of track than the Catskill Mountain Railroad uses now.”
Smith also said there will be two “top flight trails” through New York City DEP lands.
Rail supporters demonstrated outside before packing the legislature chambers
Two resolutions related to the highly charged issue were on the agenda. One was to award a contract “in excess of $50,000” to the consulting firm Barton & Loguidice DPC, for engineering design services on 11.5 miles of recreational trail along the Ashokan Reservoir.
Among the supporters was Republican Carl Belfiglio.
“In no way is this resolution tearing up the tracks,” Belfiglio said.
That resolution passed 17 to 5.
The other resolution authorizes the county legislature to conduct a public hearing on the proposed acquisition of property for construction of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail West, Phase 4, in the Town of Lloyd. The hearing will be held at the start of the June 21st monthly legislative session.
That passed 21 to 1.
