EDITOR:
I know this may sound like a shocking suggestion, but why not ask Parkville citizens if they actually want a quiet zone?
This week on the city’s website, it was proudly announced that the city had begun step one of implementing a quiet zone in downtown Parkville. Step one involves paying BNSF Railroad Company $16,315.00 (the amount wasn’t mentioned in the news release) to conduct a study to see if the city is allowed to proceed in seeking options to quiet the historic train whistles. Step one was approved unanimously by the Parkville Board of Aldermen with no public hearing. Prior to the vote, I appeared before the board and asked that this be tabled until the public could weigh in, but that fell on deaf ears.
Our new mayor, Dean Katerndahl, ran on a platform which included using the 2021 Parkville Master Plan as a guideline for future development. Well, that document lists a quiet zone as a low priority. When this document was being updated and citizen input was sought, not one question was posed requesting citizens’ thoughts on a quiet zone.
When I questioned the city as to why a low priority item had become a high priority, they pointed to a new grant opportunity recently announced by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) with a Dec. 1 application deadline. The grant (which, by the way, is our tax dollars, not free money) provides funding for safety engineering improvements to reduce risks in potential quiet zones. Of course, the city did not indicate how much money such a grant would provide. This is pretty crucial information considering this quiet zone project could cost well over half a million dollars plus $5,000 in yearly equipment maintenance fees, plus insurance. Let’s not forget insurance. Right now, the city pays zero dollars for protection at rail crossings and is under no liability for any accidents or tragedies that might occur there. Only one year ago, a man died at the Main Street rail crossing.
There is no evidence that citizens are demanding a quiet zone. It seems that the main push for this comes from downtown businesses. The city wants to appease them plus encourage future investment in the area. They worry the whistles would discourage some potential businesses from locating there. So, they would happily eliminate the historic whistles which help make Parkville a unique and charming destination in pursuit of the almighty development dollar. It seems to me that the opinions of our citizens on this important subject should carry as much weight as those of downtown businesses.
A look at the city’s Facebook page demonstrates that not everyone in Parkville thinks a quiet zone is a good idea. But gee, is the city paying attention?
--Elaine Kellerman
Parkville