High-speed rail draws big FdL crowd

From an article by Laurie Ritger in the Fond du Lac Reporter:

The prospect of a pricey high-speed rail project in Wisconsin packed a Fond du Lac meeting room Thursday night as the pros and cons of the project were debated.

Citizens interested in high-speed rail heard about a plan to construct a rail line that would be part of the Milwaukee-Twin Cities High Speed Rail Corridor. Many of those attending drove considerable distances to attend the meeting.

Charles Quandel, chief executive officer of Quandel Engineering Services of Chicago, led the presentation Thursday night. He noted much more work needs to be done as experts study numerous alternatives, including one that could travel through Fond du Lac, the Fox Valley and Stevens Point before heading to Eau Claire and Minnesota.

"What part of the message of Nov. 2 (election of Scott Walker as governor) do you not understand?" asked Ron Schmitz of Fond du Lac as applause rang out.

Walker has vowed not to accept $800 million in federal stimulus dollars earmarked for the rail line. Concerns have been raised about the estimated $7.5 million a year in ongoing costs to be paid by the state. . . .

David Sartori of the Milwaukee suburb of Cudahy said he is convinced high-speed rail is "the future."

He said it would create family-supporting jobs for future generations.

"This (federal) grant has been a real blessing, and it would be just devastating, just a shame if we returned this money to the government," he said.

Many in the audience laughed when he said the train is the "greatest invention since the invention of sliced Wisconsin cheese."

Andy Olsen, senior policy advocate with Environmental Law & Policy Center, based in Madison, was passionate in his statements about high-speed rail and how it makes sense for the state. Olsen was sitting near Kathy Lefebre of Green Bay, who said she enjoys riding the train.