(erielack) Olean Times-Herald report

[Kevin DeGroff <"kdegroff_@_starpower.net">]

It looks like the vote to create the rail authority is passing in most of the counties.
Note the reference to taking ownership from Hornell to Corry.  Do they really mean Corry,
or the state line?



     Cattaraugus County lawmakers voted 17-3 Wednesday to seek state permission to
     create a Southern Tier Rail Authority.

     County lawmakers joined their counterparts in Allegany and Chautauqua counties
     in supporting legislation sponsored by State Sen. Patricia K. McGee and
     Assemblyman William Parment. Steuben County lawmakers meet today to vote on
     a similar request.

     The authority would take over ownership of the 146-mile Southern Tier Rail
     Extension between Hornell, N.Y., and Corry, Pa. The line is owned by Norfolk
     Southern.

     Olean-area industries do not rely on the east-west rail line. They ship and receive
     goods over the north-south Norfolk Southern line running between Buffalo and
     Harrisburg, Pa. The line has not been used east of Olean for 10 years, and there
     are two or three washouts that need to be fixed.

     Sen. McGee announced Tuesday that $1.1 million in state funding is available to
     pay for repairs to the rail line, which serves several Jamestown-area industries.
     The state’s 2000-2001 budget also contains $100,000 in start-up funds for the
     authority, which will include a 14-member board selected by the four counties. A
     non-voting member of the Seneca Nation of Indians will also sit on the authority.
     Sen McGee said, “By securing these funds, we are sending a message that we
     have confidence in the viability of rail service in the Southern Tier now and in the
     future.” She said she expects Senate and Assembly action on the counties’ request
     by the end of the week.

     Three Cattaraugus County Legislature Democrats voted Wednesday against the
     request: David Anastasia of Olean, and Carmen Vecchiarella and Benjamin Calabro
     of Salamanca. Olean Republican James J. Snyder was absent.

     The transfer of the rail line to the tax-exempt authority will result in the loss of
     $246,000 in property taxes for Cattaraugus County, its municipalities and school
     districts.

     The Olean City School District will lose about $103,000 and the city of Olean will
     lose $61,000.

     “We’re going to lose it anyway in a year or so” if Norfolk Southern abandons the
     line, said Legislature Majority Leader Mark S. Williams of Hinsdale.

     In Allegany County, the resolution was passed 11-1, with Dr. Robert Heineman
     (R-Alfred) casting the lone no vote.

     Dr. Heineman said creating a rail authority will cost taxpayers over the next 30
     years. He said in Alfred, it will cost the Alfred-Almond Central School District
     $66,000 a year, and will also have an impact on town and county taxes.
     “You multiply everything, and you’re looking at a 2 to 3 percent tax increase right
     there,” said Dr. Heineman, who is on the staff of Assemblywoman Catharine
     Young. “If you people want to do this, fine.

     “But I’m going to let the taxpayers know this will raise taxes in Allegany County,”
     Dr. Heineman continued. “And when you’re up for re-election, make sure you
     wave when you’re campaigning on the choo-choo train.”

     Dr. Heineman said even if Norfolk-Southern tore up the rail road, someone would
     buy the land, even if for farming, and it would still be on the tax rolls.

     Legislator Edmund Burdick (R-New Hudson) told Dr. Heineman, “You are playing
     with smoke when you give us these numbers. If this rail is torn up, you’re not
     going to get taxes, so don’t tell people they’ll keep their tax dollars if we don’t
do
     this.”

     Legislator Susan Myers (R-Friendship) said if the counties don’t all approve it and
     work together, “shame on us.”

     Legislator Curt Crandall (R-Caneadea) said he doesn’t want to see it torn out to
     just be used as another trail, while other legislators spoke of potential economic
     development.

     Legislator John Walchli Jr. (R-Wellsville) said, “I pay high taxes in the village of
     Wellsville and I’m concerned with the future of Dresser-Rand. When Dresser-Rand
     looks at the big picture, they will ask, ‘Do we have an Interstate?’ Yes. ‘Do we
     have rail?’ And the answer could be no, thanks to Dr. Heineman.”

     Allegany County Administrator John Margeson is a member of the Southern Tier
     Regional Railroad Task Force, and he said there are interests from rail operators
     to use the tracks as a through route.

     There are provisions in the state legislation that Norfolk Southern will make a
     payment in lieu of taxes in the later years of a 10-year agreement.



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