Response to Gordon Brand

        After spending 6 years as a fire trustee and have planned numerous stations around our city had nothing to do with tracks or crossings but due to
response time due to growth and where the growth has been and South along
the Roosevelt Rd border and North along the Smith Rd area.

        The Downtown station for your information takes in north Through Willow
Creek and all the subdivisions along the 59 - North Ave. corridor which
leaves the Southside without protection.

        As far as a dangerous crossing I agree and would ask all walkers to use the underpass and not cross at street level. As far as cars waiting against the length of trains again a problem here and all the way east to the City.

        I am more concerned about your buddies at the Railroad on what they are carrying on the trains and what happens to a spill or derail.

        Hair brained ideas such as a rail port that would have ended congestion
(according to your RR buddies) was over turned by the outcry of its citizens.

Retail presence:

        The goal is not to touch the historical distinct but enhance our downtown by having people live and shop and in our community, that is a goal under proper planning for the future, not moving a traffic generator such as a train station that services between 500 to 700 passengers a day away from your downtown.

        You say about profits, we as taxpayers also profit from merchants with sales tax revenue, this year we increased our sales tax by ½ million dollars over last year, that is ½ million that didn't go on your  property tax bill.

        You talk about teardown of houses, have you seen the improvement to the houses the city bought and brought them in to compliance?

The infamous bridge:

        How many houses would we loose or how many businesses or library would vanish to a bridge, how would we pay for it? Increase taxes? I don't think so.

        Historic District what about Old Heidelberg? Wiped out!!

        As former Mayor Rennels pointed out the maintenance would cost future generations more money than building the bridge.

The use of Washington St as a cut through and through our historic district would make it imposable to live with congestion and fumes from cars. The idea is not to let people pass through but let them in on the best kept secret of DuPage County, West Chicago . 

        As far as consultants not knowing West Chicago, they know economics and use, but as always you know better then they because you know West Chicago .

NEWS FLASH

        The number one priority is overcrowding and compliance to our laws, you out to get out of your armchair once every so often and see the progress of our city.

        I am sorry we can't turn the clock back and have horse and buggies on Main St, or even have them get water out of our fountain, but we must move on with caution and careful planning.

        I hope to see you soon at another worst coffee and great doughnuts with the mayor.

Mike Kwasman