Supports merger of CN and EJ&E

To the editor: Everything to date in the press has been on the negative side from the towns and villages involved.

I would like to place the following positive items in file:

a. Who was there first? The railroad or the subdivision? People knew when they bought the home the railroad was there.

b. Rail locomotives are more fuel efficient than trucks.

c. Rail locomotives are more environmentally friendly.

d. Rail moves more tons per gallon of fuel than trucks.

e. Each rail car removes four trucks from the highways.

f. Rail crossings are safe -- it is auto drivers that are not.

g. The new truck engines are not as fuel efficient as the old ones.

h. There are organizations attempting to increase trucks weights.

i. Highways and bridges are deteriorating rapidly and no funds to repair.

j. More trucks -- more congestion -- more fuel consumption.

k. I seriously doubt this merger will affect the proposed STAR Line.

l. A timeline is needed to show that this merger and the infrastructure improvements will take a number of years to complete.

I am a 18-year resident of Bartlett, and support this merger as it is the best environmental and economic approach for everyone.

Bernard J. Thomas

Bartlett