Vote no on rail plan in Barrington

To residents of the village of Barrington:

I support a recent letter written by Marisel Guntin, urging the electorate to vote against the Barrington rail referendum for the following reasons:

1. When the rail purchase by CN was first proposed, literally thousands of residents voiced their opinions against the proposal before the Surface Transport Board. The STB ignored all of us and approved the ruination of our lovely Village. The Village Board has appealed the decision for years in Court, without success.

2. A few years later, the village Board and CN had layouts showing various proposals for the rail crossing of Route 14. I a meeting on the plan about 75 percent of just 600 residents attending voted for an overpass. This percentage in no way represents a majority of the 10,000-plus residents of Barrington.

3, Homes in Jewel Park and Shorely Woods will have to be demolished. They are the lucky ones, if you consider the noise and close proximity of residents to both the trains (which are increasing in number and length) and the traffic, which will increase exponentially as it always does. Also consider the reduction in our homes' values in all areas of Barrington.

4. Consider the cost. I was told by IDOT that nothing would come from them. I know some millions have been obtained from government, but this is not going to cover the full amount. Our extremely high taxes are going to be increased.

The alternative route would be our salvation. Why has this never been mentioned? I was told about it by a person in office - that this should be an alternative, which would not disturb our village.

Vote no on the referendum Nov. 8.

Maureen E. Yates,

Barrington