Independence concerns welcomed

From: Linda (Lynn) Betts, Maple Plain

I appreciate the citizens of Independence for their support in election for council, and also for their hospitality when I knocked on doors to meet them.

Independence is not a “cookie cutter” community – it is unique in character and individuality. Each person gave me new insight regarding their concerns and views. They also reinforced the unity we all have in the love of this special place.

I strive to represent all of our residents and ask for your support in these shared goals. I also would encourage good communication between citizens and our council, and attendance at council meetings.

I welcome your e-mails, phone calls, and letters on any concerns you may have.

Congratulations to Brad Spencer. I acknowledge Lance Gyllanblad’s service to the community on the council and also Chris Stephens’ involvement in the election process. May Independence continue such good citizenship.

Nothing but excessive horn blowing

From: Fran Stein, Delano

I would definitely like to lessen the horn blowing from trains passing through Delano, even if I have to chip in to pay for it.

On Highway 55, east of Rockford by Lake Sarah, there is a “no whistle” crossing, and it does not have barriers like Tiger Drive in Delano.

Why not?

My main complaint with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) is, yes I would like no horns at all, but the excessive horn blowing.

Last week, I talked with Steve Forsberg (of BNSF), and I told him that a few months ago at every intersection – County Road 92, just west of County Road 92, also by Peterson Produce, then County Line Road, and also Tiger Drive, which is a no whistle intersection, then west of Delano – same thing – overkill with the horn. At the seven crossings in the Delano area, the engineer blew the horn eight times at every crossing. To me, that is excessive horn blowing, because they are required to blow it four times – two longs, a short, and a long – at every horn-blowing intersection.

The most I’ve heard them blow it is 14 times in a row. A gentleman who lives west of the Delano Theatere told me the record out there is 26 times in a row.

The train engineer blew the whistle at every crossing. Forsberg said something must have been on the tracks. I said, “c’mon, every crossing? Give me a break – no way.”

It is excessive horn blowing – nothing but. I know I am by far not the only one who feels this way.

The City of Wayzata’s Quiet Zone went into effect November 2008. Signs were installed that indicate that no horns will be blown between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The horns will continue to blow from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., because the Wayzata City Council felt that visitors and residents should be reminded to look and listen for trains, since more people are in town during the day, according to the city’s web site.

If our friends to the east in Wayzata can pull this off, why can’t Delano?

Editor’s note: Stein lives on Elm Avenue between County Line Road and Tiger Drive, not by the Third Street crossing, which was reported in last week’s article regarding this subject.