Dear Editor:
Save the Nickel Plate recently read a letter from county resident Susan Miller, published in The Noblesville Times. Miller’s lengthy letter called out local elected officials for their actions throughout the Nickel Plate planning, public input and railroad operator review processes.
She called out the actions of the following officials as being dishonorable to their roles as public servants:
- Christine Altman, County Commissioner
- Steve Dillinger, County Commissioner
- Mark Heirbrandt, County Commissioner
- Scott Fadness, Fishers Mayor
- John Ditslear, Noblesville Mayor
- Steve Cooke, Noblesville Deputy Mayor
Save the Nickel Plate attests to the validity of Miller’s claims and adds emphasis to her concern for the amount of misdirection, misinformation and malfeasance involved in this issue. The facts of this scenario give way to deep concern as to whether any of the above-named officials are fit for any further service in elected positions. If you don’t have the full story, please refer to Susan Miller’s letter and to the “Resources” section of our website, savethenickelplate.org.
Two important takeaways from Miller’s message are:
1.) The Nickel Plate Trail IS NOT a done deal. The federal Surface Transportation Board must approve the removal of the rails; which is unlikely. But even if they do, our elected officials can still choose not to remove the rails. Should an operation from Noblesville to Indianapolis present itself, or a trail be built alongside the tracks, then the tracks should be preserved for their potential benefit until every opportunity is exhausted.
2.) The railroad and train HAVE NOT YET BEEN SAVED. The Nickel Plate Express train, which was “chosen” (created by government officials) to operate between Atlanta and Noblesville, was born out of the same corruption we speak of today. It is TAX DOLLAR supported, and DOES NOT preserve the rails between Fishers and Noblesville.
With that said, we ask residents to restore their hope, stay informed and remain active. Our elected officials still have time to make the right choices, with your prompting. But should they fail, elections are just around the corner.
For more information, contact Logan Day of Save the Nickel Plate, Inc. at logan@savethenickelplate.org.
Logan Day
Fishers