Submitted by Logan Day
Save the Nickel Plate, Inc.
Indianapolis-area citizens with Save the Nickel Plate have uncovered an alarming find: Indianapolis should have been involved in voting and decision making about the Nickel Plate Railroad that runs from Noblesville to Indianapolis, which was abruptly shut down by the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority last year.
The Port Authority currently consists of Hamilton County, Fishers and Noblesville – a group that voted to end the Nickel Plate Railroad and convert that line to trails. Even though the line runs through Marion County, Indianapolis government officials did not think they had a say in what happened to the railroad.
Two newspaper articles from The Indianapolis News, published on Aug. 30, 1996 and Sept. 4, 1996, mention that the Port Authority unanimously voted on Aug. 29, 1996 to accept Indianapolis as a member.
Not only does Indianapolis have two positions and should have been part of the Port Authority for the last 12 years, but then-Indianapolis mayor Stephen Goldsmith also pledged $150,000 towards a feasibility study of the railroad line in the late 1990s.
Indianapolis also has a city ordinance stating that it occupies two appointed positions on the Port Authority. Click here to view the ordinance.
Maybe we can count on Indy to be reasonable and just and ask hard questions.