COMMUTER RAIL ~ Dead Deal ?

Greetings Maitland Neighbors,

Will we or won't we get a Commuter Rail ? Do we or don't we want one ?

Now is the time to speak to our elected officials.

Decisions are made in our City Council Meetings.

Next City Council Mtg. - April 23, 7PM, City Hall.

Ann Lanier

NOTE: The following are only excepts. Full article can be read at: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-rail1507apr15,0,969856.story?coll=orl-home-headlines


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Commuter rail runs into 'deal-killer'

Christopher Sherman Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 15, 2007

Contracts that would clear the way for Winter Park and Maitland to have a commuter-rail stop have hit an obstacle that could be a "deal-killer."

As the day for signatures nears, the uncertainty of commuter rail's future costs has caught up with the only small cities...to shoulder a portion of the system's financial burden.

...Maitland's and Winter Park's participation has...have been given more time to negotiate with Orange County...

The cities are expected to vote on their agreements April 23.

Maitland and Winter Park have said they could only commit to sharing commuter rail's costs if they could easily opt out and close their stations if their budgets can't support them...

...The county wants the cities to agree to cover any "negative financial impact" that could occur if they decide to opt out. That nebulous wording has both sides digging in their heels...

...Councilman Jeff Flowers summed up what seems to be the thinking on all sides: "A contract that you can't even know the cost of is just an idiotic contract."