Letter to the editor: There are many reasons we need a quiet zone here

The whistles blow, and blow and BLOW. Conversations stop and wait for the whistle noise to subside. We can’t stop the trains from going through town, but we CAN stop the constant whistles. We CAN stop the UNNECESSARY noise! A quiet zone would do that and more.

I grew up with trains, my grandfather worked for the railroad in the 1930s and ’40s. I love trains, but we have the opportunity to enrich our lives by silencing the constant train whistles and improve the safety of our crossings. Twenty-six trains pass through this city every day. It’s not excessive, it’s commerce, and necessary for our economy. But the whistle noise is not part of the economy.

I am in favor of the quiet zone because:

This project is affordable: Cost estimates are about $20 per 7,000 square feet of property. But with the recently passed Senate Bill 2338, we now have state funding that will reduce the cost about $10 per average property. This means that over 10 years it will cost only about $1 per year! How can we say no to this opportunity?

Safety improvements to each crossing: Requirements for crossings under a quiet zone ordinance will mean that the crossings will be made safer for pedestrians and motorists with no more running across the track or driving around the arms. Both are very dangerous activities, but you and I know that it happens — we’ve seen it.

Quality of life: Wouldn’t it be fun to have concerts in the Art Center’s park, or enjoy the whole evening at one of the many street dances held each summer, or for those residents who live close to downtown, even sit on the front steps of your home, open the windows and enjoy the beautiful summer evenings. All without worrying that the noise of the train will ruin it.

Future: Don’t just consider where you are today and how your life is now. Think about the future and future generations. We need to move our community into the 21st Century with gusto and forward thinking.

In the recent city-wide survey, the most frequently mentioned complaint was train noise. So citizens of Jamestown, do something about it. Vote “yes” on Tuesday for a quiet zone. Your vote is your voice, and your voice needs to be heard.

Pam Phillips

Jamestown

Tags: opinion, letter, quiet, zone