We are in more trouble than I thought.
In their last meeting city council approved the closing of Maple street for the railroad.
The only questions came from a city representative that was concerned about types of crossing equipment that have nothing to do with the Maple street closing.
Not a peep
Otherwise nothing was said or asked. The silence and tension were thick. Evidently there was fear that someone would object.
Part of the deal
Train wreck explained how the city needed a sliver of land that the old city hall sat on in order to build the ball park.
Our city administrators made many concessions in order to get the land. Agreeing to close rail crossings throughout town was part of the deal. Paying $27.50 per square foot to the railroad for the land they needed while at the same time getting paid $11.10 for adjacent land was another part of the deal.
Posturing
Last year when the deals were being finalized some members of city council put up quite a fuss about the closings. The railroad and city staff had to back off and the result was that not all of the crossings that the railroad wanted to close were closed.
Last week city staff brought one more closing to the table. This time council quietly agreed.
Deeper problems
Evidently the railroad has more control over council than I thought.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
I thought Maple was already included in the group of streets scheduled for closing. Either way, the Five Points Business Association has advocated for the street closings for years — maybe a decade. That association says they have talked with property owners in the area and that everyone is pleased as punch to close the streets and cut down on train whistles. This has been in the works for years. We just heard about it, as usual, last year. Grant will NOT become two ways, as was originally planned with the closings.
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