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REMARKS   25 Total remarks on this post. Add your own remarks below

• January 7th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
  Poindexter

  Bob – it’s amazing the lengths that people will go to not get confused by the facts. Does Ms. Kiser and Comm. Reed actually think that BNSF is going to alter their operations to benefit CSX – who is a competitor. All I can say is – wow!

• January 7th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
  Rick Hemenway

  I agree with Poindexter. It is time to move on with this very important development for all of Polk County. We desperately need this in Winter Haven and we need it now! Thank you Bob for keeping us up to date!

• January 7th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
  Amanda Ryan

  Bob,

  It amazes me that people who are not directly impacted have so much to say regarding this issue! I am disgusted by the disregard the City of Winter Haven has had for the Sundance Ranch Estates community.

  Go to YOUTUBE.COM and type in Sundance Ranch Estates vs. CSX.

  Take a look at that before you form your opinions. Then consider how many of you would be interested in living next door to “the mother of all intermodals”. Unfortunately, Bob, I do not feel that you deserve a thank you.

• January 7th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
  Bob Gernert

  Positive economic development impacts everyone with an improved economy. Remember, the citizens of Sundance Ranch Estates CHOSE to build their homes in unincorporated Polk County immediately adjacent to an active railway that has existed for decades.

  You can see most anything on You Tube. I’d prefer that people visit Alliance before they form their opinions. And they can do that here: http://www.alliancetexas.com/

  No thanks has been sought. Only an open mind. We believe that the City of Winter Haven has taken a bold step that ensures a positive future for our community, its citizens and their children.

• January 7th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
  Amanda Ryan

  Bob,

  You are correct in that we elected to build next to an open railway; however we did not elect to build next to a massive intermodal faility. They elected to build the facility next to us.

  I hope that you can also keep an open mind and realize that there is a drastic difference between hearing the usual passing of a train, as opposed to hearing the industrial noise of an intermodal. Whereas, the sound of the passing train lends to the rural setting that we currently enjoy and the industrial noise of the intermodal does not.

  Unless, I am missing something on the link that you provided, I do not see any videos or detailed representations relating to noise levels or equipment used on site. The site is a mere company website that acts a fluff for the purposes that we are discussing. The you tube video provided is accurate video taken of Sundance, as well as Alliance. This video was taken on site at both locations.

• January 7th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
  JJ Coleman

  Dear Bob, Remember that the City of Winter Haven and CSX CHOSE to select a site that was directly adjacent to a residential community. To suggest that people should not fight to maintain the values and the sense of place of their homes is extremely shortsighted. It doesn’t matter if the chamber delegates felt that the site was quiet (absurd) The residents who are being asked to live next to it feel differently. They are going to fight no matter what you or your fellow bloggers say or do in attempts to diminish the truth of the situation. The videos obtained in Alliance, Elwood, and Rochelle are what they are: Evidence. A federal judge examined this evidence and agreed. Sundance Ranch Residents are slightly fewer than the 110 promised permanent employees to benefit from the development. Why should their profit along with the City and CSX be at the demise of ANY Residents of this county. You need to stop compromising your credibility and get off the backs of innocent people. Sincerely, Jason

• January 8th, 2009 at 7:24 am
  Bob Gernert

  Jason,

  Everyone involved in this process holds the sincere hope that the residents of Sundance Ranch Estates and CSX Transportation can reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

• January 8th, 2009 at 8:35 am
  Mike Chiavuzzi

  Bob, have you even bothered to go to Sundance? Have you even bothered to come out and meet the residents? Have you made an attempt to review the documentation they have gathered over the last 3 years that support their positions?

  As a resident of Sundance and one of those deeply involved with this issue, I can say no you haven’t. Well, there have been times you have been cornered by a couple of the residents at various mutally attended functions.

  You have continually made assertions and judgements based on information provided you by CSX and the City of Winter Haven. Surprisingly, their perspective on the issue is a bit bias so it’s no wonder you only have limited understanding of our concerns.

  So please let me invite you (and anyone else you would like to bring) to our neighborhood, to our homes to see things from our side of the tracks. You are welcome to question our facts and positions. We are more than willing to provide you the evidence and documentation that support each and every position/statement that we have ever made. Unlike some of the participants in this issue, we have never had any need to mis-state our facts, fudge any numbers or hire consulting firms to make our case.

  And as far as the reference about the initial offer CSX made to Sundance, read the comments made then by Pam, myself and other residents. If CSX were serious about their “offer”, why no counter offer? After all, we did communicate to them what we found unacceptable with their “offer”. One complaint: why is an “offer” from a private company to private landowners provided to the Chamber for posting on their website? I have yet to see any other example of this from CSX or the Chamber to date. I find this very odd indeed. Don’t you?

  Thanks for the forum to discuss these issues.

• January 8th, 2009 at 9:48 am
  Bob Gernert

  Mike,

  I visited Sundance more than a year ago. I’ve also visited the Alliance Texas complex twice. The comments I posted regarding the group visit (traffic flow, noise, evening light levels, etc.) were the result of a visit with 20 witnesses. Our night visit (where the bus stopped, turned off the engine and opened the windows) was closer to the Texas rail transfer center than your home will be to the Winter Haven facility. I have not been a casual observer in this process.

  All of these issues have been addressed in the Development of Regional Impact approved by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (10 – 1 vote in favor) and later by the DCA.

  As stated previously, all parties involved want to see Sundance residents and CSX reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the matters at hand.

• January 8th, 2009 at 10:24 am
  Jeff Ahl

  Bob:
  Thank you for your persistance in maintaining the need for smart growth in our area.I have attended the Polk Vision workshops in several of the small towns in Polk County and am amazed by the short sightedness of folks who are only focused on their own agendas and do not think or care about the community as a whole.
  If we allow a “no growth” mentality to preside, potential suitors will look to other areas of the state that desire more jobs and a healthier tax base.

• January 8th, 2009 at 11:58 am
  Bob

  Ms. Ryan,

  The video you referenced on You Tube is not an accurate apples to apples comparison.

  It’s my understanding that the Winter Haven ILC would be about a mile to 1/2 mile from Sundance Estates. As a 20-year veteran of radio and television news, I can tell that your home videocamera is not capable of capturing closeups from that distance. In other words, you were literally standing right next to where you were shooting. Your video would have been much more believable had you shot the video from as far away as your house is.

  Also, the video of the adult business you showed was not in Alliance, it was in Orlando. You neglected to mention that adult establishments have been non-existent in Polk County for years. You did mention that adult establishments were the type of businesses that the ILC would bring. That is simply not true.

• January 8th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
  Poindexter

  Bob – I think it was Paul Harvey that used to conclude his show with the phrase “and now for the rest of the story.” Over the past several months residents of the Sundance Ranch subdivision have referred to comments made by a federal judge in the lawsuit between CSX and the Sundance Ranch bunch. These hijacked snipits of her ruling have been used to support their (Sundance) position that CSX is going build a “monster” next door.

  What they are not telling you (and everyone else) is that federal judge ruled in favor of CSX and dismissed the case. The important point not to be missed is that after all of the evidence was considered a unbiased third party (judge) determined that this project could move forward.

  Lets also keep in mind that this project has undergone months, if not years, of scrutiny by the City of Winter Haven and the Regional Planning Council.

  It appears that the residents of Sundance will keep shopping for an answer until they find one they like.

• January 8th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
  JJ Coleman

  Poindexter, (Really?), The judge had an opinion about the negative impacts and is being quoted; she did not dismiss the case. The rest of the story has not been written. Your post on this blog is inaccurate. CSX knows the case is not dismissed which is why the lawsuit was referred to today by Gary Sease. But, you are correct in saying that these residents will continue their fight until there is compensation for the impending damages to their lives and to their property. Fortunately for you, Bob, and all other CSX devotees this is not your battle. The ILC development is coming, you can rest. Jason

• January 9th, 2009 at 10:21 am
  Dee Dee Chiavuzzi

  To respond to Bob’s comment, not Bob Gernert, our homes are not a half mile away. I live right next door, adjoining the track, so please check before you respond.

• January 9th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
  Denney

  May I share a little space with you on this matter? I am the person who condensed the video tape from the residents of Sundance. I viewed 9 hours of tape several times to reduce it to the final 5:20. I want to make it perfectly clear that the ONLY piece from Taft in the final version is the adult entertainment sign. The other 5:10 is of Alliance. Not once was it as “quiet as a dishwasher,” as Pete Chicetto recited. The entire 9 hours was filled with clamorous trains, screeching brakes, clanking of trains coupling, beeping trucks, idling semi’s, shifting gears, diesel bellowing from trains, work trucks, other equipment, and semi’s. There was constant beeping, beeping, beeping! Cranes? Their noise is nothing compared to the sound of the containers the cranes plunk to the ground.
  The filming took place from the distance of the closest homes to the tracks in Sundance. Other segments include filming from locations walked off, estimating the distance so-and-so’s house is from the tracks. It is obvious that I could not include EVERYTHING the residents taped! These residents did their due diligence. Considering none of them are professional videographers, they did a pretty good job. It IS an accurate document of what THEY experienced while at these intermodals. As I stated on the final version, the tape was condensed. NO sound was edited. I can only imagine what will soon be their reality!
  On a personal note, please stop writing a remembrence that these people chose to live near a railroad track. You infer this situation is attributed to their having moved next to a railroad track. I have lived in two different homes near railroad tracks. I did not include in my considerations of purchasing these homes the possibility of CSX building the Mothership of all Intermodals next door in 5 to 25 years.
  We have all chosen to live in Florida. It’s reasonable that we consider the possibility of hurricanes. However, did we take into account that one tsunami can hit and drown us all? Tsunamis? It COULD happen. There ARE consequences to every choice. MOST are NOT foreseeable!
  For the record, I am not a resident of Sundance.

• January 9th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
  JJ Coleman

  Poindexter,
  The following is an excerpt from The Florida Times Union Newspaper which very clearly explains the events of the lawsuit.

  In a November ruling, U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew wrote “noise, vibrations and lighting will likely seep into [Sundance Ranch] and may drastically reduce their property values.”

  But Bucklew ruled federal law gives the Surface Transportation Board sole control over railroad operations. As a result, Sundance Ranch residents cannot sue by citing state laws that protect people from nuisances created by neighboring property owners, Bucklew wrote.

  “At the very least, it highlights how federal pre-emption is preventing people from having their rights protected,” said Brent Geohagan, attorney for the homeowners. By David Bauerlein Story updated at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

  You continue to imply that this judge gave this development her approval and is in favor of it and CSX. This is simply not true. Jason

• January 12th, 2009 at 8:49 am
  Bob Gernert

  Denny,

  I’ve watched the footage you “edited” and would suggest this. If you’re going to show a train moving at Alliance, match it to footage of a train moving adjacent to Sundance Ranch Estates.

  You see, I live on a lake in Winter Haven. A busy road runs between my home and the lakefront. I was aware of this fact when I bought the home. However, if I wanted to present a nightmare scenerio of lakefront living, I can video a semi going past – then edit in a string of motorcycles roaring by followed by a clip of a speed boat at full throttle on the lake. It is all a matter of what you want to present.

  Our visit to Alliance was day-long and comprehensive. The footage you present in no way is representative of that facility. There were 20 people on the bus during our visit — 20 witnesses, if you will, to a very different reality.

  All of this being said, the fact remains that the County Commission has asked CSX to work with residents of Sundance Ranch Estates to find a mutually acceptable solution to move forward. It is time for that to be the focus.

• January 12th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
  Jean Reed

  For those who may not have watched the BoCC meeting, I pointed out that what was on the video was not what we saw during our trip to Alliance. The other commissioners who had been at Alliance nodded in agreement. I recall the guide at Alliance said it was a “slow” morning. I also know that Alliance is a larger facility than what is planned at the WH ILC.
  It is my hope that the ILC in Winter Haven will be as well run as Alliance was when we visited and, as always,
  I share the enthusiasm for economic development potential.
  However, as your County Commissioner, I make every effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents and improve the quality of life we enjoy in Polk County. Sundance Ranch deserves no less.

• January 13th, 2009 at 9:12 am
  Bob

  Ms. Reed, you have been against this project from the beginning. If you truly wanted to “protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents”, you would support a project that will lead to hundreds of good, environmentally-friendly and high-paying jobs. Polk County “deserves no less”.

• January 14th, 2009 at 10:34 am
  Pam Childers

  Bob (Nickell), since when is 110 jobs “hundreds of good, environmentally-friendly and high-paying jobs”? Also, I do not ever remember hearing Ms. Reed say she was ‘against’ this project. I believe what she has stated is questioning if this is the best place for this project, as well as asking for the facts not opinions. Hence, the 110 jobs NOT hundreds.

• January 14th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
  Bob

  The 110 jobs to which you refer are from the ILC. The “hundreds” of jobs to which I am referring come from the adjacent business park.

• January 14th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
  Amanda Ryan

  Bob,

  Please explain to me what you consider “environmentally friendly” about it. It is a honor to know that the County Commissioners are standing up for the people and their best interest.

  Bon Gernert,
  In all fairness. I would wager that you are somewhat swayed toward CSX and the City of Winter Haven. The reason that I say that is because the City of Winter Haven cuts your paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I can understand that a person’s due responsibility might be to their employer. With that in mind, you should head caution with your opinions as they seem bias and unprecedented. Please be fair to Sundance Residents and to the County Commissioners that represent them.

  With all sincerity,
  Amanda Ryan

• January 15th, 2009 at 7:19 am
  Bob Gernert

  Amanda,

  I believe another person commenting used the phrase “environmentally friendly” though there is no reason the project cannot be compatible with the environment.

  For the record, the City of Winter Haven does not “cut my check” or any other employee of the Chamber. We are a private organization funded through member dues, sponsorships and projects.

  While we consider ourselves partners with our City we also partner with other area and county organizations as well.

• January 15th, 2009 at 9:32 am
  Poindexter

  Bob – this chain is becoming laughable. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black – the Sundance bunch is questioning your opinions as biased. Hahaha.

  Aren’t we all biased/motivated by one thing or another. According to the Sundance bunch, your biased/motivated by your paycehck. I wonder what is motivating the bunch – could it also be financial gain? I think I have read somewhere along the way that all the bunch wants is to be “bought out.” Hmmmmmm…..not much of a difference as I see it.

• January 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am
  Cherie Hare

  Poindexter,
  I don’t know where you live, but I have lived in Sundance 20 years. Like most homeowners, we hoped our property would increase in value. This was our retirement. That is now gone. Since the site for the intermodal facility was announced, property values have dropped 60% and no-one wants to buy here. We would have prefered CSX find another site as we love it here. That being said, I don’t want to live next to that.We just want what’s fair and to get on with our lives. I think you would feel the same.

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