Government Affairs
2008 Election Candidates and Candidate Survey Responses back to main Candidate page
Candidate Survey Responses – On The Issues – Each Question, All Candidates
9. What opinion do you have of the City’s approved plan to end train horn noise downtown and mitigate noise on the east side of town?
Mayor Joseph Donaldson
I support the adopted train horn noise plan and want to wait to see the results of a discussion with BNSF on the closure of one of the crossings on the east side. It does not make any sense to spend more money than necessary on silencing a crossing that may be closed. Also, as recent east side train horn tests seemed to confirm, the sound from the wayside horns is audible within a small distance at the crossing. In the test, a resident in their home upon the way side horn being blown exclaimed, “have them blow it again, I didn't hear it.” If the wayside horn is still an inconvenience, I am committed to reviewing the decision once the BNSF discussion occurs.
Sara Presler-Hoefle
Quality of life, property value, and business productivity are affected by noise. We should treat the citizens on the east side of Flagstaff as equals to the downtown and west side of Flagstaff with respect to noise.
Karla Brewster
The city did what it thought it could afford at the time. Although east side residents were upset at not being “equal,” it was not economically feasible to rid those two eastside crossings of the noise totally with the installation of the very expensive pedestrian gates. So, they did the next best with the wayside horns, which are quieter than the train whistle. Putting the more expensive pedestrian gates on these two crossings and then, later, deciding to close one or both of these crossings would not have been a wise financial decision. Then only other option might have been to use wayside horns at all of the crossings until it was determined what to do about the two eastside crossings, then install the pedestrian gates all at once. But, that would have been putting money on a temporary solution, knowing that later that the city would still be installing the pedestrian gates. Ridding the downtown area of the horns should be a great improvement, particularly, with tourists and businesses who are so close to the tracks.
Coral Evans
If the decision is to end train horn noise, I feel that a quiet zone can and should be extended throughout the entire City.
Morgan Hagaman
If you are going to end the train noise downtown, you need to end it on the east side of town as well. I have no problem with ending the train noise. If a person can’t hear the actual train coming, I seriously doubt that they will hear the horn.
John McCulloch
I support all of Flagstaff being a quiet zone and would reflect that by phasing in the funding over the next few years.
Micole Shorty
The train horn is a part of this city’s character. If we as a community can not afford to install the horn silencer at each of our city’s intersections, then no intersection should benefit. This is another example of the inequality that exists in our community.
Al White
After going out into the field to hear for myself the wayside horns, I believe even more that we have made an excellent plan to reduce train noise exponentially throughout Flagstaff. Getting it done now is the missing element! |
