Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Quiet rail zone silenced; fire station approved

Quiet rail zone silenced; fire station approved

Jun 11, 2008 - 04:06:30 CDT

By GORDON WEIXEL
Bismarck Tribune

Bismarck voters approved using city sales tax revenues to fund a new north side fire station, but soundly opposed the city moving forward with a quiet rail zone to end trains blowing their horns through the city.

The question on funding of the north side fire station, which will cost about $2.5 million, with city sales tax saw 5,560 (78.6) yes votes to only 1,514 (21.4) no votes.

The $4 million quiet rail zone was opposed nearly 2-to-1 as 4,602 (64.56 percent) voted no and 2,526 (35.44 percent) voted yes.

"I think the people may have had some sticker shock at the cost of the quiet rail zone," Mayor John Warford said. "If it had been a close vote it may have been due to voter misinformation, but by that large a vote it was probably more a philosophical vote and people just don't mind the noise."

The quiet rail vote was advisory in nature and it will be up to the city commission to decide whether to proceed with the project.

Warford noted that Bismarck has used city sales tax for capital infrastructure expenditure in the past and feels the funding of a new city fire station is a good use of that money.

"I'm pleased to hear people voted for the fire station and look forward to starting construction on it," Warford said.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)

News > Local

Printer friendly version Quiet rail zone silenced; fire station approved

Comments

edword wrote on Jun 18, 2008 12:16 PM:

" So we have to put up with the trains horns, but if you want to go for a swim why can't you just go and jump in the river, no charge "

Quiet Zone wrote on Jun 16, 2008 2:55 PM:

" Sooner or later a "Quiet Zone" will be established in Bismarck. The ignorant or uneducated Bismarck citizens will have to cough up two or three times the amount of the current $4 million dollar expense. All Bismarck Residents need to wake up to the emotional damage that contributes to our daily well being and general quality of life in the Bismarck/Mandan area. In 2005, when our Republican controlled Congress passed the legislation to the railroad industry to increase the sound of their horns from 80 to 105 decibels was the straw that broke the camels back for noise pollution in Bismarck. A "Quiet Zone" will remedy this problem. "

JP wrote on Jun 14, 2008 11:18 AM:

" Do you really think the vote mattered? The city can continue with the project and just find a new "creative" way to get the project paid for and completed. The flood gate of allowing that to happen was opened with the aquatic center and will continue with city sponsored projects into the future. "

to mamamia wrote on Jun 13, 2008 6:57 PM:

" Maybe those that have such a problem with the noise have never heard of insulating against it? DUH! Why should the people of Bismarck be expected to foot the huge cost of this for the benefit of so few? I lived for years 1 block from the tracks and I barely heard them in our home and I have been to several businesses by the tracks and barely hear the trains when they come through. The new upscale housing you talk about would be built upscale which means soundproofing each unit. I for one am glad that Bismarck voters were smart on this issue since I don't mind my sales taxes to go to a fire department. "

MamaMia wrote on Jun 13, 2008 3:11 PM:

" Excuse me, Razor's Edge, I had to get a kleenex to wipe off the sarcasm that was dripping from your post. Too bad one needs to translate English to an English speaker, but here goes: It stands to reason that when conditions downtown are more conducive to more people living there that those people will need more retail places to accommodate their needs. I would predict more restaurants, maybe smaller specialty stores catering to high end clients, clothing stores and the like. I don't think it is unreasonable to think we may have a greater blooming of our downtown if we have the foresight to take care of its ambience. I'll be sure to wave when I next see you driving to the mall. Have a nice weekend. "

Razors Edge wrote on Jun 13, 2008 2:49 PM:

" MamaMia:

Can you show me the list of busnisses that won't open up downtown because of the train whistles? This would greatly be appreciated. "

MamaMia wrote on Jun 13, 2008 12:16 PM:

" I posted on another story that I feel the vote was provincial and backward thinking. I believe that when the public is educated enough on this issue, just like seat belt usage and smoking laws, the majority will do the right thing and pass it. By backward and provincial, I mean that the individual cannot get past peering into his/her billfold enough to see something for the greater good. I will not personally benefit from any Quiet Rail Zone program -- I don't own a business downtown nor do I have any plans to open one. I live over 10 miles from the tracks, so I rarely hear the whistles. However, I have the insight to figure out that something that will benefit my community will eventually benefit me, i.e. more taxable businesses moving downtown, more downtown upscale housing and higher real estate tax revenues. When the promoters of this do a better job of educating the people on this, it WILL pass. Time is on their side. "

city wrote on Jun 12, 2008 2:23 PM:

" Why should the city pay for it? can't we make BNSF pay the 4 million with a mandate? "

Proud Downtowner wrote on Jun 12, 2008 1:37 PM:

" LJK: thank you for your well thought out and honest comment. It's neighbors like you who will help this city progress rather than regress.

How the residents of Bismarck could be such bad neighbors to the downtown - where their city STARTED is beyond me. It's a slap in the face to the founding fathers of this city who put so much time and effort into building a beautiful city center. It's time we paid them back and had a plan for the next 100 years. "

LJK wrote on Jun 12, 2008 1:26 PM:

" True, the track has been there for a long time. BUT the frequency of the trains has increased, as has the decibel of the horn. I can't see where this would have been a problem were it not for the high price tag attached to the project. At least that's what I tell myself, since it's very difficult to believe that those who are not affected by the horns would truly have such little regard for their fellow residents and business owners who are near enough to the tracks to experience a problem. If people really don't care about the comfort and living conditions of others, it's a sad statement about Bismarck. And that's just coming from someone who does not have to experience a repeated and blaring train horn because 1) my current town does not sound the train horn and 2) my house in Bismarck is far enough away from the tracks- and yet I'm still not callous enough to disregard others. Oh, that's right- let all the businesses downtown close and every person who lives near enough the tracks to hear the horns move to another location, leaving abandoned buildings and houses for several square miles... quite a viable solution. Those pathetic comments regarding where poeple live have absolutely no thought behind them. "

to SK wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:59 PM:

" BNSF already does keep us safe from those dangerous trains.
They blow the whistle. "

mh wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:01 PM:

" Job, You finally figured it out. You are free to move anytime the noise gets to be too much for you. And it won't cost the rest of us 4 million dollars, it is a win win situation. And I won't need to come to your place to listen to the train go by, I have lived a block and a half from the track for over 40 years. "

Sk wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Why has no one asked the obvoius question of why does BN not share the cost for the QRZ. Why is it the citizens responsibility to make themselves safe from a dangerous train!?!?!? That is like taxing the people to put up bumpers around the road to protect us from drunk drivers. Isn't the one who causes the danger fiscally responsible for keeping the public safe from it? You dont see taxes being used to put up fences around mines to keep people from falling in, it is the mining companies responsibilty to keep people out and safe, why is this different?? "

Sk wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:31 PM:

" To Redneck, If you do not want to support a life saving improvment here there is nothing saying you have to shop here. Also, do not forget WE pay for the roads that you drive on to get to our stores!! They are funded by specials billed to property owners. So fine we will give you want you want, if you get in an accident in this county we will not help you since you do not want to support it, but it better not be an accident on one of our roads since you will not be able to drive on them since they are funded with local money. Does that sound fair? you do not have to use our emergency services but you also cannot use our roads to get to our stores.To be honest I would rather switch and we pay for a couple mil. fire station and use sales taxes for the tens of mil we spend every year on road maint. Trust me, you are getting off easy "

Don Pablo wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:55 PM:

" To Proud Redneck: the difference is there is no reason for someone from Bismarck to visit Mandan now that the girly bars are closed, so the chances of me needing your police or fire depts are pretty slim. "

Snookered wrote on Jun 11, 2008 6:09 PM:

" I talked to a lady today who was from Fargo and apparently just moved here. She said even tho they have the quiet zone there, the engineers blow there horn anyway and can get away with it because of federal laws governing this issue. "

To proud redneck wrote on Jun 11, 2008 5:34 PM:

" We the people of Bismarck appreciate your support. "

to why wrote on Jun 11, 2008 4:59 PM:

" EMS have a speed limit even if it is an emergency? well that isn't very good especially if i am lets say ten miles out of town and having a heart attack... "

To Why wrote on Jun 11, 2008 4:09 PM:

" If the FD has to follow the same law as EMS they can 'legally' go 10 mph over the posted speed limit. "

proud redneck wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:45 PM:

" to "to snookered", Mandan Fire and Police will take care of you if your on this side of the river also. The difference is you are not helping pay for the service. When Bismarck uses sales tax for any community improvements we help pay. If Mandan uses sales tax we pay by ourselves. Its just an unfortunate reality. "

To Jobe wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:16 PM:

" Was the train track there before you bought your house? I thought so. "

to snookered wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:15 PM:

" Bismarck is quite a bit larger than Mandan #1, you will also note that Mandan recently decided to add another station... THe reasonable ammount of time... I believe the goal the FD has is to respond in under 7 minutes (don't quote me on that, but that is the number I remember reading)... With the growth to the north that has been already and will continue, now is the time to build the station. This keeps insurances lower and helps with property values.
TO proud redneck: THe FD also responds to emergencies (medicals, car accidents and fires) for people from Morton and surrounding communities while they visit Bismarck... Wouldn't it also be considered fair for those people to pay for some of the station? "

Law wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:14 PM:

" Snookered, Mandan is about a fourth the size of Bismarck in population and smaller than that in area. Redneck, thanks for your support. By the way if you have an accident or a medical emergency while you're shopping in Bismarck our firemen will take care of you. "

why wrote on Jun 11, 2008 2:00 PM:

" The $4 million quiet rail zone was opposed nearly 2-to-1 as 4,602 (64.56 percent) voted no and 2,526 (35.44 percent) voted yes.
$4million dollars for what?????? telling the train engineer to stop blowing his horn as he goes through town. making crossings more secure I feel if $4 million dollars made crossings more secure it should have been done long ago to save a life or two,why stop ther horn and than make a mechanical barrier to block traffic?
Who says the new barriers will not break down and someone get killed. I see this measure going the way of seatbelts .
It will be put up for a vote every election till it passes. more powerful fire trucks??? don't fire trucks have to obey some speed limit with the lights and sirens they look like they are going much faster than they really are. "

important wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:12 PM:

" For those of you who think Bismarck residents are against everything or that they are afraid to spend tax money - take note! The difference between this project and many others that have been presented is that this is a need, not a want. Congrats to Bis on the Fire station. "

proud redneck wrote on Jun 11, 2008 12:15 PM:

" I understand that Bismarck needs a new firestation. The problem with using sales tax is those of us that live in Morton County/Mandan or other surronding areas will pay for about 30% of the project. "

Snookered wrote on Jun 11, 2008 12:05 PM:

" The Mandan FD has one fire station and seems to think they can take care of business. What's a reasonable amount of time?? "

JustMe wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:46 AM:

" So, people on here decide they want to build a pool for almost $20 million to support Beatie's Streamline Account and have zero ownership when taxes are done renting it, and in the next breathe you say a $2.5 million fire station is not responsible spending. Did I miss something here? "

Job wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:35 AM:

" Wow I guess it's time to look for a new place live, and not within a mile of the train tracks. You poeple that voted no should live down here, I'll be moving so come and stay here and see if you like it,,,,Thanks "

answer to question wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:19 AM:

" From previous articles, I believe the cost in quieting the horns is from the modifications that would need to be made to all the rail crossings in town for traffic to still remain safe. They can't just stop blowing the horn. There are rail guidelines that need to be followed. "

to snookered wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:05 AM:

" YOu have made the same uneducated comment on previous forums of "powerful new fire trucks" and you come back to the same, unfounded comment again. Have you ever looked at a fire truck or talked to anyone on the FD? So the trucks may be able to go faster... Does it seem safer for a truck that size to have to drive twice as fast through your residential neighborhood in order to get to a fire in a reasonable ammount of time? Educate yourself... then speak, not the other way around... "

question wrote on Jun 11, 2008 10:01 AM:

" I don't get where 4 million is needed to quiet the trains? Don't they just stop blowing there wistle? that costs 4 million.. can somebody explain this? "

to disappointed wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:36 AM:

" duh!!I think us voters can think for ourselves. We did not need the tribune to tell us that 4 million dollars for the qrz is pure stupidity. As for downtowners losing economic development opportunities that BS!! Wheres the proof of that. Who cares about the whistles! Live with it. There is a lot more important things in this world to spend 4 million dollars on, especially during these tough times. I have an idea, save it for when something more important comes along so then we don't have to raise taxes for every little thing. "

Law wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:35 AM:

" Snookered, with the growth to the north the 3 stations cannot provide enough support for the population. The city will continue to expand to the north and putting in a new station now is the reasonable thing to do. We will never see the sales tax end, hopefully it can be used in place of property tax but the city has appeared to have lost that focus. "

Don Julio wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:34 AM:

" People who bought cheap housing around railroad tracks knew this before moving in. Why should we subsidize them now? This is exactly why we bought a house in north Bismarck. For once, the voters get it right. "

confused wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:28 AM:

" Can someone explain how $4,000,000 would allow trains to now blow their whistles while in the city? "

Gary wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:25 AM:

" Why did Bismarck vote on the QRZ if the Mayor and the city commission can go ahead with the project anyway? "

G Mo wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:14 AM:

" Glad to see the Quiet Rail Zone defeated. No need to spend that amount of money on something like that. The train whistles are not that bad (to warrant spending $4 million) to a majority of residents, in my opinion. "

to disappointed wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:14 AM:

" DUH!! I think us voters can think for ourselves and there is no need to blame the tribune. Anyone who thinks 4 million dollars is worth the lack of train whistles has way too much money to spend.. (Although by the sounds of it the voters won't make a difference, they'll do it anyway). Come on! We've lived with them this long, during these tough times I think $$$ will be spent more wisely somewhere else. "

QRZ wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:38 AM:

" It was still voter misinformation - regardless of the 2 -to -1 vote status. If people actually knew what their money was going toward, it would have been an easy yes. It was another typical Sandi Tabor lock job. We'll miss ya Sandi.... "

Disappointed wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:49 AM:

" The Quit Rail System, the only question I have for the Bismarck Tribune (who did not support the plan) is, are you proud of yourself this morning? No leadership from you! The right thing is not always the cheap or easy way. "

Grumpy Old Republican wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:45 AM:

" These were wise choices made by Bismarck residents. A new fire station is not frivolous spending, it's a community need. As for the QRZ...I've stated before that I absolutely despise those train horns. However, $4 million to shut them up is obscene. Ear-splitting horns are annoying, but not annoying enough to tinkle $4 million down the drain to stop them. "

Snookered wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:31 AM:

" Does this mean we will never see a sunset on the city sales taxes?? I know thats a dumb question, but someone had to ask it. I question the need for another northside fire station. We already have three on the north side of town. With the powerful new fire trucks we have, they can get to fires in a hurry. I guess there's more to the story than the the average dumb taxpayer needs to know. Lead on comrads, "

Dave wrote on Jun 11, 2008 6:58 AM:

" The silence is deafening!! Hopefully the supporters of the quiet rail zone will zip it. We don't need their noise polluting the air. "

Post Your Own Comment

All online comments are limited to 350 words total.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.