Tuesday afternoon, Congressman John Mica, supporter of the Sunrail, gave one day notice to about two dozen local County officials and government staff for a meeting to discuss transportation issues in Apopka at the offices of Florida Atlantic Railroad, the firm that runs trains up the old our of repair and unmaintained CSX railroad track from Orlando through Mount Dora, Tavares and to Eustis. Lake County cities and the County have already agreed to pitch in taxpayer money to fund an $18-million reconstruction of the rail line, to be called the Orange Blossom Express. The State kicks in $13-million, and local agencies along the rail line will kick in the rest, and all have apparently agreed except Apopka, which "still has questions". I expect this to be a done deal, so it is not contingent on Sunrail being approved.
We issued an earlier FiscalRangers.com alert that the meeting could be a plan to lobby for Sunrail.
But our speculation didn't cover what really happened.
I went to the meeting, along with about 2-dozen officials and several other "real press". Mica's staff ignored me and didn't even ask me to sign the email list! When everyone introduced themselves, and I said I wrote a Lake County blog, Mica said "that's scary...". So, to get even, I videotaped the whole meeting, but it wasn't worth it.
Mica rambled about 20 minutes about trains, the cost of trains vs I4 expansion, etc. Everyone is perched, awaiting some revelation. Didn't happen.
Then, all of a sudden he transitioned into introducing the CEO of US Railcar, who launched into a sales pitch for his lightweight DMU railcar suitable for small commuter lines like the pending Orange Blossom Express Route...
Then, there was a question and answer session, and City of Tavares Economic Development manager Bill Neron showed he knew how to take advantage of being in a meeting with the head of the US Federal Transportation Committee, and asked for more Federal money to offset the funding matches put up by the locat cities and government. Mica took it "under advisement".
So, there was no real Sunrail issue, but the purpose of the meeting seemed to be an introduction of a sales pitch for a railcar that might work on the Florida Atlantic line. And, I wonder if the meeting was a preface for Florida Atlantic trying to get local Lake County Cities and agencies to approve MORE funds to buy the railcar for them.
Who knows what is in that $18-million, or maybe a surprise "Phase 2" spending request?
Other local officials networked for awhile with Mica, which may be useful for Lake County, and the meeting ended after an hour. Lake County Commissioners Jennifer Hill and Leslie Campione were there, along with County Manager Darren Gray.
I can't wait for Mica's next short notice meeting!
vj
Actually, the reporter talks about Lake County wanting to get the Orange Blossom Express if Sunrail passes, but it is just about a done deal and not contingent on Sunrail.
