Vermilion demands better rail safety

VERMILION — Vermilion officials took a full-steam-ahead approach when it deals with railroad safety in their city. During a recent public meeting, Mayor Jim Forthofer convinced council members to support a resolution calling on politicians representing Ohio to enact legislation that would "further protect our citizens from the inherent dangers of train tracks located in or near the city of Vermilion," he said. Here are some excerpts from Forthofer addressing this issue and others impacting city residents: Ensuring rail safety I believe that, as representatives of the people of Vermilion, we must endorse current and future efforts by our state and federal legislators to demand better safety practices of the railroads that run through the heart of our town and its population at great frequency. Though Gov. (Mike) DeWine has signed a state transportation budget that imposes safety standards for the railroads, lobbying groups are already making the case that the state has no right to impose regulations on the railroads. We know that the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that we cities certainly do not have authority. U.S. Sens. (Sherrod) Brown and J.D. Vance introduced the Federal Railway Safety Act of 2023. This is why I ask council to add their voice to responsible action by the railroads at state and federal levels. I request council's endorsement of (a) resolution It seems to be all we can do at a small-town level. Note: Council ultimately supported this resolution, which backs up state and federal legislators to hold railroads accountable for certain safety standards to protect community members. Here's an excerpt from the resolution: • "The city of Vermilion, Ohio, has commercial train tracks located throughout the city." • "Certain train operators operate on our train tracks 24 hours of the day, seven days a week, known commonly as Amtrak, BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, Union Pacific Railroad as well as other lines." • "Railway derailments have occurred twice in the state of Ohio in the (recent) past and said incidents have caused and will continue to cause significant medical issues to the residents of the communities where the incidents occurred, and the incidents caused and will continue to cause serious damage to the infrastructure located at/near the site of the derailments and said incidents have caused and will continue to cause serious damage to the ecosystems at/near the site." • "Further regulation of train operators operating in the city of Vermilion, Ohio, relating to the tracks, rail cars and employees is needed to provide the citizens throughout the state of Ohio with enhanced protection from injury and damage due to any future train derailments." • "The council of the city of Vermilion, Ohio, finds that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the city of Vermilion to pass a resolution urging the legislative branches of the federal government as well as the state of Ohio to enact legislation to further protect our citizens from the inherent dangers of train tracks located in or near the city of Vermilion." Pointing to the precedent As previously mentioned, state legislation proposed by state Rep. Joe Miller, D-Lorain, would hold railroads accountable for crossing blocking of more than 5 minutes and make them accountable to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. I was hopeful for this and give Rep. Miller credit for his initiative. Local mayors have lent support to this legislation. Current feedback on the progress of that legislation is not encouraging. Again, railroads do not recognize state regulation. Even this very safety-related issue seems to fall on deaf ears to an industry that sees itself only accountable to the federal government. Canceling a popular event The dedication of the popular Sherod Park playground and Main Street Vermilion Easter Egg Hunt was wisely canceled due to bad weather on April 1. It will be rescheduled in the next couple of weeks. It's worth putting on your calendars. Recognizing the National Day of Prayer The National Day of Prayer is May 4. The Vermilion Ministerial Association will have a very brief gathering in Victory Park by the gazebo at noon. I go to this every year. The good people of our city's ministerial ranks gently offer perspective on what is important. I find it to be one of the most worthwhile community meetings of the year.