I have one question for officials Jeff Johnson and John Harper of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: How would they like it if their neighborhood was invaded by hundreds of speeding cars every day, just so a business could be more profitable? How would any of us feel about that?
None of our neighborhoods were designed with the infrastructure to manage such a situation. It is clear after reading the Herald article, “Rockwood residents rail at D&SNG” (April 2), the officials of the railroad have one thing in mind and that is how to make more money. They intentionally have dismissed the concerns and safety of the residents of Rockwood.
I have personally witnessed the speeding cars, loud trucks and chaos as the public attempts to navigate the narrow winding road (County Road 200). I promise you, none of the residents can safely walk that road or ride a bicycle any longer as long as the D&SNGR is running their business out of Rockwood. Someone will be injured or worse yet, killed.
I urge every person who lives in a quiet neighborhood in La Plata County to ask themselves how they would feel if a business was allowed to interrupt their everyday life just in order to be more profitable. Also, I wonder how the small businesses in Durango feel about the impact on their business profits with this so called profitable decision by D&SNGR.
La Plata County officials need to do the right thing and protect the rights and safety of the citizens of Rockwood.
Jessica CoxDurango
