The Indian River County Commissioners, having already allocated $1.1 million to fight All Aboard Florida (AAF), are once again finding ways to waste our money by pandering to the most vocal citizens of this county. By deciding to hire an outside law firm to embark on yet another baseless fight against AAF, the Commissioners are demonstrating that they do not care about potential economic growth and transportation options for our community. Rather, they are showing clearly that they would prefer to do whatever is necessary to appease the minority who are afraid of change.
What the AAF opponents are actually doing is ensuring that we’ll never have a stop in Vero. In the process of their “not in my back yard” offensive, they’re ruining the very exciting potential for a transportation option for folks who actually want to see a passenger train on the Treasure Coast.
It is inevitable that AAF will be allowed to pass through our area; and our taxpayer-funded fight against it is a clear example of government waste. If concerned citizens want to attempt to fight AAF on baseless grounds, that is fine, but they should do so using their own personal funds. We cannot allow our elected officials to continue to squander taxpayer dollars in an attempt to retain their seats come next election.
As a lifelong citizen of Vero Beach, I hope to see our economy continue to grow. Dynamic transportation systems encourage community success. It’s time for the rest of us to stand up and prove that we are willing to benefit from this business venture, even if some citizens are unwilling to open their arms to progress.
Signed,
Logan Smith
Vero Beach
