Port railroad fight gets hotter
North Charleston: E-mail shows SPA deeply involved
By Schuyler Kropf
North Charleston officials said they've uncovered a "smoking gun" e-mail that proves the State Ports Authority is deep in the effort to bring rail lines into the northern end of the old Navy base.
The Post and Courier
North Charleston wants to allow rail access from the north end of the former Navy base to the new port.
For weeks, SPA officials have denied any involvement in the rail line idea, saying the stewing feud between North Charleston, various branches of state government and members of the General Assembly is not their fight.
But North Charleston officials said an electronic exchange between an SPA lobbyist and a member of U.S. Rep. Henry Brown's staff is proof that ports authority involvement is more than it has let on.
The correspondence, dated April 8, begins under a heading of discussing port security grants. It then drifts into the rail debate by mentioning possible sites where shipping containers could be transferred from trucks to trains.
In one message, government relations manager Barbara Melvin suggests that other state government agencies get involved on the money end, avoiding friction between the SPA and North Charleston. That would include rekindling the fight over an agreement between North Charleston and the SPA stipulating that rail lines serving a new terminal would not run through the base's northern end.
That agreement is key: The SPA received permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct the terminal with that agreement in mind.
More info
Read a copy of the e-mail about the grant application, sent from Barbara Melvin to Ryan Bowley (PDF)
"We were thinking Public Railways, (state Department of Commerce), should apply for the funds so as to not cause the Port any permit headaches and raise questions about (agreement) violations for the Port with the City of North Charleston because the (railroad provider Norfolk Southern) rail access to its yard on the base would be through the northern end per the State Rail Plan study," Melvin wrote to Ryan Bowley, legislative director for Rep. Brown in Washington.
SPA spokesman Byron Miller said the note is consistent with the SPA's position that it is not involved in planning, developing, financing or constructing any new intermodal yard adjacent to the new terminal, or in advocating rail from the north. Additionally, he noted the agency has consistently said and written that it is committed to earlier agreements.
But North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said the e-mail is proof the port is complicit with the state Commerce Department in efforts to route railroads through the northern end of the base.
"The bottom line is, they understand what is going on," Summey said Wednesday.
Summey said the SPA is creating the appearance that the Commerce Department is making requests that, in reality, come from the port.
It's "let it go through Department of Commerce" so it doesn't look like they are in violation of the Army Corps of Engineers, Summey said.
The e-mail was released to The Post and Courier this week by North Charleston officials who would not disclose how it was obtained. It was made public after city officials filed a Freedom of Information request with the SPA covering nearly all of Melvin's communications over four days in April. The note was not included in a packet that SPA gave North Charleston this week.
SPA spokesman Miller said the note was not initially found because it was written under the security grant heading. North Charleston's FOIA request remains open as they hunt for additional documents, he said.
Meanwhile, Summey is headed to the Statehouse this morning to meet with state senators to discuss the rail, base and port issue.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
realamerican (anonymous) says...
So the SPA and congressman Brown are knowingly conspiring against the citizens of N. Charleston to benefit corporate interests.
Why does this not surprise me?
If the SPA wants to change the port plan they need to start over from scratch. The environmental impact statement used for this does not address rail access at either end of the base.
I find it interesting that Wilbur Smith is involved in this sham as well. DHEC uses them as a consultant to rubber stamp and provide favorable "studies" that benefits corporations at the expense of state residents as well such as the incinerator in N. Chas.
At least we now know Byron Miller and his boss the SPA along with congressman Brown and his staff are mealy mouthed liars who can not be trusted. They are working against the citizens to benefit out of state corporations and to line their own pockets.
The SPA needs to be disbanded and a private company brought in to take over the port. A private company would not be stupid enough to waste money on an unneeded port when existing facilities are working at less than 50% capacity as it is.
A criminal investigation should be started into the apparent deceit used to deny a legitimate freedom of information request as well.
May 7, 2009 at 4:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Well unless you like the down trodden, run down look you better get it out of N.Chas hands. What has been done since Noisette and NC started their little real estate venure?
May 7, 2009 at 6:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
WHAT......!?!?!
Do you think the citizens are this .....DUMB ?!?!
NO....COW Dung.....SHERLOCK !!!!!!!!!
MAYOR SUMMEY......do you have any IDEA how youare making yourself .....LOOK !!!!!
YOU ... IDIOT !!!!
Are we to gather that you do NOT know that you have FREAKIN'..........WIND !?!?!
Citizens of this fine STATE.....this political STUNT is exactly why we don't LEAD ....SQUAT !!?>!?! This LAwyer Fest is taking our economy to the freakin' ...CLEANERS!!!!
Mayor Summey and RILEY.....do you two knuckleheads SIT on ....A LOCAL TRANSPORTATION...."BOARD" !?!?!
MY GOD.....!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you two had ANY Gutz you would call for a public SUMMIT at the convention center involving EVERYONE to get them all in front of a camera to agree on.....something .???????
Geez....!!!!!!
Mayor Summey....you no MORON; so STOP treating the citizens like MORONS....!!!!!!
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ......Mayor Riley and SUMMEY ???????
WHAT...?????
Well....if you didn't know that certain peopletalk leaving out of St. Mary's then let me tell YOU BOTH....THIS !!!
MAYORs you both have WIND that is not generating...Tax Revenue....!!!!!!
You BOTH have TRASH that is not being PLASMA-FIED....!!!!
You both are not displaying .........Leadership !!!!!
WE.....are....FED...UP !!!!!!!
May 7, 2009 at 6:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
MAYOR Summey........Now you go to the STATEHOUSE..???
Mayor RILEY did not go with YOU......????
Wow......does this display teamwork....???????
Is ANYONE from CSX and N-Southern going with YOU...???
Are any PARK Circle ....Residents..?????
Mayor ....are you wanting GLORY for yourself....???
Are you talking with ROBERT FORD and ANDRE' Bauer....???? Henry McMaster, Amoe Elliott, Campbell. or GROOMS....!?!?!
WOW.....you are really loaded up with CANNONS....!?!?!
WHat about GLENN McConnell and Bobby Harrell.....????
Citizens .....THINK about what is actually happening here..!!!
May 7, 2009 at 6:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zekemire (anonymous) says...
Yes, keep it up! N. Charleston and the Longshoremen's union will eventually destroy this great asset to the State of South Carolina. The Daniel Island Global Gateway should have been built, even if it meant condemning all the undeveloped acreage there.
May 7, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
speedygirl2000 (anonymous) says...
I invite you to come to the Citizen Advisory Council meeting tonight at City Hall of North Charleston at 7 pm. Mayor Summey will be there and you can say what you are posting in person.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Citizens Advisory Comm.
7:00 p.m.
1st Floor Conf. Room
This is from the City's website:
http://cityofnorthcharleston.blogspot...
I do not follow Mayor Summey 100% on everything he states or believes, but since i am on CAC, maybe you should voice your opinion and or distain.
May 7, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheTruthFighter (anonymous) says...
moonpie, excellent point! The whole Noisette deal was dirty. Follow the money! Anytime NC get involved in anything, you better believe there's money to be had! And the Noisette project should be investigated by the Federal Gov.
May 7, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Captive_Shipper (anonymous) says...
Why are SPA, the Charleston area cities and the Palmetto State making this more difficult than necessary?
Our new President, the new Congress and their new regulatory agencies are changing how business has been done under the "trickle down" theory and lack of oversight by past administrations that got us in this current national economic mess, and that even includes dealing with the rail monopolies that those administrations allowed to be created.
SPA, North Charleston, Commerce Department ... quit wasting time and money fighting each other and realize that the only reason you have a disagreement is because CSX will NOT let the Norfolk Southern run over CSX tracks to get to the new SPA North Charleston Port development, which you do desperately need to stay competitive with Norfolk, Savannah, and Jacksonville.
Start a "Captive Shipper" case with the Surface Transportation Board right now. The STB already has the statutory power to correct the problem but Congress is even working on additional legislation giving them additional powers to correct this very kind of rail company abuse of shippers, and yes, SPA is a shipper, a darn big shipper.
Don't let CSX keep you wasting time by inciting you to fight among yourselves. Choose a pro-shipper lawyer in Washington that practices in front of the STB all the time and then clearly articulate the uncompetitive situation that exists for dual rail access to the new Container Port and ask them to order CSX to grant NS "trackage rights" to operate their own container trains, with their own train crews into North Charleston over CSX tracks to avoid the societal environmental nightmare that the government of North Charleston is worried about.
Problem solved .... for both Mayor Summey and his North Charleston citizens and for SPA with dual rail access to their new container Port on former federal government property. Dare CSX to continue to use their lobbying money to attempt to prevent a common sense solution to a business problem of national security importance.
May 7, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst1 (anonymous) says...
zoomru ... You may have some interesting thoughts to convey and consider but I can't seem to make heads or tails of what message you are attempting to relay.
Try eliminating all the characters, changes in capitalization, and use actual paragraphs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedi...
May 7, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Strange, captain first complains that the republicans (all by themselves apparently, with no democrat help) caused the recession and allowed a railroad monopoly, then he states that the problem is that CSX won't allow Norfolk Southern to run it's trains over their rails. That's one heck of a monopoly. Apparently 2 rail companies fighting each other is a sign of a monopoly. I hear that Dunkin Donuts is fighting Krispy Kreme for customers too, a sure sign of republican caused donut monopoly.
May 7, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
And you expected what? Honesty? Openness? Truthfulness? Fairness? Concern for the "regular" people whose lives are affected by their decisions? Never going to happen. These people are all either lawyers and/or politicians, or cut from the same cloth. You can tell they are lying because their lips are moving.
May 7, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nature_lover (anonymous) says...
Captive_Shipper, you are obviously a union member. I suggest you stay tuned. This is more about one railroad that you failed to mention that operates on the peninsula. Everyone, including "public" agencies, are protecting there turf here.
If you "correct" the so-called monopoly that CSX has here, you're going to have to do the same to Norfolk Southern elsewhere. That will also involve undoing a lot of arrangements that are working very well right now.
Of course, this president might nationalize all railroads, and then give them to the unions (that are not supposed to own companies) as an additional payback for the hundreds of millions of dollars they've given to him. If you think that's a stretch, take a look at Chrysler.
May 7, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Captive_Shipper (anonymous) says...
OK majorjohnson, since you're making assumptions instead of reading the facts, it says "past administrations": that would mean more than just George W.
Since railroad deregulation in 1980 (is that before your time?) we've had two democrat and three republican presidents, so just in case you're too young to know, we did have a democracy before King W. and both parties are responsible for the current misfortune when it comes to railroad issues.
And as for competition in the rail industry as compared to donut shops, please don't try that deception on your public readers. There is no comparison between a business that anybody can access from a public highway and a shipper like DuPont or South Carolina Electric & Gas company who's shipping access is exclusive to only one private "highway" who excludes all competitive use.
Everybody else may want to read more about a Charleston major employer, DuPont and their case against the rail monopoly and even question why South Carolina's electric utility is concerned about their rail freight costs.
http://www.thesunnews.com/business/st...
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/j...
"majorjohnson" appears to prefer unnecessary rail construction through North Charleston for Norfolk Southern to be able to access the Navy Yard port development thus keeping the City at odds with the Port. Why?
Well "major", I hope you're enjoying your CSX pay check ... but the public is starting to see through that facade that you and the rest of your railroad executive buddies spin on the general public and unsuspecting elected leaders everywhere.
May 7, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truthseeker (anonymous) says...
"SPA spokesman Miller said the note was not initially found because it was written under the security grant heading. North Charleston's FOIA request remains open as they hunt for additional documents, he said."
Does anyone really believe the SPA honestly overlooked this email?
May 7, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Riley and Summey are both loyal worshipers of the Dear Leader and instead of wasting their time in Columbia with a bunch of greedy, evil, corporate loving republicans, they should catch a northbound "freedom bus" and have a little tete a tete with The One.
He could very well just throw a couple billion dollars of funny money to the honorable mayors and; problem solved.
May 7, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
green123 (anonymous) says...
Do people understand how much have a grade A port does for the local economy? The global gateway was supposed to be built, and should have been built about 10 years ago, but the king joe and the rich whites killed that one. If the port does not stay competitive then our local economy is going to suffer and people are going to loose jobs. Get it built and get Charleston more competitive.
May 7, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OverHere (anonymous) says...
The only thing shocking is that the port was ever planned without rail access.
I'm sure I-26 can handle it all. Atlanta traffic here we come.
May 7, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkris (anonymous) says...
SIMPLE make the railroads give access to each other.
Or give a choice, no access, 75 percent property tax on the rails.
May 7, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ParkCircle4Ever (anonymous) says...
Some of these comments are utterly ridiculous. People that truly care about this issue, whether you support or don't support rail on the north end of the base, go to the CAC tonight at City Hall and voice your opinions...
May 7, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CaptPete (anonymous) says...
The rails were coming all along. You can't have a superport without rail. The Park Circle area has always been industrial and will continue to be industrial.
The crime level is still too high. I can not see why someone would buy one of those houses on Durant.
The port means jobs.
May 7, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Fred_Durst..........LOL !!!
Great ...GREAT !! (Clap, Clap, CLAP !!) BRAVO !!
Fellow posters....my whole office is getting a BLAST out of this comment section....!!! They agree it is just as educational and enlightening as the article itself...!!! It doesn't matter if their Dems or Repubs or from Givans or Mt. P or N. Chuck or Johns Island.....they all see right through the CRAP and lawyer FEST that this truly ....IS !!
Citizens of the fine STATE of South Carolina...yes that means you in Walhalla, Loris, Gardens Corner, Irmo, Lancaster, Litchfield Beach, Travelers REST...AN EVERY ONE ELSE with a SC-DOT drivers permit; ~~ LISTEN TO ME ~~ ...
email this article to EVERYONE you know and ASK them to read and THINK and ABOVE all ....listen to FELLOW Citizens Comments...!!! WE ....ARE ....FED....UP with the BLATANT display of Pandering and back-slappin that has been going on concerning the "SPARK-PLUG" for OUR entire STATE's ....ECONOMY !!!!!!!!!
Citizens.....the statewide impact that the PORT of Charleston has on ALL our daily lives goes on day to day with out much fanfare, respect or NOTICE...!!! That is until little boys and girls start fighting in the school yard SANDBOX ...(RAILYARD) ..!
It is highly suggested that we look at the problem from different perspectives and PONDER ...who benefits. The REAL STORY not being told to ALL citizens across our STATE is the Resounding FACT that our state ECONOMY (or any economy for that matter)is REALLY driven by the COST of ENERGY...!!!!!
When you look at the various players in different parts of the state (AND OUTSIDE OUR STATE) pulling in different directions......we are getting CREAMED...due to lack of teamwork and SELF Serving politicians. THINK citizens....do you think that the PORTS in Savannah, Jax, and Norfolk want the PORT of Charleston to prosper..????...you bet they will lure every shipper they can smooch. Maersk knows this....! The ILA workers and BRASS know this.....!! You bet your bottom dollar those "COAL pimpin'..foreign diesel slurping" CSX and Norfolk-Southern BRASS do....!!!! Now sit back and THINK...who gets hung out to DRY....!?!?!
Citizens.....MAYOR Summey, Riley, COBLE, and KNOX are not STUPID....!!!! They are choosing NOT to LEAD our state but rather play politics with OUR taxpaying WALLETS!!!!
How many BMW Autos come from Greenville through Columbia down to the PORT to be EXPORTED..!?!
How many GE Turbines follow the SAME PATH...!?!? How about Michellin, Celanese, ...you name it..!?
Citizens if you don't think that these CEOs care about the PRICE of shipping.......THINK AGAIN !! Think citizens....get your GOOGLE EARTH program fired up and think like a LEADER....selling and MOVING a container of PRODUCT (GOLD)!? My GOD...!!! Whoever sold the pipe dream to N. Chuck that the North Rail lines coming out of the NAVY BASE would not be USED.. was hangin with Michael PHELPs in Elementary School back then.....!?!?! Gezus Krist...!!
May 7, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
CONT....
This state has got to MOVE...!!!!
Citizens when you also consider the time in which we live and what choices we have (or NOT have); concerning the ENERGY in which choose to use, is REMARKABLE. Question is...do you know it..? These choices if you were "ALLOWED" to choose would have statewide economic ramifications for DECADES to follow. Most all industries or manufacturing will search for CHEAP LABOR or Stable Energy prices...!! Can South Carolina offer STABLE energy prices..?? Well, last summer tells US all ...WHAT ?? NO..! So what does this have to do with the PORT (..and the price of EGGS; you ASK?)...well if you stop and THINK; you will realize that ships and rail and trucks all RUN on foreign Diesel. If our state's leaders would get their heads out of the backside of of what funds foundations and lobbyists long enough to realize that OUR state's FARMERS could be producing ALGAE Bio-Diesel (www.valcent.net) to hedge and offer STABLE fuel prices then the Free MARKET Force would do what for our ENTIRE ...STATE..!?! If OUR state's Leaders would look at CELL Towers as actual huge GIANT GE Wind Turbine Masts...then that would start to demonstrate EFFICIENCY. How many cell towers do we have statewide...!?! How many megawatts could be produced. Would we need MORE Coal fired PLANTS...!?! Is WIND Energy Cheaper than COAL....?? YOU BET YOUR tookus it is...!!! Is Wind MINED and THEN RAILED, and then BURNED and TAXED for CARBON Credits..?? Is wind the ONLY answer...no ...it can't be. But other technologies coming on line, ALONG WITH Nuclear, Solar, Hydrothermal ..AND coal will greatly give OUR Port the needed true advantage to COMPETE for container traffic.
Citizens in the Park Circle Area need to be TOLD the TRUTH....the rail lines have been there for HOW long..!?! Do they want the HESS terminal to MOVE next..!?! West VACO...!?!
John Bourne, Kinard and Summey have all Pandered instead of being leaders at the bleeding of Our entire state's economic...BLOOD !!!
Citizens...its time for US to move....think about ways in which you could use YOUR email to at least get other fellows citizens to realize what the PORT means to US all...STATEWIDE..!! We have given everyone LONG enough to solve this PORT fiasco...!! ...Especially every TOM, Dick, and Harry ....LAWYER !!!
May 7, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
I still would like to know how much Jim Merrill is getting out of this deal. There has to be something in it for him to even propose this.
May 7, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amembersid (anonymous) says...
fred-durst1 It's as if it would be how a person who studders would type. Just kidding zoomie.
May 7, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
CSX....BRASS.....!!!!!!
Yes you..!!
We sure do appreciate the fine Advertising that your doing along with Waste Management...!!! Come here you FOOLS...!!! That's right...I'm talkin' to you...!!!! If you really want to get 140 Miles on a single gallon of FUEL, WE HIGHLY suggest you get yourself some FACE TIME with the Workers at www.valcent.net and discuss the "GREEN" investment you are making in AMERICAN FARMERS..!?!?!
WE ....ARE.....FED....UP !!!!
You mean to tell US all here that you will RAIL the MRAP Vehicles or military CARGO but yet not do ANYTHING to promote HOME GROWN ....FUEL...!?!?
MY BACKSIDE.........!?!?!?!
You mean that You will RAIL Coal til Kingdom COME but not display free market TEAMWORK to do ....WHAT !?!?!
Are you boyz going to hold someone's hand like BUSH did from Dubai PORTS...!?!?! ....Like JAMES CLYBURN is doing right NOW...!?! ....like Jim Demint is doing..! ....LIKE Henry BROWN is doing right NOW...!?!?!
CSX Board Members and WORKERS......when is the LAST time you talked with ANY Marine on the FRONT LINES in DJIBOUTI.....or IRAQ...or Kandahar...!?!?! So...is CSX the "way AMERICA...MOVES"?
Take a moment as you sit here after being READ this by your CEO and Union Leader and ....PONDER ?? OBAMA wants us to CHANGE...so what are you going to start to CHANGE....!?! The answer is growing on OUR farms...just ask BOEING !!!!
WE....ARE....FED...UP !!!
Show some TEAMWORK........
May 7, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
Realamerican's firsts post hits the nail on the head. However, zoomru, by your post, you are obviously the mooron.
May 7, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
One hundred and fifty years ago, the people who ran the wagon business in Charleston successfully blocked the railroad from running to the port downtown. This caused huge logistical problems during the American Civil War when shiploads of war supplies had to be unloaded to wagons, driven a mile and then loaded on to the trains. People complained about congestion and noise.
Are the local trucking interests blocking rail to the port today? Do we every learn? Does anything ever change in Charleston.
The need for rail at the port is obvious and Federal regulatory options apparently exist for being sure there is competitive access to the rail system. Someone just needs to do the job they get paid to do.
May 7, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
JUSTJERRY............!!!
Great QUESTION....!?!? WOW...lets ponder..?
I just asked GEORGE, Elaine, and KRAMER.....!!
Answer.....ALUMAX !!
Come on ....."JERRY" !! I'm not "NEWMAN" but get your Google EARTH out and take a look around..!!! We all know that the tip of Daniel Island will be a .."Boutique Port"!!
A port that satisfies the refined and distinguished needs of Daniel Island..!!
My backside.......!! Jimmy "BOY" is playing the porkulus Fiddle ....too !! His orders from McConnell to do a "End Run" is really meant to set up ....WHO !! Hopefully, Robert FORD and Andre' Bauer will TEAM up to stand UP to CLYBURN and the "Peeler" CLAN tri-fecta..!!!
This is just ....taxpayer RAPING !! Grab your wallets and hang on!!
May 7, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Captive_Shipper (anonymous) says...
Ah, "nature_lover", nice name, nice deception. Sounds more like another railroad executive trying to protect your status quo. The citizens and taxpayers of Charleston and South Carolina are lucky they do own a railroad that serves some of the area's rail customers, too bad they don't serve more shippers. At least the taxpayers get some value from "their" railroad. It may have a management problem but it sure doesn't have an "ownership" problem.
http://www.osa.state.sc.us/NR/rdonlyr...
And thanks for mentioning Chrysler and Unions in the same sentence as if some how the workers are responsible for Chrysler's management decisions.
In case you've not been reading too deeply into the auto industry bailout let's back up to who was the first to bring up a huge corporate bailout for any private companies ... let me help you .. it occurred before November 4th, 2008 ... before we taxpayers had a "New Administration" and a "Change".
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/bus...
And let me further help you by mentioning another date, May 14th, 2007. On that day, Daimler announced they were selling Chrysler to hedge fund Cerberus Capital for pennies on the dollar just to shed it's self of continuing losses.
Now who do you think runs Cerberus? The former Bush II friend and Treasury Secretary and former CSX railroad CEO, John Snow.
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/15/Bus...
So why would a smart hedge fund who uses other peoples money to supposedly make them more money, buy a loser from Daimler? And why would W's Administration in their final days be so willing to throw taxpayer cash at a "regulatory oversight" problem that the rank and file workers had nothing to do with?
It's not because of competitive port facilities or competitive rail access or even competitive donut shops; it's "corporate greed" and unless it's balanced soon our economic trouble's with all the "Bernies" out there will spill over into the next generation.
May 7, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by Captive_Shipper; "And thanks for mentioning Chrysler and Unions in the same sentence as if some how the workers are responsible for Chrysler's management decisions."
Everyone knows that the unions with all their under paid officials and rank and file members had nothing to do with putting any of the "big three" in financial jeopardy so no one should be "mentioning" them.
Posted by Captive_Shipper ; In case you've not been reading too deeply into the auto industry bailout let's back up to who was the first to bring up a huge corporate bailout for any private companies ... let me help you .. it occurred before November 4th, 2008 ... before we taxpayers had a "New Administration" and a "Change".
"In case you've not been reading too deeply into the auto industry bailout let's back up to who was the first to bring up a huge corporate bailout for any private companies ... let me help you .."
In 1979 Democrat Jimmy Carter( the first Obama) authorized 750 million dollars in loan guarantees to Chrysler.
Thought you'd like to know.
May 7, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smp (anonymous) says...
Until the Port Authority starts running like an ethical public entity, instead of a mob, why should anyone care what they need? They have no credibility.
As for the rail, whether you like Mayor Summey or don't like Mayor Summey, whether you like the Noisette project or you don't, you have known his position on the project for years. So why does the Port sneak around like a filthy little mouse trying to do back room deals to circumvent the law? (Notice, comment periods etc of the Environmental Impact Study).
Well the answer is because that is how they do business. ..like sneaky filthy mice. So who cares what they want? Not me.
May 7, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
JC.......
Yes your RIGHT...!!!
WE ARE ALL....Moorons; because we have GE right here in OUR state manufacturing Wind Turbines for Shieks to USE so they can SELL us their DIESEL OIL....!!!!
We JC are such MORONz that OUR utility WORKerz can not figure out how to tie Green Power into our present GRID system....UNLIKE THE ENGLISH and FRENCH ...!!!!
We JC are such MORONz that we will even consider burning more foreign diesel to TRUCK our TRASH all the way to Parkers Ferry or Berkeley County or Dorchester COunty when Bees Ferry is TAPPED out...!!!
Yes ....JC we are all BENDING over together...I guess that's team...WORK ?
MY Scrawny BACKSIDE.....!?!?!?!
May 7, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Zoomie, good stuff
May 7, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
so csx is the stubborn one here ? i would think the govt. could eminent domain or tap in with an easement? Is the traffic on it currently so heavy this wouldn't be an option ? I hope North Charleston doesn't look like Long Beach, California when this thing is completed, smoke just hangs over LBC from diesel burning engines. If this could lessen the ammount of trucks on 26 this would be great, but it looks like this area will always suffer from poor design and the traffic will worsen if no deal is struck.
May 7, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blackberry_fan (anonymous) says...
Posted by justjerry on May 7, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I still would like to know how much Jim Merrill is getting out of this deal. There has to be something in it for him to even propose this."
Obviously he is getting more than the father and son duo. That's why they are fighting it so hard.
May 7, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
HighDEF.......
CSX...Stubborn ..?? Well, from all the "rumors" ...not stubborn. Both CSX and N-Southern feel that the LOCAL officials are putting GUNS to their financial heads to provide RAIL for "other" needs that they will NOT be getting a direct benefit. How do you think their shareholders would "Feel" about that..!?! Also, there are other factors to consider......
1) What if the Pee Dee Coal fired plant is NOT built? Wow look at the loss of potential rail revenue ..?? Which also ponders another thought......does RAIL really want for US to harness our WIND at all...?? They would much rather US build Coal Plants....!! Not to mention the fine Diesel...purveyors !! ....or KINDER-MORGAN (hmm....they just got a permit to EXPAND)...!!!
2) Why would RAIL allow the EXPANSION of all LANDFILLS in our state...!?!? ...it benefits their bottom line to continue to dump instead of recycling and using PLasma Converters from www.startech.net to CLOSE landfills..!!!
3) Why would Rail operators SHARE their track ..?? How does this benefit the SHARE holders..??
4) Would Diesel purveyors from across our STATE want more RAIL access to the PORT...?? They would much rather WASTE Tax dollars and build 12 Lane highways for more diesel burning TRUCKS to move FREIGHT less efficiently...!!!
5) Does CSX or N-S give a Ratz about the Magnolia PRoject..?? What is changing hands and who is doing WHAT for Whom in DC...??? Is the RAIL "Porkulus" a 50/50 split between CSX and N-S....??? LOL..!?!
What is clearly evident is the fact that really supporting AMERICAN Technology is the LAST thing on the "Business a USUAL....Boyz!!" minds.!!
There are a number of technological solutions that if integrated together would greatly leverage OUR state's economy in the LONG run...!!!
www.startech.net
www.valcent.net
www.selsam.com and GE
www.unimodal.com
We citizens can choose to better OURSELVES or .....WHAT ?
May 7, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Hey ....LONNIE CARTER !!!!
CEO of Santee "Sandanista" Cooper...!!!
What opinion do YOU have "Buck-O" about our PORT situation...!?!?!? Did you not think that this RAIL LINE fiasco would not come back around to ....YOU !?!
You are a BIG ROOSTER in our state..!!! Just what exactly did you have to say to SUMMEY when you were.....WHERE ??? Is it NS or CSX serving Kinder-Morgan for YOU...!?! Which one..!?! We dumb ....MORON....citizens....WanT TO KNOW..!!! We are sure this PAPER told US 10 YEARS Ago but we being un-real men just can't remember...!?!?! The Kinder- MORGAN workers really FEEL a breeze down by the WATERSIDE. We wonder if they realize that FARMERS get royalties from WIND Turbines on their FARMS out WEST...!?! We wonder what type of PENSION plans the workers have...???
Hmm......lets see here using Google EARTH if those workers at KINDER MORGAN could install a Wind Turbine in their PARKING LOT....just in case their PENSIONS get RAIDED..!?!
By GOSH......look at that.....We see room for a TURBINE MAST..!!! Maybe ...TWO ..!?!
Well.....too bad Lonnie Carter does NOT have any engineers to tie this into the POWER grid like the FRENCH....DO !!!
Kinder-Morgan workers......get LOUD..!?!?!
May 7, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truthseeker (anonymous) says...
Why do our legislators and governor continue to blindly support this project and the SPA management ?
Why allow a state agency to be out sneaking around trying to slime out of their legal agreement with the city of North Charleston?
Hiding emails from a FOIA is unacceptable behavior from our state agency too.
Obviously Groseclose is not the root of the management problem at the SPA.
Time to clean house and start over.
May 7, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Wait a minute.
I have seen Norfolk Southern trains coming out of the Kinder Morgan plant though not on the base.
Someone needs to look into using the Kinder Morgan property as a rail yard, after all it is right next to the proposed port and closer than the Ginn site. The city could use eminent domain if need be.
I don't understand how NS trains can get to Kinder Morgan, as it is where the old coal terminal was, and not to the proposed port. It is south of the proposed port. NS is crossing the CSX lines somewhere or they could not get to the Kinder Morgan plant.
Something fishy is going on here! Who owns Kinder Morgan? Cerebus or some other politically connected entity?
May 7, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
I went and looked on google earth and the land going from the Kinder Morgan plant to the old Macalloy site has NO railroad tracks between them. As far as I can tell there is nothing to keep a train from accessing this site.
Look for yourself!
May 7, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
REALAmerican..........
keep thinking........
What would really be nice is to have each entity give a POWER POINT Slide presentation with interactive graphics and overlays showing us DUMB folk just exactly what all the FUSS is about..!?! Then let the CITIZENS of South CAROLINA vote on which one benefits the STATE taxpayers.....MORE..!!!
Instead...lawyers on both sides are playing "Badminton" with our WALLETS...!!! Too boot ...OUR state's economy is WHERE due to the mis-firing of OUR port's "SPARK-PLUG"..!!
Oh, well....we'll just get another "Earl Schieb" coat for our state...JALOPY !!!
May 7, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
The government ended up making $300 billion from the Chrysler bailout. That's a bad thing?
May 7, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
I went to the Dragon Boat races last weekend. A Dragon Boat has 22 people on it and 20 row while one stears and one beats a drum to help the people that row keep in sync. With anything in south carolina we have 11 people trying to stear, 10 beating a drum and one rowing the boat, it is no wonder why nothing can get done.
Too many people that have to get their hands on projects keep the projects tied up in red tape and keeps projects from going foward.
20 people have to sit down, shut up and row.
May 7, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Billythe KID..............
Gimme OAR number 1 !!!!
OR..
the DRUM...??
OUT of all comments.......
I must bestow you an AWARD.......
the "Palmetto Observant Citizen Award" ..!!
Thank you for your thought and TIME...!!
May 7, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nature_lover (anonymous) says...
Captive_Shipper, how is my "name" deciptive? What did I say about nature, or the environment?
Many states have state-owned railroads, one's that were established or grew after deregulation to maintain rail service to areas that the major railroads didn't want to serve anymore. Small, privately owned railroads often serve these markets. That is not the case in Charleston. I agree that there needs to be competition, but as WJHAMILTON says, federal regulatory options do exist.
You have mistaken me as a fan of W. I never have been. This article you provided is about TARP funds, and trying to shore up the financial system, not bailing out the auto industry. That's the new guy, the guy who received $400 million in campaign funds from labor unions. And what about your tie between Snow and W, and Snow's connection to CSX? Former, former, former? So what? The guy made a smart investment. Obama clearly has a current conflict of interest and it's costing the taxpayers now. These automotive manufacturers are not going to make it unless we pay for it. There problems are too big. Corporate greed is your way of blaming someone else for your problems. The hands of auto makers and aircraft makers, and airlines have been tied by the unions for years. When a company is not locked down by unions, guess what happens to it when it gets in financial trouble? It files for bankruptcy and restructures. Guess what happens to an aircraft manufacturer when it gets a big contract for jet deliveries? Immediate strike.
W's problem was he wasn't paying attention to anything but terrorists. Congress (both parties) were spending like there was no tomorrow and he didn't have the you-know-what's to say no. We were warned about Fannie and Freddie, the first indication that there was going to be a mortgage problem, and we were told by certain members of congress that there were no problems. Of course, they were getting campaign money from those organizations.
"Bernie" doesn't represent corporate America. He represents a flaw in the regulatory system and a criminal who took advantage of it.
Everyone's gotten greedy. People have to have more, bigger, and what they can't afford. Everyone should not be able to afford everything. I'm fed up with all the excess. Hence the name.
The economic problems, thanks to administrations dating back to the new deal, will always spill over into the next generation.
May 7, 2009 at 10:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
Unions are good. Just ask the auto industry, the textile industry, the steel industry, the shipping industry, and dozens other industries once dominated by America's El Quaeda. Oh yeah, you cant. Those industries are gone. The Chinese love our unions.
May 8, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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