Ford City Express Still Held in Station
by Jonathan Weaver
For months, Ford City Renaissance Community Partnership leaders have seemingly asked for a meeting to discuss crafting an agreement for the Ford City Express.
They were granted the meeting during a nearly-40 minute special committee session following Monday night’s regular council meeting, but left without the train title.
Borough Council Vice-President Jerry Miklos insisted committee members “want (Ford City Renaissance) to have (the train)” and “are not trying to prevent them from having the train.”
But, with one caveat: a lease.
“We had a strong suggestion from our attorney to give them a long-term lease for $1 – which would give (the Ford City Renaissance) total control of the train and safeguard the Borough’s interest if anything ever happened to the Renaissance committee – but they didn’t like that,” Miklos said. “I’m not sure why.”
Co-Chair Paul Klukan said the non-profit leaders have already poured more than $2,000 in community donations into the restoration effort, but they won’t dedicate any more without an agreement. He was frustrated with the “uphill battle.”
“I will not do a lease,” Klukan said. “We didn’t get (anywhere).
“You try to do something nice for the town…”
In the proposed lease, Renaissance leaders had 15 days to return the train and title to the Borough.
“Harrisburg (doesn’t) work that fast,” Klukan said.
Renaissance leaders hoped to restore the Ford City Express by Easter
“(The Ford City Lions) have the big Easter Egg Hunt in town, and we thought we’d bring the Easter Bunny in on the train,” Klukan said. “I can’t do (anything) until (Borough Council) turns the title over.”
The last time the train rode the streets of Ford City and was inspected was in 1984.
Reportedly, Solicitor Anthony Vigilante advised Ford City Renaissance leaders to ask again at the beginning of the calendar year when a new Borough Council majority is sworn in.
A poll from the last two days at www.kittanningpaper.com shows 89% of the respondents feel Ford City should give over title to the choo-choo with no strings attached. Voting continues through tomorrow on our website.
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