Clay wants an out
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said Tuesday he wants the ability to pull out of the Regional Development Authority, because he doesn't want Gary locked into paying for the South Shore commuter rail extension if the project won't benefit Gary.
Now, if the $1 billion project includes a rail spur linking the South Shore line to the Gary airport, the mayor would be much more likely to look on it favorably.
The RDA bill the General Assembly approved in 2005 includes no language about how a funding entity like Gary can back out. The bill does stipulate payors will fund the RDA for 10 years.
Comments
I agree with the Mayor, It's like Gary is good enough to pay but we won't allow Gary to play. That sounds like they just want to use Gary.
Posted by: Alyone Priest | February 6, 2008 06:21 AM
This Mayor doesn't have a clue
Posted by: mike barnes | February 6, 2008 01:49 PM
Mayor Clay has the right idea.
The RDA has not done anything as far as assisting Gary out of its transportation woes. They are all about assisting surrounding communities, while the citizens of Gary suffer.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2008 02:57 PM
I don't usually agree with Mayor Clay but I think he has raised some valid concerns.
He is not the only one in Gary that is opposed to the South Shore expansion. Why should we have to pay the RDA when this so called expansion is only going to benefit a few communities.
I do agree that what Clay purposed in regards to the South Shore expansion and the airport is something that needs to be addressed. The airport is going to expand and we also need South Shore access to and from the airport.
Posted by: Babs | February 8, 2008 06:32 PM
Stand behind Rudy he has been with Gary for a long time and doesn't want to hand out money give him credit for being a politican -- Indiana doesn't have to say yes all the time -- Illinois doesn't
Posted by: anonymous | February 10, 2008 11:00 AM