Nov. 26, 2009
By Isaac Babcock
Observer Staff
An uproar reached from the audience into the Winter Park City Commission dais as state Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland spoke about the financial issues surrounding a recent push for a Central Florida commuter rail deal on Monday.
But she didn't utter a syllable before the questions flew the other way, with residents and prominent local officials probing her motives for appearing.
"I thought we voted in favor of SunRail, is that not correct?" resident Jim Cooper asked. "I want to know why we have our biggest opponent of SunRail here. I think this is good for our economy and good for Winter Park."
Dockery's presentation focused largely on financial conditions for the rail deal, which have been hotly debated in the state Legislature. She had opposed a rail deal that died in the legislature in the spring session.
She presented figures showing that the proposed rail deal could cost more than 15 times the national average per mile.
"Why is Florida paying $10.5 million per mile?" she asked. Answering her own question she pointed to a figure of $198 million, which the state would pay to CSX as part of the commuter rail deal, but would go to fund improvements to its freight rail system. She suggested removing that provision.
She also reiterated an argument that the SunRail deal's accident liability provisions left the state largely responsible for damages, even if CSX were at fault.
"It's like saying I'm going to sell you a house that's worth $200,000, and you have to pay $2 million for it, and if I set the house on fire, you have to pay for it," Dockery said.
Commissioner Karen Diebel said that the city had already shown strong support for the system, and that it had played it safe when becoming part of the previous failed rail deal.
"We think we've protected ourselves up to the seven-year mark for a dedicated funding source to be found," Diebel said. Then she asked Dockery for solutions to problems she'd discussed.
The discussion momentarily turned heated when Mayor Ken Bradley abruptly told Dockery that her time to speak was up, and Commissioner Beth Dillaha intervened.
"I apologize for the disrespect from our mayor," Dillaha said.
"That comment was out of line, Commissioner," Bradley quickly retorted.
The discussion ended quickly with Dockery's final call to seek a dedicated funding source to make SunRail possible.
Bradley reiterated the city's support for the system.
"The city of Winter Park has voted for SunRail at every opportunity," he said.
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