THE BIG SECRET

To the Editor:

I, and a number of Plymouth residents were asked to leave the Plymouth Common Council meeting Tuesday evening, July 28, because the council was going into closed session to discuss the Falls to Plymouth rail line. I understand the council legally can go into closed sessions where visitors are not allowed. What I don’t understand is why discussions on this project have been so secretive.

Why only discussed at a closed session?

The Plymouth mayor has been quoted a number of times in the press regarding the great value this line will bring to our area. He throws around figures like the creation of 450 new jobs plus new investment of $35 million to $65 million, if the rail line opens. He never offers any details to back this up, however.

The mayor has been flying his “rail line” flag for months. But, if all of this is so good for Plymouth, why hasn’t the information been made available to his constituents?

How about a few facts, sir? Things like, who is the mysterious investor? Why are you, as mayor, pushing a $3 million commitment by Plymouth before any commitment by an investor?

How about a little transparency for the public?

When we asked, before the meeting on the evening of July 28, if we could speak to this issue before the closed session, we were told we could wait two hours and then say our piece. But the mayor then said that no official would be allowed comment on the issue. We were told the time to bring our concerns to the council should be at their Sept. 3 meeting. That is several weeks from now.

So, I ask the question again: If this project is so good for Plymouth, what is the big secret?
Jim Bordeau
Plymouth