In a tersely worded email sent to council members Matt Rodriguez and Charleen Mehaffie Flick on Tuesday, LM&M parent company president Brian Collins responded “Hi guys, looks like game over. Thanks for all your efforts, but looks like we will be moving. Brian”
LM&M operates a tourist train 10 months of the year along a five-mile parcel of track owned by the city. For the past four years, the city has paid an average of $160,000 a year to maintain the tracks, while LM&M has paid a $5,250 annual user fee and a 50-cent, per-ticket-sold fee to the city. Between 2009 and 2011, the company has paid a total of $32,430 back to the city, although supporters of the train argue it provides significantly more in terms of economic development and bringing tourists and tourist dollars to the city. Figures for 2012 were not available because the train’s season hasn’t ended yet.
City Councilman Jeff Monroe said he would only approve a contract if the company made some attempt to fully reimburse the city for the upkeep of the tracks.
“There are lots of ways to bring people into downtown,” Monroe said. “This one has demonstrated it is just throwing money away.”
Councilman Jim Dearie said he had mixed feelings about the situation and pushed for an independent economic analysis to get a complete gauge of the train’s economic impact on the city.
“The track is a part of our infrastructure and even if LM&M doesn’t come back, I feel we have a responsibility to keep it up,” Dearie said. “If we were to shut it down and some company wanted us to use it in a couple of years, what would be the cost to restore it?”
“We need to have (LM&M) show they are at least as committed as the taxpayers are to keeping this train here,” said Councilman Mark Messer. “This is a ride. It’s not something that is fundamental to the community.”
Councilman Matt Rodriguez is a strong supporter of LM&M continuing to operate in Lebanon.
“They are biting off their nose to spite their face,” Rodriguez said of other council members. “They think this money will solve the city’s road problems, but it’s just a needle in a haystack. The city let the racetrack run out of the city and now they are doing the same with the train. What will be left?”
Ted Kossouji, owner of the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory in downtown Lebanon, said the train brings a significant amount of customers to his store.
“Last weekend we had 1,700 people come in for a private event on the train,” Kossouji said. “They were all nice people. I’ve never heard anyone say ‘Why don’t they get rid of that train?’ ”
Small business owners were being shut out by the city in the decision making process, Kossouji said.
“I don’t understand why people not familiar with what’s going on get to vote on it,” Kossouji said. “I’m sick of the small business owners in this community having to keep coming to city council with their hats in their hands and grovel for it time and again. We know the right thing to do is to support it for the good of the community.”
Rodriguez said he is not going to give up the fight and will present a contract he feels LM&M would approve before council.
Collins could not be reached for contact.
About the Author